Digital and Technology Solutions Professional
Digital and Technology Solutions Professional
| Level | 6 |
| Degree | BSc (Hons) Digital and Technology Solutions |
| Duration | 36 Months + 6 Months EPA |
| Entry point(s) | Feb/March & September |
| Campus | High Wycombe (Online First) |
| Contact | apprenticeships@bnu.ac.uk |
The Digital and Technology Solutions Professional Degree Apprenticeship will combine integrated work-based learning with academic study to ensure you will have the skills required to meet business needs and industry standards within the digital and technology landscape.
This degree apprenticeship programme has been co-designed with employers to ensure that you are equipped with the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to succeed in this exciting and innovative industry. Resulting in Buckinghamshire New University’s delivery being accredited Tech Industry Gold by TechSkills.
As a Digital and Technology Solutions Professional (DTSP), the broad purpose of your occupation is to evaluate, initiate, create and support business solutions using digital technology across a range of functions. This programme has been designed to ensure you are responsive, resilient, ethical and innovative in delivering business solutions whilst keeping in touch with emerging developments and trends within your chosen specialism with a choice of pathways to support your career aspirations and entry to higher qualifications.
This Digital Technology Solutions Professional Apprenticeship programme develops the higher-level skills and behaviours required to create confident and capable digital and technology professionals. Modules are designed to build strong foundations that are learner centred to ignite curiosity and innovation that enables understanding of the complexity of information systems required to succeed in this sector. Skills and knowledge are assessed in realistic situations to mirror real world scenarios fostering authentic and inclusive opportunities.
Pathways
The primary role of the Software Engineer is to undertake all requirements during the solution development life cycle from gathering requirements to analysis, design, code, build, test, implementation and support. They may also be required to supervise the work of junior software developers and others who may be working on elements of the solution and work with product managers and UX designers in implementing solutions. They will apply software engineering principles to all stages of the solution life cycle, from gathering requirements, undertaking analysis and design, development of code and data requirements whilst also ensuring security feature are addressed. As well as creating new code, they can support existing code by troubleshooting, reverse engineering and conducting root cause analysis. They typically work as part of a large collaborative team and will have responsibility for significant elements of software solutions.
An IT consultant bridges the gap between users and technology: they reinvent the digital world of the future. They require a broad set of skills in business analysis, solutions development, network infrastructure, data, cyber security etc. They use their consulting skills to get to the root of a problem and advise clients, both externally and internally, on how to best utilise technology to meet their business objectives, overcome problems and increase productivity. They provide strategic guidance and training to clients, both externally and internally, about digital and technology solutions. They facilitate changing business processes, improved structure, and efficiency through enhancements to digital and technology solutions. They design, build and install innovative customer experiences using the latest technologies to win business for their organisation.
A business analyst is an interpreter between two worlds: business and IT, bridging the gap of understanding between business and technology teams. They analyse and understand business needs and define and manage business requirements. They oversee design and delivery of tested system solutions throughout a project life cycle to ensure these meet business requirements. They are key communicators and drivers of collaboration throughout the development life cycle. They are focused on the customer and work closely with the IT delivery team. They are essential in the development of successful digital and technology solutions through their rigorous analysis of business requirements to inform their recommendations and insight.
A Cyber Security Analyst leads in the work to define, implement, and maintain security products and systems within an organisation’s policies and service level agreements. They will need to analyse and understand the points of vulnerability within IT systems and a proactive and agile approach to maintain high levels of systems and organisational security. They will monitor security performance using tools, statistical reporting and analysis, using the output of monitoring to problem solve, propose improvements and implement changes to meet service level requirements. A Cyber Security Analyst leads technical implementation of security infrastructures and technical designs, including producing cost and timescale estimates and identifying risks. After implementation they take ownership for obtaining the information required to diagnose and resolve more complex problems and escalations such as security incidents and business recovery. They engage with third parties to jointly resolve in-depth product issues where necessary and completing cyber risk assessments
The primary role of a data analyst is to collect, organise and study data to provide new business insight to a range of stakeholders. They are responsible for leading the provision of up-to-date, accurate and relevant data analysis for the organisation. They are typically involved with managing, cleansing, abstracting and aggregating data across the network infrastructure. They look for opportunities to build data driven insights into decision making. They have a current understanding of data structures, software development procedures and the range of analytical tools used to undertake a wide range of standard and custom analytical studies, providing data solutions to a range of business issues. They are comfortable supporting teams and colleagues with analytics and report the results of data analysis activities making recommendations to improve business performance.
The primary role of a network engineer is to lead in the planning, design, installation, maintenance, and support of communication networks within an organisation or between organisations. They take a proactive and agile approach to maintain high levels of network performance and availability for their users, such as staff, clients, customers, and suppliers. They understand network configuration, cloud, network administration and monitoring tools, and give technical advice and guidance to their users. As part of their role, they analyse system requirements to ensure the network and its services operate to desired levels with security at the heart of everything they do. They understand data traffic and transmission across the network and have a major role to play in ensuring network security and resilience. They are the key problem solver when networks fail and respond with resilience under pressure.
Why choose BNU?
At Buckinghamshire New University, we are dedicated to equipping our graduates with the skills employers demand. We will work with you using our practice-based learning expertise to support your training needs.
Higher and degree apprenticeships are a partnership between industry and higher education institutions set up to help meet the needs of employers. They also provide a flexible way for employees to take advantage of the life-changing opportunities that higher education can offer them.
At BNU, we change lives through employment-focused teaching which enables our students to achieve their ambitions. As a small and personal university, we offer an agile approach to all apprenticeship training needs. You would also gain access to all our support services including Student Hub, Multi Faith Chaplaincy, Disability and Inclusion, Counselling, Library and Alumni Benefits. Our Apprenticeship Hub at BNU strives to deliver a supportive environment for the employer and the apprentice. Tripartite reviews are conduced quarterly to aid apprentice through their apprenticeship journey successfully.
Programme details
The programme matches the University’s philosophy and strategy including outward facing, externality and industrial involvement thus providing students with the necessary qualifications to underpin their knowledge and progress in their chosen careers.
Degree apprenticeships combine study and work-based learning to enable apprentices to gain a full degree. They have been co-designed by employers thus ensuring that apprentices are equipped with the skills employers need and look for in their employees.
An apprentice is a paid employee and does not pay any training costs or student fees.
Programme delivery
Buckinghamshire New University’s blended learning model is designed to be flexible around the needs of apprentices and work load. This includes online, face-to-face and self directed learning which learners have fed back providers greatest flexibility around work, caregiving and other life commitments. This also helps reduce the impact of carbon created through commuting.
Digital and Technology Solution Professional apprentices are delivered face to face seminars at BNU’s High Wycombe campus approximately once per term. Alternative weeks apprentices are provided online seminars or allocated self-directed learning time.
An apprentice can be a new or existing member of staff and must not already hold a degree in that area or be receiving funding for other training.
The employer must employ the apprentice in a genuine role with a genuine salary.
The apprentice must have the right to live and work in the UK.
Year 1
- Programming Concepts
- Work-Based Learning
- Data Fundamentals
- Project Management
- Academic Skills & Reflective Practice
- Networking
Year 2
- Software Engineering
- Organisation Skills and Behaviours
- Object Oriented Programming
- Web Programming
- Work-Based Research Project
- Information Security
Year 3
- Cloud Computing
- Advanced Workplace Practice
- Design Patterns
- Digital Innovation
Year 1
- Programming Concepts
- Work-Based Learning
- Data Fundamentals
- Project Management
- Academic Skills & Reflective Practice
- Networking
Year 2
- Introduction to IT Consulting
- Organisation Skills and Behaviours
- Business Intelligence
- IT Governance
- Work-Based Research Project
- Information Security
Year 3
- Cloud Computing
- Advanced Workplace Practice
- Legal Aspects of IT
- Digital Innovation
Year 1
- Programming Concepts
- Work-Based Learning
- Data Fundamentals
- Project Management
- Academic Skills & Reflective Practice
- Networking
Year 2
- Introduction to Cyber Security
- Organisation Skills and Behaviours
- IT Risk Management
- IT Governance
- Work-Based Research Project
- Information Security
Year 3
- Security Auditing and Response
- Advanced Workplace Practice
- Network Security
- Digital Innovation
Year 1
- Programming Concepts
- Work-Based Learning
- Data Fundamentals
- Project Management
- Academic Skills & Reflective Practice
- Networking
Year 2
- Business Analysis
- Organisation Skills and Behaviours
- Business Intelligence
- Business Continued Management
- Work-Based Research Project
- Information Security
Year 3
- Cloud Computing
- Advanced Workplace Practice
- Change Management
- Digital Innovation
Year 1
- Programming Concepts
- Work-Based Learning
- Data Fundamentals
- Project Management
- Academic Skills & Reflective Practice
- Networking
Year 2
- Data Analysis
- Organisation Skills and Behaviours
- Business Intelligence
- Big Data
- Work-Based Research Project
- Information Security
Year 3
- Cloud Computing
- Advanced Workplace Practice
- Data Science
- Digital Innovation
Year 1
- Programming Concepts
- Work-Based Learning
- Data Fundamentals
- Project Management
- Academic Skills & Reflective Practice
- Networking
Year 2
- Network Administration
- Organisation Skills and Behaviours
- Business Intelligence
- Network Systems
- Work-Based Research Project
- Information Security
Year 3
- Cloud Computing
- Advanced Workplace Practice
- Network Security
- Digital Innovation
Entry requirements
Apprenticeship Eligibility
To be eligible for an apprenticeship, the apprentice must satisfy the following requirements and ESFA funding rules:
- An apprentice can be a new or existing member of staff and must not already hold a degree in that area or be receiving funding for other training.
- The employer must employ the apprentice in a genuine role with a genuine salary.
- The apprentice must have the right to live and work in the UK.
- BNU will check to make sure you're eligible before you start your degree apprenticeship, and may ask for proof of your right to work in the UK.
- An apprentice must be employed in a full time job (minimum of 30 hours per week) or have a signed contract to start a full time job role, which is relevant to the apprenticeship.
- The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) will not fund apprentices who are repeating the same qualification.
- An apprentice can be a citizen of a country within the European Economic Area (EEA) or have the right to abode in the UK and have been resident in the EEA for at least the previous three years on the first day of your apprenticeship.
- An apprentice can be a non-EEA citizen with permission from the UK government to live in the UK, (not for educational purposes) and have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least the previous three years before the start of learning.
Programme Entry Requirements
To be eligible for the Digital and Technology Solutions Professional Degree Apprenticeship apprentices must meet the following requirements:
- Government approved Level 2 Maths and English Qualification (e.g. GCSE or Functional Skills).
- Candidates without level 2 English and Maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the End-Point Assessment.
- Applications are welcomed from those with qualifications equivalent to the above. A typical offer for entry to the programme would be a UCAS tariff score of 104 – 128, with UCAS points being obtained through qualifications such as A Levels, BTECs and Access to Higher Education courses in appropriate subjects.
- Relevant or prior experience will be taken into account when considering a candidate’s suitability for the programme
- Previous study, professional and / or vocational experiences may be recognised as the equivalent learning experience and permit exemption from studying certain modules in accordance with our accreditation of prior learning (APL) process.
How to apply
Register your interest
- Contact BNU’s Apprenticeship via email: apprenticeships@bnu.ac.uk or call: 01296 744202
- Interested employers will be invited to an information session lead by a representative of BNU’s Apprenticeship Hub and the programme lead. Once completed the Apprenticeship Hub will provide a capture form to begin your application process.
Application Process
- Email your nominated Apprenticeship team representative with a document detailing names and contact details of your selected candidates.
- Candidates will be sent a link to an online application which takes approximately 45 minutes to complete.
- Candidates will be required to upload supporting documents such as prior certification (including Level 2 English and maths) and evidence of Right to Work in the United Kingdom.
- After submitting the application, the Admissions team will complete all necessary eligibility checks.
- Successful candidates will be invited to an interview with a member of the academic team and will be asked to fill in an Individual Needs Assessment (INA) document identifying their existing experiences, skills and knowledge which will be discussed in the interview.
Funding
In many instances apprenticeships are fully funded through the government’s Apprenticeship Levy Fund and for those ineligible up to 95% is funded through the government’s Co-Investment Fund.
Digital & Technology Solutions Professional Degree Apprenticeship Cost: £25,000
- The apprenticeship levy will be paid by employers in any sector with a pay bill of more than £3 million per year. Those employers will be able to use their apprenticeship levy funds to fund this programme.
- Non-levy paying employers will receive up to 95% funding towards the costs of this apprenticeship through the government’s Co-Investment Fund.
- For more information on funding and the Apprenticeship Levy visit our Apprenticeship Funding page in the find out more section below.
