Aerospace Engineering Degree Apprentice Review
at BAE Systems
Degree Apprenticeship
Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering
Warton, Lancashire
Review Submitted: March 2026
Overall Rating
3.8 /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
5/5
-
Skills Development
3.4/5
-
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
Overall the role consists of 4 days working within a professional team working in aerospace engineering at the Warton or Samlesbury sites and one day at college completing a degree (Blackpool and Fylde College). The role is a highly in depth view of the activities carried out by aerospace engineers and encompasses the whole of the company and meaning aerospace engineering apprentices can work in any number of areas from materials engineering to build line support to avionic systems.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
The apprenticeship provides a highly in-depth look at the activities conducted within BAES and I have really enjoyed being able to complete meaningful work and contribute towards programmes such as Typhoon. Given the size of the company, some placements are not ideal and unable to provide either meaningful work or are unable to contribute to the progress of your apprenticeship which is the most important part of placement work. Early Careers team are available to assist with these issues where possible and most are solved relatively quickly but some are not meaning an apprentice could be in that role for up to 6 months.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have developed existing base English and Mathematic skills through the college attendance and been able to apply them to engineering problems. working in the business I have learned how to use teamwork and networking in a corporate environment to help me complete tasks to the expected high standard. In addition I have learned to work with specialised engineering software that are both bespoke to BAE Systems and used universally in engineering - an extremely useful skill that can not be acquired in the same way through conventional higher education.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
The EDAS programme is in the middle of major changes resulting in processes changing regularly. Early Careers teams work to support apprentices but the number of people on the programme and the constantly changing environment make it difficult for them to do so. the scheme was changed halfway to an integrated degree from a separate without any forewarning from early careers and the programme is no longer accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society, instead it is by Blackpool and Fylde College, another change that we were not notified of until after it happened. EC do meet apprentice reps regularly to discuss issues however they are rarely taken further.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
Every apprentice is assigned a skills coach who provides a good level of support and is available throughout the working day to apprentices, this can include academic or placement help and where necessary, individuals can be referred to occupational health and mental health support with relatively quick turnaround times. EDAS leads and skills coaches meet regularly with apprentices to discuss changes to the programme and updates where necessary but also skills coaches and apprentices individually to ensure that they are up to date on work including college work, Level 4 Diploma and endpoint assessment.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
N/A
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
2/5
Minimal - This is because my placements have not been in these subject areas, although I have employed areas such as basic understanding of aircraft when working in certain areas of the business. Colleagues have used certain areas of their qualification to assist in their day-to-day role however some (such as myself) have rarely.
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
These are a wide variety of extra-curriculars that are organised through the company as stretch assignments (STEM Ambassadors etc). The company also supports groups like the Tempest Early Careers Network where apprentices working on FCAS projects can meet others from around the business and around the world, working alongside other companies such as Rolls Royce, Leonardo Aerospace and MBDA. Additionally there are non-company involved social events and activities such as a team who will be running from Keswick to Barrow for charity.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
It is a good working environment; working with cutting-edge, world class and professional teams who are at the forefront of aerospace engineering. The programme provides a high level of education in the form of a degree accredited by Lancaster University and a L4 Diploma.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
Academics aren't everything; speaking to a lot of people who apply and fail, they believe that the job revolves around excelling academically. That is not true. It's important that in preparation for the application process, you should think about your own life experience in academic AND
extra-curricular activities and how do they compare to the BAES behaviours and values. Showing a willingness to learn and an interest in the field to which you are applying is also very important, for example joining the Air Cadets can be very beneficial to understand the structure around which we operate.
extra-curricular activities and how do they compare to the BAES behaviours and values. Showing a willingness to learn and an interest in the field to which you are applying is also very important, for example joining the Air Cadets can be very beneficial to understand the structure around which we operate.
