Programming Assistant Review
at Arup
Degree Apprenticeship
Software Engineering
London
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
2.7 /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!
2/5
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
2.6/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
2/5
My role involves the development of highly technical engineering software within the Oasys Suite. Focus is placed on the PRIMER pre-processing tool, which is used for LS-DYNA model setup and editing. On a day-to-day basis, work is carried out on designing, implementing, and maintaining features to improve the user experience and support complex engineering workflows. Collaboration with other developers and engineers is regularly conducted to ensure product quality and relevance to user needs.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
2/5
The work itself has been greatly enjoyed, particularly the opportunity to engage in real-world software development. However, the academic side of the programme has often been experienced as frustrating. At times, tasks have felt unnecessarily complex or poorly structured, which has added avoidable stress to the experience.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Many new skills have been learned, and existing ones have been further developed. Proficiency has been gained in several programming languages, including JavaScript, Python, and C. Familiarity with core development tools and practices has also been strengthened through daily hands-on experience.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
1/5
The programme has been experienced as poorly organised, with frequent issues in communication, unclear expectations, and a lack of consistent structure. Greater support and coordination would have significantly improved the overall experience.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
A high level of support has been received from the employer. As the first apprentice, many processes had to be navigated without prior guidance, but this was met with understanding and consideration. Efforts were consistently made to provide help and adapt to any challenges faced.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
1/5
Support from the training provider has been perceived as limited. Guidance has often been unclear, and responses to difficulties have frequently felt punitive rather than constructive. Based on this experience, the training provider would not be recommended to others.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
2/5
The qualification has provided limited value in improving performance within the role. Most modules have felt outdated, with content that appears to be based on material from the early 2000s. Very few lectures have been perceived as useful or relevant. The main benefit has been the assignments, which offered opportunities to demonstrate existing skills rather than develop new ones.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
A positive social dynamic has been maintained at work. While the post-COVID shift to hybrid working has changed the atmosphere slightly, a good balance has been achieved. Time spent in the office is often enjoyable and social, with informal gatherings—sometimes including drinks—taking place after work.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Arup to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Arup would be recommended based on personal experience. A high level of patience and kindness has been shown throughout my time here. The work has felt meaningful, and a great team environment has been experienced, making each day enjoyable and worthwhile.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Arup?
Arup is a big company with lots of different engineering specialities, so some understanding of physics and engineering is expected—even if you’re joining as a software engineer. Coming from a software background myself, without a traditional mechanical engineering degree, it was really helpful to watch YouTube channels like 3Blue1Brown, Veritasium, and Astrum. They explain technical topics in a clear and engaging way, and that made it easier to understand the kind of work being done here.
