MSc Digital &Technology Solutions Specialist Apprenticeship (Integrated Degree) - Level 7

Personalised learning

Negotiated Studies in Digital and Technology Solutions gives the opportunity to personalise learning based on the needs of the individual learner

Kickstart your career

A route to a Masters qualification

University support

Our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your learning

From overseeing a digital transformation project through to developing new software applications, you can play an important role in an organisation’s success.

Our MSc Digital and Technology Solutions Specialist Apprenticeship will equip you with leadership and change management skills to make a real impact. The course can be tailored to one of four specialisms: software engineering, network engineering, data analytics and cyber security.

Alongside core modules, you will cover the principles and practice within your specialist area and will also personalise your assignments to your own workplace. The final element of the integrated degree apprenticeship will be your dissertation project.

You will focus on designing strategic technology solutions, such as making networks more secure, developing scalable software, or using data mining tools to improve an aspect of company performance. It could involve identifying a need within your organisation and then testing or prototyping the solution.

The course is delivered over a 24-month period, with a mixture of face-to-face classes and online learning, combining academic study and a work-based context.

Who is it for?

This apprenticeship is aimed at IT professionals who are aspiring leaders and want to influence the strategic direction of technology solutions. You will typically be a Computer Science graduate, although you may have studied a different subject for your first degree. The course is ideal for career development.

All learners on the award will be employed as apprentices in digital and technology solutions roles, with a focus on one of the specialisms of the apprenticeship standards.

As a digital and technology solutions specialist, you will investigate, identify and implement strategic solutions. The work will include studying organisation goals and practices and delivering and supporting strategic plans for implementing digital technologies.

Location
Stoke-on-Trent campus
Duration
Typical duration for this apprenticeship is 2 years
Start date(s)

Typical start date for this course is in September

Enquire now

Course content

The programme is made up as follows:

  • Core Modules – which are taken by apprentices on all routes
  • Route Modules – which must be taken by apprentices on a particular specialism route. The route options are determined by your career plan and desired role. We cater for Cyber Security Technical Specialist, Data Analytics Specialist, Network Engineer Specialist, Software Engineering Specialist

Modules

  • Technology Research, Data and Business Intelligence
    The content of the module includes: a critical appreciation of both quantitative and qualitative research, evaluating sources of data, appraising research designs, considering researchers philosophies, statistical data analysis covering tests of differences and relationships, interpretation of research findings, and the presentation of research results.A variety of approaches to qualitative research will be critically appraised (e.g., thematic analysis, interpretative phenomenological analysis) and applied to the datasets.The theoretical rationale for, and execution of, a range of inferential statistical techniques will also be covered.

  • Technology Strategy
    In this module you will examine technology strategies of organisations (focussing on your own) and consider developments that could be made to maintain competitive advantage.   You will then present a justified technology strategy proposal to support the development of a business, a product or process.

  • Leading Digital Transformation
    Rethinking business models, extracting value from data and addressing IT infrastructure are all elements of business transformation but without leadership and management the business transformation that could be possible will not be achieved.  This module will consider the building blocks of digital transformation alongside models and approaches to management and leadership of the people required to ensure that digital and technology transformation is possible.

  • 1 x Principles and Practices as per the specialism of the apprentice
    There are 4 pathways within the apprenticeship standard:
     - Software Engineering Principles and Practices
    - Network Engineering Principles and Practices
    - Data Analytics Principles and Practices
    - Cyber Security Principles and Practices 

    You would agree your chosen pathway with your employer and your university representativeOther Principles and Practices module relating to the specialisms within the standard could be developed based on demand.

  • Negotiated Studies in Digital and Technology Solutions
    This negotiated module provides you with the opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills in a topic area of your choice within your specialism of the Digital and Technology Solutions Specialist standard.  The area chosen will to be pertinent to your personal development or the needs of your employer.  You will develop, with your tutors and employer, an individual learning contract that will define not only the content and appropriate learning materials but your own Learning Outcomes and Assessment methods as appropriate to the subject area and for the level of study. The agreed learning may be drawn from a range of academic, industry and vendor specific materials to further develop your knowledge, skills and understanding of the chosen topic area.

  • Developing Strategic Digital and Technology Solutions
    This module requires you as an apprentice to contextualise the theories and approaches covered in the Technology Strategy, and Leading Digital Transformation modules, to further enhance your specialism knowledge and skills developed in the Principles and Practices and Negotiated Studies modules by working on a strategically important Digital and Technology Solution in the workplace.

  • Digital and Technology Solutions Specialist Dissertation Project
    The final element of your Masters degree is your dissertation which provides an exciting opportunity to apply your skills and understanding in your DTS specialism to the development of a substantial and distinctive piece of written work. The emphasis is on student-led learning, but you will also be offered excellent support from an experienced supervisor. The dissertation enables you to apply the breadth of research skills necessary for the delivery of a successful project

  • Digital and Technology Solutions Specialist End Point Assessment
    The End Point Assessment of the Digital and Technology Solutions Integrated Masters Degree Apprenticeship and it apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate that they have attained the skills, knowledge and behaviours set out on the standard.
Digital Apprenticeships

Digital Apprenticeships

Video

Course Director Robin Oldham discusses the level 6 Digital Technology Solutions Professional Apprenticeship and the level 7 Digital Technology Solutions Specialist Apprenticeship

Sorry, this video requires the use of functional cookies which you have not consented to use. Change your cookie settings or watch the video on the provider's website

Entry requirements

Applicants must be employed in a role that meets the requirements of the Digital and Technology Solutions Specialist Apprenticeship Standard.

An undergraduate honours degree (grade 2:1 or above). Applicants with appropriate experience will also be considered provided you satisfy the University that you can respond to the challenge of postgraduate study.

Regardless of meeting the general requirements the following are non-negotiable:

  • Level 2 maths and English (GCSE, functional skills or equivalent)

Fees

For levy-paying organisations the cost is paid from their digital account at a rate of £21,000. For non-levy paying organisations there will be a financial contribution on 5% which equates to £1,050 per apprentice.

Delivery and assessment

Delivery

The course is delivered in a Blended Learning mode as a Distance Learning course with Face-to-Face classes at the beginning of each teaching block. The Learning content is modular structured, delivered in five main teaching blocks plus the Initial Learning Plan Proposal, Digital and Technology Solutions Specialist End Point Assessment and EPA blocks.

The main teaching blocks start with an on campus launch week followed by a number of online sessions and additional 1:1 and small group activities as required, culminating in assessment submission. Each teaching block is delivered over an extended duration of 22 weeks to facilitate both the deeper learning potential and allow for the impact of work place responsibilities that DTSS apprentices have.

Assessment

A variety of assessment methods are used throughout the course:

  • Assignments/Reflection: these are usually in essay format of varying length. Assignments must be presented in an appropriate scholarly format which develops academic writing skills.
  • Seminar/Presentation: the research, planning and presentation of findings to an audience.
  • Examinations: either multiple-choice or oral (viva voce) examinations.
  • As part of the apprenticeship and once you have completed your academic qualification, you will undertake an end point assessment (EPA). This will include professional discussions with an external assessor and must be completed within 3 months of completing your academic studies.

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support you will receive from your course teaching team, our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your learning in a number of areas. These include study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills); written English (including punctuation and grammatical accuracy); academic writing (including how to reference); research skills; critical thinking and understanding arguments; and revision, assessment and examination skills (including time management).

Additional support

Our AccessAbility Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment or learning difficulties. You will also have full access to our support services such as Student Guidance.

Feedback

Examination feedback may take a variety of formats. However, as a minimum, generic feedback will be made available to all students who take written examinations.

Responsibilities

  • Employer must not ask the apprentice to contribute financially to the direct cost of learning
  • Ensure apprentice spends at least 20% of their time in off-the-job training
  • Enter into a contract with University of Staffordshire
  • Participate in reviews with the Apprentice and university, providing evidence and feedback on progress at work and success in meeting apprenticeship milestones
  • Provide a safe, healthy and supportive environment, which meets the needs of the apprentice
  • Provide apprentices with a contract of employment for the duration of the apprenticeship on the first day of their apprenticeship and be paid at least a wage consistent with the law for both the time they are in work and in off-the-job learning
  • Provide the apprentice with paid time to attend off-the-job training, including additional support for English and Maths, or support accessed for learning difficulties and/or disabilities
  • Recognise that the apprentice must complete the apprenticeship within their working hours
  • Support the apprentice to gain new skills
  • A citizen of a country within the European Economic Area (EEA**) or have the right of abode in the UK, and have been ordinarily resident in the EEA for at least the previous three years on the first day of learning
  • Able to complete the apprenticeship in contracted working hours
  • Be an employee (have a contract of employment for the duration of the apprenticeship) on the first day of their apprenticeship and be paid at least a wage consistent with the law for both the time they are in work and in off-the-job learning
  • Be in a new job role (nine months or less), or in an existing job role, where significant new knowledge and skills are needed – employer statement of justification needed (relevant to the apprenticeship)
  • Be in full-time employment for at least 30 hours a week
  • Has the right to work in England
  • Maintain a safe, healthy and supportive environment, which meets your needs
  • Not be enrolled on another apprenticeship at the same time
  • Participate in reviews with the employer and university, providing evidence and feedback on progress at work and success in meeting apprenticeship milestones
  • Administer the funding and running of the Apprenticeship Standard to an acceptable standard of quality and in compliance with the ESFA’s requirements
  • Agree jointly between the University, the Employer and Apprentice, an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) ensuring that satisfactory progress is achieved and to ensure that the contents of the ILP fulfil the requirements of the Apprenticeship Standard
  • Provide a safe, healthy and supportive learning environment, which meets the needs of the Apprentice
  • Provide off-the-job learning and assessment and oversee the on-the-job skills development as detailed in the ILP
  • Provide support on selection of the endpoint assessor, if applicable. The endpoint assessment will be completed by the learning provider for all integrated degrees.

Careers

Cyber Security Technical Specialist, Vulnerability Tester, Network Specialist, Software Experience Lead, Senior Software Developer

Enquire

To join a higher degree apprenticeship programme or recruit an apprentice for your business, enquire with us today.

Enquire now
in the UK for Quality Education

Sustainable Development Goal 4, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021