Join Network Rail - Where People and Connections Matter
At Network Rail, we're dedicated to keeping passengers and freight moving safely and efficiently across the country. When you join us, you're not just part of a team - you're part of something that matters to millions. We believe that our people are at the heart of what we do, and every role plays a vital part in building a better, more connected railway. Click here to learn more.
We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. To discover more about our ED&I commitments click here. We value flexibility and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader, we'll do everything we can to accommodate any needs throughout the recruitment process.
If you're ready to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you!
We are excited to be able to offer four placements on our Rail System Engineering Apprenticeship Scheme.
What you'll be doing
This is a post year 13, Level 6 Rail & Rail Systems Engineering Apprenticeship scheme based in South London. Network Rail is partnering with London Southbank University (LSBU) to offer the Level 6 BEng (Hons) Rail & Rail Systems Engineering (Apprenticeship) supplemented with placements within Network Rail. The course is an Apprenticeship Standard comprised of a programme of study, an End Point Assessment (EPA) and on-the-job learning. This means that in addition to meeting academic requirements, you'll need to be employed in a role related to your apprenticeship. This is where Network Rail comes in!
Alongside your studies at LSBU, Network Rail will organise a series of Signalling and Electrical Engineering placements with different teams including design, testing, projects, maintenance, asset management, etc which you will complete alongside your studies. The asset discipline placements this scheme will include, but not limited to, Electrification and Plant, Signalling and Telecommunications. Applicants should be open minded to all placements and be flexible to the needs of the team.
There will not be a definitive day-by-day working schedule, hence we encourage applicants to have the ability and confidence to self-prioritise and manage your workload from placements and the Rail & Rail Systems Engineering apprenticeship. Working collaboratively will enable you to get the most out of this scheme.
More about the course
Railway systems in the UK and internationally are aging with the need for the introduction of new infrastructure, technologies, and practices, to ensure that they are sustainable. Thus, providing local, national, and international socio-economic benefits for the future. The combination of these factors requires you, as 21st century railway engineers, to have a systems approach to the construction, operation, and management of the railway.
To achieve this aim, the LSBU L6 BEng (Hons) Rail & Rail Systems Senior Engineering (Apprenticeship) has been developed based on discussions with the railway industry and its supply chain. Enabling the course to be structured around you and your roles within industry, especially disciplinary interests such as:
- Track, Civils, and Electrical (Installation)
- Electrical (Power)
- Signalling & Telecoms
- Traction & Rolling Stock
Throughout the course, as well as being taught key topics you are encouraged to share your experience and knowledge so that all you can engage in peer learning, development, and discussion. Through this approach, you will broaden your learning opportunities to wider appropriate topics. Enabling you to identify necessary practices, processes, and the employment of technology within the railway industry and its supply chain.
Modules within the course employ real-life railway examples such as Railway Accident Investigation Branch Reports, that provide information on incidents which have occurred. Providing you with core learning points applicable to the railway industry and its stakeholders, so you can see the application of your learning to solving real-life problems.
Given you will be working full-time, potentially with many years outside of education, and your professional need for a variety of skills, such as presentations, authoring reports, and use of software, the course is 100% coursework. Empowering you to develop theoretical and practical skills for the present and future, while at the same time enabling you to prepare for your End Point Assessment (EPA), which consists of a report, presentation, and interview. You will be required to attend LSBU on block release for one week a month.
The course will begin October 2026 and take up to 60months practical period and 6 months EPA period to complete.
More information about the apprenticeship can be found here: Rail and Rail Systems Engineering (Apprenticeship) | London South Bank University .
Closing date: Friday 3 July 2026. We reserve the right to close the advert early if we receive a high volume of applications. Salary: £22,000-£25,000 plus Inner London Allowance £3,270.
Drugs and Alcohol Standard:
Our Drugs and Alcohol Standard has changed. All prospective candidates who are offered a conditional role, will be required to undergo and pass a drugs and alcohol test. Your application will be rescinded if you record a positive test. All positive drugs and alcohol test results for prospective candidates will be securely held on Sentinel database and a 5 year suspension from applying for a safety critical role, a role which requires PTS certification or a Key Safety role on Network Rail Managed Infrastructure will be enforced.
You can visit Evenbreaks Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.
Who you are matters
This scheme is designed for hard working, driven individuals with an interest in Electrical/ Electronic Engineering who are willing to learn about the different disciplines, assets and teams within this field. You should be keen to learn about the railway and enjoy working in a team while being able to manage your time and studies to suit the needs of the scheme.
You should be based within easy reach of Blackfriars, London and willing to travel within the South London area to various depots, offices and training facilities. You must be comfortable to occasionally work unsocial hours i.e. night shifts.
You'll need 3 A-levels, or equivalent, including Mathematics which sum to 120 UCAS points (e.g. BBB). You will also need at least 5 GCSEs at grade 9-5 including Maths, English and Science, or equivalent . Please ensure you can provide evidence of these.
This role will require you to work in safety sensitive environments such as track side, hence you must be aged 18 or older by the start of the programme to apply. This is to make sure we follow health & safety requirements and regulations. There is no upper age limit for the programme.
You must also be willing to embrace the responsibility that safety-critical work brings, and that placements may be subject to some change as a result of operational considerations.
What you'll get out of it
Once you have completed the scheme you will have a BEng (Hons) in Rail & Rail Systems Engineering qualification. The placement aspect of the scheme will equip you with an understanding of the different disciplines and nuances within Rail & Rail Systems Engineering. This should enable you to decide which aspect/ teams interests you the most and apply for a permanent position in this area.
By giving you both the academic and hands-on experience, this scheme offers you a fantastic starting point in your railway career. We envisage leavers of this programme to go on to become engineers working in design, project delivery, maintenance and asset ownership.
