Rising Star: Degree Apprenticeship | BSc (Hons) Digital and Technology Solutions
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Program Overview
Become a degree apprentice and join the next generation of aspiring digital business leaders: the Rising Stars.
Whether you're in the early stages of your career or have just finished Sixth Form or college, it can be hard to choose between work and higher education.
This degree apprenticeship combines work with study, so you can kickstart your career while earning a BSc (Hons) in Digital and Technology Solutions. Best of all, apprentices earn a salary but pay no tuition fees - so you'll graduate with valuable work experience and no student loan debt.
What do Digital and Technology Solutions Professionals do?
As a Digital and Technology Solutions Professional, you'll provide technology-enabled solutions to help your organisation increase its productivity and develop new products/services. These solutions could be in areas such as software, business and systems analysis, cyber security, data analysis or network infrastructure.
This apprenticeship lets you choose one of three specialisms:
- IT Consultant: Advises clients on how they can use technology to meet their business objectives, overcome problems and increase productivity.
- Business Analyst: Assesses the business impact of change; captures and communicates user requirements; and recommends improvements to systems.
- Data Analyst: Manages data and provides up-to-date, accurate and relevant data analysis for the organisation.
Offered by employers that invest in you
The Digital and Technology Solutions Professional apprenticeship was designed with employers, so you'll develop skills and knowledge that are highly in demand.
You will need to apply through an employer who can fund and support your apprenticeship. If you are not currently employed, we can help you find a vacancy as a Digital and Technology Solutions Professional apprentice. See 'Entry requirements' below for more information.
Program Outline
As a degree apprentice, you will work full time and study part time. (See 'Apprenticeship learning and support' to find out more).
All modules are compulsory.
Stage 1
In Stage 1, you will explore your organisation's context and identify how digital and technology solutions can bring value to the business.
The Orientation module helps you prepare for your apprenticeship journey and meet other degree apprentices.
Meanwhile, the Professional Practice module helps you develop the skills needed at university and in the workplace. This includes academic writing and reading, communication and time management.
Compulsory modules:
- Orientation
- Introduction to Business Informatics
- Business Data Analytics
- Business Requirements Analysis
- Information Security and Risk Analysis
- Project Planning
- Professional Practice 1
Stage 2
In Stage 2, you will develop your technical, management and research skills.
Compulsory modules:
- System Development and Project Management
- Theory and Practice of Coding
- Data and Infrastructure Management
- Databases
- Introduction to Research
- Professional Practice 2
Stage 3
In Stage 3, you will deepen your understanding of how your organisation can deliver sustainable value for its stakeholders through digital and technology solutions.
You will also choose one of three specialist pathways and complete a Work-based Project.
Stage 3 compulsory modules:
- Operations and Process Management
- Work-based Project
- Professional Practice 3
IT Consultant specialism compulsory modules:
- Business Technology Consulting
- Business Architecture
Business Analyst specialism compulsory modules:
- Advanced Business Analysis
- Business Architecture
Data Analyst specialism compulsory modules:
- Business Intelligence and Data Mining
- Advanced Data Analytics
How will I be taught?
This degree apprenticeship is taught both face-to-face and online. You will take part in:
- full-day workshops, including group work with other apprentices
- weekly virtual seminars with a learning coach
- regular meetings with your Apprenticeship Tutor
- extracurricular activities and events.
Most importantly, you will also have the chance to apply what you have learned back in the workplace. Your employer should give you training and supervision to help you with your day-to-day work duties.
How much time will I spend working and studying?
Study time is designed to fit around your job. As an apprentice, you will work full time but spend at least six hours per week (equivalent) of your working hours on 'off-the-job training'.
Off-the-job training includes time spent attending workshops and seminars at Henley; meeting with your Apprenticeship Tutor; and working on your Portfolio of Evidence. It could also include learning opportunities in the workplace, such as shadowing colleagues.
While it can be challenging to study for a degree apprenticeship on top of your job, it is still possible to balance this with a social life. Try to keep on top of your workload by planning how you will meet deadlines, and be sure to ask for help if you need it.
How will I be supported?
Starting a career and a degree apprenticeship at the same time can be daunting, but you will have lots of support throughout your apprenticeship.
Academic/professional skills
Each stage of the apprenticeship includes a Professional Practice module. This helps you develop the confidence and skills needed for both university and the workplace.
Apprenticeship Tutors
Your tutor will support you and your line manager through the apprenticeship journey. You will meet regularly with your tutor to receive pastoral and learning support. Your tutor will also support you with gathering evidence for your portfolio and prepare you for your end-point assessment.
Learning coaches
Learning coaches help you to gain a deeper understanding of what you have learned. They will also guide you on putting your new knowledge into practice in the workplace.
Your line manager
We will work with your line manager to ensure they understand the details of the apprenticeship. Your line manager will guide you in selecting the topic for your work-based project, join meetings with your Apprenticeship Tutor, and, if required, allocate you a mentor.
Fellow apprentices
You will have the opportunity to mix with other apprentices on the Digital and Technology Solutions Professional apprenticeship. This enables you to work together, share ideas, support each other, and learn from each other's experiences.
Other support services
As a Henley Business School apprentice, you can access support through our Henley Careers Team. You also have access to the University of Reading's specialist support services.
Assessment takes place throughout the apprenticeship and is based on coursework - there are no exams. Coursework could include written reports, blogs and portfolios.
To complete your apprenticeship, you will also need to pass your end-point assessment (EPA). This is the final assessment to ensure that you have met the Digital and Technology Solutions Professional standard.
Work-based Project
During Stage 3 you will complete your work-based project. With support from your line manager and an academic supervisor, you will apply what you have learned throughout the apprenticeship to a real-life challenge within your organisation. The final project report will then be submitted as part of your EPA.
Portfolio of Evidence
Throughout the apprenticeship, your Apprenticeship Tutor will help you put together a Portfolio of Evidence. This is a collection of your best work and should contain relevant assignments and work-based evidence. This will also be reviewed during EPA.
Gateway
You will enter Gateway after completing the final module of the Digital and Technology Solutions Professional apprenticeship.
To pass through this, you need to:
- have Level 2 qualifications in English and maths (e.g. GCSEs at Grades 9-4). We will ask for evidence of this before you start the apprenticeship
- receive agreement from your employer and Henley Business School that you are ready for EPA
- be registered as an apprentice for a minimum of 12 months
- show that you have successfully completed your BSc (Hons) Digital and Technology Solutions
- show that your Portfolio of Evidence and work-based project are complete.
End-point assessment (EPA)
EPA is the final assessment to ensure that you have met the Digital and Technology Solutions Professional apprenticeship standard. EPA is separate from any qualifications or assessments that you will have completed so far.
Your Apprenticeship Tutor will help you to prepare for EPA and showcase your work in the strongest light.