Manufacturing Engineer Degree Apprenticeship

About the course

The Manufacturing Engineering Degree Apprenticeship will transform learners into 21st century engineers with the advanced intellectual and professional skills they need. Apprentices will gain all the skills, knowledge and behaviours they need to excel within manufacturing engineering environments. With a focus on planning for the future of the sector, apprentices will become 21st century engineers who are equipped to meet the evolving demands of the industry.

Who is this apprenticeship for?

This Level 6 degree apprenticeship will provide the practical and theoretical training for aspiring manufacturing engineers who want to gain new skills and a formal degree qualification. This includes those early in their career and school leavers applying for degree apprenticeship roles in the sector.

Manufacturing engineers will specialise in manufacturing concepts, principles and methodologies in order to develop the skills of the existing engineer workforce. The focus is on the advanced manufacturing techniques and project management skills required to launch products on time, on cost and to the right quality.

Apprentices studying the programme at Aston will benefit from a close partnership with industry leaders as well as expert teaching staff who have held professional engineering positions. Graduates will be able to register as Incorporated Engineers with relevant Professional Engineering Institutes such as IMechE and IET.

Qualifications

By completing this programme you will be awarded with:

• BEng in Professional Engineering (Manufacturing Engineer)
• Apprenticeship certificate

Programme content

The apprenticeship is taught at undergraduate level (Levels 4-6) over four years, but can be extended to five, covering the essentials of professional engineering, while specialising in manufacturing.

Stage 1

• Professional Engineering Practice
• Digital Engineering
• Engineering Mathematics
• Electro-Mechanical Principles
• Work-based Project - Engineering Improvement

Stage 2

• Mathematical Methods in Engineering
• Computer Aided Design
• Data Acquisition and Instrumentation
• Engineering Management
• Manufacturing Processes and Technology
• Work-based Project - Technical Problem-Solving

Final stage

• Professional Development Audit
• Project Management
• Work-based Project
• Advanced Manufacturing Systems
• Quality Engineering
• Sustainable Engineering

Plus one of the following optional modules:

• Engineering Design Applications
• Engineering Materials and Manufacturing

Learning and teaching

This programme is taught through block based or blended distance learning in the first two stages and through blended distance learning in the final stage. Formal teaching takes place using on campus lectures and our virtual learning environment, Blackboard if the block based delivery is selected for the first two stages. For blended distance learning, formal teaching takes place using our virtual learning environment, Blackboard where apprentices will work through the learning resources and take part in monthly tutorials. This platform allows apprentices to access a comprehensive range of study materials, academic journals, databases and much more. Online learning gives apprentices the flexibility to study from any location without the need to frequently travel to the Aston University campus.

In addition to online learning, all apprentices are supported by a professional skills coach, an academic, and professional supervisor. The coaches and supervisors will meet with apprentices once per module, either in person or online, to provide advice and help bridge the gap between theory and practice. The professional supervisors are all Chartered Engineers and they will help the apprentices with their professional registration after successful completion of their degrees.

Assessment

The programme will be assessed through a combination of written and oral examinations, class tests, individual and group coursework projects, presentations and practical assessments. All projects and assignments are work-based, relating directly to the apprentice’s role in their organisation adding immediate value for both the apprentice and the employer.

End point assessment

The apprenticeship concludes with the end point assessment (EPA). The EPA gives the apprentices the opportunity to showcase their academic, personal and professional development achievements throughout the apprenticeship. Apprentices will take part in a professional discussion to demonstrate their competencies and how they have applied their learning in the workplace. They will also be required to give a presentation showing the impact of their final work based project on their organisation. After the EPA, the assessors will consider what grade should be awarded for the apprenticeship – fail, pass, merit, or distinction.

To be considered for this programme, Aston University expects that applicants will have/are predicted to achieve three A Levels at CCC or above including a Mathematics based subject and a STEM subject, or equivalent BTECs.* Other qualifications may be considered on a case by case basis.

Apprentices must also meet the following criteria set by the government:

• Be employed in a job in England with responsibilities aligned with the apprenticeship
   
• Have a minimum of five GCSEs at Grade C/4 or above including Mathematics, English and a Science, technology or engineering related subject
   
• Be a UK/EU/EAA resident for at least three years prior to starting the course
   
• Have left full-time education when the apprenticeship starts
   
• Be at least 16 years old.

How to apply

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 Apprenticeships Team to find out more information about working with us.

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 £27,000. This is the full cost of your apprenticeship which will be paid for using your employer's apprenticeship levy.