Civil Engineering Degree Apprentice Review
at Mott MacDonald
Degree Apprenticeship
Civil Engineering
Cambridge
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
4.1 /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!
3.5/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
3.8/5
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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 currently role is as Project Leader for two small reservoir schemes, for which I manage the engineering works and tasks to ensure the projects are delivered on time and designed appropriately. Day to day tasks involve discussions with the client, managing sub teams from other disciplines, carrying out civil engineering tasks my self like writing specifications and doing calculations, etc.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
While it is difficult, I can definitely say that I enjoy doing the apprenticeship. The only downfall has been trying to get involved with a wider range of work within my first two years on the programme. Initially I was a bit stagnant with the work I was being involved with which made the work slightly less enjoyable. This has been resolved now with my new role however.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Since the start of my apprenticeship, I have developed and learnt a wealth of new skills, including engineering calculations, 3D geological modelling, CAD skills, report writing, written and spoken communication, and many more.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
From the professional side, the apprenticeship is very well organised, with regular training held, vast support networks in place and systems to guide our development and progress.
The uni side however, is less sufficient. Training / teaching quality is often quite poor, organisation and communication from the uni staff isn't great, and the new hybrid delivery (mix of in person and online teaching) significantly favours the in person students.
My rating will be based on the professional side.
The uni side however, is less sufficient. Training / teaching quality is often quite poor, organisation and communication from the uni staff isn't great, and the new hybrid delivery (mix of in person and online teaching) significantly favours the in person students.
My rating will be based on the professional side.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
Plenty of support is in place from Mott MacDonald, with various training programmes in place to help introduce apprentices to the professional world. Wellbeing advice / helplines are also available company wide to help people manage workload and stress. There is also lots of support to help apprentices progress through their programme, with mentors being assigned early on to the programme.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
Some support. Quarterly progress review meetings do help, but guidance is often unclear and hard to follow.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
I have definitely learnt a lot in my degree that can be applied directly to work, for example my hydraulics and geotechnics modules have been a big help in understanding my day to day role better. Much of what I learn at uni though has not had any application at work yet however, though this is no particular fault of the uni.
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
Yes, there are plenty of after work socials, including Monday football, which I sometimes attend. There are exciting annual events too such as the office Christmas party, mountain biking trip and sports day in the summer too (all of which I attend and would recommend).
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Mott MacDonald to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I have found Mott MacDonald to be a great company to work for for a number of reasons, including bu not limited to;
- great working atmosphere and moral
- Lots of opportunities to socialise outside of work
- Generous pay (considerably so for apprentices)
- Great support network, work-related and wellbeing-related
- great working atmosphere and moral
- Lots of opportunities to socialise outside of work
- Generous pay (considerably so for apprentices)
- Great support network, work-related and wellbeing-related
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Mott MacDonald?
Come into the role with an open mind with a willingness to try new and unexpected work - it will go a long way in helping your development.
