QinetiQ
QinetiQ, the defence science and technology company, recruits UK apprentices across science, technology and business, from engineering trades trained at its Apprentice Training School at MOD Boscombe Down to degree apprenticeships in software, data science and electronic engineering. Apprentices are permanent full-time employees, and degree apprentices spend 20% of the working week on university study. Recruitment runs each year from September to March for a September start, with assessment centres in late November-early December and late February-early March.
Programmes
- 2027 intakeApprenticeshipsTBC, ~Sep to ~FebOpensCloses
Apprenticeship types
Level 6 Materials Science Apprenticeship
Level 6DegreeSource for Level 6 Materials Science ApprenticeshipSoftware Engineering Apprentice (degree)
DegreeSource for Software Engineering Apprentice (degree)Data Scientist Apprentice (degree)
DegreeSource for Data Scientist Apprentice (degree)Embedded Software Apprenticeship / Electronic and Computer Engineering Degree Apprenticeship
DegreeSource for Embedded Software Apprenticeship / Electronic and Computer Engineering Degree ApprenticeshipAeronautical / Avionics Maintenance Engineering Apprenticeship (QinetiQ Apprentice Training School)
Source for Aeronautical / Avionics Maintenance Engineering Apprenticeship (QinetiQ Apprentice Training School)Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering Apprenticeship
Source for Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering ApprenticeshipSCQF Level 6 Electronics and Communications Engineering Apprentice
Source for SCQF Level 6 Electronics and Communications Engineering ApprenticeBusiness Administration, Project Management and Facilities Management Apprenticeships
Source for Business Administration, Project Management and Facilities Management Apprenticeships
| Apprenticeship | Level | Discipline and duration | University or provider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 6 Materials Science ApprenticeshipDegreeSource for Level 6 Materials Science Apprenticeship | Level 6 | Materials ScienceDuration not published | Not published |
| Software Engineering Apprentice (degree)DegreeSource for Software Engineering Apprentice (degree) | Not published | Software EngineeringDuration not published | Solent University |
| Data Scientist Apprentice (degree)DegreeSource for Data Scientist Apprentice (degree) | Not published | Data ScienceDuration not published | Cranfield University |
| Embedded Software Apprenticeship / Electronic and Computer Engineering Degree ApprenticeshipDegreeSource for Embedded Software Apprenticeship / Electronic and Computer Engineering Degree Apprenticeship | Not published | Embedded Software / Electronic EngineeringDuration not published | Gloucestershire College with UWE Bristol |
| Aeronautical / Avionics Maintenance Engineering Apprenticeship (QinetiQ Apprentice Training School)Source for Aeronautical / Avionics Maintenance Engineering Apprenticeship (QinetiQ Apprentice Training School) | Not published | Aeronautical EngineeringDuration not published | QinetiQ Apprentice Training School (QATS) |
| Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering ApprenticeshipSource for Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering Apprenticeship | Not published | Mechanical ManufacturingDuration not published | Not published |
| SCQF Level 6 Electronics and Communications Engineering ApprenticeSource for SCQF Level 6 Electronics and Communications Engineering Apprentice | Not published | Electronics and CommunicationsDuration not published | Not published |
| Business Administration, Project Management and Facilities Management ApprenticeshipsSource for Business Administration, Project Management and Facilities Management Apprenticeships | Not published | BusinessDuration not published | Not published |
Entry requirements
Accepts UCAS pointsFrom 104 UCAS pointsA levels from BBC
- A levels
- Varies by role: e.g. BBC incl. Maths (Data Scientist); 104-112 UCAS points (BBC) incl. Maths and a Science (Software Engineering); C or above in Maths and a STEM A-level (Embedded Software)
- UCAS points
- 104-112 UCAS points for the 2026 software and embedded software degree apprenticeships
- GCSEs
- Typically grade 5/C in Maths and English, plus Science/IT for software roles; 5 GCSEs 9-4 for Embedded Software
- Equivalents
- BTEC DMM, or 90+ credits in an Engineering BTEC
- Other
- Not published
Application process
- Initial applicationSeptember to February
- QinetiQ CV
- Online assessments
- Manager screening
- Killer questions
- Assessment centre
- Offer
- Initial applicationSeptember to February
- QinetiQ CV
- Online assessments
- Manager screening
- Killer questions
- Assessment centre
- Offer
- 1
Initial application
- 2
QinetiQ CV
- 3
Online assessments
- 4
Manager screening
- 5
Killer questions
- 6
Assessment centre
- 7
Offer
Typical timeline
- Opens
- September
- Closes
- All applications by February
- Assessment
- Late November to early December, and late February to early March
- Offers
- Not published
- Starts
- September 2027
Windows for the 2027 intake, September 2026 to August 2027
TBC, ~Sep to ~Feb
Locations and universities
- Locations
- Malvern, Farnborough, Portsmouth, Boscombe Down, Sevenoaks, Benbecula
- Universities and training providers
- Solent University, Cranfield University, Gloucestershire College, UWE Bristol, QinetiQ Apprentice Training School
Salary and benefits
- Starting salary
- £27,150 (2026 apprentice adverts, search_index)
- Progression
- Not published
- Notes
- Permanent, full-time roles
- Benefits
- Permanent full-time contract
- 20% of the working week for university study (degree apprentices)
Cohort size and intakes
- Intake years
- 2025 intake2026 intake2027 intake
- Cohort 2027
- Not published
What stands out
A defence-research employer with its own Apprentice Training School at MOD Boscombe Down and degree apprenticeships with Cranfield, Solent and UWE; selection narrows to the top 3 candidates per role before the assessment centre.
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