Cranfield University

What you'll study

This apprenticeship covers the core technical and professional knowledge required to work on modern gas turbine systems. Teaching blends classroom and laboratory sessions at Cranfield with substantial on-the-job training provided by your employer. Typical subject areas include:

• Gas turbine principles — thermodynamics, Brayton cycle, combustion fundamentals and performance characteristics.
• Aero‑thermodynamics and turbomachinery — flow through compressors and turbines, blade aerodynamics, and stage matching concepts.
• Materials and manufacturing — high‑temperature materials, coatings, failure mechanisms and life‑assessment techniques.
• Rotordynamics and mechanical systems — vibration, balancing, bearings and shafts.
• Instrumentation, control and condition monitoring — sensors, data acquisition, faults diagnosis and predictive maintenance.
• Engine maintenance and overhaul practices — inspection techniques, repair methods, quality assurance and regulatory requirements.
• Engineering tools and simulation — introduction to CAD, basic CFD concepts, measurement and test methods used in engine test cells.
• Health, safety and environmental considerations — safe working practices around rotating machinery, hazard assessment and regulatory compliance.
• Professional development and management — communication, project work, document control and workplace competence portfolio development.

Assessment is typically through a combination of written assignments, practical demonstrations in laboratory and workshop settings, employer‑verified competence evidence, and a final technical project or professional discussion.

Entry requirements

As an employer‑sponsored apprenticeship, entry requires an offer of employment from a company willing to support your on‑the‑job training. Typical academic requirements include one of the following or equivalent experience:

• Relevant Level 3 qualification such as A‑levels, a BTEC National Certificate/Diploma in an engineering subject, or an equivalent vocational qualification.
• Good numeracy and literacy — employers commonly expect GCSE (or equivalent) passes in mathematics and English.
• Practical mechanical aptitude and prior workshop or engineering experience are highly valued; candidates without formal qualifications may be considered based on workplace evidence.

Applicants will normally undergo employer selection processes which can include practical tests, interviews and occupational health checks. Specific entry criteria are set by the employer sponsoring the apprenticeship and by Cranfield for the off‑the‑job taught component.

Career prospects

Graduates of the apprenticeship move into hands‑on and technical roles across industries that use gas turbines, including power generation, oil and gas, marine propulsion and aerospace thrust‑reverser and auxiliary power systems. Typical job titles include:

• Gas turbine technician or engineer
• Maintenance and overhaul engineer
• Test and commissioning engineer
• Condition monitoring and reliability engineer
• Site operations or plant engineer

The apprenticeship also provides a foundation for further professional development. With additional experience and study, graduates can progress to senior engineering roles, site management, specialist roles in turbomachinery design or materials, or continue to higher qualifications and chartered status where applicable.

Why study at Cranfield University

Cranfield is a specialist postgraduate and professional institution with a long track record in propulsion and power systems education, research and knowledge transfer. The university delivers vocational programmes that are tightly integrated with industry practice, so teaching emphasises real‑world application supported by research expertise.

• Practical facilities — access to dedicated engineering workshops, test rigs and instrumentation for hands‑on learning and verification of competencies.
• Industry relevance — apprenticeship delivery is designed around employer requirements and current industrial practices to ensure skills are immediately applicable in the workplace.
• Experienced teaching team — staff with backgrounds in turbomachinery, materials and maintenance engineering who combine academic rigour with practical experience.
• Apprenticeship support — dedicated apprenticeship administration, tailored assessment planning and help with blending off‑the‑job training into working patterns.

For employers and apprentices seeking a technically rigorous, workplace‑centred route into gas turbine engineering, Cranfield provides a focused environment that bridges academic knowledge and the practical competencies required by industry.