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Technology

Apprentice Software Developer

THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER · MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
Location
Greater Manchester
Postcode
M13 9PL
Salary
£25,249 a year
Duration
4 Years
Hours per week
35h
Positions available
1
Degree awarded
Digital and technology solutions professional (level 6)
Start date
7 September 2026
Application deadline
13 July 2026
Posted
2 June 2026
Vacancy reference
2000034489
Disability Confident
✓ Yes

About the role

As an Apprentice you will gain specialised training based on your individual aspirations and specific apprenticeship requirements. Supportive instruction and tuition from world leading technical staff and researchers will be provided to equip you with a range of diverse skills, whilst rotating through our specialist areas across the entire university.

Your successful development is pivotal to our programme objectives, university aims and your future career.

Day to day duties will include, but not be limited to the following:

  • Software design principles using Single responsibility, Open-closed, Liskov substitution, Interface segregation and Dependency inversion (SOLID) and Object-Oriented Principles (OOP)
  • Design methods and stakeholder communication including, requirements capture and analysis for user needs. Evaluating system feasibility, economic and technical analysis, and allocation of functions to system elements
  • Software configuration management using good practices for development, version control, and documentation throughout processes
  • Testing, verification, and validation methodologies to check specifications are met and fulfil intended purposes
  • Fundamental structures of software systems including theoretical and practical aspects of software architecture
  • Software and system maintenance procedures and practices
  • Working as an agile and responsive developer in varied specialist areas
  • Develop specialist knowledge and experience to meet the varying needs of researchers, staff, and students
  • Communication skills not only in software development but personally enabling you to grow into your career
  • Working with other specialist developers and independently to learn team dynamics and defined project roles
  • Organisation and scheduling of your workload to meet deadlines and targets whilst handling constraints and solutions to meet customer needs
  • Logic and reasoning to complete projects and assigned work to the standard set in a world leading environment
  • Programme languages and paradigms, and techniques for identifying the most appropriate choice in each situation

Working week

Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm (variable times to suit workplace requirements) with 1 hour for lunch.

Skills

Communication skillsIT skillsAttention to detailOrganisation skillsProblem solving skillsNumber skillsAnalytical skillsTeam workingCreativeInitiativeStrong work-ethicIndependent workingDesire to progressComputer literate - CSS, HTMLCoding or Scripting Skills

Required qualifications

Essential
GCSE · English · Grade 5 or equivalent
Essential
GCSE · Mathematics · Grade 5 or equivalent
Essential
BTEC · Digital Technologies or equivalent · Grade Merit or above

Training & development

In addition to your Level 6 apprenticeship qualification, we offer a unique 4 year apprenticeship programme filled to the brim with training opportunities such as, design and development principles for upcoming and existing research projects, problem solving to meet organisational need and development, problem analysis and research on exciting projects, programming in different languages including historic and current languages, deployment, and technical support of systems.

You will spend a mixture of time working alongside a day release course to gain the technical skills required to carry out your duties as a Software Development Technician. We will provide you with all the necessary tools and equipment, uniform, and robust training to make this the apprenticeship of your choice. 

Future prospects

Upon completion of the apprenticeship in 5 years’ time, you will have a portfolio of key science and engineering skills and a wealth of varied, relevant experience.

Most apprentices are successful in securing a role with the university or choose to continue their academic studies. Whilst we cannot guarantee a permanent position at the University of Manchester, we endeavour to match apprentices with appropriate vacancies and support them through the entire application process.

Things to consider

We are strongly committed to promoting equality, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility and encourage all applicants to apply. Our university is positive about flexible working, blended working arrangements may be considered.

About THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER

One of the world’s leading universities built on research and teaching practices, coupled with one of the most respected apprenticeship programmes in the UK. Our programme builds its success’s year-on-year and continues to develop, matching the needs of the university and our community. We are proud of our strong reputation, supporting each of our apprentices with individualised training, specialised projects, and targeted development to build a future career at the cutting edge of technology.

Contact email
Apprenticeships@manchester.ac.uk