Civil Engineer Degree Apprenticeship
DEVONPORT ROYAL DOCKYARD LIMITED
Plymouth (PL1 4SG)
Closes on Monday 7 December 2026
Posted on 15 October 2026
Contents
Summary
Join Babcock as a Civil Engineer Degree Apprentice and, over the course of our five-year programme, you'll work towards a BSc (Hons) in Civil Engineering while contributing to projects that support national security. You'll learn from professionals, gain practical experience and help deliver work that creates a safer, more secure world.
- Wage
-
£27,381 a year
- Training course
- Civil engineer (level 6)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm.
35 hours a week
- Start date
-
Wednesday 1 September 2027
- Duration
-
5 years
- Positions available
-
2
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
- Based at Devonport, the largest naval base in Western Europe, you'll help shape the infrastructure that supports critical defence operations.
- From dockside facilities and industrial buildings to complex engineering structures, you'll work on projects that are essential to the safe and effective operation of the dockyard. Through a combination of placements and practical experience, you'll learn how civil and structural engineering principles are used to design, assess and maintain the assets that keep the site running.
- Throughout the programme, you'll contribute to engineering designs, calculations and technical solutions, developing skills in analysis, design development, technical reporting and problem-solving. You'll gain valuable insight into how structures are engineered to perform in demanding environments, while building the knowledge and experience needed for a successful career in civil and structural engineering.
Where you'll work
Devonport Royal Dockyard
Devonport
Plymouth
PL1 4SG
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH
Training course
Civil engineer (level 6)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Apply engineering principles to solve engineering problems: scientific, theoretical and technical principles.
- Apply civil engineering techniques, procedures and methods, and review and evaluate the results, including measuring and testing, designing, installing, commissioning, constructing, maintaining or operating civil engineering components and systems; consider how continuous improvement can contribute to improved performance.
- Employ mathematical, statistical and data interpretation tools, using analytical and computational methods, and apply an integrated or systems-based approach.
- Identify, interpret and compare information to select materials, components or parts used in civil engineering.
- Research, collect, select and evaluate technical literature and other sources of data and information to address, analyse and evaluate civil engineering problems.
- Produce civil engineering technical solutions in accordance with relevant industry standards, policies, codes of practice, regulations, and legislation.
- Select and apply computational and analytical techniques to model civil engineering problems, recognising the limitations of the techniques employed.
- Contribute to the design, development and implementation of civil engineering solutions, and evaluate their effectiveness in the context of the whole project life cycle.
- Manage and comply with statutory health, safety and welfare policies, procedures and regulation, and contribute to improvements in health, safety and welfare, within their own area of responsibility.
- Complete risk assessments to identify, evaluate, manage and mitigate risks.
- Apply principles of sustainable development and evaluate their effectiveness on the whole project lifecycle of civil engineering solutions.
- Manage engineering activities that contribute to sustainable development and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).
- Apply project management techniques, identifying, measuring, recording and reporting progress against civil engineering project performance criteria.
- Manage quality processes and contribute to quality improvements.
- Plans and manages resources, equipment and technology, to meet project requirements, specifications, costs and budgets and timescales, with an appreciation of statutory and commercial arrangements.
- Monitor and manage individual performance, and the input of others, recognising the need to adapt to, and communicate, changing demands.
- Comply with appropriate codes of practice and equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) requirements.
- Communicate in verbal and written contexts using appropriate methods for the audience. Use appropriate engineering terminology and conventions.
- Apply teamwork and collaboration principles.
- Apply ethical principles, identifying and analysing ethical concerns and making reasoned ethical choices.
- Plan, undertake and review their own professional competence, regularly updating, recording and reviewing their continuing professional development (CPD).
- Apply engineering principles to solve engineering problems: scientific, theoretical and technical principles.
- Apply civil engineering techniques, procedures and methods, and review and evaluate the results, including measuring and testing, designing, installing, commissioning, constructing, maintaining or operating civil engineering components and systems; consider how continuous improvement can contribute to improved performance.
- Employ mathematical, statistical and data interpretation tools, using analytical and computational methods, and apply an integrated or systems-based approach.
- Identify, interpret and compare information to select materials, components or parts used in civil engineering.
- Research, collect, select and evaluate technical literature and other sources of data and information to address, analyse and evaluate civil engineering problems.
- Produce civil engineering technical solutions in accordance with relevant industry standards, policies, codes of practice, regulations, and legislation.
- Select and apply computational and analytical techniques to model civil engineering problems, recognising the limitations of the techniques employed.
- Contribute to the design, development and implementation of civil engineering solutions, and evaluate their effectiveness in the context of the whole project life cycle.
- Manage and comply with statutory health, safety and welfare policies, procedures and regulation, and contribute to improvements in health, safety and welfare, within their own area of responsibility.
- Complete risk assessments to identify, evaluate, manage and mitigate risks.
- Apply principles of sustainable development and evaluate their effectiveness on the whole project lifecycle of civil engineering solutions.
- Manage engineering activities that contribute to sustainable development and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).
- Apply project management techniques, identifying, measuring, recording and reporting progress against civil engineering project performance criteria.
- Manage quality processes and contribute to quality improvements.
- Plans and manages resources, equipment and technology, to meet project requirements, specifications, costs and budgets and timescales, with an appreciation of statutory and commercial arrangements.
- Monitor and manage individual performance, and the input of others, recognising the need to adapt to, and communicate, changing demands.
- Comply with appropriate codes of practice and equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) requirements.
- Communicate in verbal and written contexts using appropriate methods for the audience. Use appropriate engineering terminology and conventions.
- Apply teamwork and collaboration principles.
- Apply ethical principles, identifying and analysing ethical concerns and making reasoned ethical choices.
- Plan, undertake and review their own professional competence, regularly updating, recording and reviewing their continuing professional development (CPD).
Training schedule
As part of your apprenticeship, you'll study for a BSc (Hons) Civil Engineering degree at the University of Plymouth.
Delivered through a block-release study model, the degree covers topics including project management, mathematics, geotechnics, structural engineering, safety and sustainable development.
Alongside your studies, you'll complete placements across engineering teams at Devonport, applying your learning to real projects while benefiting from dedicated technical training, mentoring and support from experienced engineers.
You'll need to be able to work on site at Devonport for a minimum of three days per week and live within a reasonable commuting distance. Throughout the programme, you'll attend the University of Plymouth on a block-release basis.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
A Level in:
- Maths (grade C)
- Mulitple Subjects (grade At least 112 UCAS points)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving skills
- Analytical skills
Other requirements
Many of our programmes are subject to Security Clearance and Trade Control restrictions which mean that your place of birth, nationality, citizenship, or residency you hold or have held may impact which programmes you are eligible for.
For this programme, you must be able to achieve and maintain Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), Security Check (SC) and Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information (NNPI) clearance. For further details, visit GOV.UK and search ‘United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels’.
Under applicable national security legislation, this post may only be occupied by a sole UK national. This legal requirement is independent of our recruitment policies, and all eligible applicants will be assessed fairly and without discrimination.
About this employer
Babcock is an international defence, aerospace and security company operating in our focus countries of the UK, Australasia, Canada, France and South Africa, with exports to additional markets with potential to become focus countries. We meet our customers’ key requirements of affordability, availability, and capability by delivering engineering, support and critical systems to defence and civil markets.
Company benefits
- Fully funded qualification
- Personal development training and opportunities
- 28 days holiday allowance including bank holidays
- Competitive pension scheme
- Employee share scheme
- Flexible benefits
Disability Confident
A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.
You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
It’s hard to beat the variety of fantastic opportunities and business experiences you’ll receive. You can expect real world encounters and exposure to exciting projects that will really help you navigate where you want to take your career.
Plus, when you join us, you’ll be automatically enrolled onto our Apprentice Development Programme. Through a series of digital and face to face sessions, presented by wellbeing and performance experts and our external partners, we will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to thrive and perform at your very best on your programme and beyond.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000058716.
Apply now
Closes on Monday 7 December 2026
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.