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MBDA UK

Defence & Aerospace8 apprenticeship typesIntake2027 intake
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MBDA UK, the missile systems company, runs four-year apprenticeships starting each September in business, engineering, software and manufacturing. Apprentices rotate through placements at a UK site (Stevenage, Bristol or Bolton) and study by day release at a university or college, with all qualifications paid for. Routes run from Level 3 (project controls, manufacturing operator, finance) and Level 4 (general engineering) to degree apprenticeships in mechanical and electrical engineering, software and business management.

Programmes

1 tracked · status for the next intake that is recruiting
  • 2027 intakeApprenticeships

    Apprenticeship

    TBC, from ~Oct
    Opens
    ClosesTBC

Apprenticeship types

8 offered · degree apprenticeships first

  • Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship

    Level 6Degree

    Mechanical Engineering · 4 years

    More about this programme: Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship
    Standard
    Not published
    Qualification
    BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering
    Business areas
    Engineering
    Locations
    Stevenage

    Listed as 'Level: Degree'.

    Source for Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship

  • Electrical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship

    Level 6Degree

    Electrical Engineering · 4 years

    More about this programme: Electrical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship
    Standard
    Not published
    Qualification
    BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering
    Business areas
    Engineering
    Locations
    Stevenage

    Listed as 'Level: Degree'.

    Source for Electrical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship

  • Software Degree Apprenticeship

    Level 6Degree

    Software Engineering · 4 years

    More about this programme: Software Degree Apprenticeship
    Standard
    Digital and technology solutions professional
    Qualification
    BSc (Hons) Digital and Technology Solutions
    Business areas
    Software
    Locations
    Bristol, Bolton, Stevenage

    Listed as 'Level: Degree'.

    Source for Software Degree Apprenticeship

  • Business Management Degree Apprenticeship

    Level 6Degree

    Business Management · 4 years

    More about this programme: Business Management Degree Apprenticeship
    Standard
    Not published
    Qualification
    BA (Hons) Business and Management
    Business areas
    Business
    Locations
    Stevenage, Bolton

    Listed as 'Level: Degree'.

    Source for Business Management Degree Apprenticeship

  • General Engineering Higher Apprenticeship

    Level 4

    Engineering · 4 years

    More about this programme: General Engineering Higher Apprenticeship
    Standard
    Not published
    Qualification
    Engineering Manufacturing Technician Level 4 Diploma
    Business areas
    Engineering
    Locations
    Stevenage

    Listed as 'Level: Higher'.

    Source for General Engineering Higher Apprenticeship

  • Finance Apprenticeship

    Level 4

    Finance · 4 years

    More about this programme: Finance Apprenticeship
    Standard
    Assistant accountant (L3) then Professional accounting/taxation technician (L4)
    Qualification
    Assistant Accountant Level 3 progressing to Professional Accounting/Taxation Technician Level 4
    Business areas
    Finance
    Locations
    Bristol, Bolton, Stevenage

    Listed as 'Level: Advanced/Higher'; level shown is the highest stage.

    Source for Finance Apprenticeship

  • Project Control and Planning Apprenticeship

    Level 3

    Project Controls · 4 years

    More about this programme: Project Control and Planning Apprenticeship
    Standard
    Project controls technician
    Qualification
    Project Controls Technician
    Business areas
    Projects and Programmes
    Locations
    Stevenage

    Listed as 'Level: Advanced'.

    Source for Project Control and Planning Apprenticeship

  • Manufacturing Operator Apprenticeship

    Level 3

    Manufacturing · 4 years

    More about this programme: Manufacturing Operator Apprenticeship
    Standard
    Engineering fitter
    Qualification
    Level 3 Engineering Fitter
    Business areas
    Manufacturing and Operations
    Locations
    Bolton, Stevenage

    Listed as 'Level: Advanced'.

    Source for Manufacturing Operator Apprenticeship

MBDA UK does not publish the university or provider for any of these.

Entry requirements

Accepts UCAS pointsFrom 96 UCAS points
A levels
Not published
UCAS points
Higher apprenticeships typically 96 UCAS points; degree apprenticeships typically 120 UCAS points (subjects per advert)
GCSEs
Typically 5 GCSEs for all levels
Equivalents
Not published
Other
Each apprenticeship has its own criteria; check the job advert for GCSE subjects and UCAS tariff points

As MBDA UK publishes them; requirements differ between programmes, so check the advert before you apply.

Application process

  1. Online application
  2. Online strengths assessment (part one)
  3. Online assessment part two: job simulations
  4. Internal review
  5. Virtual assessment centre
  6. Offer
  1. 1

    Online application

    When: opens October 2026 for the 2027 programme

    Factual and role questions plus a section about you

  2. 2

    Online strengths assessment (part one)

    Personalised report afterwards

  3. 3

    Online assessment part two: job simulations

    Three video-recorded work-scenario tasks

  4. 4

    Internal review

    Hiring managers and recruiters shortlist for assessment centres

  5. 5

    Virtual assessment centre

    Half-day, strengths-based; all candidates get feedback

  6. 6

    Offer

    When: call within three weeks of the assessment day

Typical timeline

Opens
October 2026 for the 2027 programme
Closes
Not published
Assessment
Not published
Offers
Within three weeks of the assessment centre
Starts
September

Windows for the 2027 intake, September 2026 to August 2027

  • TBC, from ~OctApprenticeships

Locations and universities

Locations
Stevenage, Bristol, Bolton
Universities and training providers
Not published

Salary and benefits

Starting salary
From £18,000
Progression
Not published
Notes
Plus a £3,000 joining bonus paid in the first month's salary; annual bonus by grade and business performance
Benefits
  • £3,000 joining bonus
  • Annual bonus
  • 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, with up to 5 days' holiday purchase
  • Dynamic (flexible) working
  • Pension: 4% employee and 6% employer contributions (Mercer Master Trust)
  • Share Incentive Plan (BAE Systems shares)
  • All qualifications paid for, with day release to university or college
  • Enhanced parental leave, EAP, health cash plans and discounts

Cohort size and intakes

Intake years
2027 intake
Cohort 2027
Not published

What stands out

Every route lasts four years with rotational placements, and apprentices get a £3,000 joining bonus on top of an £18,000 starting salary, with degree options in engineering, software and business at a missile-systems maker.

Sources

Where every fact above comes from
  1. 1
    mbdacareers.co.uk/early-careers/apprenticeships

    Accessed · 4-year programmes from September, £18,000 + £3,000 bonus, programme list with levels/qualifications/locations, entry criteria, six-stage process, 2027 opens October 2026, benefits

Apprentice Atlas is not affiliated with MBDA UK. This information comes from MBDA UK’s own pages and job feeds, linked under Sources. Report an error or ask for a takedown.