Engineering Degree Apprentice Review
at BMW Group UK
Degree Apprenticeship
Manufacturing
United Kingdom
Review Submitted: August 2026
Overall Rating
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
3/5
-
Skills Development
3/5
-
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
As part of the apprenticeship, you complete placements around the business. These typically range between three and six months, and can sometimes be adjusted depending on suitability, preferences, and business needs. Placements vary between operational, quality, and project-focused departments. Day-to-day work depends on the placement and can include supporting ongoing operations, completing defined tasks, or taking ownership of specific projects, with responsibilities varying based on placement length and familiarity with the work.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
This question is difficult to answer because my experience has varied significantly between placements. At times, I have really enjoyed the programme and felt valued, motivated, and that I am developing genuinely useful skills. When I have been given clear ownership of a project, supportive stakeholders, and defined objectives, the work has been engaging and rewarding.
At other times, the programme has felt less rewarding. In some placements, I experienced a lack of direction and limited alignment with my longer-term career ambitions, which reduced how interesting the work felt. I also sometimes felt that apprentices can be used primarily to fill short-term business needs rather than being managed through a consistently structured development plan. This is particularly noticeable near the end of the programme when apprentices start looking for their next role. You may build momentum in a department, deliver results, and want to continue there, but if there are no vacancies available, the transition can become more about business needs and timing than best fit. That can put pressure on apprentices to take roles that are available rather than roles that develop them most.
I also felt there can be a difference in how end-of-scheme roles are managed between pathways. As an apprentice, the move into a permanent role can be more dependent on immediate vacancies in whichever areas have capacity, whereas some graduate pathways appear to have a clearer planned destination role and development route. I understand there are practical resourcing constraints, but greater transparency earlier in the scheme on likely role availability, and clearer support in planning towards a target area, would help ensure apprentices are placed based on fit and development, not just timing. Overall, the programme can be very strong when placements are well-scoped and supported, but the experience is not always consistent.
At other times, the programme has felt less rewarding. In some placements, I experienced a lack of direction and limited alignment with my longer-term career ambitions, which reduced how interesting the work felt. I also sometimes felt that apprentices can be used primarily to fill short-term business needs rather than being managed through a consistently structured development plan. This is particularly noticeable near the end of the programme when apprentices start looking for their next role. You may build momentum in a department, deliver results, and want to continue there, but if there are no vacancies available, the transition can become more about business needs and timing than best fit. That can put pressure on apprentices to take roles that are available rather than roles that develop them most.
I also felt there can be a difference in how end-of-scheme roles are managed between pathways. As an apprentice, the move into a permanent role can be more dependent on immediate vacancies in whichever areas have capacity, whereas some graduate pathways appear to have a clearer planned destination role and development route. I understand there are practical resourcing constraints, but greater transparency earlier in the scheme on likely role availability, and clearer support in planning towards a target area, would help ensure apprentices are placed based on fit and development, not just timing. Overall, the programme can be very strong when placements are well-scoped and supported, but the experience is not always consistent.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
3/5
I have developed a broad range of skills and knowledge during my apprenticeship due to the variety of placements. This has helped me understand how a large manufacturer operates, including exposure to operations, maintenance, materials planning (MRP), and project planning. I particularly enjoyed the project planning placement, where I felt I learned the most. This included experience in purchasing processes, writing specifications, stakeholder management, strategic planning, and project management.
One area I would improve is the level of formal training and certifications provided. Based on my expectations and comparisons with what some peers receive elsewhere, I would have benefited from more structured training opportunities (for example, PLC programming, robotics, or Six Sigma). In addition, clearer signposting and support towards professional registration (IEng/CEng) after the apprenticeship would strengthen the long-term development offer for apprentices who want to pursue that route.
One area I would improve is the level of formal training and certifications provided. Based on my expectations and comparisons with what some peers receive elsewhere, I would have benefited from more structured training opportunities (for example, PLC programming, robotics, or Six Sigma). In addition, clearer signposting and support towards professional registration (IEng/CEng) after the apprenticeship would strengthen the long-term development offer for apprentices who want to pursue that route.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
I was given a placement plan at the start of my apprenticeship which outlined departments I would go to, how long for and when.
While this is good and does provide essential structure, if I was given the opportunity to make my own apprenticeship plan now it would be a lot different.
Perhaps this is easier said than done as at the start of your scheme most people do not know what they enjoy or want to develop a career in. After having several years of experience and involvement in projects, it is then a lot easier to say what you would have liked to do or thought would be more strategic.
While this is good and does provide essential structure, if I was given the opportunity to make my own apprenticeship plan now it would be a lot different.
Perhaps this is easier said than done as at the start of your scheme most people do not know what they enjoy or want to develop a career in. After having several years of experience and involvement in projects, it is then a lot easier to say what you would have liked to do or thought would be more strategic.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
I have regular 1:1 meetings with a mentor. A lot of the time, these are quite generic and are to check how you are, what you have been involved in recently or if there are any problems. I would describe them more as check ups rather than 1:1s focused on development.
I think it would be more helpful if mentors had gone through the apprenticeship process themselves as a requirement. My mentor is great but they have limited first-hand experience of completing an apprenticeship.
I think it would be more helpful if mentors had gone through the apprenticeship process themselves as a requirement. My mentor is great but they have limited first-hand experience of completing an apprenticeship.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
2/5
The support is satisfactory. I have not required much specific support.
I’m currently writing my dissertation and I have regular meetings with my supervisor for it which is good. Support is also very good during the EPA (End Point Assessment). The college (who organiseses the EPA) does well during this stage.
The training provider can be quite poor sometimes in organisation. For example, we had problems with certain licenses being available for university work and there being a lack of communication.
I’m currently writing my dissertation and I have regular meetings with my supervisor for it which is good. Support is also very good during the EPA (End Point Assessment). The college (who organiseses the EPA) does well during this stage.
The training provider can be quite poor sometimes in organisation. For example, we had problems with certain licenses being available for university work and there being a lack of communication.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
This is an interesting question.
Many apprentices will agree that it is often viewed that the qualification we study does not align with our actual job or day-to-day responsibilities. Studying manufacturing engineering, we learn about CAD, CAM, materials and operations management to name a few recent modules. Out of these, the only modules used day-to-day by me personally is operations management and more recently elements of materials.
I think this highlights that the apprenticeship is more operationally focused. The technical side of the degree is not typically used in normal day-to-day activities. For some this is fine but for others, like myself, it makes me question whether I actually am training to be a ‘manufacturing engineer’ (like my apprenticeship and EPA originally stated) or something else.
Many apprentices will agree that it is often viewed that the qualification we study does not align with our actual job or day-to-day responsibilities. Studying manufacturing engineering, we learn about CAD, CAM, materials and operations management to name a few recent modules. Out of these, the only modules used day-to-day by me personally is operations management and more recently elements of materials.
I think this highlights that the apprenticeship is more operationally focused. The technical side of the degree is not typically used in normal day-to-day activities. For some this is fine but for others, like myself, it makes me question whether I actually am training to be a ‘manufacturing engineer’ (like my apprenticeship and EPA originally stated) or something else.
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. Interns, graduates and apprentices organise weekly football sessions.
Also, most teams have team celebrations at X-mas. The level of social interaction outside of work varies by department; some do it more than others, some hardly at all.
Also, most teams have team celebrations at X-mas. The level of social interaction outside of work varies by department; some do it more than others, some hardly at all.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BMW Group UK to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I would recommend it.
However, in this world, I think there are better opportunities and industries out there.
The automotive industry will change significantly over the next years, and I think there are better opportunities for developing a long term career where you can develop more transferable and valuable skills. As it stands, there is a lot of uncertainty in the automotive industry in Europe. UK car production is at one of its lowest points and the automotive industry as a whole is changing significantly.
Personally, I moved half way across the country for my apprenticeship so when I benchmark the apprenticeship against others it includes the whole of the UK.
If you are local to Birmingham, specifically want a degree apprenticeship rather than uni; BMW is a good option. If you’re looking all over the country, like myself 3 years ago, I’d recommend something else which is sustainable and resiliant long-term.
However, in this world, I think there are better opportunities and industries out there.
The automotive industry will change significantly over the next years, and I think there are better opportunities for developing a long term career where you can develop more transferable and valuable skills. As it stands, there is a lot of uncertainty in the automotive industry in Europe. UK car production is at one of its lowest points and the automotive industry as a whole is changing significantly.
Personally, I moved half way across the country for my apprenticeship so when I benchmark the apprenticeship against others it includes the whole of the UK.
If you are local to Birmingham, specifically want a degree apprenticeship rather than uni; BMW is a good option. If you’re looking all over the country, like myself 3 years ago, I’d recommend something else which is sustainable and resiliant long-term.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BMW Group UK?
It can be difficult to know what you want at the age of 18, it helps if you have people around you that can provide useful suggestions on what industry and role you should choose. Based upon this, try get work experience and experiment with what type of engineering you want to do. If you know someone who is an engineer, this a great way to get advice.
You want to do electrical engineering on an apprenticeship, but do you also want to work rotating shifts for a significant part of your life (mornings, afternoon, nights)?
You want to do a degree apprenticeship, but do you also want to potentially stay in that industry for the rest of your life? Is it the best industry long term?
Reflecting back, I think I would have choose another pathway. However, this does not mean I do not value my experience as a degree apprenticeship and what BMW have provided.
At the end of my apprenticeship I will have a degree in Manufacturing Engineering, 4 years of work experience, a job available and 4 years of receiving a salary where you can enjoy going on holiday, having a nice car, etc.
You want to do electrical engineering on an apprenticeship, but do you also want to work rotating shifts for a significant part of your life (mornings, afternoon, nights)?
You want to do a degree apprenticeship, but do you also want to potentially stay in that industry for the rest of your life? Is it the best industry long term?
Reflecting back, I think I would have choose another pathway. However, this does not mean I do not value my experience as a degree apprenticeship and what BMW have provided.
At the end of my apprenticeship I will have a degree in Manufacturing Engineering, 4 years of work experience, a job available and 4 years of receiving a salary where you can enjoy going on holiday, having a nice car, etc.
Corporate Governance and CEO Support intern
at BMW Group UK
- Placement (10 Months+)
- Farnborough, Hampshire
-
5
Sales Steering and Planning Intern
at BMW Group UK
- Placement (10 Months+)
- Farnborough, Hampshire
-
4.8
