Apprentice software engineer Review
at Arm
Degree Apprenticeship
Software Engineering
Manchester
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
5 /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!
5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
5/5
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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:
5/5
At the moment I work in the ISP (Image signal processor) team. My current project is to create a testing pipeline to test the functionality of a web application. This has involved writing python tests, creating docker containers, and writing groovy code to setup a jenkins pipeline.
I dont have to communicate with external shareholders, however I do have to communicate internally with managers and employees to discuss progress, next steps, and plans for the future. The company has strong communications and there is always somebody who can help when you are stuck on a problem.
My current responsibilities include: completing university work, attending lectures online, writing code, testing code, and demonstrating how my code works to other employees.
I dont have to communicate with external shareholders, however I do have to communicate internally with managers and employees to discuss progress, next steps, and plans for the future. The company has strong communications and there is always somebody who can help when you are stuck on a problem.
My current responsibilities include: completing university work, attending lectures online, writing code, testing code, and demonstrating how my code works to other employees.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I thoroughly enjoy the program with Arm. I believe it has allowed me to grow my technical competencies in a friendly environment that encourages teamwork, development and greatness.
The work I do in the office feels useful and I genuinely feel like I am making a difference and helping my team with the work I do. This gives me fulfilment, knowing that the work I do will actually be used.
On the university side, the lectures are interesting and engaging and the assignments for each module feel realistic to real business scenarios and problems
The work I do in the office feels useful and I genuinely feel like I am making a difference and helping my team with the work I do. This gives me fulfilment, knowing that the work I do will actually be used.
On the university side, the lectures are interesting and engaging and the assignments for each module feel realistic to real business scenarios and problems
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have developed multiple skills in this role. Not only have I increased my python proficiency I have learned how to use common DevOps tools such as docker and jenkins to create pipelines to test code.
On the university side I have learned about many technological areas ranging from databases to networks, as well as some theory behind project management and code lifecycles. Not only this but, I have also learned many soft skills such as continuous personal development, presenting skills, and communication skills.
On the university side I have learned about many technological areas ranging from databases to networks, as well as some theory behind project management and code lifecycles. Not only this but, I have also learned many soft skills such as continuous personal development, presenting skills, and communication skills.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
My programme is well structured with 2 university days every week where I spend half of each day attending lectures and working on university code. The lessons of each module are well structured and I feel they prepare me well for each assignment and working in the industry.
If I have issues on the programme I have multiple people I can speak to being: line manager, industrial coach, university coach, lecturers, and even employees around me. My manager is happy to allow me to take longer doing tasks to allow me to learn and also catch up on university work if required.
If I have issues on the programme I have multiple people I can speak to being: line manager, industrial coach, university coach, lecturers, and even employees around me. My manager is happy to allow me to take longer doing tasks to allow me to learn and also catch up on university work if required.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
Like I said previously I have multiple points of contact for if I need support with my university work or day to day work. I would say when I ask one of these contacts for help with something they always either know how to help me or are able to point me in the direction of somebody that does.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
I have multiple contacts in the training provider, being my tutors, university tutor, subject leads and so on. If I ever have problems, the training provider is always quick to provide me with guidance and help to resolve my issues. Every module also has a reading week and a consolidation week where students are allowed to ask any questions about the assignment and spend time working on it rather than attending lectures. Not only this, every module has a forum where students can ask questions and tutors can publicly respond allowing all students to benefit.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
I believe that working towards my qualification with my training provider has significantly increased my ability to perform my role. Not only do we learn theory that is imperative to how teams and technology work. But we are also given hands on experience through assignments to truly consolidate our learning.
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
Arm is a very social company with weekly social events like pub nights and hikes. Also the company pays for team celebrations for milestones where team members will do an activity such as archery, bowling, or something else.
There are also alot of employee led activities, we have a graduate committee and social comittee that regularly meet to plan activities such as escape rooms, bouldering, nights out and so on.
There are also multiple sports channels in a messaging application called slack where employees can go and play football, badminton, and even just find like minded individuals to go to the gym with.
There are also alot of employee led activities, we have a graduate committee and social comittee that regularly meet to plan activities such as escape rooms, bouldering, nights out and so on.
There are also multiple sports channels in a messaging application called slack where employees can go and play football, badminton, and even just find like minded individuals to go to the gym with.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Arm to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Arm is a wonderful company with a wonderful culture. Team members are always happy to help, and office environments promote socializing and collaboration. We have multiple spaces for recreational activities such as pool, foosball and even playstations to allow for employees to clear their mind when stuck on problems or cool down after lunch and work. The fact that Arm trusts employees to work hard and do their very best despite the recreational activities promotes engineers to work hard because they genuinely want to which I believe is extremely beneficial to productivity and efficiency.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Arm?
Just like any interview ensure you prepare, research the company and their accomplishments. Make sure you are able to demonstrate problem solving, technical knowledge and personality in your interview, CV and cover letters
