Program Overview

Data Scientist Degree Apprenticeship

Overview

Our Data Scientist Degree Apprenticeship is designed to equip employees with the skills to turn your businesses' data into actionable insights and provide them with the knowledge, skills, and behaviors to make a real-world impact.

Fact File

• Qualification: BSc (Hons) Data Science
• Duration: 42 months (including EPA period)
• Delivery: Blended learning: combines remote online learning and face-to-face teaching delivered by block release in Nottingham.
• Entry Requirements:
  • Grade 5 in GCSE Mathematics or equivalent
  • Grade 4 in GCSE English Language or equivalent (prior to admission)
  • BBC at A-Level to include Maths. The following A-Levels are not accepted: Citizenship Skills, General Studies, and Critical Thinking.
  • Level 4 Data Analyst apprenticeship at Merit or Distinction
  • Candidates are reviewed on a case-by-case basis enabling employees with a strong mathematical background or substantial work experience with relevant qualifications to be considered.
• Eligibility Requirements:
  • All apprentices must:
    • be working in a job role that provides opportunities to apply and develop the knowledge, skills, and behaviors from the programme, outlined in the Level 6 Data Scientist Apprenticeship Standard.
    • work a minimum of 50% of their time in England
    • have access to the off-the-job training detailed in their individual learning plan
    • be a UK/EU/EEA national or have lived and have had a right to work in the UK for 3 years or more
• English and Maths Eligibility Requirement:
  • Aged 16-18: Apprentices who do not hold a level 2 qualification in English and Maths must study towards and achieve this during their apprenticeship. Funding is available.
  • Aged 19+: There is no mandatory requirement to complete Level 2 English and maths. However, apprentices or employers may opt-in for the apprentice to study towards an English and maths qualification if they don't already have an equivalent qualification, with funding available if they choose to do so.
• Start Date: September 2025
• Application Deadline: Mid-July 2025
• Programme Fees: £19,000 Programme fees are paid by the employer either via the apprenticeship levy or they may be eligible for up to 100% co-investment from the government, there is no cost to the apprentice.
• Campus: University Park, Nottingham

Who is the Data Scientist Degree Apprenticeship for?

Our Data Scientist Degree Apprenticeship programme offers businesses a cost-effective way to attract and develop new talent or upskill existing staff.

Programme Details

The Data Scientist Degree Apprenticeship is delivered by block release via blended learning, with each year further building on the apprentice’s knowledge and skills. The programme is typically delivered over a three-year period at which point successful apprentices will be awarded a BSc (Hons) Data Science Degree and progress onto gateway review and end-point assessment.

Modules

Year One

• Taught Modules:
  • Foundations in Maths for Data Science
  • Foundations in Software Development
  • Introduction to Probability and Statistics
  • Further Maths Methods for Data Science
  • Introduction to Software Development for Data Science
• Assessment Modules:
  • Software Portfolio Assessment (40 credits)
  • Fundamental Skills Assessment (20 credits)
  • Data Analysis Portfolio (40 credits)
  • Synoptic Data Science Assessment 1 (20 credits)

Year Two

• Taught Modules:
  • Statistical Models and Methods
  • Probability Models and Time Series
  • Databases
  • Responsible Decision Making
  • Visualisation Techniques
  • AI and Machine Learning
  • Team Working Skills
• Assessment Modules:
  • Data Science Group Project (40 credits)
  • Statistics and Probability Modelling (40 credits)
  • Applied Machine Learning (20 credits)
  • Synoptic Data Science Assessment 2 (20 credits)

Year Three

• Taught Modules:
  • Scaling Up Data Science
  • Project Support
  • Becoming a Professional Data Scientist
• Assessment Modules:
  • Big Data and Cloud Project (20 credits)
  • Work-based project (40 credits)

Gateway

Once the apprentice has completed all their on-programme learning, a meeting will take place between their employer and the university. During this meeting, the apprentice’s knowledge, skills, and behaviors will be assessed to determine whether they have met the minimum requirements set out in the Data Scientist Degree Apprenticeship standard. Apprentices deemed to have met these requirements will progress onto the end-point assessment (EPA).

End-point Assessment (EPA)

The final part of the apprenticeship is the end-point assessment. The end-point assessment requires apprentices to demonstrate that their learning can be applied in the real world. Apprentices will undertake a knowledge test, submit a report on their work-based project, and take part in a professional discussion assessment.

Why Choose the Data Scientist Degree Apprenticeship at the University of Nottingham?

Our School of Computer Science in ranked number 1 in the UK for its research environment (Research Excellence Framework 2021) meaning that our apprentices learn in an environment influenced by world-leading research.

Moreover, on-programme employers rate us as 'excellent' as a training provider for our degree apprenticeship provision.

By working together, we equip your apprentices with the core knowledge, skills, and behaviors your industry needs to compete and succeed at the highest level.

Apprenticeship Features

• Skills Scan: As part of the application and enrolment process, we carry out a skills scan. This enables us to determine apprentices' existing levels of skill and knowledge and build a personal plan which will set out all the learning, tutorial support, and resources provided by the university.
• Tripartite Reviews: As part of our continued support for apprentices and the degree apprenticeship, we offer tripartite reviews between employer, apprentice, and the university to formally assess progress in the academic programme and work-based learning.
• Assessment: Apprentices are assessed through a mixture of exams, coursework, and a portfolio of work. The degree apprenticeship also includes gateway review and end-point assessment.
• Support Team: Each of our Degree Apprenticeship programmes are designed to include full support for the apprentice and their employer. We provide:
  • an Account Manager to support and guide employers throughout the programme
  • a Degree Apprenticeship Officer to support each apprentice throughout the programme
  • an assigned academic Skills Tutor for each apprentice