Network Rail
Network Rail recruits apprentices at Level 3, Level 4 and Level 6 (integrated degree) across rail engineering, signalling, civil and electrical engineering, digital, AI, project management, finance, HR and operations, plus a separate engineering apprenticeship in Scotland. Apprentices are employed across Britain's rail network and combine work with college or part-time university study.
Programmes
- 2027 intakeEngineering Apprenticeship (Scotland)TBCOpensTBCClosesTBC
- 2027 intakeLevel 3 Finance ApprenticeshipTBCOpensTBCClosesTBC
- 2027 intakeLevel 3 HR Support ApprenticeshipTBCOpensTBCClosesTBC
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- 2027 intakeLevel 4 Project Management ApprenticeshipTBCOpensTBCClosesTBC
- 2027 intakeLevel 6 Civil Engineering ApprenticeshipTBCOpensTBCClosesTBC
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- 2027 intakeLevel 6 Project Management ApprenticeshipTBCOpensTBCClosesTBC
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Apprenticeship types
Level 6 Digital and Technology Solutions Apprenticeship
Level 6DegreeSource for Level 6 Digital and Technology Solutions ApprenticeshipLevel 6 Machine Learning (AI) Engineering Apprenticeship
Level 6DegreeSource for Level 6 Machine Learning (AI) Engineering ApprenticeshipLevel 6 Electrical and Electronic Engineer Apprenticeship
Level 6DegreeSource for Level 6 Electrical and Electronic Engineer ApprenticeshipLevel 6 Civil Engineering Apprenticeship
Level 6DegreeSource for Level 6 Civil Engineering ApprenticeshipLevel 6 Rail & Rail Systems Engineering Apprenticeship (Signalling)
Level 6DegreeSource for Level 6 Rail & Rail Systems Engineering Apprenticeship (Signalling)Level 6 Rail & Rail Systems Engineer Apprenticeship (Track)
Level 6DegreeSource for Level 6 Rail & Rail Systems Engineer Apprenticeship (Track)Level 6 Project Management Apprenticeship
Level 6DegreeSource for Level 6 Project Management ApprenticeshipLevel 4 Project Management Apprenticeship
Level 4Source for Level 4 Project Management ApprenticeshipLevel 3 Rail Engineering Technician Apprenticeship (England & Wales)
Level 3Source for Level 3 Rail Engineering Technician Apprenticeship (England & Wales)Level 3 Information and Communications Technician Apprenticeship
Level 3Source for Level 3 Information and Communications Technician ApprenticeshipLevel 3 Finance Apprenticeship
Level 3Source for Level 3 Finance ApprenticeshipLevel 3 HR Support Apprenticeship
Level 3Source for Level 3 HR Support ApprenticeshipLevel 3 Rail Infrastructure Operations Apprenticeship
Level 3Source for Level 3 Rail Infrastructure Operations ApprenticeshipEngineering Apprenticeship (Scotland)
Source for Engineering Apprenticeship (Scotland)
| Apprenticeship | Level | Discipline and duration |
|---|---|---|
| Level 6 Digital and Technology Solutions ApprenticeshipDegreeSource for Level 6 Digital and Technology Solutions Apprenticeship | Level 6 | Software Engineering / DigitalDuration not published |
| Level 6 Machine Learning (AI) Engineering ApprenticeshipDegreeSource for Level 6 Machine Learning (AI) Engineering Apprenticeship | Level 6 | Data / AIDuration not published |
| Level 6 Electrical and Electronic Engineer ApprenticeshipDegreeSource for Level 6 Electrical and Electronic Engineer Apprenticeship | Level 6 | Engineering (Electrical/Electronic)Duration not published |
| Level 6 Civil Engineering ApprenticeshipDegreeSource for Level 6 Civil Engineering Apprenticeship | Level 6 | Engineering (Civil)Up to 5 years |
| Level 6 Rail & Rail Systems Engineering Apprenticeship (Signalling)DegreeSource for Level 6 Rail & Rail Systems Engineering Apprenticeship (Signalling) | Level 6 | Engineering (Rail)Duration not published |
| Level 6 Rail & Rail Systems Engineer Apprenticeship (Track)DegreeSource for Level 6 Rail & Rail Systems Engineer Apprenticeship (Track) | Level 6 | Engineering (Rail)Duration not published |
| Level 6 Project Management ApprenticeshipDegreeSource for Level 6 Project Management Apprenticeship | Level 6 | Project ManagementDuration not published |
| Level 4 Project Management ApprenticeshipSource for Level 4 Project Management Apprenticeship | Level 4 | Project ManagementDuration not published |
| Level 3 Rail Engineering Technician Apprenticeship (England & Wales)Source for Level 3 Rail Engineering Technician Apprenticeship (England & Wales) | Level 3 | Engineering (Rail)3 years |
| Level 3 Information and Communications Technician ApprenticeshipSource for Level 3 Information and Communications Technician Apprenticeship | Level 3 | IT Support18 months |
| Level 3 Finance ApprenticeshipSource for Level 3 Finance Apprenticeship | Level 3 | FinanceDuration not published |
| Level 3 HR Support ApprenticeshipSource for Level 3 HR Support Apprenticeship | Level 3 | HRDuration not published |
| Level 3 Rail Infrastructure Operations ApprenticeshipSource for Level 3 Rail Infrastructure Operations Apprenticeship | Level 3 | Rail OperationsDuration not published |
| Engineering Apprenticeship (Scotland)Source for Engineering Apprenticeship (Scotland) | Not published | Engineering (Rail)3 years |
Entry requirements
Accepts UCAS pointsFrom 104 UCAS pointsA levels from BCC
- A levels
- Level 6 engineering (Civil, Signalling): BBB incl. Maths and a physical science. Electrical/Electronic: BBC incl. Maths plus a science/technology subject. DTS: BCC incl. one STEM subject. Project Management L6: 3 A levels at A-C.
- UCAS points
- 120 UCAS points (Civil, Signalling); 104 (DTS)
- GCSEs
- Typically 5 GCSEs at 4/C or above incl. Maths and English (DTS asks for 9-5; Rail Engineering Technician asks Maths at 5)
- Equivalents
- BTEC (e.g. DDM/DMM), T Level (Merit, B in core), EAL diploma, Access to HE and other Level 3 combinations accepted as listed per scheme
- Other
- Some schemes require age 18+ by the start (Rail Engineering Technician; Scotland). Scotland: National 5s in English, Maths and a Science.
Application process
- Register interest / apply online
- Register interest / apply online
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Register interest / apply online
Typical timeline
- Opens
- Not published
- Closes
- Not published
- Assessment
- Scotland 2026: 10-11 April
- Offers
- Not published
- Starts
- September (England & Wales); August (Scotland)
Locations and universities
- Locations
- England, Wales, Scotland
- Universities and training providers
- Not published
Salary and benefits
- Starting salary
- £24,500 (Level 6); £20,500 (Level 4 Project Management); £21,477-£24,000 (Level 3, by scheme); £22,293 (Rail Engineering Technician and Scotland engineering)
- Progression
- Not published
- Notes
- Level 3 Finance figure from a search-index snippet.
- Benefits
- 28 days' annual leave plus bank holidays
- 5 volunteering days
- Up to 75% off leisure travel for you and your family
- 75% subsidy on rail and underground season tickets
- Employee assistance programme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Pension and insurance schemes
- Two weeks paid reserve leave for Armed Forces community members
Cohort size and intakes
- Intake years
- 2026 intake2027 intake
- Cohort 2027
- Not published
- Cohort 2026
- Not published
- Cohort 2025
- Not published
What stands out
Apprenticeships are open to career changers and graduates as well as school leavers. Network Rail also runs a Level 6 Machine Learning (AI) Engineering apprenticeship with other rail-industry organisations.
Sources
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