Manufacturing Engineer degree apprenticeship

Our Manufacturing Engineer degree apprenticeship offers an exciting opportunity for those looking to progress their engineering career by gaining a university degree. Based on the BEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing, this course will allow you to develop your expertise while remaining in work.

Our new inclusive, problem-based curriculum will broaden our engineering audience, enabling students from a wider range of backgrounds to pursue a career in engineering. To date, we’re the first university in the UK to transform our curriculum alongside constructing a new engineering building.

Gain a comprehensive understanding of central engineering concepts that you’ll learn to apply directly to practical challenges in your workplace. You’ll develop professional skills to use throughout your career, including creative problem solving, manufacturing management, computer-aided design (CAD), modelling, simulation, teamwork and innovation.

As a student engineer, you’ll start your professional journey towards becoming an incorporated or chartered engineer from day one. You’ll learn by doing, applying and revisiting your early skills through embedded project weeks and development of digital and physical prototypes, as you would in practice. 

This part-time programme is delivered over four years.

You will attend college full time in year one. Here you will complete the first year of their degree and also the skills-based learning and assessment required for your apprenticeship, such as the Performing Engineering Operations.

In years two, three and four, you will be expected to attend university for one day per week. You will also need to spend at least the same amount of time self-studying when at university (nominally at least one extra day per week of their own time).

The degree will be assessed via a wide range of different assessment methods including exams, coursework, reports, presentations and vivas.

Indicative content

The optional modules listed are those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change.

Year one

• Engineering Practice 1
• Solid Mechanics, Materials and Manufacturing
• Dynamics Modelling and Simulation
• Thermofluids
• Applied Electrical Technology.

Year two

• Engineering Practice 2
• Structural Mechanics
• Quality control systems
• Manufacturing technology
• Life cycle engineering for manufacturing systems.

Year three

• Systems Design
• Professionalism for engineers
• Reliability Engineering and Asset Management
• Engineering Research

Options:

• Composite engineering

Or

• Materials and Structures for Special Applications.

Year four

• Engineering Project
• Lean factory design
• Integrated electromechanical systems
• Group design and integration project.

Read more about the approved Manufacturing Engineer Apprenticeship Standard on the Gov.uk website.

Learners will graduate with a (Level 6) BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing university degree.

• Tariff points: 120.
• GCSE: For all applicants, Grade C/4 or above in English Language and Grade B/5 or above in Mathematics, or equivalent. Please note the University does not accept Level 2 Key Skills, Functional Skills or Certificates in Adult Numeracy and Literacy as suitable alternatives to GCSEs.
• A-level subjects: Grade C or above in Mathematics plus a pass in one of the following subjects: Biology; Chemistry; Computing/Computer Science; Design and Technology; Electronics; Engineering; ICT; Further Maths; Music Technology; Physics; Statistics. Points from A-level General Studies and AS-level subjects (not taken onto full A-level) can be included towards overall tariff. You must have a minimum of two A-levels.
• Specific subjects: The Maths requirement can also be met by the Cambridge Pre-U Mathematics at Merit 3.
• EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma: One of the following BTEC Diplomas: Aeronautical Engineering; Applied Science; Construction and the Built Environment; Electrical/Electronic Engineering; Engineering; Land-based Technology; Manufacturing Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; or Operations and Maintenance Engineering. Must include Merit in one of the following units: Further Mathematics for Technicians; Further Engineering Mathematics; Further Mathematics for Construction and the Built Environment or Further Mathematics for Construction. Please list the units that you are taking in your application.
• Access: Achievement of the HE Diploma; to include 30 Level 3 credits at Merit including 15 in Mathematics and 15 in another science or technology subject. Please list the units that you are taking in your application.
• Baccalaureate IB: To include a minimum grade of 5 in higher level Mathematics and a pass at higher level in one of the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Design Technology, Physics, Environmental Systems and Societies.
• A minimum in the International English Language Test (IELTS) band 6.0 or equivalent with a minimum of 5.5 in each component.
• An interview may also be required.

Prospective students may only apply for a degree apprenticeship through their employer. If you are interested in any of our degree apprenticeship programmes, speak to your employer in the first instance.

There is funding available to sponsor employees’ professional development on degree apprenticeships. We will work with your employer directly to manage your application.

This apprenticeship will strengthen and develop the engineering skills of your existing talent while helping you attract promising new recruits.

The Manufacturing Engineer Degree Apprenticeship enables you to invest in your workforce through university-level tutoring and hands-on training.

Our multi-disciplinary approach equips you with the skills and knowledge required to work in industry now and in the future. We’ll enable you to reach your full potential through new technologies and innovative teaching methods, including lectures, tutorials, reflective workshops and practical sessions.

You will experiment in our laboratories with industry-standard electro-mechanical equipment, and develop practical skills in our rapid prototyping facility and machine shop. You’ll have the opportunity to develop prototypes using robotic assembly cells, power distribution systems and motor drives, as well as subsonic and supersonic wind tunnels.

On factory visits, you will get to see engineering in action. You’ll receive a guided tour of the shop floor and attend a presentation from the host organisation. Past visits have included Jaguar Land Rover, the National Composite Centre, Airbus and GKN.

Our state-of-the-art engineering building, which opened in Summer 2020, provides the ideal environment for inspiring innovation, combining teaching and research facilities such as engine test cells, wind tunnels and collaborative learning spaces.

To find out more about the Manufacturing Engineer Degree Apprenticeship, or for more information about the levy, funding available and degree apprenticeships, please email our Degree Apprenticeships Team at apprenticeships@uwe.ac.uk or call us on +44 (0)117 328 4888.