Software Engineering Degree Apprentice Review
at BBC
Degree Apprenticeship
Software Engineering
Salford
Review Submitted: April 2026
Overall Rating
4.4 /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!
4.5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
4.2/5
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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
Day-to-day I work in a team, either pairing or soloing pieces of work, specifically working on iPlayer and Sounds TV products. It's a very unique problem space that has provided many technical opportunities and challenges which also have an effect and require participation from the wider industry. Work often requires conversations with various stakeholders and disciplines.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I enjoy my programme as there is infinite support available at work. This can be through the team, department, apprenticeship team among other. There have been plenty of unique opportunities for me to get involved with. Whether this be engineering conferences, in-house tech meetups, or simply working on different parts of the product. Wider than the department, there is internal staff networks, apprentice networks, employer training (technical and non-technical); there's always an opportunity for socialising and learning. The training provider (university) side of things let's this down with being disorganised, lacking clarity and, on occasion, little feedback or communication from tutors. Some modules were re-written to the new apprenticeship specification and were essentially being updated and edited as we were working through it, which can make it extremely hard to understand assignment requirements (which then has a knock-on effect on the rest of the module).
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I've learnt many skills as an apprentice so far. Technical skills include various programming languages and frameworks (including TypeScript, JavaScript, Preact, Integration testing using many innovative solutions, cloud systems (like AWS) including many different services and how these come together to create a working production system. Non-technical skills include project management, agile ways of working, communication to various levels of technical audiences, time management and organisation (especially with attending university too).
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
The programme is well-organised, with a clear structure that combines practical work experience and academic study. The support from both the BBC and Open University mean I have the resources and guidance needed to balance my apprenticeship and coursework effectively. Regular check-ins and learning opportunities through platforms like LinkedIn Learning and internal training also help me stay on track.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
Support is always available at work for a multitude of different reasons. This could be through other colleagues, line manager, scheme advisor or the apprentice network.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
The Open University do have official support mechanisms in place but support at the module level is varied. There have been times where support/feedback from module tutors have been slow and unhelpful, aspects of modules have been lacking in clarity and sometimes the requirements for an assignment change as you're working on it which just increases the pressure you're already under.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
The degree has provided me with skills which, if nothing else are technically useful to know and add to your domain knowledge of different systems, even if these aren't used directly day-to-day. Around half of the modules are non-technical and focus on skills like project management and personal development and some parts of the content can feel disconnected to reality.
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
The internal apprentice community is great and organises meetups involving various activities with other apprentices, helping network and meet new people. The various different staff networks provide an opportunity to meet and organise socials/sports with colleagues.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BBC to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The schemes team, and the wider organisation provide loads of support to apprentice and really care about you doing as well as you possibly can. There are many opportunities to be involved with. Day-to-day I've been seen as part of the team and not "just an apprentice" which makes it infinitely more helpful in learning new skills and experiencing technical challenges.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BBC?
Spend time learning about the organisation and read your job description carefully, it lists key requirements that are wanted in an applicant. It's more important to show the ability to learn and be a person who works collaboratively with others, rather than having any technical skills. Worst case, keep trying and don't give up!
Broadcast and Media System Engineer Apprentice
at BBC
- Degree Apprenticeship
- Central London, London WC2N 5DU, UK
-
4.4
