Digital and Technology Solutions Professional
Our exciting and innovative degree apprenticeship provides apprentices and their employers with valuable and highly sought-after digital skills.
Employers and apprentices information
Employers
- Created in collaboration with leading employers, this Tech Industry Gold accredited qualification brings together academic expertise from the University’s Business School and Department of Computing and Mathematics.
- The apprenticeship has flexible pathways of study, which allow for the development of confident and capable IT practitioners in a range of roles.
- Many of our digital and technology apprentices have won national awards and in 2023 the University was named Digital Apprenticeship Provider of the Year at the AAC Apprenticeship Awards.
Our employers say
“The apprentices are a bright light on our move to a more agile approach in creating software solutions,” says John Lockwood of Fujitsu.
“I would highly recommend the apprenticeships at Manchester Metropolitan to employers who are looking for courses to challenge their apprentices and to equip them with higher-level skills,” says Claire Findlay of Barclays.
Apprentices
- Work full-time at one of the country’s leading employers or innovative small businesses, while studying towards a fully accredited qualification.
- Earn a salary of at least the applicable National Minimum Wage and get all of the benefits of working in a digital or technical role such as IT consultant, web developer, software engineer, cyber security analyst or data analyst.
- 96% of graduates who got this qualification had a pay rise and were promoted at least once during their apprenticeship.
- Start an exciting career in IT now and put yourself ahead of the competition when it comes to post-university earnings, starting your own business or even buying a home.
Our apprentices say
“The decision to pursue a Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship was driven by the desire to expedite my personal growth and development through a combination of theoretical and practical learning,” says Ashton Danci of Thales.
About this programme
Developed in collaboration with leading employers, this Tech Industry Gold accredited, and award‑winning programme, integrates the best of an academic IT education with practical work-based learning.
The programme’s broad purpose is to develop apprentices to evaluate, initiate, create and support business solutions using digital technology. Apprentices learn a broad set of skills and knowledge across the main areas of the digital and technology landscape enabling them to understand the complexity of information systems, systems development, data, cyber security, business organisation, IT project management and computer and network infrastructures. They view all of this with a rigorous approach to commerciality and budget to deliver quality solutions before specialising in their chosen pathway.
A strong emphasis is placed on developing reflective practitioners – professionals who can plan and manage their own future progression.
To find out more about how you can partner with us to offer degree apprenticeships within your organisation, fill out our contact form. You can also get in touch by phone on 0161 247 3720 (9:30am - 4:00pm Monday to Friday) or by email at [email protected]
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Programme content
Taught units are supported by work-based projects that, where possible, will focus on live business scenarios and real-world problem-solving.
Core units
Apprentices will develop the fundamental skills and competencies for a career in IT. The core units comprise 60% of the programme and include:
- Database Fundamentals
- Digital Technology in Organisations and Society
- Introduction to Business Systems
- Introduction to Programming
- IT Project Management
- Computer Networks and Security
- Reflective Practice for Digital and Technology Solutions Professionals
- Synoptic Project
Pathway units and negotiated business projects allow apprentices to study a specialist route, listed below.
Specialisms
IT Consultant
An IT Consultant bridges the gap between users and technology, using their consulting skills to get to the root of a problem and advising clients, both externally and internally, on how to best utilise technology to meet their business objectives, overcome problems and increase productivity.
Specialist units covered are:
- Business Analytics
- Customer Life-cycle Management
- Emerging Technologies
- Information Technology Consultancy
- Operations Management
- Strategic Information Systems
- Technology Ethics and Regulations
Data Analyst
The primary role of a Data Analyst is to collect, organise and study data to provide new business insight to a range of stakeholders.
Specialist units covered are:
- Advanced Relational Databases
- Data Science Ethics
- Data Visualisation and Dashboard Design
- Machine Learning
- Mathematics for Data Science
- Python for Data Science
- Unstructured Data
Cyber Security Analyst
A Cyber Security Analyst leads in the work to define, implement and maintain security products and systems within an organisation’s policies and service level agreements.
Specialist units are:
- Advanced Networks
- Applied Cryptography and Information Security
- Emerging Issues in Security, Privacy and Forensics
- Incident Response
- Penetration Testing and Vulnerability Management
- Security Fundamentals
- Security Governance, Policy and Auditing
Software Engineer
A Software Engineer undertakes all requirements during the solution development life-cycle from gathering requirements to analysis, design, code, build, test, implementation and support.
Specialist units covered are:
- Advanced Programming
- Enterprise Programming
- Full Stack Web Development
- Introduction to Web Development
- Operating Systems
- Software Design and Architecture
- Software Testing and Quality Assurance
Software Engineer (mainframe pathway)
In recognition of a considerable skills gap in mainframe technologies, we are able to offer a pathway that focuses on the principles of computing that underpin their effective use.
Specialist units are:
- Enterprise Systems
- Full Stack Web Development
- Introduction to Mainframe Development
- Introduction to Web Development
- Mainframe Application Servers
- Managing Mainframe Data
- Operating Systems
- Software Testing and Quality Assurance
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Programme length and approach
Delivery
Over a period of four years, apprentices attend University for face-to-face delivered teaching one day a week during the academic year. Apprentices are taught by experts from our tripled accredited Business School and Department of Computing and Mathematics.
As well as lectures on campus, students work with a skills coach and need to complete project work reflecting their current role.
Customised delivery options
We may be able to offer a customised programme to meet employer requirements, dependent on enrolling minimum numbers. Please contact us to discuss requirements.
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Qualification awarded
Upon successful completion of the programme, participants will achieve a BSc (Hons) Digital and Technology Solutions degree by Manchester Metropolitan University, as well as a Level 6 degree apprenticeship qualification.
The qualification will formally recognise the apprentice’s specialist area of study:
- IT Consultant
- Software Engineer
- Software Engineer Mainframe
- Cyber Security Analyst
- Data Analyst
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Entry requirements
This programme is designed with professionals in mind, and this is reflected in our entry requirements. All applicants need to be employed with a supporting organisation in order to be eligible.
They must:
- Be 18 or older
- Have the right of abode and right to work in the UK to qualify for funding
- Meet programme entry requirements
Applicants should have a minimum of 104 points at A2 (grades BCC) or an equivalent, e.g. BTEC DMM.
They also need GCSE Mathematics and English Language (grade A*-C / 9-4) or equivalent – or must complete Level 2 Functional Skills qualifications alongside the apprenticeship. There are no additional costs for these qualifications.
We will evaluate any applicants who do not have these qualifications, but have relevant workplace experience.
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Funding
Degree apprenticeships are paid for by employers, not apprentices.
Employers with a payroll of more than £3 million can use their apprenticeship levy contributions to pay for places on apprenticeship programmes.
Any business with a payroll below £3 million is eligible for government funding that will cover at least 95% of the cost of an apprenticeship course.
Additional incentives are also available to employers who recruit new apprentices into their business.
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Next steps
If you are an employer
If you would like to discuss how this programme could work for your organisation, or if you have any further questions, please contact our dedicated Apprenticeships Team.
To find out more about how you can partner with us to offer degree apprenticeships within your organisation, fill out our contact form. You can also get in touch by phone on 0161 247 3720 (9:30am - 4:00pm Monday to Friday) or by email at [email protected]
If you are an employee
If you are already employed, encourage your employer to contact us to discuss offering an apprenticeship.
If you are a student
Sign up to our Degree Apprenticeship mailing list to get alerts about vacancies and events.
For more information and advice on applying for an apprenticeship, visit our guide.
Current vacancies
Apprenticeship vacancies with our employer partners are advertised below.
Sign up to our degree apprenticeship mailing list to get alerts about vacancies and events.
I have been able to get involved in some brilliant things during my apprenticeship, from making meaningful technical contributions to projects, positively impacting the business through my work as the Early Careers Group Apprentice Lead, and sharing my passion for STEM and apprenticeships through outreach in schools.
I have been able to get involved in some brilliant things during my apprenticeship, from making meaningful technical contributions to projects, positively impacting the business through my work as the Early Careers Group Apprentice Lead, and sharing my passion for STEM and apprenticeships through outreach in schools.
