Software Engineer Apprentice Review
at BAE Systems
Degree Apprenticeship
Software Engineering
Yeovil
Review Submitted: March 2025
Overall Rating
3.7 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
4/5
-
Overview of Role
3/5
-
Skills Development
3.4/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
4/5
As a software engineer degree apprentice, my week is split between project work and university work - with 3 days a week doing project work such as coding, testing etc. and the other 2 days are spent in lectures and independent study. I work in an agile environment with my team and we have daily stand up meetings where we share what we have been up to and if we need any support.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I enjoy my programme as while I am learning new skills while working, I am still able to engage in online university lectures and learn as a student too. As a part of the programme, I am sent to my university in person for a week to be able to learn in person too - this is once every term for me and is something I find very helpful and enjoyable.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
3/5
In terms of technical skills, I have been able to learn different testing processes and work on code in new languages. My interpersonal skills have also been developed on the programme as I have worked closely with peers on my team and also with other apprentices within the company - from my site and others.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
Since the programme I am on was newly changed compared to the year before, there were many things at the start that were confusing and unclear. However, a few months later most questions I had, had become clear. There is a clear structure to the programme, with support available so that you meet criteria needed to complete the apprenticeship.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
There is plenty of support available, with scheduled check-ins frequently for new starters where you are able to share anything you are having trouble with or need support with in and out of work.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
When working towards my degree on the university side of things, they offer plenty of support also - as they understand that it may be harder to learn online rather than in person for some people. They are constantly asking for feedback on sessions and asking how they can improve to better suit us.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
I believe it helps quite well as the qualification is tailored to the type of work I am working on in my role - there are topics we cover during these lectures that I often find myself revisiting and using during work.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
3/5
There are often opportunities for professional networking events such as visiting a school and delivering some talks to younger students or perhaps to older students to speak about the apprenticeship. There are some social events that are put together by the early careers team but these often depend on how many people want to do it. I'm unaware of any sports teams within the company.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I would recommend BAE Systems to a friend as it has a friendly workplace environment, offers plenty of support to you both in and out of work and allows apprentices to do real work and grow as a developer instead of giving them side work to do.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
Some advice I would give, is to show real examples of things you have done that showcase skills you would need for the role. For example, if applying for a developer position, speak about a time where you had to code something and the process you followed. You could speak about a time where you showed leadership and how that could link to the role.
