Digital and Technology Solutions Professional Degree Apprenticeship

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OverviewThe Digital and Technology Solutions Professional Degree Apprenticeship is a unique programme combining honours level education with workplace learning to help address skills gaps across the digital industries.

Designed with a trailblazer group of leading employers such as IBM, Lloyds Banking Group and John Lewis, it develops degree apprentices with the skills and knowledge to work in a wide range of graduate-level tech roles, such as cyber security analyst, IT consultant, network engineer and software engineer.

The degree apprenticeship is designed to bring together a range of digital and technology disciplines, with a balance of technical competence and practical skills that will support apprentices both as learners and as future digital and technology solutions professionals.

The apprenticeship helps employers tailor the skills of fresh, emerging talent to their business needs and offers young people opportunities to pursue academic learning alongside real-life work experience.

After completing a common first year, participants follow one of four role-specific pathways, appropriate to their role and career aspirations. They will benefit from academic and practical sessions at the University while the value of work-based learning is strongly emphasised within your organisation.

Key drivers• It is estimated that 134,000 new entrants

per year are required to meet demand for specialist IT and digital technology talent in the UK workforce (Tech Partnership).

• 52% of businesses in the digital sector are reporting digital skills shortages and hard-to-fill vacancies (ONS/Eurostat, 2015).

• 78% of organisations believe that a skills shortage in digital expertise is one of their main barriers to progress (2015 Global PwC Digital IQ Survey).

• Over 12 million people and a million small businesses in the UK do not have the skills to prosper in the digital era (Go.On UK).

• The 2015 Employer Skills Survey report from the UK Commission for Employment and Skills found that the skills most commonly lacking amongst professionals are specialist skills or knowledge, and advanced or specialist IT skills as well as complex problem solving skills.

• Over 80% of people say they are more likely to use a business if it offers apprenticeships to young people.

• The introduction of the apprenticeship levy in April 2017 for all large organisations.

Benefits for employers• Connect with a leading university

committed to working with industry partners to produce tomorrow’s leaders in IT.

• Attract and retain the best young talent, supporting the youth employment agenda.

• Get immediate access to a low cost resource – even in their first year, learners are able to offer a cost-effective contribution to projects via coding, app development etc.

• Get work-ready graduate-calibre employees embedded within your organisation, who truly understand your business, have learned from other organisations and sectors, and bring fresh perspectives and ideas.

• Tailor the skills of the learner to company requirements, products and solutions to ‘grow your own’ talent.

• Enhance your learning and development strategy by establishing a clear progression route for aspiring and established digital professionals.

• Generate a return on investment through accelerated development and increased commitment.

• The Digital and Technology Solutions Professional Degree Apprenticeship fosters the skills, creativity and loyalty employers need for employees to commit themselves to an organisation and drive it onto the next level.

• The principles, techniques and practical skills learned at university are further developed in the workplace, which develops employees’ confidence and professional competence.

• More than a third of the programme is focussed upon activity undertaken within the company. Projects are negotiated with employers to ensure they benefit all parties.

How we can help you• The Department of Computing at Sheffield

Hallam University has a recognised reputation for employer-centred education and has long-established relationships with major blue-chip providers such as Cisco, Microsoft, Oracle, SAS, SAP and Sony, and is now ready to help you capitalise on degree apprenticeships.

• Professionalism within an industry context is emphasised throughout with strong links to the British Computer Society (BCS).

• Learners are exposed to multiple programming languages, tools and technologies that are current industry standard, in addition to fundamental underlying principles designed equally around three core aspects – core computing skills, specialist knowledge and work-based learning.

• You will have access to our cutting-edge facilities and benefit from the world-class expertise of our staff, including areas such as software engineering, networking and cyber security, with industry-leading tools and applications.

• We can help you to access government funding of up to two-thirds of the course fees, plus additional incentives for SMEs and young apprentices.

• As experts in student recruitment, we can support you to attract new young apprentices, developing your future talent pipeline, as well as increasing the capacity of your existing employees.

Digital and Technology Solutions Professional Degree Apprenticeship

Programme Outline

Digital and Technology Solutions Professional Degree ApprenticeshipDigital and Technology Solutions Professional Degree Apprenticeship

AwardThe BSc (Honours) Professional Practice in Digital and Technology Solutions is an innovative work-based learning solution that is designed to meet the needs of the employer and the learner, putting them at the heart of the programme.

Designed to develop highly-skilled digital solutions professionals, all parties benefit from knowledge and skills exchange, with participants applying the academic building blocks of the course to live projects that deliver outputs with real value.

Apprentices study a common first year before specialising in one of four disciplines appropriate to their role and career aspirations within the IT industry.

The apprenticeship award in all cases will be the Digital and Technology Solutions Professional Degree Apprenticeship.

The Bachelor’s degree award will depend on the route chosen, ie

• BSc (Hons) Professional Practice in Digital and Technology Solutions (Cyber Security Analyst)

• BSc (Hons) Professional Practice in Digital and Technology Solutions (IT Consultant)

• BSc (Hons) Professional Practice in Digital and Technology Solutions (Network Engineer)

• BSc (Hons) Professional Practice in Digital and Technology Solutions (Software Engineer)

DurationThe programme is usually delivered over three years.

Delivery methodTypically learners attend University for five days at a time, four times per year, although this decreases to two five-day blocks in the final year when the major in-company project is being undertaken.

Outside the five-day blocks, work-based learning is facilitated through self-study and assessment using the Blackboard virtual learning environment (VLE), virtual meetings and drop-in sessions. It is anticipated that employers will need to allow learners half a day of study time per week, per module, in addition to the five-day block at Sheffield Hallam University.

There is also a two-day, non-credit bearing induction at the start of the course.

Course descriptionThe course entails a common first year to build fundamental skills and knowledge before apprentices pursue one of four specialist pathways to facilitate expert knowledge and career progression in their chosen field.

The aim of the course is to provide industry-ready employees in four roles, namely

• Cyber Security Analyst

• IT Consultant

• Network Engineer

• Software Engineer

Only one of these specialisms is applicable for each apprentice and should be decided based on the employment role within the workplace before starting the programme.

There are four taught modules in Year 1 and 2, and two in Year 3. Each taught module is divided into 12 weeks of study. Work-based learning modules throughout the course encourage a greater focus on the specialist areas of work in your business. These run alongside two taught modules, taking a total of 24 weeks each. An illustrative example of the structure of the course is provided below.

The programme culminates in a synoptic assessment based on a predetermined workplace project and presentation focussed on the learners chosen specialism.

Level BSc (Hons) Professional Practice in Digital and Technology Solutions

4

Systems Analysis and Design

Programming Concepts

Hardware and Networks

Introduction to Computer and

Information Security

Reflective and Personal Development Skills Work-based Review

5

Database Administration and Security

Planning and Project Management

Pathway Specific Module

Pathway Specific Module

Professional Review and Future Planning Work-based Project

6

Pathway Specific Module

Pathway Specific Module

Work-based Investigation

Reflective Practice and Professional Development

Further information, including module titles is provided in the table below.

The pathway specific module titles are listed below.

Work-based learning undertaken in the workplace

All modules are 20 credits each, except for the final work-based investigation worth 60 credits.

*The availability of a specific pathway is subject to a minimum student number requirement.

Pathway Level 5 modules Level 6 modules

Cyber Security Analyst

Object-oriented Programming Digital Forensics Web Security Information Security

Management

IT Consultant Object-oriented Programming

Developing Interactive Web Applications

Advanced Web Technologies

Information Security Management

Network Engineer

Network Server Administration

Networks: Switching and Routing

Advanced Network Design Network Management

Software Engineer

Object-oriented Programming

Software Engineering: Concepts and Methods

Functional Programming

Concurrent and Parallel Systems

Preparatory work

(1 week)

Kick-off session

(Week 1)

Confirm objectives (Week 5)

Progress/feedback (Week 10)

Progress/feedback (Week 16)

Assessment submission (Week 24)

Preparatory work

(1 week)

Block attendance

(1 week)

Block attendance

(1 week)

Self-study and

assessment (10 weeks)

Self-study and

assessment (10 weeks)

Work-based module

Taught module Taught module

AssessmentThe degree award will incorporate a mix of innovative and traditional assessment types to monitor and reward progress. Assessment for learning and a thread of work-based modules will ensure that learners are able to integrate academic learning and on-the-job development.

Assessment types can include management and technical reports, research investigations into practice, problem-solving activities, presentations, self, peer and co-assessment, and in-company projects.

This unique approach to assessment of the degree enables each learner to contextualise and tailor their learning to their organisation and sector.

End-point assessmentUnlike other Degree Standards, the Digital and Technology Solutions Professional Degree Apprenticeship Standard has an end-point assessment of the apprentice that is conducted by the University (rather than an independent third party). This consists of a final work-based investigation and report to ensure that the apprentice is ready to join the profession with full occupational competence.

Professional recognitionThe BSc (Honours) Professional Practice in Digital and Technology Solutions is accredited by Tech Partnership. The University is also in the process of seeking accreditation from the British Computer Society (BCS).

Options for larger employersWhere an organisation has 15 or more learners, Sheffield Hallam University can work with you to co-create tailored content to meet individual business needs.

Entry requirementsThe Digital and Technology Solutions Professional Degree Apprenticeship is suitable for both new recruits (eg school leavers entering into the industry) and for developing existing and aspiring IT professionals already in employment, who do not have a relevant digital degree.

For new recruits, the usual entry requirements are

• GCSE (or equivalent) mathematics and English language at grade C or grade 4, or above

Plus one of the following

• 112 UCAS points including at least 64 points from two A levels or equivalent BTEC National qualifications. AS levels may count towards these points but key skills qualifications do not. We accept general studies.

• 96 UCAS points from three A levels or equivalent BTEC National qualifications. We accept general studies.

• Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2. At least 15 Level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above, from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate.

Please note that this information is based on the new UCAS tariff points system for courses starting from September 2017. This is significantly different to the current points system and uses an alternative method of calculation. You can find information about these changes on the UCAS website (www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/getting-started/entry-requirements/tariff/new-tariff-2017) and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.

For those already in employment the apprenticeship provides access to development opportunities for applicants who may already have practical experience but wish to improve their theoretical understanding, want to develop their skills further, and obtain an academic qualification and professional recognition.

We welcome applications from people of any age. We may be flexible in our normal offer if you can show a commitment to succeed and have the relevant skills and experience. This must show that you will benefit from and finish the course successfully.

Applicants must be working in a relevant role within the digital industries and have appropriate employer support to undertake this course.

FeesTypically £27,000 per learner, however tailored programmes may vary depending on requirements.

Government funding is currently available to cover up to two-thirds of training costs (funding rules apply) and additional incentive payments are available. Please visit the Skills Funding Agency website www.gov.uk/guidance/sfa-funding-rules for more details.

However, for learners who start their apprenticeship after April 2017 the available funding will be set by the government’s rules on the apprenticeship levy and operated under the proposed Digital Apprenticeship Service.

The recent government consultation contains proposals that

• levy paying employers with wage bills above £3,000,000 per annum will use their levy and a 10% government top-up to pay for apprenticeship course fees and any end-point assessment

• non-levy paying employers (below the wage-bill threshold) may access government funding of 90% of the course fees (or 100% for learners below the age of 19 at the start of the course or for small employers with less than 50 staff)

The government’s response to the consultation will clarify the relevant funding bands, any additional incentives for learners under the age of 19, financial arrangements relating to completion of the apprenticeship and use of levy funds for end-point assessments.

As a leading provider of higher and degree apprenticeships, Sheffield Hallam University is working closely with government to understand the implications of these reforms and to maximise the benefits of our apprenticeship programmes for both individuals and businesses.

Please contact us to find out more and to get started.

Digital and Technology Solutions Professional Degree Apprenticeship