Digital Technology Solutions Professional (DTSP) Degree Apprenticeship (Starting between August 2026 and Juy 2027

The Digital Technology Solutions Professional Degree Apprenticeship is offered at Yeovil College across the Software Engineering, Network Engineering, and Data Analyst Pathways. Study for any of these pathways includes study of both a Foundation Degree (FD) and a BSc (Hons) Top-Up Degree in Computing. For full information about these specific qualifications, please visit the corresponding web listings. The FD and BSc Computing programmes are designed to equip learners with the knowledge, high-level cognitive skills, and familiarity with tools & techniques that will open a range of doors across the job market. Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to critically analyse business requirements and design effective IT solutions using techniques from systems analysis, knowledge of software architecture and data analysis. Through independent and rigorous research, culminating in a research project or dissertation, and by applying specialised knowledge learners, will solve identified real world industrial issues.

The FD and BSc (Hons) components are taught on-site at our Yeovil College campus. In the first two years of the programme (Levels 4 and 5), learners will typically be timetabled for two days per week at College. For the second two years (Level 6), learners will typically be timetabled for one day per week at College.

For the academic components of the course, will study a range of units that will develop your specialist knowledge and skills, totalling 120 Credits (or 'CATS') per level at Level 4, Level 5 and Level 6. Modules currently offered are listed below, and include one pathway-specific module at Level 6, depending on the apprenticeship pathway the learner is following.

Level 4

• - Project Management (30 CATS)
• - Software Development (15 CATS)
• - Networking Fundamentals (30 CATS)
• - Relational Database Development (15 CATS)
• - Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence (15 CATS)
• - Computer Architecture (15 CATS)

Level 5

• - Research Project (30 CATS)
• - Machine Learning and Ethics (30 CATS)
• - Systems Analysis (30 CATS)
• - Software Architecture (15 CATS)
• - Digital Technologies (15 CATS)

Level 6

• - Cloud Computing (15 CATS)
• - Cyber Security (15 CATS)
• - Web Applications Development (15 CATS)
• - Research Methods (15 CATS)
• - End Point Assessment Project (30 CATS)
• - Either Advanced Programming (30 CATS), Advanced Network Design (30 CATS), or Advanced Data Analysis (30 CATS), depending on whether learner is on Software Engineering, Network Engineering, or Data Analyst pathway.

Please be aware that modules studied may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline or in response to student and stakeholder feedback. Students can always find the most up-to-date information about their modules and who is teaching them in the course handbook.

A typical week for a student in Years 1 and 2 (Levels 4 and 5 of the programme) has around 9-12 hours of contact time in taught sessions, which moves to 4-5 hours per week in years 3 and 4 (Level 6 of the programme), plus additional 1-1 support available by student request. As with all HE programmes, students are required to take ownership of their learning and development and should expect to spend time studying and completing assessment tasks with independence outside of lectures. As a rough guide, between timetabled sessions and independent work, a full-time student should expect to spend around 1,200 hours studying each academic year, and part-time students should expect to spend roughly half this amount.

Each module will include assessments that will need to be completed by set deadlines. More information on assessment methods is included in the ""How will I be assessed?"" section below.

Additional Costs: Throughout the course there are opportunities to undertake trips and visits to industry exposition events and trade shows. Whilst these are not mandatory, they will enrich the learning experience. Students would be expected to fund their own travel to and from such events.

In addition, it expected that students will have access to a device (ideally a laptop) of a high enough specification to run virtual machines, network simulators, cyber-security simulators, IDEs (Integrated Development Environments), and undertake database analysis. This will allow students to install and configure software directly and will support in their undertaking of assignment work. Students are welcome to discuss device specifications in more detail at interview, or can contact the University Centre office who will put them in touch with the curriculum team.

Individual employers will set the recruitment and selection criteria for their Apprenticeships. However, for the academic elements of the programme, our suggested entry criteria are below.

Typical entry requirements are 48 UCAS tariff points in a related subject area from two A levels or equivalent, T Levels, BTEC Level 3 Diplomas, or a Access to HE Diploma. UCAS points from other qualifications, such as the International Baccalaureate, Scottish Highers, or Advanced Highers are generally accepted.

Grade 4 (C) in GCSE English and Maths (or equivalent) is required.

International applicants will be required to evidence English language skills - this could be an IELTS score of 7.0, with a minimum score of 6.5 in each component, a grade 4 in GCSE English (or equivalent), or having recently completed a Level 3 qualification taught and assessed in the English language.