Digital & Technology Solutions Degree Apprentice - Software Engineer Review
at BAE Systems
Degree Apprenticeship
Software Engineering
Barrow-in-Furness
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
3.3 /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
2.8/5
-
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
I complete various tasks relating to one of the DTS specialisms, depending on the placement I am in. For example, I have just started a data placement and am working on creating reports.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
2/5
Mostly, the programme is okay, there are some major issues with the provider as they are very bad at handling issues between apprentices and very little consideration is put into the assignments. Work however, is much better.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Yes, I have been able to develop coding skills but also learnt new skills in people management, and data analysis. On top of this I have had the opportunity to develop my behaviours and more soft skills.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
Fairly well, the main issue we encounter is around BAE having multiple "business units" and each one having different structures and rules for the apprenticeship. Although work is going on to combat this.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
We receive good support from our functional leads and the programme lead however, our skills coach and their manager within early careers don't get very involved and are not very helpful.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
1/5
our apprenticeship coach is very good and they've brought in a student experience manager. However, MK:U/ Cranfield are terrible at helping as an organisation. We regularly feed back to them in quarterly reviews and little is done on our feedback. Additionally, they do not acknowledge and actively ignore the additional needs outlined by students with conditions such as Dyslexia, despite these students following the universitys procedures for additional support.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
It has enabled me to get a better oversight of how the technology is used within a business context and also shown me an overview of similar roles. However, the ideas taught are not much more complex than I received at A-Level.
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, a lot of them are apprentice led but some are also organised by the company.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The company is great, and has a lot of job security, although the below average wage for core staff is a downside.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
Just to do their research, it's very important to know what you want to be involved in as it isn't well broadcast internally.
