Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship

Course overview

Our Digital and Technology Solutions is the most established Degree Apprenticeship at Aston University and was the first Degree Apprenticeship offered in the UK.

You’ll be trained in a wide range of programming tools, methods and techniques, allowing you to add value to your organisation directly.

This course has been developed as part of Aston University’s contribution to the Institute of Coding (IoC) –a family of businesses and universities, funded by the Office for Students and collaborating organisations, dedicated to developing the digital skills that learners need to take advantage of the opportunities that computing and increased digitalisation are bringing.

Testimonial

"I personally felt that a blended approach of working whilst learning was a suitable option for me as I prefer to apply my learning in a practical way. The apprenticeship is a perfect blend of practical working with degree/university studies so I had the best of both worlds. As I progressed through the programme, I felt that this was the perfect option for me rather than full time study."

Aaradhya Amarthaluru

Digital & Technology Solutions BSc

Degree Apprentice Graduate

Why choose Aston University?

Aston University has been awarded with Teaching Excellence Framework 2023

Degree with experience

Gain a full honours degree as well as 4 years’ relevant work experience and no tuition fees to pay

Flexible IT specialisms according to your ambitions

Explore a dynamic learning experience in various IT domains, aligning seamlessly with your career goals

Accredited programme

Our Computer Science degrees are accredited for Chartered IT Professional (CITP), the British Computer Society's (BCS) Chartered qualification

Course description

Digital and Technology Solutions BSc

The course will help you develop the practical skills and theoretical knowledge you need for a career in the IT sector.

What we will provide
You will recieve mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals, enhancing their practical knowledge.

By successfully completing this programme, we will award you with:
• BSc in Digital and Technology Solutions
• An apprenticeship certificate.

Our Computer Science degrees are accredited for Chartered IT Professional (CITP), the British Computer Society's (BCS) Chartered qualification. On graduation, you’ll have the right to join the BCS - the principal organisation for IT professionals in the UK.

What will you provide
As an apprentice, you will be required to balance academic work, full-time employment, and on-the-job training. You will be expected to engage with teaching materials, online lectures, and in-person sessions. You will need to submit coursework and other assessments in a timely manner.

What skills will we teach
You will learn theory and key skills and apply them straight into practice whilst you are employed as an apprentice. You will gain a wide variety of skills, including analytical, risk management, problem solving, team working, analytical and innovation.

Career prospects
If you're a prospective IT enthusiast aiming to acquire fresh skills and an official degree, this apprenticeship programme is tailored to your needs.
Its purpose is to cultivate individuals who are imaginative, forward-thinking, and aspire to emerge as upcoming pioneers in both technical and business domains.

Choose from two specialist pathways: Software Engineering or Business Analytics and benefit from our employer network.

How you will learn

This apprenticeship is delivered through blended work-based learning, you'll begin your apprenticeship with a seven-week technical training block on campus, known as the ALE-Advanced Learning Environment, where you'll develop the core computing and business skills needed to become an effective team member in the workplace.

Then you'll spend the majority of your time in the workplace doing a real full-time job as well as studying part-time. Your learning will be made up of a combination of online seminars that take place outside of office hours as well as four days on campus every six months where you can meet face-to-face with your peers and our academics.

You can get an idea of what online learning sessions are like by watching our taster webinars:

• Requirements Prioritisation, Validation and Change
• Sets and Predicate Logic Study time is structured to fit around your job, as are exams.

Your apprenticeship is designed in partnership with your employer, so you don't need to worry about your work and study commitments clashing.

Most teaching is delivered through our virtual learning environment, Blackboard. Online teaching gives you the flexibility to study from any location without the need to frequently travel to the Aston University campus.

What you will learn

You will gain a broad knowledge of IT topics such as Foundations of Technology Solutions, Computer Systems and Networks, Internet Applications; with the option of specialising in the Software Engineering or Business Analytics specialism.

Facilities

At Aston University, apprentices enjoy full access to all the facilities available to regular students. This inclusive approach ensures that apprentices can take advantage of the university's library, labs, study spaces, cafes and more. By providing equal access to these facilities, Aston University supports apprentices in their educational journey, enabling them to thrive in both academic and practical aspects of their chosen fields.

Course objectives

Produce graduate IT professionals, specifically prepared to respond to the computing challenges of the business world.
Provide graduates with the theoretical underpinning needed to support sound analysis, design and delivery of technology solutions.
Develop practical software and information systems engineering capability based on well-founded principles.
Provide a wide perspective on IT and business through the Schools’ links with professional and public sector organisations.
Enhance the ability of students to apply their knowledge and understanding in the work environment.
Provide graduates with the skills and knowledge needed to transfer knowledge to others in the business uses of IT.
Produce socially responsible and sustainability-literate graduates and develop in graduates the ability to understand and communicate both in a business context and in an IT context.
Embed graduate-level transferable skills and learning approaches needed for continuing professional development.

Modules and learning outcomes

The apprenticeship is taught at Level 6 which is an undergraduate level of study, and begins with an 8 week study period (inclusive of one week with your employer). This Advanced Learning Environment (ALE) is the first stage of the apprenticeship called the Foundations of Technology Solutions.

The programme is split into three stages, with stage one common to both specialisms. The second and third stage are split into one of two specialisms so apprentices can study either Software Engineering or Business Analyst modules.

Software Engineering: this specialism has a technical focus and teaches practical programming skills as well as the theoretical foundations of computer science.

Business Analyst: this specialism has both technical and business focuses and places particular importance on the understanding and management of data.

Stage 1
Stages 2 & 3

Stage 1 modules

The first stage of the apprenticeship is taught at Level 4 over 16 months and includes;

Module title	Credits
Foundations of technology solutions	30
Professional practice	30
Computer systems and networks	15
Systems development	15
Introduction to business organisations	15
Internet applications	15
Total	120

Stage 1 outcomes

Analyse simple business requirements expressed in English and reason about how those requirements can be met through the construction of new, or modifications to existing, software or information systems.
Explain the fundamental concepts used in object-oriented software development and make use of these concepts to design and implement a medium-sized software system in the Java programming language.
Articulate the role of data management systems in a business context and design, implement and administrate a database driven system using entity relationship modelling, SQL and other appropriate tools and languages.
Take a disciplined approach to software and information systems development, including principled organisation, computational problem solving, and systematic testing and documentation.
Contribute to IT projects by applying industry standard processes, methods, techniques, and tools appropriate to the IT industry.
Discuss the context of their work, both in relation to the internal structure and governance of their organisation but also in relation to the external marketplace.
Explain and apply the principles of data representation and hardware operation and describe the purposes and general organisation of a computer system as an integrator of hardware, software, and user interface elements.
Perform computations in and conversions between relevant number systems and analyse and enhance the design and management of computer networks in a business context, including network security.
Explain the operations involved in key SLDC stages: system planning, requirements analysis, architecture design, implementation, integration, testing and systems maintenance.
Implement basic techniques for systems development, including configuration of common GUI elements, use of object-oriented libraries for accessing data sources, basic systems integration, etc.

Stage 2 & 3 modules

The final two stages are taught at Level 5 for 18 months and then Level 6 for 18 months. This is where apprentices will specialise their degree.

Module title	Credits
Business analytics	15
Introduction to accounting	15
Introduction to business economics	15
System and software analysis	15

Topics for the Software Engineer specialism:

Module title	Credits
Mathematics for computing professionals	15
Software engineering	15
Programme language concepts	15
Business analyst	15
Data structures and algorithms with Java	15

You will also have the opportunity to select some optional modules (optional for both).
Topics may include:

Module title	Credits
Enterprise computing strategies	15
Advance database systems and geographic information systems	15
Managing people and team leading	15
Machine learning	15

For Business Analysts only:

Module title	Credits
Effective management consultancy	15
International operations	15

For Software Engineers only:

Module title	Credits
Competitive intelligence	15
Mobile development	15
Advance web development	15

Entry requirements

Entry requirements are set by the hiring business and not Aston University so they vary between organisations. Apprentices are selected based on their applications, an interview and an assessment process which is tailored to your apprenticeship position.

Indicative entry requirements are given below, but please note that each employer may set their own criteria.

Three A Levels at CCC or above including a Mathematics based subject and a STEM subject, or equivalent BTEC.

*Please note:

Employers may specify their own entry criteria that can exceed this.
Candidates who do not have three A Levels at CCC may be considered on a case by case basis with aptitude and experience taken into consideration.

Have a minimum of five GCSEs at Grade C/4 or above including Mathematics, English and a science, technology or engineering related subject.

You will also need to meet the government's eligibility criteria:

Have been a UK/EU/EAA resident for the past three years or more prior to starting the course
Have left full time education when the apprenticeship you are applying for is due to start
Be aged at least 16 years old to meet government funding criteria.

If you are already employed in this industry, you should discuss with your manager if your organisation is working in partnership with Aston University. If they are, you will make an application through your employer.

If your employer is not yet an Aston partner, they can get in touch with our Apprenticeship Team to find out more information about working with us.

Course fees

You will not have to pay tuition fees as a Degree Apprentice, as the costs are met by the UK government and your employer*. In addition to your fees being paid, you will also earn a salary while you study, so there is no need to apply for Student Finance.

The funding band for this degree apprenticeship is £22,000. This is the full cost of your apprenticeship which will be paid for using your employer's apprenticeship levy.

*Employers may require students to pay the fees for resits.

Assessment

For students

By successfully completing this programme, you will be awarded a BSc in Digital Technology Solutions. You will also achieve an apprenticeship certificate that is graded at pass, merit or distinction.

Each six month block of modules requires up to two days for examinations. Your employer will know about these days well in advance and will give you study leave so you can prepare. You will also be assessed through coursework, project reports, group projects and presentations.

As part of the apprenticeship, you will undergo an end-point assessment to achieve the government approved Standard for a Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship.

For employers

Each six month block of modules requires up to two days on campus for examinations in addition to teaching days. Apprentices will also be assessed through coursework, project reports, group projects and presentations.

As part of the apprenticeship, the candidate will undergo an end-point assessment to achieve the government approved Standard for a Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship.

Career prospects

If you're a prospective IT enthusiast aiming to acquire fresh skills and an official degree, this apprenticeship programme is tailored to your needs.
Its purpose is to cultivate individuals who are imaginative, forward-thinking, and aspire to emerge as upcoming pioneers in both technical and business domains.

Choose from two specialist pathways: Software Engineering or Business Analytics and benefit from our employer network.