Technology
2027 Software Engineering Apprentice - Level 6 Digital and Technology Solutions Apprenticeship
Thales Group · Manchester Metropolitan University
Location
Cheadle, Cheshire
Postcode
SK3 0XB
Salary
£24,000 per annum
Duration
4 years
Hours per week
37h
Positions available
1
Level
Level 6 – Degree
Degree awarded
Level 6 Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship
Start date
6 September 2027
Application deadline
17 February 2027
Vacancy reference
R0337863
Minimum grades
104 UCAS points (A Level BCC), 5 GCSEs Grade 9-4/A-C including Maths and English
About the role
As a Software Engineering Apprentice, you will develop the technical knowledge, practical skills and professional behaviours needed to become a confident and capable engineer. Working as part of the Software Engineering team, you will support the delivery of software solutions, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget. Your responsibilities may include supporting system requirement and design activities, developing software solutions to fulfil an actual business need, contributing to project reviews, assisting with engineering investigations and problem solving, communicating technical recommendations to stakeholders, and working with experienced engineers on live projects.
Requirements
104 UCAS points (A Level BCC) or equivalent qualification such as BTEC Extended Diploma (DDM), T Level (Merit) or apprenticeship. 5 GCSEs at Grade 9-4/A-C including Maths and English. Applicants who already hold a relevant degree (Software Engineering and Computer Science) will not be eligible. Must have permanent right to work in the UK and be able to successfully complete UK Government security checks including BPSS screening and SC clearance. Must have lived in the UK continuously for the last five years. For UK Eyes Only programme access, must be British citizen from birth and not hold any other nationality.
Working week
Monday – Friday, 37 hours a week (8 hours Monday – Thursday, 5 hours Friday)
Skills
Software developmentSystem designProblem solvingTechnical communicationProject managementTesting and validationCode implementationRequirement management
Required qualifications
Essential
GCSE · Maths · Grade 4
Essential
GCSE · English · Grade 4
Essential
GCSE · Any · Grade 4
Essential
A Level · Any · Grade BCC
Desired
BTEC Extended Diploma · Any · Grade DDM
Desired
T Level · Any · Grade Merit
Training & development
You will study towards a Level 6 Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship with Manchester Metropolitan University. You will develop a broad set of skills and knowledge across the digital and technology landscape including how information systems work, how software is built and tested, data and cyber security, business organisation, IT project management, and computer and network infrastructures. Learning is supported through taught units and work-based projects focused on live business scenarios and real-world problem solving. For the 4-year programme you will attend Manchester Metropolitan University one day per week during the academic year and work at the Cheadle site for four days a week, applying learning to real work projects.
Additional training
The programme is delivered through a blended learning approach combining on-campus teaching face to face one day a week during the academic year, online workshops/classes, and guided self-study. Throughout the 4-year programme, you will combine university study with practical workplace experience, developing both academic knowledge and professional engineering skills.
Future prospects
At the end of the apprenticeship, you will be working as a Software Engineer within the Thales UK businesses with a recognised engineering qualification and permanent role secured from the start of your apprenticeship.
Company benefits
Competitive salary of £24,000 per annum, performance-related pay uplifts, holiday entitlement of 201 hours a year plus company day and bank holidays, contributory company pension, health care cash plan, hybrid/flexible working options, employee assistance programme, learning and development support, employee discounts and wellbeing initiatives, life cover, 80 hours volunteering per year (first two years), private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus. University tuition fees fully paid.
Things to consider
All roles are subject to security requirements. Applicants must have permanent right to work in the UK and be able to successfully complete UK Government security checks including BPSS screening and SC clearance. To be eligible for SC clearance, typically need to have lived in the UK continuously for the last five years. This role supports a UK Eyes Only programme and is subject to government-mandated nationality restrictions. Applicants must have been British citizens from birth and must not hold any other nationality. Assessment centres for shortlisted candidates will be held between February - May 2027. Induction week for all Graduates and Apprentices will take place from Monday 6 September - Friday 10 September 2027. Roles may close earlier than the advertised deadline if high number of applications received.
About Thales Group
Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.