Early Careers Apprentice Review
at BBC
Degree Apprenticeship
Software Engineering
Salford Quays
Review Submitted: March 2026
Overall Rating
4.6 /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
4.4/5
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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:
5/5
My role as a software engineer apprentice involves engaging in agile ceremonies such as daily stand-ups and sprint reviews to synchronise with the team. My daily routine would entail picking up tickets in JIRA to do scoped tasks that may require writing code to implement a new feature, fixing bugs (BAU), or writing documentation.
Our team actively encourages paired programming for knowledge sharing and team interaction. This has helped me improve my abilities and confidence over time as a new joiner and avoid isolation from the rest of my colleagues.
Our team actively encourages paired programming for knowledge sharing and team interaction. This has helped me improve my abilities and confidence over time as a new joiner and avoid isolation from the rest of my colleagues.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
Being in my team offers me a lot of opportunities in growing my skills as a software engineer and as a person by engaging with colleagues and receiving feedback, this can be from code reviews or weekly 1-2-1 with my line manager. Not only has this allowed me to be capable and confident in delivering work independently but it has also expanded my professional and technical communication, and writing skills for documentations.
The university aspect is fairly overwhelming as a neurodivergent (ADHD) person but having day-to-day practical work experience provides me a more varied learning material rather than just from one source. I believe this is why the programme works for me and makes it fun.
The university aspect is fairly overwhelming as a neurodivergent (ADHD) person but having day-to-day practical work experience provides me a more varied learning material rather than just from one source. I believe this is why the programme works for me and makes it fun.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
After 6 months of being in the programme, I have developed confidence and knowledge in applying my skills to our codebase and services. This includes AWS, Typescript/Javascript, CI/CD pipelines, writing tickets on JIRA, writing readable documentation and articulating my ideas and views through professional and technical communication.
I have also taken self-paced learning materials through the BBC's own learning portal which has helped me understand how to follow technology best practices. I also feel confident in the agile/scrum framework and how this makes our team more effective and productive.
I have also taken self-paced learning materials through the BBC's own learning portal which has helped me understand how to follow technology best practices. I also feel confident in the agile/scrum framework and how this makes our team more effective and productive.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
Overall well-structured. There were communication problems with the learning provider but this was resolved soon enough. Pathways and modules are clear.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I receive tremendous support from my employer, especially on wellbeing support. I have received tailored support due to personal circumstances and felt supported throughout.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
There is support offered such as 1-2-1 learning support but this can be very limited depending on the time of the year. I do get fast responses when contacting the support email.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
Most of the university modules are transferrable to my role particularly the fundamental concepts and technical vocabulary. I have utilised many of these in my team and found them very helpful for my role.
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
The BBC offers many volunteering opportunities which was helpful in improving my soft skills. There are also apprentice-specific events that are great for networking, and hearing from other apprentices about their experiences.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BBC to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The BBC offered me an opportunity that has pushed me outside of my comfort zone. As someone who struggled with the traditional learning pathways like college or university, the degree apprenticeship provided me with both practical and academic experience and has taught me how to balance day-to-day commitments.
Being the first person in my family to have the chance to complete a degree is a strong motivational factor and the key reason that interested me in joining the scheme.
Being the first person in my family to have the chance to complete a degree is a strong motivational factor and the key reason that interested me in joining the scheme.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BBC?
To be your genuine self and demonstrate how you would contribute to a healthy and productive workplace culture.
