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Embedded Electronic Systems Design and Development Engineer Apprenticeship - BEng (Hons)

Currently viewing course to start in 2025/26 Entry.

The skills shortages in the engineering sector has been recognised by the government, and a report published by the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2016 has reported that the UK will have a shortage of more than one million engineers/technicians by the year 2020 unless action is take....

  • Level Apprenticeship
  • Study mode Blended Learning
  • Award BEng (Hons)
  • Start date September 2025

This course is:

Overview

The skills shortages in the engineering sector has been recognised by the government, and a report published by the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2016 has reported that the UK will have a shortage of more than one million engineers/technicians by the year 2020 unless action is take.

Ongoing updates from the government publications continue to show the need for professionally accredited engineers which the proposed degree apprenticeships will address.

This degree apprenticeship is fully informed and supported by industry practice and recognised research in design and delivery of modules by experienced staff who have extensive industry experience.

The curriculum is practice led and cultivates problem solving skills, improving communication through effective real-life project work, work experience, and cases. Team working on real life scenarios develop professional competence and prepares you for further employment opportunities and career development.

This degree apprenticeship has been developed to provide you with a good knowledge of a range of electrical and electronic principles including embedded systems and control as part of your development to become a fully rounded engineer within this discipline.

Throughout this apprenticeship, you’ll have access to our state-of-the-art technology and resources, plus you’ll have the opportunity to secure yourself an industry placement, giving you instrumental electrical engineering work experience. It will give you an understanding of the social, commercial, legal, ethical, economic and environmental factors associated with engineering, as well as comprehensive knowledge of the science and mathematics associated with the discipline.

You will also develop the key transferrable skills that modern employers require, such as problem solving, project planning, presentation and communication. Our competitions, such as the annual Engineering Show, which includes the international micro-mouse competition, gives you the opportunity to participate in a range of competitions centered on autonomous and non-autonomous robotic vehicles.

This apprenticeship focuses on project-based activities, giving you lots of opportunity to work in teams on projects from design to implementation. This will enhance your practical experience of applying engineering science to real world problems, working in multidisciplinary teams to develop your interpersonal skills, and prepare you for a key aspect of modern engineering practice. Problem solving and project management are key skills for an engineer, and our focus on practical experience will help to improve your skills in these highly sought after areas.

How to apply

You apply for a degree apprenticeship in the same way you apply for a normal job. You’ll need to submit an application to the recruiting employer.

Employers advertise degree apprenticeships throughout the year and there is no application cycle like there is with university applications. The vacancy will state when the application deadline is, and when the apprenticeship is due to start.

You cannot apply directly to the University for a degree apprenticeship. To apply for an apprenticeship, you first need to find one that you are interested in applying for.

Find an Apprenticeship is the government website where the majority of apprenticeship vacancies are advertised. It only shows live jobs (so it won’t tell you previous vacancies, nor what’s coming up), so you will need to check it regularly to see new vacancies as the employers advertise them.

Apply through the employer

This course is not open to International students.

Entry Requirements

We accept a range of qualifications, the most popular of which are detailed below.

Essential
112 UCAS tariff points from A/AS Level
Level 2 qualifications

GCSE

  • GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade C/4 or above
  • Equivalent level 2 qualifications can be accepted
  • Must have been achieved at the point of enrolment

Irish Leaving Certificate (Ordinary Level)

  • See level 3 entry under Irish Leaving Certificate for full details

Scottish Intermediate 2

  • English Language and Mathematics at grade C or above
  • Must have been achieved at the point of enrolment

Scottish Credit Standard Grade

  • English Language and Mathematics at grade 2 or above
  • Must have been achieved at the point of enrolment

Scottish National 5

  • English language and mathematics at grade C or above
  • Must have been achieved at the point of enrolment
Plus one of the following Level 3 (and above) qualifications

A level and Advanced VCE

  • BBC / 112 UCAS points
  • Must include A-level mathematics at grade C or above
  • A maximum of 3 subjects are considered. These can be other A-levels or level 3 equivalents.

Access to HE Diploma

  • 60 credits overall. Minimum of 45 credits at level 3. Including 12 credits at Merit or Distinction with 9 in Mathematics and 3 in Science. The Access course must be in Engineering
  • Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma
    (2016 – present)
  • Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF)
    (2010 - 2016)
  • BTEC Level 3 National Diploma
    (2002 – 2010)
  • DMM
  • Must be in Engineering
  • A minimum of Distinction in Mathematics for Technicians unit or Merit in Further Mathematics for Technicians or Calculus unit is required
  • Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma
    (2016 – present)
  • Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF)
    (2010 – 2016)
  • BTEC Level 3 National Certificate
    (2002 – 2010)
  • 112 UCAS points
  • Considered with one A-level or an equivalent level 3 qualification
  • You must obtain EITHER a minimum of Distinction in Mathematics for Technicians unit or Merit in Further Mathematics for Technicians or Calculus unit from a suitable level 3 qualification OR A Level mathematics must be achieved at grade C or above
  • Pearson BTEC National Foundation Diploma (2016 to present)
  • Pearson BTEC 90-Credit Diploma (QCF) (2010 - 2016)
  • 112 UCAS points
  • Considered with one A-level or an equivalent level 3 qualification
  • You must obtain EITHER a minimum of Distinction in Mathematics for Technicians unit or Merit in Further Mathematics for Technicians or Calculus unit from a suitable level 3 qualification OR A Level mathematics must be achieved at grade C or above
  • Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate
    (2016 – present)
  • Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF)
    (2010 - 2016)
  • BTEC Level 3 National Award
    (2002 - 2010)
  • 112 UCAS points
  • Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s)
  • You must obtain EITHER a minimum of Distinction in Mathematics for Technicians unit or Merit in Further Mathematics for Technicians or Calculus unit from a suitable level 3 qualification OR A Level mathematics must be achieved at grade C or above

Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate - Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)

  • 112 UCAS points
  • Considered with one A-level or an equivalent level 3 qualification
  • You must obtain EITHER a minimum of Distinction in Mathematics for Technicians unit or Merit in Further Mathematics for Technicians unit from a suitable level 3 qualification OR A Level mathematics must be achieved at grade C or above

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma – Core (awarded until 2016) ESW/KS Combined component

  • 112 UCAS points
  • Considered with one A-level or an equivalent level 3 qualification
  • You must obtain EITHER a minimum of Distinction in Mathematics for Technicians unit or Merit in Further Mathematics for Technicians unit from a suitable level 3 qualification OR A Level mathematics must be achieved at grade C or above

International Baccalaureate Diploma

  • Obtain a minimum of 28 points overall and pass one of the following subjects from Group 4 at Higher Level

  • For students who do not already hold a GCSE in Mathematics at Grade C/4 or above grade 5 in Maths (Standard Level) from the IB Diploma will be accepted

  • For students who do not already hold a GCSE in English Language at Grade C/4 or above Standard Level English Language (not literature) English A - Grade 4 or above or English B - Grade 5 from the IB will be accepted.

Other qualifications

If you have a qualification that is not listed in the table please refer to our full entry requirements on UCAS.

Further guidance on tariff points can be found on the UCAS website.

Additional Requirements

As part of the application process you will be invited to attend an applicant visit day where you will undertake a short one-to-one interview with an academic member of staff. This is your chance to show us how passionate you are about the subject and it will help us make a decision on your application.

This will provide you with more information about the School and your course. In addition, it will give you a chance to meet and our staff and students to gain a better understanding of what it is like to be a student here.

 

Apprenticeship Course Requirements

Level 4

In order to complete this apprenticeship a learner must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):

Module NameCredit Value
Engineering Principles 1                                                20
Mathematical Modelling 1 20
Engineering Practice 20
Engineering Principles 2 20
Mathematical Modelling 2 20
Integrated Engineering Project 20

Level 5

In order to complete this apprenticeship a learner must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):

Module NameCredit Value
Mathematics for Signals and Systems 20
Analogue and Digital Electronics 20
Engineering Electronic Systems 20
Leading Engineering Endeavour 20
Microcontroller System Design and Programming 20
Electronics Project 20

Level 6

In order to complete this apprenticeship a learner must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):

Module NameCredit Value
Digital Filters and Spectral Analysis                                    20
Embedded Systems and Control 20
Communication Systems and Networks 20
High Frequency and Power electronics 20
Individual Honours Project 40

Facilities & Staff

Engineering bays
Engineering-facilities
Engineering-facilities
Engineering-Workshop-Facilities

Our Facilities

Our state-of-the-art Engineering labs and workshops provide the perfect setting for practical work with modern-day teaching and learning facilities. We pride ourselves on equipping our students with the skill set that they need not only working on industry standard equipment, but having industrial links, which set them up perfectly for a career in engineering.

We are currently undertaking a £400 million investment programme in our facilities, including a major expansion of our City Centre Campus. As part of this, our facilities in Millennium Point have undergone a £6.5 million investment to include a new maker area, engineering labs and equipment.

We have invested in industry-standard facilities to support the practice-based elements of our Engineering courses and give students as much practical learning as possible, to prepare for industry placements and job opportunities after graduation. Students have access to our facilities during classes, and can book out of class sessions with our specialist technicians. 

We are a partner of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology (GBSIoT) and have secured £1.1 million of government funding for investment in brand-new equipment and facilities. Funding of £808,000 from the Department for Education has supported our development of an Electric Vehicle (EV) Test Rig, an Additive Manufacturing Machine (3D printer) and a material testing-split zone furnace.

The IoT has enabled procurement of new technologies for material testing, electronics prototyping and production and 3D scanning to compliment computer aided design for manufacture

Engineering facilities