Digital and Technology Solutions Apprentice Review
at AstraZeneca
Degree Apprenticeship
Information Technology
Macclesfield
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
3.9 /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!
4/5
-
Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
3.2/5
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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
As a business analyst, I lead the discussion on tickets/user stories to support our weekly sprints. I consult with the business and business partners to align on priorities, and create tickets on Jira to cover the work required by the development team, of which I support their understanding during daily scrum calls.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
The program has overall been a great experience. Working as an apprentice whilst simultaneously studying for my degree has provided valuable experience with a strong network of support. There is a high level of understanding for splitting the time between work and studies, and the opportunities provided are excellent.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I've learned and developed many skills. With multiple different rotations I've covered technical roles including Python and JavaScript scripting, I've developed presentation skills and attended conferences to promote internal tools and software, I've especially focussed in on my Business Analyst skills and knowledge, consistently applying the principles of Agile into my work.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
2/5
The initial structure of the program is fantastic with the varying roles available and the ability to shift into different teams throughout the apprenticeship. However there have been issues in supporting apprentices internally, with the apprenticeship lead being replaced twice during my stay, and the initial timeline providing support for finding a job upon the apprenticeships conclusion has fallen due to funding being moved.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
My employer has varied in terms of team, with different teams providing varying levels of support. AstraZeneca as a whole has been a very supporting company for upskilling and gaining certifications and varied experience. However support for the conclusion of the apprenticeship has been lacking when compared to how it was initially posed, with minimal support beyond CV discussion.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
Support for qualifications, both degree and external, has been great. Teams support the time split between degree and work, with understanding and support for the 1/5 days to focus and further supporting any business related questions.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
The degree has covered a wide area of study. While many of the modules are non-applicable to my own roles, they have built an understanding of the roles I collaborate with, and the modules that are tailored to my role have been very useful.
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
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend AstraZeneca to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The company is very supportive and has a great working environment, however with consistent financial restructuring and multiple layoffs during my stay, I would recommend being wary
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to AstraZeneca?
Understand the values AstraZeneca holds, and apply those to your communications.
Further, discover where their efforts are being focussed. For example, the UK sites has lost significant headcount and apprenticeship funding, as it has been relocated to the new Spain site.
Further, discover where their efforts are being focussed. For example, the UK sites has lost significant headcount and apprenticeship funding, as it has been relocated to the new Spain site.
