Software Engineering Degree Apprentice Review
at IBM
Degree Apprenticeship
Software Engineering
Leicester
Review Submitted: March 2025
Overall Rating
4.5 /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
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Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
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
My role currently is focusing on the Testing area of Software Engineering, Ive chosen to focus on this role after having been able to try it out on the apprenticeship. My role mainly involves a mixture of Manual, Performance and Automated testing.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
Ive really enjoyed the programme. I wont say I loved every module at Uni as I found some much more challenging than others but it covered a wide range of areas that you pick up on during the work side of the apprenticeship. I particularly enjoyed the modules around designing UI and the work based modules.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I came to the apprenticeship with next to no skills inside Software Engineering but a keen interest in the area and wanting to know more. Ive learnt skills around coding, testing, management, BA from a mixture of the University, IBM lead courses and the people on my team.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
I think that the IBM side of the apprenticeship for me was really well organised and structured, I was put on a project to work on skills and to help me learn from others and the people I worked with where extremely supportive and showed a lot of interest in the University side of my work.
The University side felt a bit less organised but I appreciate they have a lot of people to manage.
The University side felt a bit less organised but I appreciate they have a lot of people to manage.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
Ive received a lot of support from my Employer. I think every time Ive had a question theres always been someone happy to answer and help.
People on my team have been extremely supportive as they show a great interest in the apprenticeship and would often ask what modules I was studying at Uni and ask if they could share any knowledge they had in that particular area.
People on my team have been extremely supportive as they show a great interest in the apprenticeship and would often ask what modules I was studying at Uni and ask if they could share any knowledge they had in that particular area.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
I think DMU where supportive in terms of helping me complete my qualifications but occasionally some lecturers where extremly hard to get a hold with to reach out to with questions about the work that was set. That being said some where really helpful and made time to explain things futher.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
I think that the qualification is a really good starting point for the role, it helps to explain a bit more of the why side of things are done in certain ways. That being said I think without having done the work side of the apprenticeship I wouldnt have as many skills or as much knowledge as somethings can only come from being in the industry and seeing it for yourself.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
At work there are several networking events for people in our roles, apprentices and juniors that I took part in.
There are other social activities that people can join depending on there interests.
There are other social activities that people can join depending on there interests.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend IBM to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I think theyve given me a brilliant start to my career in Tech. Without them I probably wouldnt have attended University and gotten my degree. I think the people in my team have had a massive impact from how supportive theyve been.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to IBM?
There is a lot of work with the coursework for the University, but if your ever struggling reach out to those around you, Im still surprised sometimes at the amount of knowledge around me and how willing people are to help if you ask. Another piece of advice (one I was given when I joined) was try to take every opportunity that your given, you never know who you might meet that will remember you and help further your career!
