BSc (Hons) Digital and Technology Solutions: Network Engineering full time

Bachelor's degree

In Bolton

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    Bachelor's degree

  • Location

    Bolton

  • Duration

    3 Years

  • Start date

    Different dates available

Our BSc (Hons) Digital and Technology Solutions: Network Engineering (Degree Apprenticeship Route) is designed to support the development of network engineers that will perfectly match the current and future digital technology needs of your organisation. You can offer structured on-the-job training and internationally recognised qualifications in network engineering, helping you attract the best new talent and retain valued staff through career progression. Studying flexibly alongside work will allow your apprentices to put their new skills and understanding into practice immediately, benefitting your organisation without delay.

Network engineering focuses on the design, configuration, management and support of all types of computer networks. Your apprentices will spend 80% of their time at work and 20% at the University, usually on a day-release basis. Throughout this course, we’ll guide them as they develop technical knowledge, applied skills and hands-on experience with a range of industry-standard hardware and software. They will also build a portfolio of evidence representing the projects and tasks they have completed while working as part of your team.

Our expert and dedicated team will cover network architecture and management, network design and integration, routing, computer security, network operating systems, programming, wide area networks and wireless networks and security. By underpinning our content and assignments with a strong industrial focus, we foster a keen understanding of the customer-service environment, and help your apprentices develop essential skills such as team-working, communication and time management.

If you’re looking for undergraduate-level training in this subject area but don’t work for an employer who is offering apprenticeships, please see our related courses section for details of study opportunities that don’t require current employment.

Facilities

Location

Start date

Bolton (Greater Manchester)
See map
Deane Road, BL3 5AB

Start date

Different dates availableEnrolment now open

About this course

The BSc (Hons) Digital and Technology Solutions: Network Engineering (Degree Apprenticeship Route) is designed to meet the “Trailblazer” Degree Apprenticeship Standard for Digital and Technology Solutions Professional. Developed by employers in collaboration with higher education institutions, the standard underpins a highly relevant qualification and professional development pathway that educates network engineers who possess the deep technical understanding of networks and operating systems required to effectively secure networks and computers against internal and external threats.

Employers can expect graduate apprentices to have developed a wide range of technical, professional and interpersonal skills, such as customer-focus, attention to detail, team working, communication and analytical skills, time management, organisation and lifelong learning.

What Can I Do With This Qualification?
Graduate apprentices from this programme should prove valuable to private, public and third sector organisations of all sizes and across the full spectrum of industries. On successful completion of the end point assessment after completion of the course, apprentices will be well prepared for a career in network engineering and to work their way up to positions of greater responsibility, such as network architect, network controller or senior network manager.

They will also be ready to progress to postgraduate-level study in subjects such as cyber security or digital forensics, or study towards additional IT certification from organisations such as Cisco, CompTIA or Microsoft, in order to develop their expertise further. Studying for a PhD or professional doctorate is another option.

The applicant’s Level 3 subjects must include a technology related subject; for instance, A-level Mathematics or BTEC Extended Diploma in Computing.

Applicants should also have five GCSEs grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent) including English and Mathematics.

If an applicant doesn’t possess GCSEs in English and Mathematics at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9, or hold an equivalent such as Functional Skills Level 2 in Literacy and Numeracy, they will be asked to complete initial assessments for English and mathematics.

This Degree Apprenticeship skillfully combines study in our vibrant higher education environment with practical and focused work-based learning and experience in your organisation.
Course materials are available online, allowing your apprentices to prepare work at home and make the most of the highly interactive in-class tuition.
Our approach to teaching and learning is ‘student-centred’, so we’ll work with your apprentices on an individual basis, providing tailored help and support throughout their studies.
By studying alongside apprentices from other digital technology specialisms or alternative industrial sectors, your apprentices can benefit from a wider range of knowledge and experience that supports cross-disciplinary thinking.
The apprenticeship offers a comprehensive overview of key network engineering principles and methods. In the final year, an option module allows you (or your apprentice) to choose one of several focused topics.
Quarterly and annual reviews, where each apprentice, their workplace mentor and a member of our team meet to assess your apprentice’s progress, promote continuing conversation between your workplace and the University. This helps to ensure the success of your apprentices and maximise the value of their studies to your organisation.

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Subjects

  • IT
  • Networks
  • Network
  • Network Training
  • Security
  • IT Security
  • Design
  • IT Management
  • Management
  • Project
  • Skills and Training
  • Full Time
  • Cisco
  • CCNA
  • Operating Systems
  • Teaching
  • University
  • Team Training
  • Engineering
  • Industry

Course programme

Modules

Modules listed below are a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules as part of the course.
  • Programming and Scripting
  • Networking Principles
  • Technology in Practice
  • Networks and Security
  • Scaling Networks
  • Advanced Operating Systems
  • Technology in Action
  • Business Software Development
  • Synoptic Project
  • Operations Management
  • Network Management
Teaching, Learning And Assessment

To make this course as beneficial as possible for you and your apprentices, we apply a range of learning, teaching and assessment methods. These are designed to fully engage apprentices, helping them to develop the skills, knowledge, self-awareness and behaviours essential to become a network engineer. Learning focuses on your workplace environment, and builds the transferable body of knowledge and skills demanded of a graduate network engineer, and how to apply this expertise within your organisation.

Teaching is structured to allow day-release study. The programme is divided into a number of modules, some based at the University while others are work-based. Your apprentices will spend approximately 80% of their time in the workplace, with the other 20% of their time being devoted to off-the-job training and university learning.

For the modules based at the University, apprentices will be required to attend timetabled lectures, seminars, workshops, demonstrations, practical sessions and tutorials. Learning will also be supported by the University's virtual learning environment, Moodle.

For the work-based modules, your apprentices will need to build a portfolio of evidence about the work they do and the projects they undertake in the workplace. Crucially they must demonstrate learning in this portfolio that meets the objectives required of the module. Your organisation will need to work with the University’s academic supervisor to agree a range of projects and activities that offer suitable development opportunities for your apprentice.

For all modules, apprentices will also be expected to allocate significant time to independent and self-directed studies. For example, background reading, revisiting practical work, preparing for seminars, and working on assignments will support their timetabled learning and develop good habits for lifelong learning.

We assess each apprentice’s individual performance through a strategic blend of assignments, projects, in-class tests, examinations and presentations. Some assessments contribute to their final module marks, while others are designed to help them identify their strengths and weaknesses, and show where they need to seek extra support from course tutors.

In addition to the assessments associated with the degree programme, apprentices will undertake the synoptic end point assessment, at the end of the apprenticeship period. This is designed to ensure they meet all the requirements of the Degree Apprenticeship standard.

The widely recognised Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) curriculum is embedded in the course. Over four modules, apprentices will be expected to study the Cisco CCNA materials and practical exercises needed to prepare for the Cisco CCNA qualification. Completing each of the four modules successfully will earn them a Cisco Certificate. If they complete Cisco’s final CCNA assessment they will gain the industry-standard CCNA qualification. The CCNA exam can be taken at the University of Bolton as we are an authorised Cisco Test Centre.

Disclaimer

The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up to date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.

BSc (Hons) Digital and Technology Solutions: Network Engineering full time

Price on request