Digital & Technology Solutions Professional Apprenticeship (Integrated Degree) - Level 6

University support

Our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your learning

Kickstart your career

Earn a BSc (Hons) Digital & Technology Solutions whilst gaining working experience

Learn from experts

Benefit from the real-world expertise of our academics

The Digital & Technological Solutions Professional apprenticeship features an integrated degree to help ensure you are ready for the fields of Cyber Security, Business Analysis, Network Engineering, IT Consulting and Software Engineering.

The Digital & Technology Solutions Professional Apprenticeship (Integrated Degree) will set you up with the necessary skills and training to help you thrive in the fast-paced digital & technological world with a BSc (Hons) Digital & Technology Solutions.

Who is it for?

A Digital & Technology Solutions Professional provides technology enabled solutions to internal and/or external customers, in a range of areas including software, business and systems analysis, cyber security, data analysis and network infrastructure. They implement technology solutions that enable businesses to develop new products and services and to increase an organisations productivity using digital technologies. They are confident, competent and capable independent Technology Solutions Professionals able to operate in a range of related roles.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Digital & Technology Solutions

Location
Stoke-on-Trent campus
Duration
Typical duration for this apprenticeship is 3.5 years.
Start date(s)

Typical start date for this course is October

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Course content

The programme is made up as follows:

  • Core Modules – which are taken by apprentices on all routes
  • Route Modules – which must be taken by apprentices on a particular specialism route. The route options are determined by your career plan and desired role. We cater for Cyber Security Analyst, Business Analyst, Data Analyst, IT Consultant, Network Engineer and Software Engineer.

Modules

Year 1 Modules:

Core Modules

  • Data and Business Analysis
  • Networks and Hardware
  • Software Fundamentals
  • Cyber Fundamentals
  • Introduction to AI & ML
  • Mathematics, Statistics and Collaborative Research

Year 2 Modules:

Core Modules

  • Cloud Architecture
  • Low Code Software Development
  • Work Based Project and Professional Development

Year 2 Route Modules

  • Software Engineering Route
    • Object Oriented Programming
    • Agile Software Development
  • Business Analyst and IT Consultant
    • Business System Design
    • Requirements Elicitation for Business Improvement
  • Data Analyst
    • Business System Design
    • Principles of Data Analytics
  • Cyber Security Analyst
    • Computer Security Analysis
    • Network Security Analysis
  • Network Engineer
    • Network Design and Routing
    • Local Area Network Switching and Wireless Networks

Year 3 Modules:

Core Modules

  • Digital and Technology Solutions Specialism Learning by Negotiation
  • Technology Strategy, Management & Leadership
  • Project Proposal

Year 3 Route Modules

  • Software Engineer
    • Creating Mobile Applications
    • Enterprise Application Development

  • Business Analyst
    • Business Improvement and Change Management

  • IT Consultant
    • IT Consultancy for Innovation

  • Data Analyst
    • Programming for Data Analytics

  • Cyber Security Analyst
    • Ethical Hacking
    • Malware Analysis

  • Network Engineer
    • Enterprise Network Concepts and Automation
    • Network Security Emerging Network Technologies

Year 3+ Module:

  • Digital and Technology Solutions Honours Project
  • End-point Assessment will follow the completion of the Digital and Technology & Solutions Honours Project.

Subject to final validation approval

Entry requirements

  • Level 2 maths and English (GCSE, functional skills or equivalent)
  • Level 3 or above qualification equivalent to 104 UCAS Tariff points (eg. 3 A Levels grades BCC).

Where an organisation has prospective apprentices with workplace experience who do not meet the above qualifications, these will be considered on a case by case basis.

Fees

For levy-paying organisations the cost is paid from their digital account at a rate of £27,000. For non-levy paying organisations the cost is £1,350.

Delivery and assessment

Delivery

Apprentices will attend a one-day induction at the beginning of the apprenticeship before the launch of the first module. There is a four-day module launch for each learning block in October, February and May. The module launch is designed to provide apprentices with an overview of the module and its assessment. There will be a number of presentations, activities and the opportunity to get to know your tutors and other apprentices as well as a tour of the library and other university facilities.

Assessment

The delivery of the apprenticeship by the university provides an integrated approach to developing and assessing skills and knowledge across the range of modules in the degree programme. Individual modules will contribute formative assessment to the skills, knowledge and behaviour outcomes en-route to the final year project and presentation. The final year synoptic project is a substantial piece of work, typically taking a total of 24 weeks alongside the apprentices’ normal duties to their employer. The end point assessment integrates the project outcomes and presentation into the overall synoptic project assessment. It is this end point assessment which will be judged against the standard, and test the skills, knowledge and behaviours together as applied through the project.

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support you will receive from your course teaching team, our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your learning in a number of areas. These include study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills); written English (including punctuation and grammatical accuracy); academic writing (including how to reference); research skills; critical thinking and understanding arguments; and revision, assessment and examination skills (including time management).

Additional support

Our AccessAbility Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment or learning difficulties. You will also have full access to our support services such as Student Guidance.

Feedback

Examination feedback may take a variety of formats. However, as a minimum, generic feedback will be made available to all students who take written examinations.

Responsibilities

  • The employer must not ask the apprentice to contribute financially to the direct cost of learning
  • Ensure apprentices are given a minimum of 6 hours per week in off-the-job training
  • Enter into a contract with Staffordshire University
  • Participate in reviews with the apprentice and university, providing evidence and feedback on progress at work and success in meeting apprenticeship milestones
  • Provide a safe, healthy and supportive environment, which meets the needs of the apprentice
  • Provide apprentices with a contract of employment for the duration of the apprenticeship on the first day of their apprenticeship and be paid at least a wage consistent with the law for both the time they are in work and in off-the-job learning
  • Provide the apprentice with paid time to attend off-the-job training, including additional support for English and Maths, or support accessed for learning difficulties and/or disabilities
  • Recognise that the apprentice must complete the apprenticeship within their working hours
  • Support the apprentice to gain new skills
  • A citizen of a country within the European Economic Area (EEA) or have the right of abode in the UK and have been ordinarily resident in the EEA for at least the previous three years on the first day of learning
  • Able to complete the apprenticeship in contracted working hours
  • Be an employee (have a contract of employment for the duration of the apprenticeship) on the first day of their apprenticeship and be paid at least a wage consistent with the law for both the time they are in work and in off-the-job learning
  • Be in a new job role (nine months or less), or in an existing job role, where significant new knowledge and skills are needed - employer statement of justification needed (relevant to the apprenticeship)
  • Be in full-time employment for at least 30 hours a week (37.5 for nursing apprenticeships)
  • Has the right to work in England
  • Maintain a safe, healthy and supportive environment, which meets your needs
  • Not be enrolled on another apprenticeship at the same time
  • Participate in reviews with the employer and university, providing evidence and feedback on progress at work and success in meeting apprenticeship milestones
  • Administer the funding and running of the apprenticeship standard to an acceptable standard of quality and in compliance with the ESFAs requirements
  • Agree jointly between the University, the employer and apprentice, an individual learning plan (ILP) ensuring that satisfactory progress is achieved and to ensure that the contents of the ILP fulfil the requirements of the apprenticeship standard
  • Provide a safe, healthy and supportive learning environment, which meets the needs of the apprentice
  • Provide off-the-job learning and assessment and oversee the on-the-job skills development as detailed in the ILP
  • Provide support on the selection of the endpoint assessor, if applicable. The endpoint assessment will be completed by the learning provider for all integrated degrees

Careers

Some example job roles include: Software Developer, Software Engineer, Software Tester, Application Specialist, Business Analyst, IT project Manager, IT Consultant, Network Engineer, Cyber Security Analyst, Database Specialist, Data Analyst, Digital Media Technology Practitioner, Systems Designer

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To join a higher degree apprenticeship programme, enquire with us today.

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