Service Designer Degree Apprenticeship
Source: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/degree-apprenticeships/programmes/service-designer/ Parent: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/degree-apprenticeships/
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Service Designer Degree Apprenticeship
Why study Service Designer Degree Apprenticeship at Exeter?
This programme is for:
- Mid to senior-level staff, across sectors, facing complex challenges and who are looking to improve or redesign services using systems thinking.
This programme aims to:
- Equip leaders to tackle complex problems with systemic thinking and evidence‑based guidance.
- Build capability to embed systems thinking service design into organisational strategy and culture.
- Develop skills to improve or create services that balance user and stakeholder needs.
- Cultivate expertise in designing seamless, end‑to‑end services across user interactions, back‑office systems and multiple touchpoints.
- Prepare professionals to co‑design and iterate solutions with teams and stakeholders.
- Foster an adaptive, experimental mindset focused on continuous learning, prototyping and refinement.
Quick facts
- 2-years part-time course
- Online learning
- 10 years as a trusted Degree Apprenticeship partner
- Entry point in September 2026
- MSc Qualification
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Course content
The public and private sphere is an increasingly complex and entangled space: communities, teams, departments and laboratories face challenges that transcend traditional organisational boundaries, which can only be met by staff working across departments and intellectual disciplines. This programme aims to equip people with the skills and tools to explore diverse perspectives, structures, power balances, and interrelationships that make up public sector or private systems.
Throughout the course you will:
- Gain theoretical and practical foundations in systems thinking and service design.
- Receive instruction in trans -disciplinary problem-solving; delivering services under complexity, risk, and uncertainty; and equality, diversity, and inclusive practices.
- Complement your learning in taught modules with two work-based practice modules, which give you as an apprentice the opportunity to put your skills and learning into practice, supported by systems and service designer practitioners.
- Improve the understanding of problems and explore potential improvements within your organisation.
- Gain practical experience of using applied systemic approaches.
First year modules
Please note that the module information displayed here is from a previous year and is subject to change.
90 credits of compulsory modules, 0 credits of optional modules
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POLM811DA | Systemic Service Design | 30 |
| POLM812DA | Inclusive Systemic Evaluation | 30 |
| POLM813DA | Intervention 1 | 30 |
Second year modules
Please note that the module information displayed here is from a previous year and is subject to change.
90 credits of compulsory modules, 0 credits of optional modules
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POLM814DA | Service Design Ethics | 30 |
| POLM815DA | Intervention 2 | 30 |
| POLM816DA | End Point Assessment Preparation | 30 |
Employer information
Do you have staff engaged with addressing complex and cross-disciplinary challenges across your organisation? Are you looking to develop their skills and knowledge? This programme has been designed to offer training in systems thinking methodologies, leadership and ethics, evidence-based service design practice, stakeholder analysis and ultimately the skills and experiences for delivering services under complexity, risk and uncertainty.
Apprentices will receive instruction in the latest theory and practice for systems approaches and service design methods across a variety of modules including. They will gain practical experiences of using key systems approaches in terms of boundary analysis and design, system modelling, surfacing assumptions and negotiating improvement among diverse stakeholders. These theory-led modules are combined with work-based projects where apprentices get to use the new skills and learning on practical real-world challenges within your workplace.
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10 years as a trusted Degree Apprenticeship partner
Entry requirements
Either an honours degree in any subject and/or a minimum of three years’ work experience.
Additional entry requirements
As an apprenticeship funding requirement, all apprentices aged 16-18 studying for a level 3 apprenticeship or higher are required to evidence achievement at level 2 in Mathematics and English before their gateway to endpoint assessment.
If the apprentice is aged 19+ when they begin their apprenticeship training, and they do not already hold a suitable equivalent qualification, English and / or maths is an optional part of the programme under the funding rules. However, L2 English remains a standard entry requirement for University of Exeter programmes.
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Applicants must also have a valid and eligible residency status to gain entry onto the apprenticeship – please see the Department for Education website for further information.
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How to apply
Selection to this programme is made by employers; candidates should already hold a post with the employer and continue working for them throughout the duration of the apprenticeship. The candidate should initially speak to their HR department and/or manager to gain sign off to undertake this apprenticeship.
Once the employer agrees for the candidate to go on the apprenticeship, the candidate will then be required to undertake an application for the University. If successful, applicants will be offered a position. Their place will be confirmed by the University of Exeter, and we will send further information about how to enrol as an apprentice.
Funding
Full programme cost: £15,950
Full apprenticeship and MSc cost: £15,000 covered by apprenticeship levy and £950 for MSc assessment and awarding
The MSc assessment and awarding cannot be covered by the apprenticeship levy and must be self-funded or funded directly by your employer. You will not be able to join the programme unless the University has received the £950 payment due.
Employers who pay the Apprenticeship Levy will pay for the eligible apprenticeship fees (£15,000) directly through that contribution. The MSc assessment and award cost of £950 will be invoiced directly to the employer or the individual outside of the Apprenticeship Levy funding, which may be in addition to an employer’s co-investment payment if the employer does not pay the apprenticeship levy. See further information about the Apprenticeship Levy funding.
Employers must pay their apprentices a salary at least consistent with national legislation.
Funding eligibility criteria
- To be eligible for levy funding, the apprentice must meet the criteria listed in the Department for Education guidance.
- If you / your company are not eligible for levy funding, it can be commercially funded in full by your organisation.
- The apprentice must have a valid and eligible residency status to gain entry onto the apprenticeship.\ \
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Learning
This programme is delivered entirely online.
How you will learn
Approximately 20 per cent of an apprentice's contractual working time will be given over to study. Our model is designed to be flexible around the needs of apprentices and workloads.
The blended learning format incorporates:
- Approximately 12 engaging online master classes days over 25 months.
- Online learning activities.
- Two major work-based practice modules - applying learning to real challenges.
- Apprentices are allocated a workplace mentor within their organisation and an academic mentor to help ensure their successful completion of the programme.
Apprenticeship Standard
The University of Exeter's MSc Systems Thinking for Service Design has been designed to deliver the Service Designer standard. The apprenticeship standard is made up of knowledge, skills and behaviours that are demonstrated in a portfolio of evidence. The University will support you in completing your portfolio in partnership with your workplace. The modules will provide you with the skills and opportunities to apply systemic approaches and plan interventions at your home organisation. Upon completing your portfolio, you will attend the End Point Assessment which consists of a written component (a work-based report) and an oral component (a professional discussion).
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Careers
Addressing the needs of public, private and third sector employers
The Service Designer apprenticeship strengthens the UK economy by building a skilled workforce that improves service efficiency, productivity, and value for money across public, private and third sectors. Apprentices apply user-centred, collaborative design methods to streamline end-to-end services, reduce waste, and improve customer and citizen outcomes. By supporting organisations to modernise services, integrate front and back-office operations, and adapt across multiple channels, your apprentices will help drive innovation, competitiveness, and sustainable economic growth centred, collaborative design methods to streamline end to end services, reduce waste, and improve customer and citizen outcomes.
Find out more about our Service Designer Degree Apprenticeship
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