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Software and Web Development Degree Apprenticeship

T H E R O A D T O B E C O M I N G A H I G H LY - S K I L L E D

G R A D U AT E S O F T W A R E E N G I N E E R

Apprenticeships

ContentProgramme Overview ..............................

Mandatory Units Part 1 ...............................

Optional Units Part 1 ...............................

Mandatory Units Part 2 .............................

Optional Units Part 2 .................................

Programme Add-ons .................................

4

12

14

20

21

24

Our Software and Web Development Degree programme blends online learning, face-to-face workshops and on-the-job experience to transform your apprentice into a highly-skilled graduate developer.

The Degree programme follows on from QA Apprenticeship’s Higher programme, equipping your apprentice with more advanced technical skills in areas including solution architecture, web development and user experience.

Roles this programme is suitable for:

• Software Developer • Web Developer • DevOps Engineer • Systems Developer • Software Engineer • Data analyst • Programmer analyst Programme duration

24-30 month programme (with the opportunity to step off after part one and still gain a foundation degree)

Approximately 5% of training takes place in the classroom, with the remaining 95% of the apprentice’s time spent in the workplace.

PROGRAMMEOVERVIEW

in workplace in classroom

First Year ofDegree

HigherApprenticeship

AdvancedApprenticeshipTraineeship

Second Year ofDegree

Final Year ofDegree

MSc

Our Advanced to Higherprogramme

Programme progression

Level 4 Level 5 Level 6 Level 7Level 3Level 2

Our Degree programme

Our programme is part of a progression path from GCSE to degree

What qualifications are included?

• FdSc Computing • BSc (Hons) Digital & Technology Solutions

What does the programme cover?

Programme units cover a number of advanced systems and principles including:

• Web and mobile application development and security • User experience design • Cloud and hybrid infrastructure and the Internet of Things (IoT) • Big Data, data modelling and the SQL language • Solution architecture and agile performance testing

How is the programme structured?

The Degree programme is delivered in units across eight terms. Each unit consists of three key components: Blended learning modules and exercises are completed by your apprentice online, allowing them to study whenever and wherever is most convenient for them and you. The blended learning modules link to the two-day workshops, further reinforcing the knowledge and skills your apprentice is developing on the programme. It also enables apprentices to collaborate online with their tutors and other apprentices – so help is at hand when they need it.

Two 2-day workshops are held at QA Apprenticeship’s Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ training centres each term to assess apprentice’s progress. These workshops take up just 5% of your apprentice’s time during their Degree programme.

Additionally, a work-based project is completed in the workplace over the course of the first calendar year, demonstrating your apprentice’s practical abilities. In the second year, this project forms the apprentice’s dissertation.

What return on investment can I expect from the programme?

Working with QA Apprenticeships, you’ll be able to grow your own graduate – by training apprentices on the programme to graduate level, whilst they are working in your business. The Software and Web Development Degree apprenticeship programme has been designed to prepare your apprentice for the modern IT workplace and can be tailored to meet your business needs. On our degree progression track, your apprentice will grow with your business, providing both the skills you need now and in the future. And it gives you the opportunity to offer your apprentices a degree without the debt.

On successful completion of the programme your apprentice will earn a BSc (Hons)Degree in Digital & Technology Solutions from the University of Roehampton. At this point, they’ll be fully prepared to take on more senior roles – managing product development, digital projects, website development and more.

Introducing the Individual Learning Plan

Your business has a vested interest in tracking your apprentice’s progress. QA Apprenticeships will support you in maintaining an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) tailored to the specific needs and career goals of your apprentice.

The ILP is a handy way for you to collate and track information on your apprentice’s progress. It includes details of all their training – both completed and yet to complete – and will help you plan your apprentice’s workload to provide thenecessary opportunities to complete practical tasks in line with training goals.

In addition to the ILP, your apprentice will also have an e-portfolio, where they can collect evidence of the skills and experience they have acquired as they complete each unit. They’ll work with a Technical Skills Coach from QA Apprenticeships to build their portfolio as the programme progresses.

Proposed timeline

The timeline is simply a guide to show how the programme could be arranged — units can be scheduled whenever best suits the needs of the business and the apprentice.

in workplace in classroom

Week no

Week no

Week no

Week no

Week no

Week no

Week no

Week no

Week no

1

14

27

40

53

66

79

92

105

2

15

28

41

54

67

80

93

106

3

16

29

42

55

68

81

94

107

4

17

30

43

56

69

82

95

108

5

18

31

44

57

70

83

96

109

6

19

32

45

58

71

84

97

110

7

20

33

46

59

72

85

98

111

8

21

34

47

60

73

86

99

112

9

22

35

48

61

74

87

100

113

11

24

37

50

63

76

89

102

115

10

23

36

49

62

75

88

101

114

12

25

38

51

64

77

90

103

116

13

26

39

52

65

78

91

104

117

SpringTerm

SummerTerm

AutumnTerm

WinterTerm

SpringTerm

SummerTerm

AutumnTerm

WinterTerm

SpringTerm

END OF PART 1FdSc Computing

END OF PART 2BSc Degree

Blended online learning and workplace activity Blended online learning and workplace activity Assignment work and revisionAssignment due

Exam: Business strategy

Work-based project

Two-day workshop:Business strategy

Two-day workshop:Business strategy

Blended online learning and workplace activity Blended online learning and workplace activity Assignment work Assignment due

Work-based project

Two-day workshop:Research methods

Two-day workshop:Research methods


Exam: Optional unit 1

Work-based project

Two-day workshop:Optional unit 1




Work-based project





Work-based project



Blended online learning and workplace activity Blended online learning and workplace activity Assignment work Assignment due

Dissertation

Two-day workshop:Synoptic project

Two-day workshop:Synoptic project



Dissertation





Dissertation





Dissertation



92% of QA apprentice graduate

go on to full-time jobs

*Exact timings vary from apprentice to apprentice but most complete the first part of the programme in 12 to 15 months

PART 1LEVEL 5 APPRENTICESHIP

(EQUIVALENT TO SECOND YEAR OF DEGREE STUDY)

In the first half of the Software and Web Development Degree programme, apprentices gain advanced technical knowledge and skills. Apprentices will complete the following mandatory units:

Business strategy [ 50% coursework, 50% exam ]

This unit ensures apprentices understand the role of IT in wider business strategy:

• Identifying organisational objectives and building plans to achieve them. • Allocating and managing resources to reach strategic goals. • Applying feedback to monitor performance and improve outcomes.

Research methods [ 100% coursework ]

This unit ensures apprentices have the necessary skills for effective research in preparation for their final dissertation:

• Learning effective research methodologies. • Using research methods to create and test a hypothesis. • Identifying reliable information sources for use in research projects.

Work-based project [ 100% work-based portfolio ] This unit ensures apprentices are able to demonstrate the practical application of their studies:

• Completing a task with clearly identifiable outcomes. • Critiquing their own performance and identifing potential for improvement. • Developing expertise in at least one of the competencies related to their apprenticeship.

MANDATORY UNITS

During the first part of the programme apprentices can further expand their knowledge and skills by selecting three specialist units to study. This is a suggested list of units to choose from, although there are other units available. Contact your QA Apprenticeships account manager to discuss the available options and which best suit the needs of the business and your apprentice.

Web application security [ 50% coursework, 50% exam ]

This unit enables apprentices to identify and mitigate web application security risks:

• Understanding and preventing the 10 most common web application security risks as defined by OWASP. • Writing secure code to reduce security risks. • Exploiting security flaws to gain a better understanding of how to protect against similar attacks.

Web and mobile development [ 50% coursework, 50% exam ]

This unit trains apprentices in modern application development:

• Developing leading-edge web and mobile applications. • Understanding usability and security concerns during development. • Using a NoSQL database for data-driven applications.

User experience design [ 25% presentation, 50% digital project ] This unit shows apprentices the importance of user experience in system design:

• Analysing, designing and developing interactive software products. • Understanding theories behind user experience design. • Balancing user needs with business objectives in software design.

Big Data and analytics [ 50% coursework, 50% exam ] This unit introduces the fundamentals of Big Data analysis:

• Collecting and managing huge datasets. • Analysing Big Data to reveal “hidden” insights. • Applying Big Data insights to improve business operations.

Agile performance testing [ 50% coursework, 50% exam ]

This unit helps apprentices improve application performance using agile techniques:

• Applying agile frameworks to software testing. • Using scrum project management frameworks to speed-up testing routines. • Understanding the role of performance testing in the development lifecycle.

Solution architecture [ 50% coursework, 50% exam ] This unit enables apprentices to support programme and project managers in completing implementation projects:

• Considering non-technical factors when designing systems. • Defining the business requirements associated with a new solution. • Applying technical solutions that meet business expectations.

OPTIONALUNITS

Once the first part of the programme is complete, apprentices and employers have the option to ‘step off’ the programme if continuing study for the second part is not appropriate.

If they do step off, your apprentice will receive a Foundation Degree in Computing from the University of Roehampton — and your business will have a competent, valuable employee trained in several advanced software and web development disciplines.

All grades and credits remain valid, allowing apprentices to resume training whenever they are ready, and gain further qualifications in the future should they choose to do so.

FLEXIBILITY FOR EMPLOYERS AND APPRENTICES

Final Year of Degree

Second Year of Degree


Level 6Level 5


Level 4

Step o�

90% of QA apprentices

are with their employers for a year or

longer

*Exact timings vary from apprentice to apprentice but most complete the second part of the programme in 12 to 15 months

PART 2LEVEL 6 APPRENTICESHIP

(EQUIVALENT TO FINAL YEAR OF DEGREE STUDY)

The final half of the Software and Web Development Degree programme requires apprentices to demonstrate a significant increase in their knowledge and skills. The programme is built around three key units:

Dissertation (Major project) [ 10% presentation 90% dissertation ]

The final proof of IT competence, the dissertation is a substantial piece of independent research that relates to a project being completed in the workplace. Apprentices will need to:

• Choose a subject that relates closely to their relevant area of study. • Carry out an in-depth investigation into a particular aspect of that topic. • Provide a reasoned discussion of their findings.

Synoptic project: developing technology strategy [ 100% coursework ] This unit assesses the apprentice’s competence across their studies during their degree. Apprentices will need to:

• Identify and show evidence of a range of knowledge, experience and skills gained during their degree. • Demonstrate a technology strategy they have developed for their employer. • Produce a complete portfolio of work that shows their progress through all of their studies.

In the second half of the programme, apprentices also have the opportunity to study a further three units to expand their knowledge and skills. This is a suggested list of units, although there are others available. Contact your QA Apprenticeships account manager to discuss the available options and which best suit the needs of the business and your apprentice.

Data science [ 50% coursework, 50% exam ]

This unit helps apprentices understand and apply data science principles:

• Understanding data visualisation. • Using modern analytical tools to query Big Data. • Applying these learnings in the context of a data science project.

Designing and developing products for the IoT [ 50% coursework, 50% online exam ] This unit trains apprentices in emerging technologies encompassed by the ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT):

• Understanding IoT technologies. • Using embedded sensors to aid with data collection. • Designing a workable IoT deployment.

Planning and implementing a DevOps function [ 50% coursework, 50% online exam ]

This unit explores the new DevOps IT support and development model:

• Adopting agile and lean frameworks to streamline development and operations functions. • Facilitating improved communications between IT stakeholders. • Implementing a DevOps function to improve business processes and operations.

MANDATORYUNITS

OPTIONAL UNITS

QA delivers 80% of all Microsoft partner

apprenticeship courses, and serves over

80% of the FTSE 250

PROGRAMMEADD-ONS

First Year ofDegree


AdvancedApprenticeshipTraineeship

Second Year ofDegree

Final Year ofDegree

MSc

Our Advanced to Higherprogramme

Programme progression

Level 4 Level 5 Level 6 Level 7Level 3Level 2


A progression path from GCSE to degree

As well as being one of the first IT apprenticeship providers to deliver high-quality, degree-level IT apprenticeships, QA Apprenticeships is passionate about giving employers the ability to grow their own talent by taking an apprentice at any level.

With QA Apprenticeships, you can employ bright, enthusiastic young people while training them from GCSE level right up to degree level — and even MSc level if they wish. with QA you’ll be helping young people develop the skills they need to form successful careers, while your busi-ness gains the benefit of their hard work and expertise in their chosen field.

Something missing? No problem.

QA Apprenticeships is part of QA Ltd. Each year QA offers more than 1,500 courses, delivering half-a-million training days at 20 learning centres throughout the UK. You can take advantage of our industry-leading IT training and add on additional QA courses to further your new graduate’s specific technical knowledge relevant to your business. And courses are available at a significant discount off of RRP for apprentices A Degree apprenticeship with QA Apprenticeships is more than just an apprenticeship. It’s the beginning of a life-long learning relationship between you, your apprentice, and the UK’s leading IT and professional training provider.

What’s next?

Once they have completed the Software and Web Development Degree programme, your apprentice will be a highly competent and knowledgeable member of your IT team — as well as holding a BSc (Hons) Degree in Digital & Technology Solutions from the University of Roehampton.

With the skills and experience they’ve gained during the programme — both in training and in your workplace — they’ll be able to progress from a junior role in your IT team to being a valued and more senior member of your IT department.

or contact your QA Apprenticeships Account Manager

Find out more about our range of IT, Tech and Digital apprenticeships

including Degree apprenticeships

0345 074 7825 apprenticeships.qa.com [email protected]

V 1.0 MARCH 2016

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