Digital and Technology Solutions Professional Degree Apprenticeship

The Open University’s Digital and Technology Solutions Professional Degree Apprenticeship programme develops the higher-level skills and behaviours required to create confident and capable digital and technology professionals.

Graduates from the programme will be competent to operate in a range of related digital roles. They will be able to communicate effectively with colleagues across computing disciplines, supporting their organisation to develop new products and services and increase productivity using digital technologies.

The Digital and Technology Solutions Professional Degree Apprenticeship is a work-based higher education programme that integrates academic and work-based learning in a way that can be delivered flexibly around the demands of your workplace.

As technologies converge and the pace of digital change accelerates, this programme supports apprentices to develop the necessary core knowledge, skills and behaviours to contribute to digital projects across your organisation, as well as the mindset to enable them to continuously upskill as technologies advance.

The core Digital and Technology Solutions Professional Degree Apprenticeship provides the broad technical understanding to operate as part of a wider team working with specialists in the analysis, design, build, evaluation and security of software, data solutions, services and networks. This includes the ability to build business cases, work with end-users, and build the solution. In addition to the core programme, The Open University (OU) offers four specialisms where apprentices gain in-depth technical knowledge of: Software Engineering, Data Analysis, Network Engineering or Cyber Security Analysis.

This degree apprenticeship programme is accredited by TechSkills as meeting industry standards for quality and relevance to tech and digital careers. Courses carrying this Tech Industry Gold accreditation offer the blend of technical, business and professional skills that employers need. Learners on this programme benefit from access to national awards and employer delivered learning content designed to enhance personal development and career progression.

Why choose The Open University’s Digital and Technology Solutions Professional Degree Apprenticeship?

• Delivered flexibly around the demands of your organisation. Tutor-supported, rich-media online training methods mean only minimal time away from the workspace is required.
• There are no academic pre-requisites associated with our programme, which enables you to maximise participation.
• A scalable programme which provides a consistent experience for staff across multiple locations.
• 71% of Open University students are in employment; we know how to make knowledge stick in the minds of busy adults.
• We have over 50 years’ experience in providing supported distance learning programmes.

Watch the video to see how we are working with insurance software company RDT to deliver the Digital and Technology Solution Professional Degree Apprenticeship. This has led to several local people joining the programme and taking their first steps into digital roles.

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This programme is designed for individuals looking to progress in careers as a Cyber Security Analyst, Data Analyst, Software Engineer or Network Engineer.

The structure of the programme supports apprentices to grow and develop their own digital talent. The programme is available to existing employees for career progression and skills development, as well as for hiring new talent and growing your team. Ideal for employers looking to fill skills gaps.

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Below is a summary of the eligibility criteria as set by the government for apprentices. For further information, see the Government funding rules.

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Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3	Stage 4	Assessment	Completion
Introduction to computing technologies	Object-oriented Java programming	Managing IT: the why, the what and the how	IT systems: planning for success	Learning outcomes assessment. Knowledge, skills and behaviour assessment. English and maths assessment*. Gateway process. End-point assessment (EPA).	BSc (Honours) Degree in Digital and Technology Solutions Professional awarded. EPA achieved. Apprenticeship programme completed.
Introduction to computing and IT	Web technologies	Specialism module (choose from table below)	Specialism module (choose from table below)
Career development and employability	Change, strategy and projects at work	Advanced work-based learning	Apprenticeship computing & IT project (in specialist area)
English and maths (functional skills) development*

	Study modules
	Work-based learning modules
	Assessment

 

* If required. The OU strongly recommends that these qualifications are achieved within the first 12 months of the apprenticeship in order to have maximum benefit on academic study and workplace development.

Specialism topics

The programme is based on a core set of outcomes that are supplemented by one of the following four specialisms, with 30 credits studied in each of years 3 and 4.

	Stage 3	Stage 4
Cyber Security Analyst	Cyber security	Information security
Data Analyst	Algorithms, data structures & computability	Data management and analysis
Software Engineer	Software engineering	Web, cloud and mobile technologies
Network Engineer	Cisco networking (CCNA) part 1	Cisco networking (CCNA) part 2

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The apprenticeship is made up of six components:

1 - The initial assessment

This initial assessment includes a skills scan, a mandatory systematic review of an apprentice’s knowledge, skills and behaviours against the standard. This will be completed jointly by the apprentice and the line manager to establish the apprentice’s baseline against the standard and how much new learning is needed. It is used to develop the Training Plan part 2, a tailored individual learning plan, to help apprentices make the most of the apprenticeship.  

2 - Tutor-supported study modules

Builds understanding of the knowledge, skills and behaviours in taking apprentices’ digital skills to a higher level.
Academic Tutors facilitate study, support learning and feedback, and mark module assessments.

3 - Work-based learning modules

Guides apprentices in applying digital knowledge and skills within an organisational setting.
Involves apprentices reflecting on their role and developing their learning within the workplace.
The Practice Tutor helps the student to synergise and integrate their work-based and academic learning.

4 - Portfolio

Records evidence, demonstrating apprentices’ application of the knowledge, skills and behaviours they have learnt.
Apprentices record how they have practically applied their newly acquired knowledge and skills in the workplace, as well as the feedback they receive from line managers, peers and direct reports.

5 - Integrated final end-point assessment

Consisting of a work-based project report, presentation with Q&A, portfolio and professional discussion, this determines whether apprentices have successfully met the learning requirements of the Digital and Technology Solutions Professional Degree Apprenticeship programme.

6 - BSc (Honours) Degree in Digital and Technology Solutions Professional

Awarded by The Open University when the apprentice has successfully completed the programme.
Apprentices will also receive an Apprenticeship Certificate from the Institute for Apprenticeships.

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The Open University has the experience and support in place to help apprentices succeed and make a positive impact on practice.

In addition to designated account management support, the OU will deploy expert staff to support your organisation and your apprentices. They will work collaboratively with the relevant roles in your organisation:

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Before an apprenticeship begins, the OU is required to conduct an initial assessment of each applicant who wishes to become an apprentice. They assess prior learning to establish if the individual has already covered parts of the knowledge and skills set out in the apprenticeship (recognition of prior learning) or what prior experience an individual has. Employers are also involved in this process, that is called initial assessment. During this assessment, the OU also establishes whether the apprenticeship is an appropriate training programme for them. This assessment considers the whole standard, not just English and maths, which however is an important part of it.

The initial assessment may identify, for example, that an apprenticeship may not be suitable for an individual because their level of prior learning and experience may be too high; therefore, a higher-level apprenticeship or another type of training could be a suitable alternative and is more appropriate for the individual.

The OU also assesses whether the minimum eligibility requirements for off-the-job training are met and will set the duration of the apprentice contract dependent on prior learning.

Visit the Short Guide for Apprentices for more details.

English and maths (functional skills)

Replacement exam certificate: For qualifications gained in the UK you can go to the government website to get a replacement exam certificate.

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