IT Apprentice Review
at AstraZeneca
Degree Apprenticeship
Cyber Security
Macclesfield
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
4.3 /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!
4/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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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:
4/5
I work with in the SOC team where we act respond to incidents and threats within our environment. We actively search for threats and vulnerabilities to take action to mitigate the threats to out organisation ensuring the security of AstraZeneca
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
Having support form all of the apprenticeship scheme and the apprentices It has been made easy for me to balance a work life as well as a university life with being given time to complete both sides of the degree apprenticeship I have been able to sit under different teams and work with knowledgeable people who have supported my journey and guided me to find the correct career path for me.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I have learnt to use many different security tools and how to respond to threats/incidents. I have also grown my knowledge of cybersecurity industry and am able to understand different types of threats with the correct repones in accordance to industry standards. My role has improved my communication skills and problem solving skills to be able to come up with the correct response to many different threats.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
The very well organised programme, given the freedom to find your next role whilst also having a network to support your searches for a job role that bets suits you. There are many different people to talk to whether it be current/ ex apprentices or the members of the apprenticeship scheme who will routinely check in with you.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
Plenty of support is provided in terms of University/ work balance. There is a whole range of people who support the apprentices, with a strong network of current and ex apprentices who are always avaliable to give support. Everyone in the programme is there to give you guidance and support.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
Staff associated with the programme routinely check in and offer support, as well as check ins with the university success manger these help apprentices with information and documents as well as knowledge to point us in the right direction and provide support for our qualifications.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
The courses start with IT as a whole but as you progress they get more specific and you gather the idea of what type of role and work you complete indicating what you enjoy and maybe don't enjoy as much therefore as the final year comes this will make the specialism choices easier as you can prepare for the type of remaining modules you will complete. However this comes down to the apprentice as well to try and align the University modules to the work you complete whilst on the job to grow your understanding.
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
There are on site gym and Astro pitches for on site activity as well as social gatherings often for all apprentices which are always a good turn out.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend AstraZeneca to a friend?
Yes
Why?
AstraZeneca is a large global organisation and as an apprentice learning from people who have such great knowledge an understanding will help you develop as an individual even quicker. the support colleagues, apprentices and the scheme offer allow you to grow and develop far better than other companies after I have spoken toothers doing the same degree elsewhere. You are not treated as an apprentice the responsibilities are given and you are trusted to work as well as other in the team which isn't always common. The scheme are well structured and balance both wok and University perfectly, If you want a good start to a career AstraZeneca offer just that.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to AstraZeneca?
Apply if you want a good start to your career in a place where you will feel trusted and have responsibilities.
