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MSc Digital & Technology Solutions
Digital &
Technology Solutions
Specialist
Degree apprenticeship
Distance learning
Our unique, experience-driven programme provides your team members with the skills they need to lead data-driven business improvement initiatives. Apprentices can choose from a broad range of specialisms and become strategic leaders in digital transformation for your organization.
Key information
Apprenticeship standard
Digital and Technology Solutions Specialist (ST0482)
Full-time or part-time
46 weeks per year (typically one day a week off-the-job)
Start date
April, October, December
Course length
21-24 months
Degree
MSc Digital & Technology Solutions
Location
Distance learning
Up to 1 week of in-person training in the second year in London
End-point assessment
Integrated
Why choose this degree apprenticeship programme?
The Digital and Technology Solutions Specialist programme of study allows your team members to tailor their learning to a rich variety of specialist pathways. They’ll have the option to focus on a pathway that best fits your organization’s specific needs, with specialisms in:
- Data analytics
- Software engineering
- IT strategy
- IT project management
- IT business analysis
- System test and assurance
- Cybersecurity
- Enterprise systems architecture
This programme focuses on developing high level strategic skills needed in specialist roles across the fields of IT, engineering, data, and digital management. The skills your apprentices will gain are relevant for a wide range of sectors such as banking, retail, the pharmaceutical industry and government.
We have integrated Google Cloud Skills training to provide additional opportunities for certification. This provides apprentices with access to industry-leading cloud computing expertise and certification pathways, further enhancing their professional development and market competitiveness.
We’re committed to providing career development opportunities for people from under-represented groups – helping employers build diverse teams that can innovate by drawing on a range of backgrounds and experience.
Who is this apprenticeship for?
This programme is designed to be integrated with full-time work, offering an efficient route to master’s degree qualification. It’s suitable for individuals who already hold a relevant undergraduate degree who are interested in developing their digital skills, or for experienced professionals seeking to develop their knowledge and skills and gain a formal qualification.
Programme overview
What apprentices will study
This Master’s degree programme will provide you with leadership skills fit for the future, and the ability to harness emerging technologies such as AI to drive your organisation’s success.
By the end of the programme apprentices will be able to:
- Create digital system architectures for online, cloud and mobile platforms, evaluating options and recommending the best solution according to business needs.
- Put in place architecture governance frameworks, technical principles and strategies for dealing with risks.
- Create clear architecture documentation and roadmaps and be able to explain different solutions and their value to different audiences.
- Develop innovative digital solutions by thoroughly analysing business processes and identifying opportunities for improvement.
- Navigate project management complexities by applying key frameworks and models that reflect real-world workplace environments.
- Work with implementation teams to deliver new architectures, managing people’s expectations and resolving conflicting needs as part of this process.
Courses
Summary
The courses outlined below are indicative of those planned for learners starting their apprenticeships in the 2025-26 academic year. Courses are subject to change in line with industry needs and apprenticeship requirements.
In addition to the courses below, at the beginning of the programme there is a Virtual Induction week where apprentices are expected to be available full-time for off- the-job learning.
- Data–Driven Analytics (30 credits)
- IT Business Strategy and Lifecycle (30 credits)
- Advanced IT Project Management (30 credits)
- Advanced Software Engineering (30 credits)
- System Testing (30 credits)
- Enterprise Systems Architecture (30 credits)
- Cyber Defence and Threat Management (30 credits)
- Data Analytics specialism: Data Analytics Capstone Project
- IT Business Analysis Specialism: IT Business Analysis Capstone Project
- IT Strategy Specialism: IT Strategy Capstone Project
- IT Project Management Specialism: IT Project Management Capstone Project
- Software Engineering Specialism: Software Engineering Capstone Project System
- Test and Assurance Specialism: System Test and Assurance Capstone Project
- Digital Business and Enterprise Systems Architecture Specialism: Digital Business and Enterprise Systems Architecture Capstone Project
- Cybersecurity Specialism: Cybersecurity Capstone Project
The learning experience
Our degree apprenticeship programmes offer:
- Innovative, self-paced learning that blends interactive case studies, quizzes, and games
- Structured workplace activities so your employees can apply their learning in the real world
- Online seminars
- In-person bootcamps
- 1:1 sessions with our academic experts
- Access to industry-leading tools, technology and methods
We pride ourselves on our ability to offer personal attention. Apprentices will have access to:
- A dedicated Success Manager Team, who’ll support apprentices and their line managers from day one through to graduation.
- Subject-specialist course leaders to help learners achieve their full potential.
- Opportunities to learn from peers in different industries and organisations, including social learning activities and small group seminars.
- Options to tailor learning to their workplace, including closed cohorts, guest speakers, industry-specific case studies and bespoke modules.
Entry requirements
Standard offer
To study for this degree apprenticeship with us, you must be employed in a suitable role with responsibilities aligned to the Digital & Technology Solutions Specialist apprenticeship standard.
We set entrance requirements for our apprenticeships in partnership with employers on a case-by-case basis. Typically, apprentices will need to have:
- A degree-level award in a STEM subject at 2:2 or above
- Three A-levels (or equivalent) at BBB or above (preferably in business, Economics or STEM subjects)
We will also consider prior learning and skills developed in the workplace if you don’t have the traditional qualifications listed above. If this is the case, you should follow our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy.
Qualifying for apprenticeship funding
To be eligible for funding, apprentices must fulfill the following requirements and provide all necessary documentation and evidence before their application can be processed and considered for approval.
To be eligible for funding, apprentices must:
- Meet the government’s residency requirements – this usually means applicants must have been living in the UK for the past three years.
- Have left full-time education before the apprenticeship start date.
- Be able to complete their apprenticeship, including the end-point assessment, within applicable time constraints (for example, a visa or fixed-term contract.)
- Be at least 16 years old.
Workforce development
Building capacity across your organisation
Developed with leading employers, the Digital & Technology Solutions Specialist apprenticeship equips professionals with the skills to stay ahead in their industry and help your organisation succeed. Apprentices will gain:
- Key skills in leadership, strategic planning and decision-making
- Support to take on new responsibilities, developing their career and bolstering employee retention
- 1:1 support to help set and reach the goals that matter most in their role
- Critical thinking skills
- Collaborative skills essential for organisational success
What roles is this apprenticeship relevant for?
You’ll find Digital & Technology Solutions Specialists in a broad range of organisations and sectors.
This apprenticeship is relevant for people whose roles involve:
- Maintaining digital and technology strategies for their organisation
- Identifying, evaluating and implementing strategic tech solutions for their organisation
- Directing the provision of digital technology in line with their organisation’s needs and strategy
Support for Apprentices
We work closely with our apprentices and employers to ensure you’re fully supported from day one of your journey with us. Apprentices will receive:
- Personalised guidance from a dedicated Success Manager Team
- Regular review meetings
- 1:1 bookable office hours with their course leads
- Additional learning support provided by our Student Support Team, complemented by access to external services where helpful
Support for Employers
Line managers and employers also benefit from:
- Regular manager forums
- Training and induction sessions
- Comprehensive reporting to help your apprenticeship scheme stay on track
Register your interest
Does your organisation have skills gaps to fill? Connect with our expert team to see how apprenticeships could be your solution.
Frequently asked questions
The information here is for organisations employing apprentices. If you’re interested in an apprenticeship, but not yet in a suitable role, you’ll need to apply directly to an employer. Vacancies with our employer partners are usually advertised on the government’s Find an Apprenticeship service or on company websites. For a head start, you can check out our application tips.
If you’re an employer or manager looking to upskill a member of your team (or an individual already employed in a relevant role), you can register your interest by booking a consultation call with our business development team. They’ll guide you through the process and help you determine the best approach for your organisation.
If the prospective apprentice is employed in a suitable role, they can join the next cohort that works for you. We have regular intakes in October, January and April. Applications typically close 4 weeks before each start date, so register your interest early to ensure enough time to get your employee onboarded.
No – apprentices can schedule most of their studies around work commitments. Some activities like exams and in-person bootcamps have fixed dates, which we’ll share in the programme timetable before you start.
As part of our application process, we undertake an initial assessment process with prospective apprentices to identify if our programme is sufficiently aligned to the employee’s role. We’ll work closely with apprentices and their line managers to make sure your learning is relevant, and that there are plenty of opportunities to apply new skills. This will include structured workplace activities to support your progress, and regular check-ins between our Success Managers and apprentices’ line managers.
All our programmes are designed to be accessible from the start. Our Student Support Team will provide apprentices with personalised support, where applicable, and we can also arrange Clear Links support workers or tailored learning support plans to help learners reach their full potential. If you would like to discuss a particular learning need for one of your employees in more detail, please book a call with our apprenticeship team.
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