Providing further masters level learning enabling an apprentice to fulfil the educational requirements of Chartered Engineer (CEng).
MSc Autonomous Systems Technology
Level 7 Postgraduate Engineer apprenticeship

Providing further masters level learning enabling an apprentice to fulfil the educational requirements of Chartered Engineer (CEng).
The potential apprentice will be required to complete an Initial Needs Assessment (INA) with the support of their employer and the University to ensure the Apprenticeship programme is an appropriate solution to their skills development needs. On completion of the INA the University will assess the information provided and determine the next steps.
To request the Initial Needs Assessment please contact apprenticeships@plymouth.ac.uk
If you are currently not working, are a school leaver or are looking to change your job in order to start an Apprenticeship, you will need to apply for an Apprenticeship vacancy. You can find out about vacancies in a number of ways; the government offers an Apprenticeship vacancy search at: www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsearch or you can contact us and we will direct you to a partner in your area who can support you with this process.
Fees
The total cost of the Postgraduate Engineer Degree Apprenticeship - Level 7 is: £27,000
Funding
There are currently two funding models:
- If the annual pay bill of your organisation exceeds £3 million you will pay for your apprenticeship training through your levy account.
- the government will financially co-support your apprenticeship training contributing 95% of the total cost. The employer will contribute and be invoiced for the remaining 5% of the total cost.
For more information about Apprenticeship Levy please visit the gov.uk website.
If you need any further information about the fees and/or funding for this apprenticeship please do not hesitate to contact us at apprenticeship@plymouth.ac.uk or call +44(0)1752 583625.
This programme primarily aims to recruit graduate engineers with degree to honours level at 2:2 or above in engineering, mathematics, robotics, marine, computing and physical science related subjects. Applicants without a 2.2 or higher may be considered if they have significant relevant experience. Ideally, candidates will need to demonstrate that they hold an appropriate IEng accredited first degree to comply with the full CEng registration requirements. Candidates with non-UK qualifications will need to demonstrate that their first degree is accredited by their local professional body. Candidates with considerable professional experience, who can evidence an academic ability equivalent to undergraduate degree levels, may also be considered.
Candidates will need to demonstrate their proficiency in Maths and English, e.g. grade C minimum at GCSE, AS Level, A Level, IB, Cambridge Proficiency Certificate Level 4-5, Oxford Higher Certificate, International Certificate Conference (ICC Stage 3 Technical), or IELTS. The minimum IELTS score for acceptable English proficiency for entry is normally 6.5 and not less than 6.0 in all components.
For further information contact the Apprenticeships team at the University of Plymouth on apprenticeships@plymouth.ac.uk or +44 800 052 5600, to be put in touch with the relevant Degree Apprenticeship Account Manager.
The MSc in Autonomous Systems Technology aims to provide further learning to Masters Level that will enable apprentice with background in engineering, mathematics, robotics, marine, computing and physical science related subjects to fulfil the educational requirements of the Chartered Engineer (CEng) Standard of the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC).
The programme caters for a global demand of L7 degree apprenticeship with work-based learning for autonomy and will cover the specialist knowledge and skills necessary in autonomy such as artificial intelligence in decision-making, navigation, guidance, control and sensor fusion, machine learning, security, communication and networking and data management. It aims to provide a flexible and work-based route and combines a mixture of lectures, online learning, Webinar, assignments and other related studies.
In the first year of study, a key knowledge and skills in the autonomous areas will be developed along with learning contract between apprentices and employers. These skills will be necessary to complete work-based projects tailored to the specialist skills, knowledge and behaviour needed in a particular engineering role i.e. Systems Integration Engineer, Research and Development Engineer or Maintenance/Test Engineer.
Core modules (180 Credits):
Introduction to Autonomous Systems (40 credits) – This module will develop knowledge and understanding of data analysis, networking, communication and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and will explore the benefits of these in autonomous systems. Practical sessions will develop appropriate software skills.
Data Processing, Simulation and Optimisation of Engineering Systems (20 credits) – This module will develop student knowledge and understanding of data processing techniques and will explore the benefits of these in engineering practice. Further study of simulation and optimisation techniques for engineering systems will provide the tools to enable the students to develop dynamic simulation of real engineering problems, including behaviour prediction and performance optimisation using MATLAB/Simulink.
Intelligent Sensors and Control for Autonomous Systems (20 credits) – The module covers a range of classical and smart sensors and actuators which can be applied in interactive and automated system, with emphasis on several key sensors. This module introduces the basic and advanced concepts of linear and nonlinear modelling analysis and design of intelligent control systems. This module has a strong hands-on component.
Engineering Research Methods and Professional Development (20 credits) – You will use design research (DRM) to plan your research project and select ethically suitable quantitative and qualitative research methods. Your progression towards professional registration will be appraised and plans made for continuous professional development (CPD).
Modelling and Analytics for Data Science (20 credits) – This module gives students an understanding of modelling and analytics techniques for Data Science. It supplies modern data modelling tool boxes for making strategic decisions in a broad range of Business related practical situations. It offers a hands-on introduction to Bayesian inference and machine learning.
Engineering Design Dissertation - Work Based Learning (60 Credits) – This module allows students to demonstrate the practical skills and knowledge of research methods to plan and implement high quality research. Students will carry out a substantial research investigation on a topic of their choice and report upon the aims, methodology, data analysis, interpretation, synthesis, and conclusions through a high quality, scholarly and professional write-up of the project.
End Point Assessment Preparation (0 Credit) – This module is aimed at apprentices who will be undertaking an end point assessment (EPA) as a part of their completion of the PG Apprenticeship. This module will run across the two year programme and will assist apprentices and their employers to be effectively equipped for the EPA.
Core skills the apprentice will achieve from this programme:
Areas and industry sectors apprentices can specialise in:
This programme will specialise people in the areas of autonomy which is required now a days in the day to day working of any industries such as how to handle large data securely and work with better techniques to analyse and transfer in a faster way, create virtual model of the dynamic system and then analyse its performance and suggests improvement, fault detection and diagnostic to take timely actions and use of neural networks, fuzzy logic, wavelet techniques and other current technologies in optimisation, modelling, control, sensor fusion, estimation and redundancy. Modern engineering organisations require their employers to demonstrate a set of knowledge, skills and behaviours that will ensure success, both in their role and in the overall company objectives. These are aligned with the current edition of the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC) at Chartered Engineer (CEng) level. Two specific apprenticeship occupations which will be covered by this programme are: 1) Research and Development Engineer and 2) Systems Integration Engineer.
Each module is assessed by one or more elements of assessment. The formally approved Module Record defines the proportion of the module’s assessment derived from each element and this cannot be amended without following due process. Each element of assessment may contain more than one component of assessment, the results of which are aggregated together to produce a single percentage mark or pass/fail assessment. The elements of assessment may include coursework (C1), examination (E1), test (T1), practical (P1), and a generic assessment element (A1). The MSc degree programme complies with the Assessment Policy in only requiring two pieces of summative assessment for each 20-credit module, except where a professional development requirement needs to be satisfied.
Apprentices will be mostly assessed through coursework and practical assignments, with some time-constrained examinations.
The following classifications of coursework are generally used:
Practical assessments include:
*UK-SPEC: UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence. The Engineering Council, 3rd Edition, January 2014.