Ready to own your future? Why choose between work and study when you can have both? With our Graduate Apprenticeships, you’ll get hands-on experience, a salary, and a degree - all at once. Work full-time in a real role, while studying towards your qualification. It’s the best of both worlds.

Join us as a Scientific Software Development Graduate Apprentice, and in 4 years' time you’ll be graduating debt-free with a BSc (Hons) from Heriot Watt University with 4 years of work experience under your belt. It’s an incredible way to start your career.

You’ll join our Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) team in Edinburgh from August 2025, working to support public health through accurate water quality monitoring.

What does a Scientific Software Development Graduate Apprentice do?

As a Scientific Software Development Graduate Apprentice, you’ll help shape the future of public health and water safety in Scotland. Working with our LIMS (Laboratory Information Management Systems) team, you’ll develop and improve the software that monitors and records water quality data – making sure it meets strict standards set by SEPA and the Drinking Water Quality Regulator (DWQR).

From day one, you’ll get hands-on experience with data-focused software development, learning programming languages like LIMS Basic, Smalltalk and SQL. You’ll design, build, and test solutions that track water samples, record test results, and keep our compliance data accurate and up to date. Your work will have a real impact – helping to protect Scotland’s drinking water and public health.

You’ll collaborate with experienced software developers, laboratory and Technical Logistics teams, public health specialists, and environmental professionals, using your coding and problem-solving skills to create smarter, more efficient processes.

By the time you finish your 4-year apprenticeship, you’ll have a degree, four years of industry experience, and a strong technical skillset – giving you everything you need to kick-start a career in scientific software development.

Your Journey with Us

Graduate Apprenticeships offer the incredible opportunity to combine an academic degree qualification at a Scottish University with up to five years of hands-on work experience. Our Graduate Apprentices split their time between university and work, learning to apply their knowledge and skills in real time.

Over four years, you’ll receive dedicated training to become a fully qualified Systems Administrator, gaining the skills and confidence to make a real impact.

This is your chance to earn as you learn, working with industry-leading teams to help deliver services that are essential to the daily lives of the people of Scotland.

What’s in it for you?

You’ll be challenged and given the opportunity to grow. We’re committed to helping you unlock your full potential with top-notch training, ongoing support, and a significant investment in your personal and professional development.

Earn while you learn. You’ll start on £23,840, with clear, scheduled pay increases as you reach key milestones as you work towards your degree. As you apply your learning directly to your role, your studies will gain real-world relevance and impact. You’ll also be eligible for an annual bonus and a great pension scheme.

Qualification. You’ll earn a Software Development for Business BSc (Hons) from Heriot Watt University, supported by expert trainers and assessors from our in-house Skills Academy.

Hybrid working. You’ll be based at our Juniper House laboratory, right on the Heriot Watt campus, where you’ll be part of an inspiring environment focused on hands-on learning. But there’s flexibility to work from home when your role allows.

Real-world experience. Skip the theory and dive straight into dynamic, hands-on projects. You’ll build practical experience that not only enhances your learning but also accelerates your career.

Unmatched support. You’ll have a dedicated team of mentors and trainers at your side, guiding you through every step of the journey and ensuring you have everything you need to succeed.

Career growth. Upon completing the programme, you’ll be well-positioned to secure a permanent role, with both a degree and invaluable hands-on experience in your field.

Make a difference. You’ll be providing a vital service to Scotland and your local community, helping to protect the natural environment and make a positive impact.

And the best part? You’ll be part of a supportive, close-knit team that truly cares about your success - and who make every day at work enjoyable and rewarding.

What you’ll need

Software Development is a challenging specialism, and you’ll be studying at undergraduate level. So, it’s important that you meet the university’s entry requirements.

Ideally, you’ve already started your journey in Further Education and have an HNC in a relevant subject like Computing, Software Design, or Cyber Security (or a suitable Modern Apprenticeship).

But if you haven’t taken that path, no problem – we’d still love to hear from you if you have:

3 SQA Highers at ABBB, including Computing (or equivalent) and suitable Mathematics or;
A-Levels at BBB, including Computing (or equivalent) and suitable Mathematics or;
International Baccalaureate with 28 points.

We will also accept relevant Foundation Apprenticeships which will be treated as equivalent to one SQA Higher at Grade B.

You will need to be fully committed to gaining your degree. Some of your learning will happen on campus. Some of it will happen at work. Both are equally important.

But it’s not all about qualifications. It’s also about mindset. While your full-time student friends might occasionally decide to have a lie in and skip an early morning lecture after a night out, that won’t be an option for you.

In addition to the academic requirements, a basic understanding of programming languages will be useful and could help you get up to speed faster. While it’s not essential to have advanced skills in these areas, an interest in software development, coding and, problem solving skills will give you an advantage as you begin your learning journey.

A Note to Women Considering an Apprenticeship

We’re proud to see more women joining our apprenticeship programmes every year - but we know there’s still work to do. Women are underrepresented in some of these roles, and we’re committed to changing that.

If you’re reading this and wondering if an apprenticeship is right for you, here’s the answer: it is. Don’t let outdated ideas about who belongs in certain jobs hold you back.

Apprenticeships are for anyone with curiosity, drive, and a willingness to learn. If that sounds like you, we’d love to see you apply.

At Scottish Water, you’ll find a supportive network of women and men who’ve got your back. Whether you’re out in the field, in the lab, or in the office, you’ll be part of a team that’s here to help you grow, succeed, and feel like you belong - because you do.

The not-so-small print

We’re accepting applications until midnight on Sunday 6 April 2025.

There will be some fun (no, honestly!) online assessment activity during late April. Interviews will happen during May. And we’re aiming to get all our new apprentices started on the 4 August.