Apprentice Software Engineer Review
at Arm
Degree Apprenticeship
Software Engineering
Manchester
Review Submitted: April 2026
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
My role is as a software engineer. My day to day involves working on tasks I've been assigned while ensuring I take the time to look after my mental and physical well being. Encouraged to run my day and take breaks when I feel I need them while also getting support from my colleagues and greater the Arm community. I also help running volunteering events and support our wider apprentice and early careers programmes.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
It is an excellent programme that is well structured and presented. The supporting material and pre-lecture learning is good and the lectures themselves are engaging and nicely paced to keep you enthused and learning throughout. The support from BPP university both within and without the course lectures is excellent and well signposted.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
From day 1 I have learnt and continue to learn and develop my skills. Soft skills such as presenting technical talks to my team, communication skills and listening skills to ensure all voices are heard and given the opportunity to express their views and ideas. Hard skills such as software coding skills in c, c++, assembly and python. Dev-ops and code review. All the teams I have worked on have been incredibly supportive and welcoming to me asking questions and taking me off to a whiteboard to explain ideas and concepts to help support me in my learning. I don't think I will ever stop learning at Arm and I will always have the support of wonderful colleagues on my journey.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
It is very well structured both with the university and in the workplace. There is set lectures and learning with both pre-reading and extra reading available with the university side of the course. Within work the early careers team and other apprentices are always supporting each other. With internal lectures given on git or linux from experienced senior engineers, through to apprentices teach apprentice's sessions. Technical talks within my team and within Arms wider communities as well. This all helps and enhances the overall apprentice program and I am always given the opportunity and time to expand my horizons within work time.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
As much as we could possibly need. From support with the course and within our teams through to mental and physical wellbeing I feel 100% supported at all times by Arm. I know that if there is something I need whether that is time or equipment I can just ask. I also get regular bi-weekly checkins with both my manager and with my work tutor to make sure I'm ok and don't need anything.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
I receive excellent support BPP. Whether that is through resources to aid me in my learning or it through to a multitude of resources outside of the course itself. I feel in safe and confidant hands knowing my learning and final aim of my degree qualification is made easier with easy access to resources and support.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
The degree qualification is really helping me gain a better understanding of a nice broad view of technical and none technical subjects. I can see how modules are well structured to support me with my work in both developing soft skills such as presentation skills and hard skills such as software engineering and data management. These skills are directly relatable to my daily work at Arm both within my team and the wider Arm volunteering community helping me boost volunteering numbers within the Manchester office and with ensuring my technical skills and learning skills are developing.
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
There are many opportunities within Arm. We are given a half day a month of work time to volunteer and I help organise these events within the Manchester office. From helping map remote communities to weeding tow paths along the canal and many more. There is also fussball and computer games tournaments. Board game nights. AI hackathon events. Snack and chat every week with free snacks and drinks to give people the opportunity to socialise and get to know people from other teams. Coffee roulettes where you are matched with someone within the company from all around the world to meet up over zoom or in person if at the same office and just have a chat and get to know someone new.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Arm to a friend?
Yes
Why?
From day one I've been treated as a valued member of the teams I have worked with. I'm given real life tasks to work on while also given the time I need to learn and grow. I have always felt fully supported and encouraged to grow and develop both my soft skills and my hard skills. Arm is a wonderful welcoming and inclusive culture. The Arm ethos is one of support, learning and growth and I couldn't be prouder to be part of that culture here.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Arm?
Be yourself. Arm will always accept you just as you are. As an apprentice you are always given time to learn and grow. You're not expected to know everything (or even anything) from day one. Ask questions, collaborate, be curious and work towards tasks not just as yourself but as a team. Learn a bit about Arm and the things we work on. Let your enthusiasm for Arm and technology show. And enjoy yourself. Even during an interview just remember the people interviewing you are just other people and have been in your place before. If you need accommodations just ask. Arm will always support you even in the application process.
