Engineering and Manufacturing
Situated in the birthplace of the British motor industry and the historical heart of UK manufacturing, the Faculty of Engineering, Environment and Computing enjoys a global reputation for business-focused research and teaching.
Our innovative activity-led learning approach, underpinned by ‘real-life’ projects, experiences and access to industry-standard software and equipment, has shaped the unique culture of our forward-facing Faculty. Within our £50m state-of-the-art building, we’re proud to be inspiring people to study in a broad range of disciplines, widening perceptions about how engineering and computing can impact on worldwide cultural, scientific, technological and social development.
We offer apprenticeships in a range of engineering and manufacturing disciplines and specialisms:
Manufacturing Engineers primarily support the activities involved in bringing design programmes into manufacture. This role is pivotal to the launch planning and smooth delivery of exciting new products or product refresh programmes. The focus is on the advanced manufacturing techniques and project management skills required to launch products on time, on cost and to the right quality. Typically Manufacturing Engineers work closely with a range of other engineers, functions and managers both within their own company and supplier base.
Electrical/Electronic Technical Support Engineers primarily support manufacturing in both assembly and in product design and development. They support the activities involved in bringing the concept to life and resolving issues within manufacturing. Typically, they work closely with other engineers, suppliers and managers covering a broad range of support activity.
Product Design & Development Engineers work on all stages of product creation, product modification and product componentry. They support activities ranging on early concept feasibility, Computer Aided Design and other modelling, activities and stages through to final preparation for launch and customers. This includes working in concept studios, rapid prototyping, assembly, testing, validating and analysing performance. Typically, they work closely with suppliers and managers in bring new concepts to life or contributing to redesigns of existing products.
Apprenticeships Available
Postgraduate Engineer: Product Design and Development
Level 7 | 16 months
Developing innovative solutions to complex technical engineering problems.
The engineering sector is key to the UK economy and generates just over one quarter of total UK GDP. Engineering employers are projected to need over 180k people with engineering skills each year to 2022 and to help meet this requirement we need to double the number of graduates entering the industry.
The Post Graduate Engineer Standard will be critical in meeting the sector's future skills needs. They will work in an area that covers a wide range of generic engineering disciplines which could include for example: software, integrated systems, mechanical, electrical, electronic, electromechanical, fluid power components/systems and materials.
Embedded Electronic Systems Design and Development Engineer (Electro Mechanical pathway)
Level 6
Designing and developing electronic circuits, devices and systems for a range of industries.
The role of the Embedded Electronic Systems Design and Development Engineer is to apply their knowledge of electronics and of embedded software to the design of circuits or devices that provide a useful function, that are capable of being manufactured at a competitive cost, and that are reliable and safe in use. This involves the use of the engineer's knowledge of electronics and electronic principles, married to an expertise in the end use of the final product. In electronics this end use can cover a wide spectrum.
Examples of industrial sectors that rely heavily on Embedded Systems Design and Development Engineers include Aerospace, Automotive, Automation and Instrumentation, Robotics, Telecommunications, Information and Computer Technology, Defence, Energy (including renewables), Transport and Consumer Electronics. The role provides the basis of learning with potential to specialise as a Hardware Engineer, Software engineer or Systems Engineer in these sectors and can extend from design of integrated circuits through to complete systems.
*Please note this apprenticeship will only run if we have a large enough cohort to make it feasible.
Electrical/Electronic Technical Support Engineer (Electro Mechanical pathway)
Level 6 | 5 to 6 years
Supporting the manufacturing of new products by bringing the product to life and resolving the manufacturing problems.
Electronic/Electronic Technical Support Engineers primarily support manufacturing in both assembly and in product design and development. They support the activities involved in bringing the concept to life and resolving issues within manufacturing. Typically they work closely with other engineers, suppliers and managers covering a broad range of support activity.
Typically the duration of this apprenticeship is 5 to 6 years. This duration may be reduced for a candidate with previous relevant experience and/or someone already part qualified. Alternatively this may also be a progression route from a relevant Advanced Apprenticeship.
*Please note this apprenticeship will only run if we have a large enough cohort to make it feasible.
Product Design and Development Engineer
Level 6 | 4 years
Using engineering techniques to bring new products to life or redesign existing products.
Product Design & Development Engineers work on all stages of product creation, product modification and product componentry. They support activities ranging on early concept feasibility, Computer Aided Design and other modelling, activities and stages through to final preparation for launch and customers. This includes working in concept studios, rapid prototyping, assembly, testing, validating and analysing performance. Typically they work closely with suppliers and managers in bring new concepts to life or contributing to redesigns of existing products.
Typically the duration of this apprenticeship is 5 to 6 years. This duration may be reduced for a candidate with previous relevant experience and/or someone already part qualified. Alternatively this may also be a progression route from a relevant Advanced Apprenticeship.
Manufacturing Engineering Degree Apprenticeship
Level 4 to 6
Manufacturing Engineers work on all stages of product creation. They support activities ranging from design, early concept feasibility, prototype creation, production planning, computer assisted manufacture, production and quality monitoring. Typically they work closely with suppliers and managers in bringing new products to life and assuring economic manufacture and product quality.
Senior Leader Master's Degree Apprenticeship
Level 7
A leader is someone who has senior management responsibility, and this can include formal governance/director responsibilities. They are responsible for direction and vision, providing a clear sense of purpose and driving strategic intent. They take into account market trends and environmental influences, identifying longer-term opportunities and risks. Through inclusive leadership, they are responsible for developing ethical, innovative and supportive cultures with the ability to deliver results.
They are a role model, with responsibility for those in senior positions/significant organisational budgets.
Senior Metrology Technician
Level 5 | 2 years
Metrology is the science of measurement; industrial metrology is the application of metrology within manufacturing and it supporting services. It is a keystone of manufacturing trade and productivity. No trade can take place without some form of measurement validation to say that the component part or batch of parts conform to design intent and specification.
Coventry University has an extensive Metrology knowledge bank and practical manufacturing experience. We have worked with hundreds of businesses from SMEs to global manufacturing companies, helping to get the best out of their measurement capability.
This programme gives the students all of the tools to become a “champion” of measurement within their organisation. Individuals will look at the principles of measurement and uncertainty, analysing their organisational capability, making recommendations and implementing improvements. The programme content has been designed through focus groups which have included The School of Manufacturing, Aerospace and Automotive engineering, The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and two national employers, who wish to populate the programme.
These courses are currently in development and will be available shortly.
If you are interested in taking on an apprentice in any of these areas, please complete our register your interest form:
Register your interest
