BSc (Hons) Digital and Technology Solutions : Network Engineering (Degree Apprenticeship Route)
Course Overview
Our BSc (Hons) Digital and Technology Solutions: Network Engineering (Degree Apprenticeship Route) is designed to support the development of network engineers that will perfectly match your organisation's current and future digital technology needs. You can offer structured on-the-job training and internationally recognised qualifications in network engineering, helping you attract the best new talent and retain valued staff through career progression. Integrating study into the normal working week will allow your apprentices to practice their new skills and understanding immediately, benefitting your organisation without delay.Network engineering focuses on designing, configuring, managing and supporting all types of computer networks. Your apprentices will spend most of their time in the workplace, with a minimum of six hours per week being devoted to off-the-job training and university learning, which is usually facilitated on a day-release basis. Throughout this course, we'll guide them as they develop technical knowledge, applied skills and hands-on experience with a range of industry-standard hardware and software. They will also build a portfolio of evidence representing the projects and tasks they have completed while working as part of your team.
Our expert and dedicated team will cover network architecture and management, network design and integration, routing, computer security, network operating systems, programming, wide area networks and wireless networks and security. By underpinning our content and assignments with a strong industrial focus, we foster a keen understanding of the customer service environment and help your apprentices develop essential skills such as team-working, communication and time management.
If you're looking for undergraduate-level training in this subject area but don't work for an employer that offers apprenticeships, please see our related courses section for study opportunities that don't require current employment.
Highlights
- When apprentices successfully complete the end point assessment for this course, they will receive a degree apprenticeship certificate from the relevant awarding body and an academic degree – the BSc (Hons) Digital and Technology Solutions: Network Engineering from the University of Bolton.
- The University of Bolton has been a Cisco Academy for over fifteen years, so we'll also offer your apprentices the support they need to complete the globally-recognised Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) programme as part of this course.
- Face-to-face sessions and one-to-one support are offered by our dedicated staff team, who possess a wide range of professional experience, industry knowledge, technical expertise and academic credentials.
- We'll support your apprentices to develop sought-after skills such as background research, critical reasoning, problem-solving, professional communication, time management, teamwork, and lifelong learning.
- During the final stage of the course, your apprentice will undertake a substantial work-based research project, the nature of which will be identified and developed through consultation between your organisation and the University. As well as offering your apprentice valuable experience, this live project can give you a genuine insight into potential opportunities or improvements that can benefit your organisation.
Key Features
- This degree apprenticeship skilfully combines study in our vibrant higher education environment with practical and focused work-based learning and experience in your organisation.
- Course materials are available online, allowing your apprentices to prepare work in advance and make the most of the highly interactive in-class tuition.
- Our approach to teaching and learning is student-centred, so we'll work closely with your apprentices, providing them with tailored help and support on an individual basis throughout their studies.
- By studying alongside apprentices from other digital technology specialisms or alternative industrial sectors, your apprentices can benefit from a wider range of knowledge and experience that supports cross-disciplinary thinking.
- The apprenticeship offers a comprehensive overview of key network engineering principles and methods. In the final year, an option module allows you (or your apprentice) to choose one of several focused topics.
- Quarterly and annual reviews, where each apprentice, their workplace mentor and a member of our team meet to assess your apprentice's progress, promote a continuing conversation between your workplace and the University. This helps to ensure the success of your apprentices and maximise the value of their studies to your organisation.
Entry Requirements
- 104 UCAS points. We accept a full range of qualifications that carry UCAS points, including A-levels, BTECs and T-levels. Please see our guide to the UCAS Tariff for examples of how to achieve these points. For most courses, we are also able to consider non-tariffable qualifications.
- The applicant's Level 3 subjects must include a technology-related subject; for instance, A-level Mathematics or BTEC Extended Diploma in Computing.
- Applicants should have five GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent), including English and Mathematics. If an applicant has yet to achieve appropriate Level 2 English and Mathematics qualifications, then with their employer's support, they can complete suitable equivalents locally or with assistance from the University before commencing the apprenticeship. Please contact apprentices@bolton.ac.uk for a list of acceptable GCSE equivalents, further information and support.
- Admission to this programme is only available to applicants who meet ESFA eligibility criteria, including the following: 1) They are employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week in a role relevant to the apprenticeship. 2) They have valid residency status and the right to work in England and can provide a valid BRP card (valid beyond the end date of the programme including End-Point Assessment (EPA)), and a ‘Right to Work’ share code for validation. 3) Their employer is willing to sponsor them to spend a minimum of six hours per week of their time in off-the-job training, including attending the University (times and dates to be determined) for the duration of their course. Please note that an apprentice cannot be self-employed. ESFA eligibility criteria may change so please contact apprentices@bolton.ac.uk for up-to-date information.
- Applicants will attend a joint discussion with their employer and the University of Bolton. This combined interview and onboarding discussion fosters trust and sets the tone of the relationship between the applicant, their employer and our tutors.
- If English isn’t the applicant's first language, they will also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
- To be eligible for tuition fee funding through the Apprenticeship Levy, candidates should not normally have already completed a qualification at the same level as the proposed apprenticeship, unless that qualification was gained in a completely unrelated discipline.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
Career Opportunities
The BSc (Hons) Digital and Technology Solutions: Network Engineering (Degree Apprenticeship Route) is designed to meet the Digital and Technology Solutions Professional (ST0119) degree apprenticeship standard. Developed by employers in collaboration with higher education institutions, the standard underpins a highly relevant qualification and professional development pathway that educates network engineers who possess the deep technical understanding of networks and operating systems required to secure networks and computers against internal and external threats effectively.
Employers can expect graduate apprentices to have developed a wide range of technical, professional and interpersonal skills, such as customer focus, attention to detail, teamwork, communication and analytical skills, time management, organisation and lifelong learning.
What can I do with this qualification?
They will also be ready to progress to postgraduate-level study in subjects such as cyber security or digital forensics, or study towards additional IT certification from organisations such as Cisco, CompTIA or Microsoft to develop their expertise further. Studying for a PhD or professional doctorate is another option.
Fees & Funding
Apprentices will not be expected to pay tuition fees towards this programme. If your organisation has a wage bill of more than £3 million per annum, then it may be able to fund this apprenticeship through its Apprenticeship Levy contributions. If your organisation does not pay the levy, it will be eligible for government support to fund apprenticeships. This support, called co-investment, covers 95% of the apprenticeship's tuition fees, with your organisation funding the remaining 5% of the fees.
Home/EU Fees
Apprentices will need to be employed by your organisation for a minimum of 30 hours per week. Your organisation will also need to commit to sponsoring apprentices to complete this qualification.
For further information on how your organisation can access funds to support apprentices, please e-mail apprentices@bolton.ac.uk.
Whether you’re an employer, employee or school leaver, please visit our Apprenticeship web page for support and advice regarding apprenticeships.
International Fees
International applications are not possible for this course
As an international student you are not allowed to study this course because of the restrictions on your visa.
We offer a wide range of full-time courses in lots of different subjects, many of our courses start in September and January. If you would like to see what courses are available please visit our Course Search.
Bursaries
There are no bursaries associated with this programme.
Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2024-25 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
How to apply
Home Applicants
Please contact the programme leader for details of the application procedure. You can find their name, email address and phone number in the Programme Contacts section of this page.
For support and advice regarding apprenticeships, please visit our Apprenticeship web page.
International Applicants
International applications are not possible for this course
As an international student you are not allowed to study this course because of the restrictions on your visa.
We offer a wide range of full-time courses in lots of different subjects, many of our courses start in September and January. If you would like to see what courses are available please visit our Course Search.
Teaching & Assessment
We apply a range of learning, teaching, and assessment methods to make this course as beneficial as possible for you and your apprentices. These are designed to fully engage apprentices, helping them develop the skills, knowledge, self-awareness and behaviours essential to become a network engineer. Learning focuses on your workplace environment. We'll support your apprentices to build the transferable body of knowledge and skills demanded of a graduate network engineer and learn how to apply this expertise within your organisation.
Teaching is structured to allow day-release study. The programme is divided into a number of modules, some based at the University while others are work-based. Your apprentices will spend most of their time in the workplace, with a minimum of six hours per week being devoted to off-the-job training and university learning.
For the modules based at the University, apprentices will be required to attend timetabled lectures, seminars, workshops, demonstrations, practical sessions and tutorials. The University's virtual learning environment, Moodle, will also support learning.
For the work-based modules, your apprentices will need to build a portfolio of evidence about their work and the projects they undertake in the workplace. Crucially they must demonstrate learning in this portfolio that meets the objectives required of the module. Your organisation will need to work with the University's academic supervisor to agree on a range of projects and activities that offer suitable development opportunities for your apprentice.
For all modules, apprentices will also be expected to allocate significant time to independent and self-directed studies. For example, background reading, revisiting practical work, preparing for seminars, and working on assignments will support their timetabled learning and develop good habits for lifelong learning.
We assess each apprentice's individual performance through a strategic blend of assignments, projects, in-class tests, examinations and presentations. Some assessments contribute to their final module marks, while others are designed to help them identify their strengths and weaknesses, and show where they need to seek extra support from course tutors.
In addition to the assessments associated with the degree programme, apprentices will undertake the synoptic end point assessment at the end of the apprenticeship period. This is designed to ensure they meet all the elements of the degree apprenticeship standard, including the knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSB) requirements.
The widely recognised Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) curriculum is embedded in the course. Over three modules, apprentices will be expected to study the Cisco CCNA materials and practical exercises needed to prepare for the Cisco CCNA qualification. Completing each of the three modules successfully will earn them a Cisco Certificate. If they complete Cisco's final CCNA assessment, they will gain the industry-standard CCNA qualification. The CCNA exam can be taken at the University of Bolton as we are an authorised Cisco Test Centre. Please note, the additional cost of the CCNA examinations will need to be met by either the employer or the apprentice.
Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
- Security Fundamentals
- Networking Priniciples
- Networks and Security
- Technology in Practice
- Programming for Cyber Security
- Enterprise Networks
- Technology in Action
- Business Software Development
- Synoptic Project
- Advanced Networks
- Information Security Management
- Operations Management
Assessment methods
| Level | Assessment method |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Coursework 63% Practical exams 37% |
| Level 2 | Coursework 75% Practical exams 25% |
| Level 3 | Coursework 80% Written exams 20% |
Learning Activities
| Level | Activity |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Guided independent study 52% Placement/study abroad 23% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 24% |
| Level 2 | Guided independent study 58% Placement/study abroad 23% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 19% |
| Level 3 | Guided independent study 62% Placement/study abroad 23% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 15% |
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
