Software Engineering (Graduate Apprenticeship) BSc
As a Graduate Apprentice in Software Engineering you can gain a university qualification at the same level as those studying traditional degree programmes, while applying your learning in the workplace. As you are employed you also benefit from a salary.
Why be a Graduate Apprentice at the University of Glasgow?
Our Graduate Apprenticeship (GA) programme combines the theoretical Computing Science that our traditional Software Engineering degree covers with bespoke work-based learning courses and experience.
As a GA on our programme you will have the opportunity to:
- Earn a salary
- Attain a BSc Honours degree in 4 years
- Gain valuable work experience
- Learn in our leading School of Computing Science
- Be mentored within the workplace
- Benefit from 8 week on campus learning blocks
- Specialise in years 3 and 4
How it works
Candidates apply directly to our employer partners, so UCAS applications are not affected. Apprentices must pass employer recruitment processes and meet our academic entry requirements.
The valuable work-based learning is combined with an intensive foundational course taught in blocks at the university over the first 18 months, ensuring the apprentices have a strong on campus university experience and fast track skills and learning, creating work-ready apprentices from an early stage in the programme.
In years 3 and 4 of the programme apprentices can opt to specialise in:
- Data Science
- Cyber Security
- or Systems Engineering
Across the 4 years the balance is approximately 20% in university and 80% in the workplace.
Who can apply?
This programme is designed to cater to either school leavers, those looking for a new career or existing employees working in a company who wish to move into a Software Engineering role.
Why employers are keen to employ our Graduate Apprentices
Our Graduate Apprenticeship in Software Engineering has been developed by the pioneering Centre for Computing Science Education. This has been done through extensive consultation with employers to ensure that it that meets the needs of industry and draws on global research on work-based learning best practice.
- September start
- Session dates
- Software Engineering (Graduate Apprenticeship) BSc (Hons) 4 year degree
- Glasgow: main campus and Workplace
Programme structure
Our Graduate Apprenticeship programme combines the theoretical computing science that our traditional Software Engineering degree covers with bespoke work-based learning courses and experience. It has been developed by the pioneering Centre for Computing Science Education through extensive consultation with employers to ensure that it meets the needs of industry.
Year 1
In the first block of teaching the course will provide the skills and tools required for you to quickly pick up whichever language is prominent in your workplace, supplemented by a course covering the fundamentals of professional software development. The second block of teaching will consist of testing fundamentals and web application development courses, with the intention of providing you with tools to improve existing software.
Year 2
Year 2 will begin with a teaching block on a range of subjects, including data storage, systems and underlying algorithmic content to broaden your understanding of the wider computing field. The second teaching block will focus on, data science, HCI and a further course on professional software engineering.
Years 3 and 4
In years 3 and 4 you will be able to select from Honours or Masters electives offered to students on the traditional Software Engineering BSc (Hons) programme to make up 60 credits per year (three 10-credit courses per semester). Specialisms in cyber security and data science are also available. Honours courses will be offered online or on campus. The remaining credits will be assessed in the form of long-term projects and assignments in the workplace, agreed upon by employers and the lecturers on the programme.
Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional
circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information,
please see: Student contract.
Entry requirements
for entry in 2023
Summary of entry requirements for Software Engineering (Graduate Apprenticeship)
SQA Higher Entry Requirements
- BBBB or above achieved by S6. Must include Mathematics and ideally two Science subjects.
- Additional requirements: Higher Mathematics at B or above. Highers should include two Science subjects. Employment with an organisation registered with the SDS Graduate Apprenticeship scheme.
SQA Higher Adjusted Entry Requirements
- No Adjusted Higher Requirements.
A-level Standard Entry Requirements
- AAB – BBB
- Additional requirements: A-level Mathematics. Employment with an organisation registered with the SDS Graduate Apprenticeship scheme.
IB Standard Entry Requirements
- 36 (6,6,5 HL) – 32 (6,5,5 HL)
- Additional requirements: HL Mathematics (Analysis & Approaches). Employment with an organisation registered with the SDS Graduate Apprenticeship scheme.
HND or HNC
- Grade B achieved in Computing, Software Development or Computer Games Development
- All the above MUST include the Maths Calculus Module OR candidates must have Higher Maths at B or above.
Modern Apprentice
- Merit or Distinction achieved in Diploma for Information Technology and Telecommunications
- Professionals SCQF Level 8
- Higher Maths at B or above
- Employment with an organisation registered with the SDS Graduate Apprenticeship scheme.
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
English language requirements
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)
- 6.5 with no sub-test under 6.0.
- Tests must have been taken within 4 years 5 months of start date. Combined scores from two tests taken within 6 months of each other can be considered.
Common equivalent English language qualifications
All stated English tests are acceptable for admission to this programme:
TOEFL (ib, my best or athome)
- 90 with minimum R 20, L 19, S 19, W 23.
- Tests must have been taken within 4 years 5 months of start date. Combined scores from two tests taken within 6 months of each other can be considered.
PTE (Academic)
- 60 with minimum 59 in all sub-tests.
- Tests must have been taken within 4 years 5 months of start date. Combined scores from two tests taken within 6 months of each other can be considered.
Glasgow International College English Language (and other foundation providers)
- 65%.
- Tests are accepted for academic year following sitting.
University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses
- Tests are accepted for academic year following sitting.
Cambridge English Qualifications
- Cambridge Advanced English (CAE): 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
- Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE): 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
School Qualifications
- iGCSE English or ESOL 0522/0500, grade C
- International Baccalaureate English A SL5 or HL5
- International Baccalaureate English B SL6 or HL5
- SQA National 5 English or ESOL, grade B
- SQA Higher English or ESOL, grade C
- Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education, English Language grade 4
- West African Examination Council, Senior Secondary School Certificate, English grade C6
Alternatives to English Language qualification
- Undergraduate degree from English speaking country (including Canada if taught in English)
- Undergraduate 2+2 degree from English speaking country
- Undergraduate 2+2 TNE degree taught in English in non-English speaking country
- Masters degree from English speaking country
- Masters degree (equivalent on NARIC to UK masters degree) taught in English in non-English speaking country.
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept an IELTS test (Academic module) from any of the 1000 IELTS test centres from around the world and we do not require a specific UKVI IELTS test for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.
Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:
- School of Modern Languages & Cultures: English for Academic Study
- BALEAP guide to accredited courses
FAQs
What do I do if...
my language qualifications are below the requirements?
The University's School of Modern Languages and Cultures offers a range of Pre-sessional courses to bring you up to entry level. The course is accredited by BALEAP, the UK professional association for academic English teaching.
my language qualifications are not listed here?
Please contact External Relations
If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:
- UK Border Agency Tier 4 English Language requirements
- UKBA list of approved English language tests [pdf]
Visa requirements and proof of English language level
It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.
Further information about English language: School of Modern Languages & Cultures: English for Academic Study
Career prospects
Our Software Engineering students are in demand across all sectors of the industry and, with a degree of equivalent standing plus several years’ work experience, we expect our Graduate Apprentices to be highly employable. There is also a strong possibility that the company with which Graduate Apprentices are based for the duration of their studies will be kept on following graduation, although this will depend on individual circumstances.
Shaun Meekins, Barclays’ Global Head of Apprentice Recruitment: We recognise that going to university full-time after college isn’t right for everyone – for some, they may itching to get started in their career; for others, there may be timing or financial constraints. At Barclays, it is important to us that we give everyone the chance to reach their full potential and our apprenticeship programmes play a key part in this. Earning while they learn, the combination of hands-on experience with support through a recognised degree or professional-level qualification provides our Graduate Apprentices with a springboard into an extraordinary career in technology at Barclays. If you have a positive attitude and an eagerness to learn, we’d love to hear from you.
Our partner employers are committed to giving you a good breadth of experience. Any of our course content that is difficult for a workplace to cover will be appropriately covered by the University, so you will touch many areas of computing across the four-year programme.
You apply direct to our current employer partners, who range from high growth tech start-ups to global organisations. You can apply to as many employers as you choose.
- Our partner employers
To be kept up to date on the latest opportunities, you can
- email Anna at anna.doyle@glasgow.ac.uk
- follow us on twitter @UofGGAs
Accreditation
As a new degree programme, it has not yet been accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS). However, the programme has been designed to meet all of the BCS accreditation requirements and we expect to obtain BCS accreditation by the time our first apprentices graduate.
Fees and funding
All students applying for a Graduate Apprenticeship from 2021 onwards will apply to SAAS to have their tuition fees paid. SAAS pays tuition fees for Graduate Apprentices directly to the university in the same way that fees for other Higher Education (HE) courses are managed.
The eligibility requirements for SAAS funding for Graduate Apprenticeships are broader than for other HE courses.
Rather than receiving a student loan or bursary for living expenses from SAAS, you will receive a salary from the employer you are working with. Actual salaries are determined by the employer, but all employers are encouraged to pay a Living Wage from Year 1. We would expect your salary to increase over time, subject to employer review and successful completion of each year of the course.
How to apply
2023 opportunities will be advertised from Dec 2022 through to July 2023.
Any enquiries: contact anna.doyle@glasgow.ac.uk and follow us on Twitter @UofGGAs
Subject league tables
Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide [Computer Science]
Related programmes
Data Science & Artificial Intelligence
Undergraduate events
