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BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Degree Apprenticeship)

BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Degree Apprenticeship)

Award

BEng (Hons)

Start Date

27/01/2025

Duration

60 months

Mode

Part-time

Location

University of Bolton

UCAS Points

96

Our BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Embedded Electronic Systems Design and Development Engineer Degree Apprenticeship) allows you to invest in your workforce by combining university education, work-based learning, and ongoing professional development. While working as a valuable part of your team, your apprentices can gain the skills and knowledge needed to design and develop electronic circuits, devices and systems for a range of industries.

Apply Now Download Prospectus Programme Specification

Course Overview

The University of Bolton's BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Embedded Electronic Systems Design and Development 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 Embedded Electronic Systems Design and Development Engineer (ST0151) so your staff can learn to apply their knowledge of electronics and embedded systems to the design of useful, reliable and safe circuits and devices for manufacture at a competitive cost.

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, engineering problem and system modelling, 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

Key Features

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 (Embedded Electronic Systems Design and Development Engineer Degree Apprenticeship) programme is designed to meet the Level 6 Embedded Electronic Systems Design and Development Engineer Apprenticeship Standard (ST0151). Developed by employers, consultants and contractors, the apprenticeship standard underpins a highly relevant qualification and professional development pathway. It prepares apprentices to develop the next generations of products, such as smartphones, electric vehicles, communications satellites, and smart grids, as well as bring concepts such as connected devices and smart cities into reality.

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. After successfully completing the end point assessment, apprentices will be well prepared to take on demanding roles in embedded electronic systems design and development in industries such as aerospace, automotive, automation and instrumentation, robotics, telecommunications, information and computer technology, defence, energy (including renewables), transport and consumer electronics.

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

Click here for more information about the scholarships and bursaries available to University of Bolton students.

There are no bursaries associated with this programme.

Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2024-25 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. All these activities 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.

Postgraduate Options

Programme Contacts

Help Centre

We have the answers to your questions, find all the advice and support in one place.

Part of the University of Bolton Group

Bolton college
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QQA Scheme Participant

Help Centre

We have the answers to your questions, find all the advice and support in one place.

Part of the University of Bolton Group

Bolton college
Alliance learning
Anderton centre2
QQA Scheme Participant