Professional Engineering Manufacturing Engineer Degree Apprenticeship

Course overview

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 be equipped to meet the evolving demands of the industry.

This Level 6 programme will provide the practical and theoretical training for aspiring manufacturing engineers who want to gain new skills and a formal degree qualification, including those early in their career and school leavers applying for Degree Apprenticeships.

Testimonial

"The apprenticeship program is an ideal pathway to develop your career ambitions since it allows you to study while working and apply your previous experiences to your education whilst developing your skills and knowledge. I preferred this route because I could be better academically, and the hand on approach is better suited to my learning style”.

Bally Purewal

Degree apprentice

Why choose Aston University?

Gold standard teaching

Aston University was awarded Triple Gold - the highest possible rating for the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF, 2023)

Become an Incorporated Engineer

The programme has been designed to meet the Engineering Council's requirement for apprentices to register as an Incorporated Engineer (I.Eng)

Work-based learning

The programme is taught through work-based learning that relates directly to the apprentice's role

A comprehensive support structure

Apprentices are supported by a professional skills coach, an academic, and a professional supervisor

Course description

Professional Engineering Manufacturing Engineer Degree Apprenticeship BSc

You will benefit from a close partnership with industry leaders and expert teaching staff who have held professional engineering positions.

What will we provide
We will provide you with mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals, enhancing their practical knowledge.

By successfully completing this programme, we will award you with:
• BEng in Professional Engineering (Manufacturing Engineer)
• Apprenticeship certificate

Graduates will be able to register as Incorporated Engineers with relevant Professional Engineering Institutes such as IMechE and IET.

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’ll develop technical skills such as understanding engineering principles, knowledge of manufacturing processes and systems, and proficiency in engineering design and simulation. You’ll also develop problem-solving and analytical skills, project management skills, and professional and personal development skills. The programme emphasises the application of knowledge in the workplace, allowing apprentices to directly apply their skills in a manufacturing engineering environment. Overall, the programme equips apprentices with the necessary knowledge and behaviours to contribute to the industry and succeed as manufacturing engineers.

Career prospects
Studying a Manufacturing Engineering Degree Apprenticeship offers a wide range of career prospects. Graduates can pursue roles such as manufacturing engineer, production manager, process engineer, or quality control specialist in industries like automotive, aerospace, electronics, and more. With a strong foundation in engineering principles and hands-on experience, apprentices can progress to leadership positions, overseeing production lines, optimising processes, and driving innovation. The blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills equips them for roles in research, development, and continuous improvement. Moreover, the apprenticeship enhances employability, providing avenues for specialisation and upward mobility within the dynamic manufacturing sector.

How you will learn

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 regular tutorials. This platform allows you to access a comprehensive range of study materials, academic journals, databases and much more. Online learning gives you the flexibility to study from any location without the need to frequently travel to the Aston University campus.

In addition, you will be supported by a professional skills coach, an academic, and professional supervisor. The coaches and supervisors will meet with you regularly, 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 you with your application for professional registration after successful completion of their degrees.

What you will learn

The programme is taught at undergraduate level (Levels 4-6) for four years. The apprenticeship aims to develop engineers who can apply the principles of systems management, engineering, and planning for the future of the sector.

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

Teach all the vocational skills, academic knowledge, and occupational behaviours, requirements of the Manufacturing Engineer Degree Apprenticeship standard.
Qualify graduates from the Programme to apply and register as Incorporated Engineers with the relevant Professional Engineering Institutes such as IMechE and IET. The programme has been designed in line with the Degree Apprenticeship standard.
Widen participation to professional registration for working engineers from a range of backgrounds, experiences, disciplines, and industry sectors by providing a flexible, work-based programme of study that can be adapted to suit individual needs.
Support the need of the UK engineering sector to further develop the skills of the existing engineer workforce who are involved in running and maintenance of engineering site operations.
Create 21st century engineers with the advanced intellectual and professional skills set required by the Degree Apprenticeship standard to meet the engineering demands arising from the Sustainable Development Goals set by the UN.
Utilise advanced information and communications technology to maximise the “valued added” student learning experience through the adoption of a student centred, personalised, employer driven learning pedagogy.

Modules and learning outcomes

Stage 1 modules

Module title	Credits
Professional engineering practice	15
Digital engineering	15
Engineering mathematics	30
Electro-mechanical principles	30
Work-based project - engineering improvement	30
Total	120

Stage 1 outcomes

Explain the roles and responsibilities of a Professional Engineer within their specific employment context and be able to justify their choices of action arising from engineering ethical dilemmas, in accordance with those roles and responsibilities.
Explain how the business, technical and social aspects of professional engineering practice interact with each other.
Explain and ensure compliance with the essential elements of health and safety management relevant to their employment role and its associated responsibilities.
Construct an appropriate CPD programme for themselves which fulfil their personal professional development needs, and associated employability focused goals, based on an understanding of preferred personal thinking and learning styles, and available employment opportunities.
Identify, define, and describe the principles of statics underlying the mechanical properties encountered in materials related
to manufacturing engineering.
Use a graphical programming language to monitor, control and analyse a simple system and be able to demonstrate appreciation of foundation of maths and science required for engineers.
Apply mathematical concepts within science and engineering & solve more complex engineering mathematics problems .
Review and differentiate advantages and disadvantages of different continuous improvement techniques (e.g. lean manufacturing, six sigma, or theory of constraints. etc.), procedures and methods.
Apply continuous improvement techniques to existing underperforming engineering processes to drive efficiency and describe the planning and evaluation of continuous improvement plans in a context of an industrial project.
Successfully Communicate the methodical approach and technical elements of the project undertaken to industrial and academic audiences.

Stage 2 modules

Module title	Credits
Mathematical methods in engineering	15
Computer aided design	15
Data acquisition and instrumentation	15
Engineering management	30
Manufacturing processes and technology	30
Work-based project - technical problem-solving	30
Total	135

Stage 2 outcomes

Apply key operations management concepts and tools to solve operational problems and discuss the importance of operations management and international operations within the wider context of the business and its strategy.
Discuss the social and environmental issues relating to organisations choices in globalising their operations and apply the principles of quality management to current business challenges.
To interpret appropriate theoretical concepts, tools and skills that are used to manage organisational change effectively and to critically evaluate the validity and usefulness of leadership approaches.
To employ the knowledge and practical skills which work most effectively in organisations when leading, influencing, delegating, coaching, and resolving conflict.
Apply theoretical underpinning knowledge and understanding to develop and prove Computer Numeric Control programmes appropriate to a manufacturing engineering work-based context.
Apply theoretical underpinning knowledge and understanding to plan for and perform manufacturing engineering tasks
such as producing assemblies using appropriate techniques, procedures and methods.
Evaluate strategic choices in the context of change management; demonstrate an awareness of the leadership principles that inform organisational values.
Experiment and work effectively as part of a team to apply problem-solving tools and techniques to simulated business problems and make a case in which you identify a business situation and distinguish why the operations were/ were not excellent.
Analyse a problem situation, select and apply the appropriate course topics to the given problem situation and plan how the application of the selected course topics will deliver improved performance to the given problem situation.
Consider the challenges proposed by project implementation and recognise the value of continuous improvement in project design, implementation, and evaluation.

Stage 3 modules

Module title	Credits
Professional development audit	15
Project management	15
Work-based project	30
Advanced manufacturing systems	15
Quality engineering	15
Sustainable engineering	15
Total	105

Stage 3 outcomes

Have a comprehensive understanding of what is required of a professionally registered engineer with specific reference to their engineering discipline.
Have evaluated their own engineering abilities and as a result will have developed a comprehensive learning and development programme that will, after successful completion, enable them to develop and demonstrates their professional competences and underpinning engineering knowledge and understanding sufficiently to achieve registration as a Chartered Engineer.
Have developed and be able to able to use critical and reflective thinking skills in application to their own professional practice and be able to produce documentation, papers, and reports which comply with best professional and academic practice.
Have understanding of engineering project management theory, methods, and techniques, as applicable to the selected engineering domain and can select and apply appropriate management and business practices, including evaluation of risk, within a project management role.
Conduct independent research using a range of theoretical skills, knowledge and understanding acquired during their BEng Programme to synthesise a high quality technical final project report.
Investigate several management techniques used in the manufacture of products and analyse the effectiveness of management tools in responding to customer demand and improving cost effectiveness.
Evaluate the project topic and relevant technical literature and technical documents and develop an appropriate methodology for data collection and analysis.
Investigate and analyse the technical and non-technical aspects and implications of proposed engineering solutions/processes/systems, and apply interpersonal skills within a technical and commercial leadership role to plan, carry out, and communicate a substantial work-based project.
Describe and critically discuss Total Quality Management and the ISO 9000 series of standards; their implementation and supporting tools and techniques.
Critically evaluate an SD issue(s) within the context of their professional role/employing organisation or respective engineering field of expertise, and then devise and communicate mitigating sustainable development engineering solutions.

Plus one of the following optional modules:

Module title	Credits
Engineering design applications	15
Engineering materials and manufacturing	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.

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.

You must 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:

Be employed in a job in England with responsibilities aligned with the apprenticeship
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 Apprenticeships 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 £27,000. This is the full cost of your apprenticeship which will be paid for using your employer's apprenticeship levy.

Assessment

Overview of how students are assessed, more detailed explanations of assessment with hyperlink if required.

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.

Career prospects

Incorporate companies’ graduates have gone on to work for and job titles. Try to use recognisable brands where possible.
Studying a Manufacturing Engineering Degree Apprenticeship offers a wide range of career prospects. Graduates can pursue roles such as manufacturing engineer, production manager, process engineer, or quality control specialist in industries like automotive, aerospace, electronics, and more.

With a strong foundation in engineering principles and hands-on experience, apprentices can progress to leadership positions, overseeing production lines, optimising processes, and driving innovation. The blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills equips them for roles in research, development, and continuous improvement. Moreover, the apprenticeship enhances employability, providing avenues for specialisation and upward mobility within the dynamic manufacturing sector.

Contact us

If you have any questions, please email apprenticeships@aston.ac.uk. Be sure to include your name, your employer, and the programme you are inquiring about.