Digital & Technology Solutions apprentices able to talk about your experiences?

Currently trying to decide between a CS degree and an apprenticeship in Software Engineering. I was wondering the following:

How much time was spent working vs studying?
What modules did you study as part of the apprenticeship?
Would you recommend it over a CS degree?
What projects did you work on?

I am a degree apprentice with Jaguar Land Rover doing the Digital Technology Solutions BSc Degree Apprenticeship.
In terms of time spent working vs studying it’s 80 vs 20 percent respectively. Basically all uni lectures are virtual at the minute due to COVID-19 and we have one week every four weeks doing university. We also get one day studying a week which is usually done at home. I am currently going into office and I would recommend it due to the work experience which is invaluable, debt-free degree and a salary which increases as you progress. In terms of modules we have studied so far we have done: Information Business Management Operations, Applied Maths (essentially Further Maths A Level Decision Mathematics and AS Level Statistics) and Smart Solutions Programming. We have also worked on a module known as ‘Personal Skills for Professional Excellence’ which is basically skills related to professionals. We have more modules for Y2, Y3 and Y4 of the course. Hope that answers your question - from what I’m aware JLR Degree Applications are open until 15 Feb 2021.

Hi, I am considering applying for the same degree apprenticeship. I was wondering how the social life is- is it like uni social life. Is it quite challenging? Do you meet other students in warwick from different courses? Is accommodation in warwick provided?

No it's not like uni social life although we do have meet ups with other apprentices every three or four months. Accommodation is not provided - you have to find and rent your own accommodation.

Hi, I am thinking of applying for the same apprenticeship next year, so I have 1 year to do things like projects and improve my CV. I would really appreciate it if you wouldn't mind, could you give some advice about the following:
What should I be doing in the following year to build up my CV?(I know they don't want CVs, but there is still a thing where you put things like your past work experiences)
Do you have any particular advice for the assessment centre?
What would you reccommend for me to do regulary throughout this year, to practice the online assessments, interviews and the assessment centre thing?

One of the most important things I recommend is getting relevant work experience. For example if your applying for the Software DTS program then get Software Development experience at a company (most likely local) for a week or two of work experience. I would strongly recommend talking to your Careers Advisor at School/Sixth Form/College to arrange some work experience with a local company. A project you could do can range from anything really from a website to an app - it doesn't have to be too complicated. There isn't really a way to practice the assessments apart from looking at Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Numerical tests. Don't over stress it though.

Hey : ) I am applying for Uni and degree apprenticeships in Software engineering/Digital & technology solutions
Here’s my background: I got grades BBB in chemistry Maths and Biology this year.
I’d like some help concerning my cover letter and personal statement. Here is a a summary of activities I’ve done:
1- i talked about an online software engineering work experience ( Springpod) and how it introduced me to CS, and how i found it intriguing
2- I talked about how i was passionate about animes and drawing, and then did some research about animation and how computing overlaps with drawing there ( made me appreciate that cs isn’t just a bunch of numbers but also can mix with art)
3- talked about ai and how it will be a powerful tool in the future for coders and my thoughts about it
4- I started python course and web design course on freecodecamp camp and did my first python project and I’m gonna build my personal website and talk about that too
5- bunch of extracurriculars ( and the skills they built): sixth form open evening, mentored some GCSE students in maths during sixth form. Joined my skl’s basketball academy. Was in my skls student voice. Currently working as a teaching assistant in year 1. I can speak fluently: English, Algerian Arabic, Tamazight, French. And some basic german
Things I’m considering to do : coding challenges, maybe reading A very short introduction : computer science . An online work experience on Forage.
Things to note: those were the main points i will talk about. It will also be tailored to the companies I’m gonna apply for.
Is this enough/ good ?
Anything specific i need to add / remove?
Anything more/ or extra activities i can do ?
Any tips on what unis and employers look for in particular ?
Anything to maximise my chances to getting accepted ?
Thank you so much in advance !

hi i am in the same position as you.Trying to shift from bio,chem and maths a levels to CS. what did you end up picking? I am sure with all that prep you did amazing. Thank you so much for the advice. I felt so alone in what I wanted to pursue with my A levels until now.

hi i am in the same position as you.Trying to shift from bio,chem and maths a levels to CS. what did you end up picking? I am sure with all that prep you did amazing. Thank you so much for the advice. I felt so alone in what I wanted to pursue with my A levels until now.

If you wish to ask more questions please do I’m glad that I found someone with the same background as me and going into the same industry. Did u apply for university ?

no, I am in year 12. Wish you the absolute best in your reapply tho. You deserve that spot. Lmk how it goes. I plan on focussing my super curiculars for CS in bioinformatics so I can better link my a levels to the degree and apply to degree apprenticeships at GSK and AstraZeneca to have a better chance. Is that a good plan? The thing with CS is that it is so competitive now like cs a level was full at my school by September which didn't used to happen. So many people do physics, CS and maths and it's harder to compete with them. That scares me so much. If you don't mind me asking, what are you going to do differently in your application this year?
thanks,
maria

no, I am in year 12. Wish you the absolute best in your reapply tho. You deserve that spot. Lmk how it goes. I plan on focussing my super curiculars for CS in bioinformatics so I can better link my a levels to the degree and apply to degree apprenticeships at GSK and AstraZeneca to have a better chance. Is that a good plan? The thing with CS is that it is so competitive now like cs a level was full at my school by September which didn't used to happen. So many people do physics, CS and maths and it's harder to compete with them. That scares me so much. If you don't mind me asking, what are you going to do differently in your application this year?
thanks,
maria

It’s true that degree apprenticeships are way more competitive now, but not impossible so I’m sure that if you work hard you’ll get what u deserve for me I made the mistake of applying to 30+ companies, which meant that it was really about quantity and not quantity, my applications were very generic and wasn’t tailored perfectly to each company, they were kinda rushed. This time I wanna make sure I tick all boxes and complete everything properly, as well as writing each bc and cover letter tailored to the company and do my research, and bring my number of applications to 10-15, so I can have time to make quality work and focus. I really hope that this time it will turn out well because last years strategy burnt me out so much haha

Ahh.well now you know what to do.I think I am gonna go for a CS degree but if I do apply for degree apprentiships,I have a GSK,AstraZeneca,autolus and Gene catapult+a big science catalyst place with like 20 other pharma startups near where I live so I will tailor it to them.Then apply to all the MBDA,airbus ones even with a too just to increase chances.

Ahh.well now you know what to do.I think I am gonna go for a CS degree but if I do apply for degree apprentiships,I have a GSK,AstraZeneca,autolus and Gene catapult+a big science catalyst place with like 20 other pharma startups near where I live so I will tailor it to them.Then apply to all the MBDA,airbus ones even with a too just to increase chances.I am rooting for you.You will get those degree apprentiships.

Sounds like a good plan I wish you all the best with it, lemme know how it goes ! I would love to hear updates on your progress!