IS Undergraduate Apprentice (Job Number: 25001565)
Computing and Information Services
Grade 3: - £23,751 - £24,570 per annum
Apprentice - Full Time
Contract Duration: Open/Permanent
Contracted Hours per Week: 35
Working Arrangements: Standard working hours
Closing Date: 23-Nov-2025, 5:59:00 PM
Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable.
The University
At Durham University, we are proud of our people, because they are at the heart of our globally outstanding institution, which is a key part of our local community. We inspire our people to do extraordinary things and we invite you to join our fantastic team.
Across the University, we have a huge variety of roles and responsibilities, which together make us one large and successful community. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.
At the University we promote and actively champion equality, diversity and inclusion. It is crucial that everyone can be themselves and can flourish in an environment where everyone respects each other and is treated fairly. We want our people and wider community to feel happy, secure and proud to be a part of Durham. We are looking for the same values in you.
We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. For more information on our EDI strategy and values, click here
The Role and Department
The role supports the IS Senior Product Manager, for the team that the successful applicant is allocated, to deliver effective technology solutions to the University and is part of the wider Information Services (IS) collection of teams, which underpins the delivery of customer focused information systems and services. The successful applicant will be sponsored to undertake apprentice level study that will lead to the award of an under-graduate degree in a digital related qualification.
It is a requirement for this role that the University is satisfied that you meet the apprentice eligibility criteria for the qualification you would be undertaking as part of the role. Including right to work, residency eligibility, visa duration, previous qualifications conditions and completion viability. This will be applicable for any apprenticeship funding eligibility. More information can be found on: Apprenticeship funding rules and assessment plan guidance, 2025 to 2026 - GOV.UK.
The post holder will undertake activities relating to, and work with increasing independence in relation to:
- Agile development and DevOps
- Data analytics and visualisation
- User experience analysis, design, and evaluation
- Content authoring and publishing
- Security operations
- Incident ownership and management
The Computing and Information Services (CIS) has an annual operational budget in excess of £27m, including multi-million pound programmes of change within year, and approximately 172 staff. The Senior Leadership Team report directly to the Chief Information Officer (CIO) with the following portfolios: Strategy and Change; Technical Services; Information Services, and; Cyber Security. CIS work with departments across the university to provide academic, teaching and administrative services that underpin the day-to-day activities of the whole organisation. Details of the Digital Strategy and ongoing work can be found at Digital Strategy - Durham University
- CIS is a friendly, but demanding department, where much is expected and can be achieved by competent, self-motivated individuals who are demonstrable in their team work ability. The department works in a hybrid capacity, depending on the job role.
- Information Services (IS) is responsible for the provision of a wide range of end-user and customer facing technology services, ranging from: student record management; curriculum & learning, IWMS, integration services; AI; identity and access management, and; other immersive technology experiences.
Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.
The base location for this role is Boldon House, our exciting new professional services hub. Boldon House is situated on the outskirts of Durham near the Arnison Centre in Pity Me. Boldon House brings a number of professional services teams together in a vibrant office environment which supports collaborative working and is designed to embrace hybrid working. To find out more, visit the project webpage: Boldon House – Durham University.
Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.
Working at Durham
A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:
- You’ll receive 27 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 39 days. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
- No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
- You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.
- Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
- We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
- We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference to the local community.
- Our family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
- If you are keen on advancing in your role or career, we have a genuine passion for developing our colleagues from qualifications to IT skills, courses and apprenticeships.
- We offer generous pension schemes with varying contribution amounts to help you plan for your future.
Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.
What you need to demonstrate when you apply
To be considered for this role, here are the skills/experience we’re looking for:
Essential Criteria
Qualifications/Experience
1. Five GCSEs at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics or equivalent experience.
2. Experience of working in a team.
3. Experience of managing time to meet deadlines.
4. Must hold the following qualifications:
a. Level 3 digital related apprenticeship at grade Merit or above,
or;
b. 3 A-Level passes, overall averaging the equivalent of CCC grades, with one subject being a STEM subject, e.g. Maths, Chemistry, Physics or Computer Science.
or;
c. BTEC Digital/ICT related Level 3 at grade DDM or above,
or;
d. T-Level in an Engineering or Digital pathway at grade Merit, or above
5. Residency eligibility - The apprentice must have the legal right to work in England. The apprentice must meet the residency requirements detailed in Annex A of the Funding Rules for Apprenticeships. This includes (but is not limited to): being ordinarily resident in the UK (or specified territories) for at least three years immediately before the apprenticeship begins, unless a specific exemption applies. Exemptions may apply to individuals with; refugee status or humanitarian protection, permission under the Ukraine or Afghan schemes, stateless status, certain family member rights, pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. More information can be found on: Apprenticeship funding rules and assessment plan guidance, 2025 to 2026 - GOV.UK
Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
6. Good spoken and written communication skills.
7. Good digital skills including experience in using digital devices and apps.
8. Committed to ongoing training/continuing professional development.
9. Ability to solve problems as part of a team and resolve straightforward issues.
10. Ability to provide advice and guidance to a range of colleagues and customers.
11. Basic level of software coding gained either within an educational setting, or from a previous employment, or through a hobby related interest
12. Ability to follow instructions, written or oral, accurately.
Desirable Criteria
13. Knowledge of health and safety issues, such as risk assessments.
How to Apply
We prefer to receive applications online. When you apply you need to submit a CV, a cover letter and an evidence statement that tells us your experience and gives examples of how you meet the criteria above.
We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.
Submitting your application
We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails
What you are required to submit:
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the Essential criteria (Qualifications/Experience and Skills/Abilities/Knowledge), required for the role in the person specification above.
Where there are Desirable criteria we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence.
While all Essential criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.
You must submit:
- A current CV
- A covering letter
- An evidence document which clearly shows how you meet all of the Essential criteria.
When providing evidence, you must ensure each Essential criteria is clearly identified by providing the criteria heading first, and then the evidence; failure to do this, may result in your application failing shortlisting.
Who to contact for more information
If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role or if you are struggling to complete the application process please contact, Rash Mahmood, Senior Product Manager (IWMS), at rashad.mahmood@durham.ac.uk
Typical Role Requirements
Here are the kind of activities that you’ll be asked to undertake and ways in which you’ll be expected to operate.
Service Delivery
- Provide an excellent and timely service to our students, your colleagues and anyone else you come across as part of your role.
- Log, record and pass on information for use by others.
- Carry out some tasks that may require specialist skills.
- Follow established procedures when carrying out your role, varying when necessary or referring to more senior colleagues.
- Collect, organise and record data and information accurately for use by others.
- When carrying out your role, apply relevant industry and regulatory standards.
- Operate a range of maintenance, investigation, design and construction tools.
- Operate everyday tools and domestic equipment.
- Carry out stock and inventory checks.
- Carry out some tasks that may require specialist skills and may be physically demanding.
Teamwork/Liaison
- Help to move, set-up and maintain any facilities, equipment or tools.
- Help your colleagues when required with other key activities undertaken within your service.
- Help and cooperate with the rest of your team on operational matters to help achieve shared objectives.
- Liaise with staff in other areas to ensure that services are being delivered in an efficient and collaborative way.
- Help carry out annual safety and maintenance checks.
- Help team members review and update risk assessments.
Communication/Personal
- Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the University’s values.
- Follow established procedures to respond to queries and bring any complex issues to the attention of more experienced team members.
- Log and record helpdesk queries and apply the correct escalation procedures where necessary.
- Learn the skills needed to deliver services.
- Respond to routine queries from suppliers, contractors, contacts, utility and service providers where necessary.
- Any other reasonable duties
Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.
When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.
