BEng (Hons) Sustainable and Electric Vehicle Engineering (Degree Apprenticeship - Electromechanical Engineer)
Course Overview
With the UK pledging to ban the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2035, the British automotive industry is rapidly adapting to research, develop and manufacture sustainable vehicles. The University of Bolton's BEng (Hons) Sustainable and Electric Vehicle Engineering (Electro-mechanical Engineer Degree Apprenticeship) combines knowledge from the local and national industry with cutting-edge technology and research to provide your apprentices with a holistic understanding of energy storage systems, sustainable powertrains, embedded systems and control, vehicle design, simulation and modelling.Throughout the degree apprenticeship, your staff will build up skills as an automotive engineer. From the first year, they will gain hands-on experience working with sustainable vehicles, expanding into highly specialised skills working with batteries, performing advanced modelling and simulation, and building expertise in the design and development of electric and fuel cell electric vehicles. Our expert team will equip your staff with the fundamental knowledge required for a career in engineering. They will learn engineering and project management techniques, giving them the agency and ability to become leading engineers within your organisation.
If you're looking for undergraduate-level training in this subject area but don't work for an employer offering 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) Sustainable and Electric Vehicle Engineering from the University of Bolton.
- Our team of dedicated and experienced academics offers face-to-face sessions and one-to-one support. We have expertise in fields such as data and diagnostics, battery management and embedded systems, energy storage (batteries and fuel cells), manufacturing cell-to-pack, electromechanical systems, engineering for performance, and pack thermal modelling and simulation.
- During the final stage of the course, each 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.
- Your apprentices will benefit from significant opportunities for problem-based learning in our well-equipped laboratories.
- Our specialist mathematics tutors are 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
- 104 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 mathematics, physics or engineering; for instance, A-level Mathematics or Physics, BTEC Extended Diploma in Engineering, or one of the Engineering and Manufacturing T Level routes (the T Level in Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing; the T Level in Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control; or the T Level in Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing.)
- Applicants should have five GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent), including English, Mathematics and Science. 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 a motor vehicle service and maintenance technician (light or heavy vehicle) or an embedded system design and development technician) 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 valid residency status and the right to work in England and can provide a valid BRP card (valid beyond the end date of the programme including End-Point Assessment (EPA)), and a ‘Right to Work’ share code for validation. 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) in Sustainable and Electric Vehicle Engineering (Electro-mechanical Engineer Degree Apprenticeship) programme is designed to meet the Level 6 Electro-mechanical Engineer apprenticeship standard (ST0672). Developed by employers, consultants and contractors, the apprenticeship standard underpins a highly relevant qualification and professional development pathway. It prepares apprentices to become the next generation of engineers with the interdisciplinary skills in electrical and mechanical systems required by the sustainable vehicle sector.
In addition to technical knowledge, this programme offers your degree apprentices the opportunity to develop a range of key employability skills. These include abilities in using specialist knowledge creatively and innovatively to solve problems, producing and interpreting technical solutions, and explaining design ideas. They will also be able to communicate effectively (via speech and writing) and possess good teamwork, project and time management, and strong decision-making skills.
What can I do with this qualification?
Graduate apprentices might also choose to pursue further study in a specialist field or research or continue learning and development with a postgraduate-level apprenticeship.
Professional Recognition
The University of Bolton's BEng (Hons) Sustainable and Electric Vehicle Engineering (Electro-mechanical Engineer Degree Apprenticeship) programme uses the Engineering Council UK-SPEC learning outcomes. It is designed to partially meet the academic requirements for professional registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng). Please see the Engineering Council UK website for further details of UK-SPEC.
We will be seeking accreditation of the BEng (Hons) Sustainable and Electric Vehicle Engineering (Electro-mechanical Engineer Degree Apprenticeship ) programme for partial Chartered Engineer (CEng) status and full status for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and/or the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
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.
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
Sustainable vehicle engineering is a diverse and highly interdisciplinary field, 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) and a Chartered Engineer (CEng), 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.
Apprentices will be expected to attend formally timetabled classes, including lectures, tutorials, and tutor-led in-class exercises, and engage with case studies, laboratory activities, 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 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, blogs 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.
This programme adopts a blended learning and teaching style, including online delivery and engagement where appropriate.
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.