Course overview
This apprenticeship prepares professionals to use artificial intelligence (AI), including low-code AI and human-in-the-loop automation, to improve productivity through practical application.
This course is designed to provide a comprehensive foundation for learners to pursue a career across industries that rely on digital technologies, online systems, and data-driven processes.
The curriculum emphasises practical skills in operational teams, digital support roles, and change delivery, with modules that explore approaches to optimising organisational processes. The course’s central aim is to equip learners to enhance productivity and streamline operations through the responsible use of automation, integration, and AI tools. Learners develop the ability to identify inefficiencies, implement digital solutions, and tackle challenges such as task duplication and fragmented systems to achieve time and cost savings.
Learners engage with case studies and collaborative projects, working with internal teams to introduce new workflows and support integration.
Strong emphasis is placed on communication and teamwork, ensuring alignment with organisational goals. Key learning outcomes include workflow analysis, recommending improvements using low-code or no-code and AI-driven automations, and supporting user adoption of new technologies. Ethical, safe, and policy-compliant use of digital solutions is integrated throughout, preparing graduates to meet both technical and organisational needs responsibly.
Five reasons your business needs an AI and automation practitioner:
- Accelerate low-code deployment to build custom workflows and interactive data dashboards without the need for expensive software developers.
- Improve operational efficiency by mapping workflow bottlenecks, eliminating manual waste and unifying data to support decision-making.
- Protect your business with safe AI implementation through clear governance, ethics and human-in-the-loop safeguards.
- Strengthen your workforce with skills aligned to national standards, providing high-quality digital expertise directly to your team.
- Future-proof operations by equipping your business with the long-term, in-house capabilities needed to adapt as artificial intelligence and automated tools continue to evolve.
Full details of the apprenticeship standard, including the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours developed by this programme, can be accessed here, Apprenticeship reference ST1512, Version 2.0.
Please note, we can only respond to enquiries from employers, or individuals with agreement from their employer to undertake an apprenticeship.
* Subject to University approval
Course details
Course structure
Core modules
Data Intelligence and System Integration
In a data-driven business environment, bridging fragmented systems to unlock valuable trends is essential for driving operational efficiency. This module explores how software connectors act as the glue between diverse organisational datasets while maintaining quality and security. Gain hands-on experience with tools such as Power BI to model, analyse, and present summaries.
Develop the practical skills to design and build dashboards based on unified data sources that deliver insights needed to support business decisions.
This is a 30-credit module.
Modern artificial intelligence (AI) can help amplify human ingenuity, acting as a collaborative workspace partner to streamline daily operations. This module explores the core capabilities of Generative AI (Gen AI), focusing on how these tools can augment everyday professional roles. Develop hands-on skills in prompt engineering, learning how to craft precise, structured inputs to extract high-quality, reliable outputs.
Gain the practical skills to design human-in-the-loop systems, custom AI-enabled assistants and structured prompt libraries to streamline workflows. Explore essential ethical and legal guardrails, manage risks like model hallucinations, understand data privacy laws, and maintain the human oversight needed to keep AI a safe, accurate, and compliant organisational asset.
This is a 30-credit module.
Managing Business Transformational Change
In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, technology and the ability to harness its potential are reshaping industries and driving transformation. Business analysts (BA) are central in accelerating change and encouraging innovation. Learners gain a comprehensive understanding of organisational change and the BA’s role as a change agent. They explore the competencies required to become a successful BA alongside understanding change models, strategic thinking, and the BA’s responsibilities in guiding transformational change.
This is a 30-credit module.
Maximising operational efficiency requires organisations to eliminate repetitive, manual tasks that slow down productivity. This module explores the core principles of workflow automation, how to identify process friction points, reduce duplication, and design smoother end-to-end business operations. Explore the growing ecosystem of low-code and no-code platforms, learning how to use trigger-based logic to connect tools and automate routine tasks.
Gain hands-on experience by building, testing, and tracking workflows. By designing optimised logic and implementing best practices for error handling, learners develop the practical skills to deploy reliable automated systems that save time and keep business operations running smoothly.
This is a 30-credit module.
Modules offered may vary.
How you learn
Delivered through a flexible, blended model, this apprenticeship combines synchronous and asynchronous online learning, normally supported by two days of on-campus study. This on-campus element takes place at either our Middlesbrough or London campus, which is predetermined prior to course commencement.
How you are assessed
The apprentice is assessed using coursework including presentations, reports, reflective statements and independent/group project work.
Completion of the apprenticeship is by end-point assessment (EPA) which looks at the knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) developed to determine if the requirements of the standard have been met.
Please refer to the Artificial intelligence (AI) and Automation Practitioner apprenticeship standard for further information on the KSBs that are assessed by each method and details of the EPA.
End Point Assessment (EPA)
Our Disability Services team provide an inclusive and empowering learning environment and have specialist staff to support disabled students access any additional tailored resources needed. If you have a specific learning difficulty, mental health condition, autism, sensory impairment, chronic health condition or any other disability please contact a Disability Services as early as possible.
Find out more about our disability services
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
To be accepted on to a degree apprenticeship course you must have support from your employer and meet the course entry requirements.
64 UCAS Tariff points from any combination of Level 3 qualifications, and a Level 2 in English and maths.
We also welcome mature learners without conventional qualifications but who can demonstrate knowledge and skills acquired through experiential learning.
We cannot accept applications from international students requiring a student visa.
Eligibility for apprenticeship funding in England
To qualify for apprenticeship funding in England, an apprentice must meet all the criteria outlined by the Department for Education in the Apprenticeship Funding Rules. These requirements apply to programmes starting between 1 August 2025 and 31 July 2026.
1. Right to work
The apprentice must have the legal right to work in England.
2. Residency eligibility
The apprentice must meet the residency requirements detailed in Annex A of the Funding Rules. 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.
3. Visa duration and completion viability
For apprentices with time-limited immigration permission (such as visas), the permission must cover the entire duration of the apprenticeship, including the end-point assessment. If the visa expires before completion, the apprentice is not eligible for funding.
Full details can be found in the official guidance: Apprenticeship Funding Rules 2025 to 2026
You can gain considerable knowledge from work, volunteering and life. Under recognition of prior learning (RPL) you may be awarded credit for this which can be credited towards the course you want to study.
Find out more about RPL
Employability
Career opportunities
Individuals will be in work roles with genuine AI and automation use cases and will have the knowledge and skills to design, build, test, and deploy automated solutions.