Software Developer Apprentice Review
at Experian
Degree Apprenticeship
Software Engineering
Nottingham
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
4 /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
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
4/5
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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:
3/5
I analyse, change, and test code. I look at codebases and analyse how to fix code; the impact of code changes; and more. I perform code changes fixes/additions to existing programs/modules and sometimes write new ones. For each code change, I must plan and perform unit testing. My assigned workplace mentor helps me when I get stuck. Sometimes I must present my code change before a panel of reviewers to ensure everything's in order.
During termtime, I spend one day per week on campus for 8 weeks and my workplace provides me an extra day to complete coursework instead of work for the company.
During termtime, I spend one day per week on campus for 8 weeks and my workplace provides me an extra day to complete coursework instead of work for the company.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
I enjoy the flexibility and freedom at work. I manage my own time (to a reasonable extent) and it's a hybrid model with flexible hours (flexible around a 9-5 base, meaning I can start/finish slightly later/earlier or take time out for appointments, as long as my work gets done). I love working from home. I've really enjoyed the content of the university modules and am definitely fulfilling my thirst for learning and knowledge.
However, it was very frustrating not knowing anything and not having much independence at work in the first year or so (though that is improving). The time management has definitely been a challenge, and I haven't done great in that regard. Termtime can be very stressful because there's a lot going on. The ratio of work : uni feels less 80 : 20 and more 60 : 60. It can feel like a whirlwind and like there's not enough time to focus on either one.
It is good gaining work experience and money, though, and having a break from work at uni and a break from uni at work.
However, it was very frustrating not knowing anything and not having much independence at work in the first year or so (though that is improving). The time management has definitely been a challenge, and I haven't done great in that regard. Termtime can be very stressful because there's a lot going on. The ratio of work : uni feels less 80 : 20 and more 60 : 60. It can feel like a whirlwind and like there's not enough time to focus on either one.
It is good gaining work experience and money, though, and having a break from work at uni and a break from uni at work.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have learnt to be more proactive. I have learnt to challenge myself more and get involved in activities that wouldn't usually interest me. I am still working on my time management skills, which are essential for this apprenticeship. I think my interpersonal and presentation skills have improved a bit. I've learned a lot about developing software on a mainframe. I have also learned how to navigate a corporate and work environment.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
I think I don't like spending one or two days on university work every week, because it makes it hard for me to focus both work and uni at once - three days a week feels like not enough time to get much progress done on work tasks and one day to focus on coursework is not enough to get into it and make much headway, for me. Other apprentices have it in blocks, and I think I might prefer that, though I haven't tried it so I'm sure that also has its downsides.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I receive excellent support from my employer. They provide an extra day each week to complete coursework; a workplace mentor, who has shown great interest and support in helping me succeed; and they are willing to support in case of stress and also to provide opportunities to fulfil necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours and personal and professional development goals.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
Great support with checkins every 3 months or so as well as ad-hoc support. We also have course representatives who raise issues with the course and module leaders. One example of an issue being raised and dealt with is that apprentices wanted to leave university earlier (to catch trains and buses etc.), and the course leader made it happen (we now leave at 17:00 on on-campus days instead of at 18:00). They also support with stress and wellbeing issues, providing extensions and counselling as needed.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
2/5
It has taught me some transferrable skills and lets me learn more about the wider world of software engineering. I have a wider perspective. I don't think it has been very directly applicable to my role, as I work on very old technology and languages. Also, some of the things we learned about are out of the scope of my role because I work in a big company (setting up networks and coming up with software designs from requirements, for example, are, respectively, in a different department and above my pay grade). However, I have learned practices and concepts as well as soft skills that I can apply in my role. Also, I don't really plan on staying in this role/company forever, so I think it will be very useful for future career development.
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
Yes, there are many Employee Resource Groups and socials and other things and events to get involved in. There is also an 'Early Careers' programme, which provides support, events, training, and networking opportunities for new graduates and apprentices.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Experian to a friend?
Yes
Why?
- Good people
- Good culture
- Good benefits
- Flexible
- A lot of schemes in place to support mental and physical health and wellbeing
- Many development opportunities
- High-performance but non-toxic environment
- Lots of support for apprentices and graduates
- Encourages social action (volunteering at local foodbanks and other charities and orgs)
- Good culture
- Good benefits
- Flexible
- A lot of schemes in place to support mental and physical health and wellbeing
- Many development opportunities
- High-performance but non-toxic environment
- Lots of support for apprentices and graduates
- Encourages social action (volunteering at local foodbanks and other charities and orgs)
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Experian?
This will be tough and will require you to have or learn time management. There is also a large emphasis on networking, team work, and professional development. This will push you to improve and to thrive.
Data Analyst Placement Student in Identity & Fraud Analytics
at Experian
- Placement (10 Months+)
- Nottingham
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4.4
