Higher/Degree Apprenticeship Aerospace Engineer
BEng(Hons) Aerospace Engineering
BEng(Hons) Aerospace Engineering
Please note the entry requirements stated for this course are indicative. The entry requirements for 2025 will be published by November 2024.
Page last updated 27 September 2024
Delivered in partnership with the Centre of Digital Engineering Technology and Innovation (DETI) and University College Weston, our Aerospace Engineering apprenticeship will train you to become a qualified engineer. Get degree-level expertise and hands-on skills from our practice-based course.
Aerospace engineers find creative solutions to problems of industry, the environment and society. Our Aerospace Engineering Apprenticeship (Level 6) trains aerospace professionals to become qualified engineers. Train with us and prepare to solve real-world engineering challenges, such as the sustainability of the aerospace industry.
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. The course is already popular with employers, such as Airbus, Rolls-Royce and GKN, to name a few.
This curriculum is mapped to the Aerospace Engineer Apprenticeship Standard, approved by employers from across the aerospace sector, and by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE). Professional Bodies such as the Royal Aeronautical Society have been involved in this process, ensuring our graduate engineers achieve the required skills and competencies.
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. You'll develop core skills that you'll take with you through your career, such as innovation, teamwork and creativity.
Successful graduates will gain a BEng(Hons) Aerospace Engineering degree.
This degree is an integral requirement of the (Level 6) Degree Apprenticeship Standard (ST0010) Aerospace Engineer.
As an Aerospace Engineering apprentice, you'll be enrolled at UWE Bristol.
UWE Bristol has a robust partnership with University Centre Weston, who provide the Level 4 teaching. You'll come to Frenchay Campus for Levels 5 and 6, where you'll spend time in UWE Bristol's renowned engineering hub. So you'll have access to the resources of both UWE Bristol and Weston College, while gaining the learning required at each stage of your degree.
The course is delivered in partnership with the Centre of Digital Engineering Technology and Innovation (DETI). DETI is the research initiative for engineering in the West of England. Within DETI, we've been named as the Educational Lead for skills and workforce development. So you'll benefit from a respected education and strong industry links on our doorstep.
The apprenticeship focuses on practice-based, hands-on learning enhanced by embedded student support, such as Espresso Engineering drop-in sessions and maths support from day one. This means you'll become confident applying your knowledge to broad aerospace engineering problems.
Our Aerospace Engineering apprenticeship enables you to upskill while you're in employment with your current employer. You'll develop the workplace skills needed in your organisation, addressing a skills gap while you gain your academic learning.
The apprenticeship delivers a practice-based curriculum, focused on learning through live projects. This approach equips you with hands-on skills you'll apply directly to your workplace, benefitting your organisation.
Over four to five years, you'll gain a BEng(Hons) Aerospace Engineering degree. You'll become a qualified engineer, ready for professional practice in your workplace.
The course is fully funded as an apprenticeship.
This apprenticeship offers you the flexibility to study alongside your work, so you'll be able to contribute to the workplace, while building your professional development. You'll gain the experience to apply your knowledge, improving processes within your organisation. Studying alongside your work enables you to directly apply new skills to your role.
Through immersive project activities with interactive scenario simulations, you'll have exposure to real-world engineering challenges not necessarily in your employer's sector. This opportunity will develop your broader problem-solving abilities in engineering.
On successful completion of your apprenticeship, you'll achieve a BEng(Hons) Aerospace Engineering degree, enabling you to progress your career as a graduate engineer.
In addition to supporting your development in the workplace, this apprenticeship will help you to understand the career landscape in your sector and plan for your longer-term ambitions. Our award-winning Careers Service is on hand to give you independent advice and guidance at any point in your studies.
Your professional experience will be relevant to the curriculum. Whether you've completed A levels or an alternative qualification, we'll support your learning. You'll receive student support from day one, embedded into the curriculum.
We'll also support your mathematics development throughout the apprenticeship. So you'll be comfortable using maths to solve engineering problems in your workplace.
Please note: the Level 6 modules are indicative and can vary depending on your employer's requirements. All non-compulsory modules are subject to change, and employers may choose these optional Level 6 modules in conjunction with UWE Bristol.
Read more about the approved apprenticeship standard on the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education website.
You'll learn through a mixture of taught lectures, tutorials and lab practicals. The curriculum enhances your learning through engineering projects, applying theory to practice. This apprenticeship has a 50% project-based core, so you'll supplement your learning with practical group and hands-on individual projects.
When not studying at university, you'll learn through on-the-job training in your role.
The course has been accredited for the intakes from 2023-24 by the Royal Aeronautical Society on behalf of the Engineering Council and re-accreditation will be sought for the intakes from 2025 onwards.
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For information on required Guided Learning Hours please see our minimum entry requirements page.
Apprentices must hold current registration with one of the statutory regulators of aerospace professions. For example the Royal Aeronautical Society.
If you’re interested in applying for Advanced Entry onto this course please contact the Degree Apprenticeship Hub, via the contact details at the foot of this page.
To study an apprenticeship, you need to:
Find out about eligibility for apprenticeship funding.
We use the UCAS Tariff system to make offers to applicants. You can use the UCAS Tariff Calculator to convert your qualifications and grades into points.
If you’re interested in applying and have the support from your employer, speak to your line manager and/or HR team in the first instance for approval. Your employer will contact us so we can send you an application link.
If you’re not employed, you can use the following tools to find an apprenticeship vacancy with an employer:
For more guidance on higher and degree apprenticeship applications.
If you’re interested in applying for Advanced Entry onto the course, please contact the Degree Apprenticeship Hub. Their contact details are below, under ‘For further information’ section.
For course-specific enquiries, please contact the Programme Leader.
For all other enquiries, please email our Apprenticeship Hub apprenticeships@uwe.ac.uk or call +44 (0)117 32 84888.
Read more about Higher and Degree Apprenticeships.