Broadcast and Media Systems Engineer (Integrated Degree Apprenticeship) - IFA Certificate / BEng (Hons)
Currently viewing course to start in 2025/26 Entry.
Degree Apprenticeships combine University study and work-based learning to enable you as an apprentice to gain a full bachelor’s degree. This provision of an academic undergraduate degree is integrated with experience, practice and learning in the workplace. You will have paid employment status and do not pay any training costs or student fees....
- Level Apprenticeship
- Study mode Blended Learning
- Award IFA Certificate / BEng (Hons)
- Start date September 2025
- Subjects
- Location City Centre
This course is:
Overview
Degree Apprenticeships combine University study and work-based learning to enable you as an apprentice to gain a full bachelor’s degree. This provision of an academic undergraduate degree is integrated with experience, practice and learning in the workplace. You will have paid employment status and do not pay any training costs or student fees. Degree Apprenticeships are co-designed by employers ensuring that you are equipped with the skills employers need and for your future career.
The Standard and Assessment Plan for the Degree Apprenticeship in Broadcast and Media Systems Engineering1 have been designed by employers in the Broadcast Industries and include Arqiva, BBC Academy, Creative Skillset, IABM, Hattrick, BT Group, Bauer Media, BBC, Suitcase TV, Panasonic, dB Broadcast, The IET, International Moving Image Society, High Definition & Digital Cinema Ltd., Ericsson, Babcock International, ITV, Sky and Digital UK.
The apprenticeship standard contains an end-point assessment (EPA), which is a synoptic assessment of the knowledge, skills and behaviours that you have learnt throughout the apprenticeship. This will be provided by a registered end-point assessment organisation and delivered according to the published Apprenticeship Assessment Plan. The purpose of the end-point assessment is to make sure you meet the standard set by employers and are fully competent in the occupation. It is taken by you at the very end of the course when we are satisfied that you have met the “gateway” criteria to undertake the assessment. End-point-assessments are graded and an apprenticeship certificate is only awarded after end-point assessment is successfully completed.
To support the end-point assessment you are to develop a portfolio of evidence. The intention is that this portfolio will provide a record of the specific skills and knowledge you have developed, and to provide an opportunity to reflect on your personal development. Given the pace of change in technology, it is critical that you are self-aware and can self-manage your own professional development, and become a reflective practitioner. The requirement to reflect on your progress throughout the apprenticeship degree combined with formative feedback will develop the necessary skills and self-discipline to support this. The portfolio will be developed over all three years but be formally assessed as part of the EPA. Regular reviews will take place and personal tutors and work based mentors will help guide you in the development of this portfolio.
As an integrated apprenticeship the end-point assessment is tied into the degree course through a final year Professional Practice Development module, this module provides a final focus on personal development and review that has taken place throughout the apprenticeship.
The Degree Apprenticeship for the occupation of Broadcast and Media Systems Engineer at Birmingham City University leads to a BEng (Hons) Broadcast and Communications Engineering.
The degree course has been designed to give a varied skill-set, preparing you for the ever-changing world of broadcasting and increasing your employability on graduation.
Broadcast and Communications Engineering encompasses an exciting and varied range of roles. Broadcast engineers are responsible for maintaining the quality of service across all aspects of broadcasting, whether ensuring a transmitter stays operational, or making sure that audio and visual feeds and general equipment are working and that computer systems are effective.
How to apply
You apply for a degree apprenticeship in the same way you apply for a normal job. You’ll need to submit an application to the recruiting employer.
Employers advertise degree apprenticeships throughout the year and there is no application cycle like there is with university applications. The vacancy will state when the application deadline is, and when the apprenticeship is due to start.
You cannot apply directly to the University for a degree apprenticeship. To be eligible for an apprenticeship, you first need to be employed as an apprentice in a suitable and relevant job. Your employer would then make contact with CEBEApprenticeships@bcu.ac.uk to start the onboarding process.
Find an Apprenticeship is the government website where the majority of apprenticeship vacancies are advertised. It only shows live jobs (so it won’t tell you previous vacancies, nor what’s coming up), so you will need to check it regularly to see new vacancies as the employers advertise them.
What is a degree apprenticeship?
Higher and degree apprenticeships are an exciting new way to gain a recognised qualification while working full-time and gaining experience in the workplace. These courses are a high-quality alternative to a traditional university degree, combining a university education with workplace experience.
See details of the relevant Apprenticeship standard.
To be eligible for an apprenticeship, you would need to be employed in a suitable and relevant job and your employer would send a nomination form along with other paperwork to CEBEApprenticeships@bcu.ac.uk before 31 May 2023 for a September 2023 start.
What's covered in this course?
On completing this degree apprenticeship, you will be ready to take on a range of roles, such as supporting audio and video content capture, working on production processes or supporting the distribution of content over cable, satellite and terrestrial networks or via internet streaming.
What's covered?
- Our BEng (Hons) Broadcast and Communications Engineering course will equip you to face the demands of today’s rapidly evolving broadcast industry.
- You will develop a wide range of skills and study technologies including: signal processing; coding and transmission; media compression; media storage; asset management; production and distribution system architectures; internet and web technologies for media production and transmission; personalised and interactive services; and broadcast standards.
The course comprises four main themes:
- Audio and video: the technologies which produce and process broadcast signals.
- Computing: programming and computing architectures, data storage, retrieval and security.
- Networks: routing for IP networks, quality of service and network security.
- Electrical and electronic engineering: the foundation technologies of circuitry and power distribution, and communication.
Why study on a higher or degree apprenticeship?
Essentially, you get the best of both worlds – all the academic challenge of a highly regarded degree, alongside a full-time wage and your first step on the career ladder with a prestigious employer.
You will work with and make connections with people in your chosen industry who can help you achieve your career goals in the future. And at the end of the course, you will have three years' work experience, a degree-level qualification, and you won’t owe any tuition fees.
Apprenticeship Course Requirements
Level 4
In order to complete this apprenticeship a learner must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
| Module Name | Credit Value |
|---|---|
| AV Acquisition and Presentation | 20 |
| Broadcast Technology | 20 |
| Computer Systems | 20 |
| Computer Networks | 20 |
| Engineering Mathematics | 20 |
| Electrical and Electronic Principles | 20 |
Level 5
In order to complete this apprenticeship a learner must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
| Module Name | Credit Value |
|---|---|
| Audio and Video Processing | 20 |
| Computer Programming for Engineers | 20 |
| Database Technology | 20 |
| Computer Networks and IP Distribution 1 | 20 |
| Computer Networks and IP Distribution 2 | 20 |
| Principles of Communications Engineering | 20 |
Level 6
In order to complete this apprenticeship a learner must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
| Module Name | Credit Value |
|---|---|
| Individual Honours Project | 40 |
| Professional Practice Development | 20 |
| Broadcast Workflow and Distribution Systems | 20 |
| Quality of Service | 20 |
| Broadcast Communications | 20 |
Facilities & Staff
Our Facilities
We are constantly investing in our estate and are currently in the process of spending £260 million on new learning facilities. This course will be taught at Millennium Point at the City Centre Campus.
The course is supported with a wide range of cutting-edge facilities in the City Centre Campus. We have a state-of-the-art computer games technology lab which contains high-performance PCs, Sony PlayStation development kits and a range of industry standard software including Unity, Unreal and a suite of professional Microsoft development tools.
We also have many open access areas where students can study together and even hire out laptops for use in these spaces and others within the university.
Within the University there are many internationally recognised research teams giving you the opportunity to collaborate with them on exciting interdisciplinary projects.
Computer networking
The laboratories are well-equipped for all our computer networking courses, as well as specialist areas for practical work such as voice-over internet protocol (VoIP), forensic and ethical hacking technologies, wireless and mobile technologies and radio frequency identification technologies to name but a few.
Software development and computer programming
There are a number of open access, software development and computer programming laboratories that can be used to develop systems and programmes, including database management systems such as MySQL, to name but a few.
Systems laboratories
Our embedded systems laboratories are used to develop real-time systems, such as specialist hardware training and development resources, and industrial-standard software development and simulation tools. These include microcontroller software and robotics design and development, to name but a few.
Electronic systems
To underpin the basic principles of electronic systems, we have a well-equipped laboratory of general and specialist test and measurement kits, including powered prototyping development boards, dual power supplies, frequency generators and counters and digital multi-meters to name but a few.
Forensic computing
Our successful development of forensic computing has led to a specialist forensics laboratory that is fully equipped with essential hardware and software for this sensitive area of study. The laboratory includes high-spec PCs with built-in multi interface Tableau write blockers, EnCase and FTK computer forensic software and steganography detection and analysis software, to name but a few.