Manufacturing Engineer
Developing the engineering innovators of the future.
The knowledge and behaviours to excel within the engineering industry starts here. The Manufacturing Engineer Degree Apprenticeship provides advanced skills and manufacturing techniques to meet the evolving demands of the industry, futureproofing careers and futureproofing your organisation’s talent pipeline.
Apprentices benefit from a work-based programme that blends academic study with on-the-job training, gaining a BEng (Hons) Manufacturing Engineering degree with no tuition fees to pay.
For employers it’s a cost-effective investment into their employees professional development. Whether that’s upskilling current staff or attracting promising new recruits, the cost of training is funded through the Levy or with government support.
Why apprenticeships at ARU?
We’ll help you reap the benefits of talent acquisition through apprenticeships.
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Apprentices learn to collaborate with other engineers
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Focus on product design and manufacturing processes
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Gain competent manufacturing engineers
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Instil your organisation's working culture from the get-go
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Apprentices learn to manage projects
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Work-based nature delivers impact in the workplace as they learn
of employers say apprentices bring fresh ideas and new perspectives.
Source: ARU degree apprenticeships impact report
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Employer partners Joe, Dan, Emma and Tim explain why ARU apprenticeships work so well for their organisations, and highlight the benefits for SMEs and larger businesses.
We’ll help you launch your career as a manufacturing engineer.
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Build valuable skills in product design and manufacturing processes
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Develop advanced skills for evolving industry demands
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Holistic approach combines theoretical concepts with technical proficiency
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Study for a BEng (Hons) degree, no tuition fees
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Potential to become a Chartered Engineer with further learning
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Support and mentorship from your employer and ARU
say curriculum relevant to their job.
Source: ARU degree apprenticeships impact report
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Let our amazing apprentices inspire you! Kerry, Grace, Izabela, Ben, Rachel and Fleur explain what they love about doing an apprenticeship with ARU.
Talent development
The Manufacturing Engineer Degree Apprenticeship strengthens and develops existing staff, emerging talent or new recruits into competent professional manufacturing engineers.
It’s for those already working as manufacturing engineers looking for degree level recognition. It’s for new in-post recruits, ready to prove their potential through a structured work-based programme. It’s right for your staff ready to change their career path to be involved in launch planning and delivery of exciting new products.
Recruitment support for employers
Our dedicated apprenticeship team is on hand to help you attract the best candidates for your organisation. We can help with:
- crafting job advertisements
- promoting your vacancy to our quality candidate mailing lists
- adding your vacancy to the National Apprenticeship Service
- sharing opportunities across our social media channels.
Our consultants can also help you to assess candidates' suitability.
Creating a world-class apprenticeship
See how we helped Cambridge University Press recruit for their brand new degree apprenticeship.
This apprenticeship helps you build the skills and confidence to progress as a manufacturing engineer.
Because the course follows the industry-approved Manufacturing Engineer Apprenticeship Standard, you’ll gain the knowledge, skills and behaviours employers value. Ultimately, setting you up for stronger performance, more responsibility and clear career progression.
Programme content
Delivered by experts, blending online and face-to-face learning.
This apprenticeship helps your employees build strong, practical skills in product design, manufacturing processes and project delivery. They learn to plan and launch new products, work confidently with cross-functional teams and suppliers, and solve real problems on the job.
This course gives you a broad foundation in product design and manufacturing processes, combining theory with hands-on workplace learning.
You’ll develop the technical skills needed to support the move from design to manufacture, including launch planning, quality control and working across engineering teams and suppliers.
You’ll apply what you learn to real projects in your job, building confidence and problem-solving skills while gaining a clear understanding of modern manufacturing environments. By the end, you’ll be equipped to contribute to new product launches and progress your career as a manufacturing engineer.
Entry requirements
Employers set out the person specifications for the role, but apprentices will need to meet our entry requirements to be accepted onto this course.
- A minimum of 3 GCSEs including Level 2 English and Maths or equivalent qualifications and meet age-related English and Maths requirements as outlined by the DfE.*
- Evidence of 96 UCAS Tariff Points including at least two subjects at A Level or other Level 3 equivalent, eg BTEC National Certificate/Diploma attracting at least 96 UCAS points or successful completion of the Foundation Year course at Level 3 offered by ARU Peterborough, including the relevant optional module(s) in Engineering.**
- Advanced entry will be considered for students who have completed HNC/D in Engineering with average merit grade or higher.
- A completed Skills Scan and Initial Assessment discussion.
*All applicants must meet the eligibility criteria outlined by the DfE Apprenticeship Funding Rules applicable at the start of the course. If you have any questions about these entry requirements, please contact [email protected]
**We will consider applications on their individual merits where engineering work experience can be evidenced in place of Level 3 qualifications.
Fees and funding
Degree apprenticeships are a smart investment. You can reinvest Levy funds to cover the cost of an apprenticeship or receive funding support from the Government.
If you operate in England and your annual payroll is over £3m, you pay a levy of 0.5% of your payroll into a levy account.
Apprenticeships are paid for by your employer. You won’t pay any tuition fees on this course.
Our team of experts is here to help form your organisation’s apprenticeship offering and guide you through the process.
Speak to your employer about this course and how it could be beneficial for your development.
Our expert consultants can meet with you and your employer to make setting up simple and straightforward.
Finding an apprenticeship role
To start an apprenticeship, you need to be in a suitable role and have the support of your employer.