Data Analyst Review
at BAE Systems
Degree Apprenticeship
Data Analysis
Warton, Preston PR4, UK
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
2.8 /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!
3/5
-
Overview of Role
4/5
-
Skills Development
2.2/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
3/5
Doing the work that is assigned to me - It varies on placement. I'm a data analyst apprentice, so I spend a fair amount of time working with data. I'm currently using a lot of excel and MATLAB.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
For me, it depends on the placement. My most enjoyable time has been the past year and a half (my last placement and my current placement). I've found that the quality of my work and learning is dependent on who is tasked to watch over me on placements. If that person is someone who has previously been an apprentice or a graduate, it is much more likely that the work will contribute to my learning rather than just other people offloading their management work onto me.
In regards to university, I've found the establishment rather...lacking. My course is disorganised, with last minute changes to modules which means I haven't been able to develop all of my core skills, and as such, I am unable to meet all of my KSBs to the extent that they require. Furthermore, the teaching quality is sub-par. I have also found that the standard of marking is regrettable, and as we have been told we can't appeal our grades, my cohort finds handing in assignments particularly stressful. We are marked down on incredibly minor things. For example, I was marked down for including a bar chart in my planning section for the maths and programming module. This is because the colours I chose (blue & orange) we're allegedly too similar. I found this interesting, as blue & orange are, in fact, contrasting colours. They were also different hues, meaning even if the colours were set to black and white, they would still contrast. I was unable to appeal this marking, as asking to appeal is 'questioning their academic integrity'
In regards to university, I've found the establishment rather...lacking. My course is disorganised, with last minute changes to modules which means I haven't been able to develop all of my core skills, and as such, I am unable to meet all of my KSBs to the extent that they require. Furthermore, the teaching quality is sub-par. I have also found that the standard of marking is regrettable, and as we have been told we can't appeal our grades, my cohort finds handing in assignments particularly stressful. We are marked down on incredibly minor things. For example, I was marked down for including a bar chart in my planning section for the maths and programming module. This is because the colours I chose (blue & orange) we're allegedly too similar. I found this interesting, as blue & orange are, in fact, contrasting colours. They were also different hues, meaning even if the colours were set to black and white, they would still contrast. I was unable to appeal this marking, as asking to appeal is 'questioning their academic integrity'
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Yes - predominantly MATLAB, excel, python and tableau skills - this also incorporates problem solving and logical thinking. The use of Jira has also helped with my time management, as it makes me more aware of how much time I'm dedicating to tasks. I've found it depends on placement for other skills, the most notable of which was team-work and communication on my previous placement. Some placements, however, isolate the apprentices and give them tasks that don't relate to their actual specialism and don't improve their learning. For example, I spent 6 months on one placement inserting images into PowerPoint and grading the quality of these images Green/Amber/Red in excel.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
2/5
As my scheme is new, my programme hasn't been the most organised- twice when rotating placements, I have been 'forgotten' about (I wasn't assigned a placement, and the managers were told I was starting on the wrong date) I believe, however, it has been better for the next few cohorts.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
For me, it depends on the placement. I've had a lot of support from my current and previous placements.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
2/5
I personally don't receive much support from the lecturers, but that, again, is dependent on the lecturer. Other members of staff at university are incredibly helpful though :)
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
1/5
So far, the quality of learning hasn't been the best - I'm now in my final year of uni, and I don't incorporate many of the skills uni has taught us. The first two years of uni were mixed, so a lot of the modules don't relate to my role, meaning I can't apply them at work. I have, however, just started the advanced data science module, so I am hoping I will be able to incorporate these skills into my role imminently.
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.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
BAE themselves are good employers, and they are constantly looking to improve the standard of my apprenticeship. This is why I believe that the next few cohorts have had a better experience.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
N/A
