BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Degree Apprenticeship)
Course Overview
The University of Bolton's BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Electrical/Electronic Technical Support Engineer Degree Apprenticeship) is aimed at those committed to developing their career in this challenging and exciting industry. This degree incorporates the knowledge, skills and behaviours required by the Level 6 Electrical or Electronic Technical Support Engineer (ST0024) so your staff can learn to apply degree-level electrical and electronic engineering knowledge to support manufacturing in assembly and product design and development.Your apprentices will spend most of their time in the workplace, with a minimum of six hours per week being devoted to off-the-job training and university learning, which is usually facilitated on a day-release basis. Studying at the University of Bolton complements learning in the workplace, supporting your apprentices as they learn to understand, enhance, design and support electrical- and electronics-based technology.
Offering a solid foundation in the fundamental scientific and mathematical principles underpinning engineering, this course can prepare apprentices for higher-level responsibilities within your organisation. Our expert team will support them as they develop the ability to bring concepts to life through a combination of engineering know-how, computer-aided design, testing and manufacturing skills, and engineering management knowledge. We'll guide your apprentices, helping them gain skills in logical thinking, problem-solving, communication, teamwork, and a focus on quality, ethics and safety.
This degree apprenticeship allows you to offer structured training, helping you attract the best new talent and retain valued staff through career progression. Integrating study into the normal working week will enable apprentices to put their new skills and understanding into practice without delay, benefitting your organisation immediately.
If you're looking for undergraduate-level training in this subject area but don't work for an employer that offers apprenticeships, please see our related courses section for details of study opportunities that don't require current employment.
Highlights
- When apprentices successfully complete the end point assessment for this course, they will receive a degree apprenticeship certificate from the relevant awarding body and be awarded an academic degree – the BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Bolton.
- Face-to-face sessions and one-to-one support are offered by our team of dedicated and experienced academics who are experts in fields such as smart grids, power systems, electrical machines, power electronics, digital electronic systems, signal processing, embedded systems, sensor networks, instrumentations, control systems and wireless communications.
- During the final stage of the course, your apprentice will undertake a substantial work-based research project, the nature of which will be identified and developed through consultation between your organisation and the University. As well as offering your apprentice valuable experience, this live project can provide you with genuine insight into potential opportunities or improvements that can benefit your organisation.
Key Features
- Our approach to teaching and learning is
student-centred, so we'll work with your apprentices on an individual basis, providing tailored help and support throughout their studies. - The course includes significant opportunities for problem-based learning in our well-equipped laboratories.
- We have specialist mathematics tutors dedicated to making mathematics accessible and enjoyable. They have an excellent track record in supporting students to achieve mastery of engineering mathematics and science.
- Course materials are available online, allowing your apprentices to prepare work in advance and make the most of the highly interactive in-class tuition.
- Quarterly and annual reviews, where each apprentice, their workplace mentor and a member of our team meet to assess your apprentice's progress, promote continuing conversation between your workplace and the University. This helps to ensure the success of your apprentices and maximise the value of their studies to your organisation.
Entry Requirements
- 96 UCAS points. We accept a full range of qualifications that carry UCAS points, including A-levels, BTECs and T-levels. Please see our guide to the UCAS Tariff for examples of how to achieve these points. For most courses, we are also able to consider non-tariffable qualifications.
- An applicant's Level 3 subjects must include a mathematical-based subject and a science, technology or engineering-related subject; for instance, A-level Mathematics and Physics or BTEC 90-credit Diploma in Engineering.
- Applicants should have five GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent), including English, Mathematics and a science, technology or engineering-related subject. If an applicant has yet to achieve appropriate Level 2 English and Mathematics qualifications, then with their employer's support, they can complete suitable equivalents locally or with assistance from the University before commencing the apprenticeship. Please contact apprentices@bolton.ac.uk for a list of acceptable GCSE equivalents, further information and support.
- An applicant who has completed a Level 3 apprenticeship in a relevant area (for instance, as an embedded system design and development technician) may be eligible for admission.
- An applicant who has completed a foundation certificate or access to HE diploma in a relevant subject may be eligible for admission.
- An applicant with an HND/C in Engineering will be considered for direct entry to Level HE5 if they have good results in Level HE4 mathematics and science. This is subject to fulfilling the University's recognition of prior certification learning (RPCL) procedures through an interview and diagnostic test.
- Applicants will attend a joint discussion with their employer and the University of Bolton. This combined interview and onboarding discussion fosters trust and sets the tone of the relationship between the applicant, their employer and our tutors. As part of the interview, applicants may be asked to undertake additional assessment(s) or provide a portfolio of appropriate work to determine their suitability for the course.
- Admission to this programme is only available to applicants who meet ESFA eligibility criteria, including the following: 1) They are employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week in a role relevant to the apprenticeship. 2) They have the right to live and work in the UK. 3) Their employer is willing to sponsor them to spend a minimum of six hours per week of their time in off-the-job training, including attending the University (times and dates to be determined) for the duration of their course. Please note that an apprentice cannot be self-employed. ESFA eligibility criteria may change so please contact apprentices@bolton.ac.uk for up-to-date information.
- If English isn’t the applicant's first language, they will also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
- To be eligible for tuition fee funding through the Apprenticeship Levy, candidates should not normally have already completed a qualification at the same level as the proposed apprenticeship, unless that qualification was gained in a completely unrelated discipline.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
Career Opportunities
The BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Electrical/Electronic Technical Support Engineer Degree Apprenticeship) programme is designed to meet the Level 6 Electrical or Electronic Technical Support Engineer (ST0024). Developed by employers, consultants and contractors, the apprenticeship standard underpins a highly relevant qualification and professional development pathway that prepares apprentices to achieve the technical knowledge, skills and behaviours required for a career in areas of engineering, such as maintaining and improving electrical equipment and systems, electrical/electronic product design, wiring and testing electrical equipment, and assembling and testing electronic circuits.
In addition to technical knowledge, this programme offers degree apprentices the opportunity to develop a range of key employability skills. These include using specialist knowledge creatively and innovatively to solve problems, produce and interpret technical solutions, and explain design ideas. They'll also gain experience in effective communication (spoken and written), good teamwork, project and time management, and strong decision-making.
What can I do with this qualification?
This degree apprenticeship aims to support the development of the next generation of electrical and electronic engineers with solid skills and knowledge of technical support for the design, manufacturing, maintenance, wiring, and testing of electrical and electronic systems and equipment. After successfully completing the end point assessment, apprentices will be well prepared to take on demanding roles where they support the activities involved in bringing product concepts to life and resolving manufacturing issues. Graduate apprentices will be able to work closely with other engineers, suppliers and managers, covering a broad range of support activities.
Graduate apprentices might also choose to pursue further study in a specialist field or research.
Professional Recognition
The University of Bolton's BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering programme is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and partly meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for intakes until the end of August 2026. We will seek re-accreditation with the IET for start dates from September 2027.
Fees & Funding
Apprentices will not be expected to pay tuition fees towards this programme. If your organisation has a wage bill of more than £3 million per annum, then it may be able to fund this apprenticeship through its Apprenticeship Levy contributions. If your organisation does not pay the levy, it will be eligible for government support to fund apprenticeships. This support, called co-investment, covers 95% of the apprenticeship's tuition fees, with your organisation funding the remaining 5% of the fees.
Home/EU Fees
Apprentices will need to be employed by your organisation for a minimum of 30 hours per week. Your organisation will also need to commit to sponsoring apprentices to complete this qualification.
For further information on how your organisation can access funds to support apprentices, please e-mail apprentices@bolton.ac.uk.
Whether you’re an employer, employee or school leaver, please visit our Apprenticeship web page for support and advice regarding apprenticeships.
International Fees
International applications are not possible for this course
As an international student you are not allowed to study this course because of the restrictions on your visa.
We offer a wide range of full-time courses in lots of different subjects, many of our courses start in September and January. If you would like to see what courses are available please visit our Course Search.
Bursaries
There are no bursaries associated with this programme.
Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2025-26 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
How to apply
Home Applicants
Please contact the programme leader for details of the application procedure. You can find their name, email address and phone number in the Programme Contacts section of this page.
For support and advice regarding apprenticeships, please visit our Apprenticeship web page.
International Applicants
International applications are not possible for this course
As an international student you are not allowed to study this course because of the restrictions on your visa.
We offer a wide range of full-time courses in lots of different subjects, many of our courses start in September and January. If you would like to see what courses are available please visit our Course Search.
Teaching & Assessment
Electrical and electronic engineering is a diverse and multi-faceted discipline, so we use a wide range of teaching and learning methods. These are designed to fully engage apprentices, helping them develop the skills, knowledge, self-awareness, and behaviours essential to becoming an Incorporated Engineer (IEng), with particular reference to your organisation and their place within it. Learning focuses on your workplace environment and works towards building the transferable body of knowledge and skills demanded to achieve IEng status and apply this expertise within your organisation. Your apprentices will spend the majority of their time gaining on-the-job knowledge and experience. They will also complete at least six hours per week of off-the-job learning, including studying at the university.
Formally timetabled classes, including lectures, tutorials and tutor-led in-class exercises, along with case studies, laboratories, investigations and assignments, in groups and individually, are designed to help apprentices acquire and develop appropriate concepts, knowledge and skills. Our personal tutor system underpins all our teaching activities and provides one-on-one support, peer support and individual care and attention.
Other teaching methods, such as open-ended projects and design, make and test activities, provide opportunities to develop creativity and innovation skills. These are designed to meet the professional body accreditation requirements and help apprentices apply, assimilate, and integrate their understanding of the course material. Personal study time is required, along with online learning in the form of maintaining an electronic personal development plan (ePDP). As your apprentices progress through the programme, their studies will become less structured and more open-ended in nature as they develop as independent learners.
Your organisation will need to provide each apprentice with a workplace mentor to support their development. They will also benefit from regular visits from a University tutor. The workplace mentor, University tutor and apprentice will work together to create the individual learning plan required to progress the apprentice's professional body membership.
For the degree element of this programme, we assess each apprentice's individual performance through a strategic blend of project or design reports, examinations, portfolios, presentations and other assignments. Some assessments contribute to their final module marks, while others are designed to help them identify their strengths and weaknesses, and where they need to seek extra support from course tutors. In addition to the assessments associated with the degree programme, apprentices will undertake an end point assessment at the end of the apprenticeship period.
Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
- Engineering Environment
- Introductory Engineering Mathematics
- Introductory Electrical Principles
- Introductory Digital Electronics
- Introductory Analogue Electronics
- Introductory Embedded Systems
- Work Based Portfolio and PDP 1
- Engineering Modelling and Analysis
- Instrumentation and Control
- Intermediate Digital Electronics and Communications
- Intermediate Electrical Principles and Enabling Power Electronics
- Intermediate Embedded Systems
- Analogue Signal Processing and Communications
- Work Based Portfolio and PDP 2
- Management and Enterprise in Engineering
- Major Project
- Electrical Machines and Power Electronic Drives
- Engineering Electromagnetism
- Work Based Portfolio and PDP 3
- Digital Signal Processing
- Power Systems and Smart Grids
- Advanced Embedded Systems
- Green Renewable Energy
Assessment methods
Level | Assessment method |
---|---|
Level 1 | Coursework 73% Written exams 27% |
Level 2 | Coursework 40% Written exams 60% |
Level 3 | Coursework 63% Written exams 37% |
Learning Activities
Level | Activity |
---|---|
Level 1 | Guided independent study 66% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 34% |
Level 2 | Guided independent study 78% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 22% |
Level 3 | Guided independent study 78% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 22% |
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.