Our Graduate Apprenticeships (GAs) provide a fully funded pathway for individuals to a achieve a degree or for organisations to invest in the talents of their workforce
The UWS Graduate Apprenticeship BEng (Hons) Engineering Design & Manufacture effectively combines university education with work-based learning.
Students attend UWS one day per week, while workplace learning makes up over a third of the degree. The programme, which is taught by expert academics, emphasises advanced design and manufacturing concepts. These include CAD, prototyping, simulation, and digital manufacturing. The programme also covers covers essential management, data analysis, and quality assurance skill-building aspects.
With a progressive approach to syllabus design, the curriculum incorporates key areas such as AI and the fusion of digital and manufacturing technologies, ensuring graduates gain real industry-relevant expertise.
Students receive dedicated support from lecturers and a work mentor both on campus and in the workplace. Additionally, the programme features minimal assessment, focusing instead on industry-led projects and practical learning to develop essential problem-solving and research skills.
Undertaking a GA shows commitment to working at a high professional level. I feel this is an effective platform for furthering your career, especially within your own company."
Andrew Begg, Engineering Design & Manufacture Graduate, Technical Services Engineer at Newsprinters
As Programme Leader, I am proud to lead the UWS BEng (Hons) Engineering Design & Manufacture Graduate Apprenticeship, a dynamic programme designed for industry employees to enhance their engineering, digital, and management skills. With expert academics, dedicated mentors, well-equipped labs, and professional support services, we ensure apprentices gain the cutting-edge skills needed for the modern engineering industry."
Muhammad Ayat, BEng (Hons) Engineering Design & Manufacture Programme Leader
To apply for a GA, you must be resident in Scotland before you start. The premises you work in must also be located in Scotland. As part of your application, you will have to show that you have the right to live and work in Scotland.
GAs are open to existing employees and new recruits.
All applicants are considered on an individual basis. Do not worry if your qualifications are not listed here. We take a range of factors into account when assessing your application and are happy to consider other alternative combinations of qualifications and experience.
Experienced applicants can apply for admission based on Accreditation of Prior Learning / Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning in accordance with the University’s RPL guidelines. Contact us for more information.
All applicants should be in employment and be supported by their employer for the duration of their studies.
For Advanced Entry apprentices are required to have completed a relevant MA or have a minimum of 1 year of sector specific work experience at a level equivalent to the point of entry.
Applicants may also be considered with other academic, vocational or professional qualifications deemed to be equivalent.
Applicants can apply for admission based on Accreditation of Prior Learning / Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning in accordance with the University’s RPL guidelines.
This GA in Engineering Design & Manufacture is a Work-based Learning course which has been developed in partnership with Industry, the education sector and Skills Development Scotland (SDS). This ensures that graduate learning is aligned to Industry needs.
This course fully embraces the principles of Work-Based Learning. It is delivered over four years and you will undertake 120 credits per year (three trimesters per year). Work-based learning and work-based assessment will form the backbone of the course.
The programme is delivered through blended learning with the majority of the learning delivered through Work-based Learning. Students are expected to be on campus for a day every 1-2 weeks for facilitated workshops and practical sessions to reinforce their online e-learning and workplace experiential learning.
Assessment is through a number of methods including:
Case Studies
Coursework
Dissertation
Laboratory write-ups
Multiple choice exams
Online discussion boards
Oral presentations
Posters
Reports
Written examinations
Programme Specification and Module Descriptors for Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses are available to download (PDFs). These provide you with core information concerning your chosen subject.
£1,820 cost per year of study (usually paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)
To apply directly to the University for this course, you need to be working in Scotland in a position that relates to the field of study and have support from your employer to undertake the course in its entirety (all years). Due to the manner in which the Graduate Apprentice scheme is funded in Scotland, only students who satisfy the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) residence eligibility criteria can apply.
Apply Directly to UWS
For individuals and businesses who wish to find out more about the BEng (Hons) Engineering Design & Manufacture Graduate Apprenticeship, please contact our dedicated team at apprenticeships@uws.ac.uk
We will always try to make sure that we publish accurate course information but we do not accept responsibility for any mistakes or omissions. We will also try to make sure that we deliver our courses in line with our published information. However, we may not always be able to do so and you can find further information about this in our enrolment terms and conditions.