2027 UK Degree Apprenticeship Programme: Rail Systems Engineering

Before making an application, please browse all apprenticeship opportunities available as we will only accept one application per candidate.  Once you have made an application you will not be able to make changes to your selection or make a new application.  The exception is if we open new vacancies in Spring 2027.  

These opportunities are for those who have A-levels or equivalent and looking to undertake a degree apprenticeship (level 6).  We will close for applications on 15th January 2027.

Application process

• Application form
• Online strengths-based assessment

CVs and cover letters are not required as part of the application process. Candidates will be assessed through a single-stage strengths-based interview.

Eligibility

If you are successful and are offered an apprenticeship with us, you will enrol onto the Rail Systems Engineering BEng at London South Bank University, or Sheffield Hallam University, the courses will be delivered as block release.

For more information including their grade requirements, please visit:

Rail and rail systems senior engineer | Sheffield Hallam University

 Rail and Rail Systems Engineering Apprenticeship BEng (Hons) | London South Bank University

Are you ready to start your career journey with purpose, passion, and possibility? Our apprenticeships offer more than just a job - they’re an opportunity to shape your future.

As a paid degree apprentice, you’ll gain hands-on experience working on real projects while studying towards your degree. You’ll develop your technical and professional skills alongside experienced engineers, applying what you learn through your studies directly in the workplace.

Help shape the future of rail

Imagine beginning your engineering career by helping create safer, more reliable and more sustainable transport connections for the communities that depend on them.

As a Railway Engineering Degree Apprentice within our Track team, you’ll have the opportunity to do exactly that. From day one, you’ll be part of a collaborative team, contributing to real rail projects while learning from experienced engineers and developing towards your BEng (Honours) Railway Engineering degree.

You’ll combine academic study with practical experience, giving you the opportunity to apply what you learn and see the impact of engineering decisions in the real world.

Most importantly, you won’t be expected to know everything when you join us. This is an apprenticeship designed to help you build your knowledge, confidence and experience over time, with support from the people around you.

Our Transport team

We help conceive, develop and deliver transport solutions for cities, regions and infrastructure owners and operators around the world.

Our expertise spans the entire project lifecycle, from developing business cases and advising on areas such as procurement, revenue and environmental legislation through to engineering design, infrastructure delivery and ongoing asset management.

Our planning, engineering, environmental and management specialists work together to solve complex challenges responsibly, creating solutions that connect people and places while delivering lasting benefits for society.

Beyond transport, our teams also contribute to complex multidisciplinary civil engineering projects, including water and power tunnels, as well as providing specialist advisory services in areas such as technology and socio-economics.

Our Transport unit consists of four divisions:

• Aviation, Maritime and Offshore
• Heavy Civil Infrastructure
• Rail
• Transport and Mobility Solutions

You'll be joining an environment where collaboration across teams, disciplines and locations helps us share knowledge, challenge ideas and achieve better outcomes together.

Your apprenticeship

An apprenticeship allows you to earn while you learn, combining a paid role and valuable workplace experience with structured academic study.

Meet your team

You'll join our Rail division's Track team, working alongside people with a wide variety of skills and experiences, including civil and mechanical engineers, engineering managers, project managers and technical specialists.

Different perspectives make our teams stronger. You'll have opportunities to learn from colleagues with different professional backgrounds, share your own ideas and work together to solve complex engineering problems.

Our portfolio is varied and includes both UK and international work, with projects for clients including Network Rail, East West Rail, the Department for Transport, Northern Powerhouse Rail and London Underground.

From concept and feasibility through to detailed design, you'll see how different disciplines come together to turn ideas into infrastructure that people can rely on.

What you could be doing

You’ll be part of the team from day one, supporting our engineers while gradually developing the technical knowledge and practical skills you need for a successful career in railway engineering.

Your experience could include:

• Track alignment design, helping identify suitable routes for new railways and modifications to existing rail infrastructure.
• Infrastructure inspections and analysis, using desktop studies and site surveys to understand the condition and requirements of existing assets.
• Gauging assessments, helping ensure appropriate clearances are provided for trains, structures, platforms and passengers.
• Journey time evaluations, helping teams understand how different designs could influence railway performance.
• Track-Ex and rail wear modelling, developing your understanding of how railway operation affects track infrastructure.
• Buffer stop risk assessments, contributing to the safe and responsible design and operation of the railway.
• Track design and specification, helping develop infrastructure solutions that optimise performance, reliability and resilience.
• Preparing engineering reports, calculations and specifications.
• Developing your digital engineering capabilities through BIM models and CAD drawings.
• Supporting site-based activities and learning how designs translate from drawings and models into real infrastructure.

The work you undertake will develop as your knowledge and confidence grow. You'll be supported to ask questions, learn from others and understand not only how engineering decisions are made, but why they matter.

Learn, contribute and grow

Your apprenticeship is the beginning of your professional journey.

Alongside developing your technical knowledge, you'll have opportunities to strengthen skills such as teamwork, communication, problem solving, collaboration and responsible decision-making.

Working alongside exper