Engineering
Rail Systems Engineering Degree Apprenticeship (4 placements)
Network Rail · London South Bank University
Location
London
Salary
£22,000-£25,000 plus Inner London Allowance £3,270 per year
Duration
60 months
Positions available
4
Degree awarded
BEng (Hons) Rail & Rail Systems Engineering
Start date
1 October 2026
Application deadline
3 July 2026
Vacancy reference
IRC2352898
Disability Confident
✓ Yes
About the role
A Level 6 BEng (Hons) Rail & Rail Systems Engineering Apprenticeship scheme based in South London. Network Rail is partnering with London South Bank University to offer the degree supplemented with placements within Network Rail. The course comprises a programme of study, an End Point Assessment (EPA) and on-the-job learning. Applicants will complete Signalling and Electrical Engineering placements with different teams including design, testing, projects, maintenance, and asset management. Asset discipline placements will include Electrification and Plant, Signalling and Telecommunications. The course is 100% coursework and requires attendance at LSBU on block release for one week a month.
Requirements
3 A-levels or equivalent including Mathematics summing to 120 UCAS points (e.g. BBB). At least 5 GCSEs at grade 9-5 including Maths, English and Science or equivalent. Must be aged 18 or older by the start of the programme. Must be based within easy reach of Blackfriars, London and willing to travel within the South London area. Must be comfortable working unsocial hours including night shifts. Must be willing to work in safety-sensitive environments such as track side.
Skills
Electrical/Electronic EngineeringRailway Systems KnowledgeTime ManagementTeam WorkingSelf-prioritisationReport WritingPresentationsSoftware Use
Required qualifications
Essential
A Level · Mathematics · Grade B
Essential
A Level · Any · Grade B
Essential
A Level · Any · Grade B
Essential
GCSE · Mathematics · Grade 5
Essential
GCSE · English · Grade 5
Essential
GCSE · Science · Grade 5
Training & development
Placements with Network Rail across different teams including design, testing, projects, maintenance, and asset management. Block release study at London South Bank University for one week per month. Modules employ real-life railway examples such as Railway Accident Investigation Branch Reports. End Point Assessment consisting of a report, presentation, and interview.
Future prospects
Upon completion, graduates will have a BEng (Hons) in Rail & Rail Systems Engineering qualification and practical understanding of different railway disciplines and nuances. Graduates will be equipped with systems approach knowledge to construction, operation, and management of railways.
Company benefits
Salary: £22,000-£25,000 plus Inner London Allowance £3,270. Network Rail values flexibility and healthy work-life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader, reasonable adjustments and modifications are accommodated throughout the recruitment process.
Things to consider
No definitive day-by-day working schedule. Applicants must be open minded to all placements and flexible to team needs. Must be willing to occasionally work unsocial hours including night shifts. Placements may be subject to change as a result of operational considerations. All prospective candidates offered a conditional role will be required to undergo and pass a drugs and alcohol test. Positive test results will result in application rescission and 5-year suspension from applying for safety-critical roles. Must be willing to embrace responsibility that safety-critical work brings.