Degree Apprentice Software Engineer Review
at Arm
Degree Apprenticeship
Software Engineering
Manchester
Review Submitted: May 2026
Overall Rating
4.5 /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
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
As a software engineer apprentice at Arm, I work on developing and improving internal tools, primarily using python. A typical day-to-day involves building and refining GUIs, debugging issues, improving pipelines, refactoring code, and building new tools with a focus on usability and scalability.
In my first year, I worked on modernising a tool by transitioning it from Tkinter to CustomTkinter, along with contributing to other projects. This has given me hands on experience in both UI design and improving code structure
Alongside development work, I've worked with engineers to understand requirements, review code, and ensure what I'm building is actually useful in real workflows. There's also a strong focus on learning, with opportunities to learn new skills and improve existing ones, then being able to apply them directly to projects.
Overall, the role offers a good balance between independent work and team support, which helps build both confidence and technical skills.
In my first year, I worked on modernising a tool by transitioning it from Tkinter to CustomTkinter, along with contributing to other projects. This has given me hands on experience in both UI design and improving code structure
Alongside development work, I've worked with engineers to understand requirements, review code, and ensure what I'm building is actually useful in real workflows. There's also a strong focus on learning, with opportunities to learn new skills and improve existing ones, then being able to apply them directly to projects.
Overall, the role offers a good balance between independent work and team support, which helps build both confidence and technical skills.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I've really enjoyed the apprenticeship so far. One of the best aspects is the level of responsibility and real-world experience you get early on. Rather than just learning theory, Ive been able to contribute to meaningful projects and see the impact of my work.
This support from the team has also been a big highlight, people are approachable and willing to help, which makes it much easier to learn and develop. At the same time, there's enough independence to challenge yourself and develop problem solving skills.
Overall, its been a great balance between learning, contributing, and developing professionally, and I feel that I've gained a lot of valuable experienced throughout this program.
This support from the team has also been a big highlight, people are approachable and willing to help, which makes it much easier to learn and develop. At the same time, there's enough independence to challenge yourself and develop problem solving skills.
Overall, its been a great balance between learning, contributing, and developing professionally, and I feel that I've gained a lot of valuable experienced throughout this program.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
During my apprenticeship. I've developed both new technical skills while also strengthening existing ones. I've significantly improved my python knowledge through building and refining internal tools, as well as improving my front-end skills through the a GUI redesign project.
I've also gain experience in debugging, structuring code more effectively, and writing code that is more scalable and user friendly. Beyond technical skills, I've improved my problem solving and communication skills by working with others to understand requirements and iterate on solutions.
Overall I feel I've made strong progress in many areas of software development and I've continuously been able to learn more and apply new skills to real projects.
I've also gain experience in debugging, structuring code more effectively, and writing code that is more scalable and user friendly. Beyond technical skills, I've improved my problem solving and communication skills by working with others to understand requirements and iterate on solutions.
Overall I feel I've made strong progress in many areas of software development and I've continuously been able to learn more and apply new skills to real projects.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
The programme offers good hands on experience, especially through working on real projects within the team. This gives your the opportunity to build practical skills and take ownership of your work, which i found very valuable.
The structure within the workplace can feel quite flexible rather than strictly defined, so the type of work you do may vary depending on the team and projects which are available at the time. While this means there's a lot of variety, it also requires you to be proactive in making the most of the opportunities given.
Overall, it's a good environment for gaining experience, particularly if you're comfortable working and adapting to different tasks.
The structure within the workplace can feel quite flexible rather than strictly defined, so the type of work you do may vary depending on the team and projects which are available at the time. While this means there's a lot of variety, it also requires you to be proactive in making the most of the opportunities given.
Overall, it's a good environment for gaining experience, particularly if you're comfortable working and adapting to different tasks.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
Support from the team is very strong. There are always people available to help, and whenever I’ve needed support, I’ve been able to get it quickly. On the occasions I’ve reached out, team members have been responsive and willing to take the time to explain things clearly, sometimes even jumping on call straight away to help resolve issues.
There’s also a good level of independence in the role, which means you’re trusted to manage your own work, but support is always there when you need it. Overall, it’s a very supporting environment where it’s easy to ask questions and learn from others.
There’s also a good level of independence in the role, which means you’re trusted to manage your own work, but support is always there when you need it. Overall, it’s a very supporting environment where it’s easy to ask questions and learn from others.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
The support from the training provider has been very good. There are multiple points of contact available, including a dedicated coach and it’s easy to reach out wherever help is needed.
They provide clear guidance on coursework and progress, and are responsive when answering questions or offering support. Regular check-ins also help keep everything on track and ensure you’re progressing well through the qualification.
On occasion, there have been issues in contacting tutors with questions relating to coursework, however the dedicated coach has always been able to get a response from tutors if needed., so help is still available regardless.
Overall, the support system is great and makes it easy to stay organised when completing the apprenticeship requirements.
They provide clear guidance on coursework and progress, and are responsive when answering questions or offering support. Regular check-ins also help keep everything on track and ensure you’re progressing well through the qualification.
On occasion, there have been issues in contacting tutors with questions relating to coursework, however the dedicated coach has always been able to get a response from tutors if needed., so help is still available regardless.
Overall, the support system is great and makes it easy to stay organised when completing the apprenticeship requirements.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
The qualification provides a good foundation in a range of topics, and there are some modules that are genuinely helpful, particularly those focused on software development and areas like DevOps and cybersecurity. These help build a broader understanding of the field and introduce concepts that support your development.
However, not all modules are directly relevant to the day to day responsibilities of the role. Some areas can feel quite general or focused on transferable skills, and at time the content can be at a more basic level compared to what you’re learning in the workplace.
Overall, the qualification is useful for building foundational knowledge and supporting long term development, with the third year having a much closer focus to the areas your working in, however for the first 2 years, its direct impact on day to day work can vary a lot depending on the module.
However, not all modules are directly relevant to the day to day responsibilities of the role. Some areas can feel quite general or focused on transferable skills, and at time the content can be at a more basic level compared to what you’re learning in the workplace.
Overall, the qualification is useful for building foundational knowledge and supporting long term development, with the third year having a much closer focus to the areas your working in, however for the first 2 years, its direct impact on day to day work can vary a lot depending on the module.
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 a range of extra-curricular activities to get involved in, including social events such as the annual apprentice conference, as well as team outings such as meals, go karting, and archery, along with great networking opportunities.
These provide a good chance to meet people outside of your immediate team and get more involved in the wider company culture. There are also opportunities for professional networking and development, which can be useful alongside the day to day role.
Overall there’s a very good variety of activities available if you want to get involved
These provide a good chance to meet people outside of your immediate team and get more involved in the wider company culture. There are also opportunities for professional networking and development, which can be useful alongside the day to day role.
Overall there’s a very good variety of activities available if you want to get involved
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Arm to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I would recommend Arm because it provides strong, real world experience and the opportunities to work on meaningful projects early on. The work-life balance is excellent with company days of care for additional time off. The apprenticeship also gives you a good balance between learning and practical application, which helps you develop both technical skills and confidence.
The working environment is supporting, and there are plenty opportunities to learn from others and grow. While the experience can vary depending on team and projects, overall it’s a great place to develop as a software engineer and gain valuable industry experience.
The working environment is supporting, and there are plenty opportunities to learn from others and grow. While the experience can vary depending on team and projects, overall it’s a great place to develop as a software engineer and gain valuable industry experience.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Arm?
Be proactive and take initiative in your work. The more you put yourself forward, ask questions and get involved in tasks, the more you’ll get out of the apprenticeship.
It’s also important to have a genuine interest in technology and be willing to learn independently, as not everything is structured step by step. Apprenticeships are ultimately learning experiences, and a strong willingness to learn and improve will help you get the most out of them
Having some foundational knowledge in programming beforehand can also make the transition easier, rather than needing to learn everything from scratch.
It’s also important to have a genuine interest in technology and be willing to learn independently, as not everything is structured step by step. Apprenticeships are ultimately learning experiences, and a strong willingness to learn and improve will help you get the most out of them
Having some foundational knowledge in programming beforehand can also make the transition easier, rather than needing to learn everything from scratch.
