Digital Degree Apprenticeship - Software Developer Manchester Learning and Development

Digital Degree Apprenticeship – Software Developer

We\’re now looking to kick-start recruitment for our Digital and Technology Solutions Degree apprenticeship programme. This is a great opportunity to gain business exposure while you work in one of AJ Bell’s software development teams. If you’re successful, you’ll join the AJ Bell Apprenticeship Academyin September 2026.

Our Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship programme is a great opportunity for you to gain practical experience in our Technology department whilst studying. At the same time as working and learning on the job you will study for four years for a BSc in Digital and Technology Solutions with our academic provider, Manchester Metropolitan University. You will spend one day per week during term time undertaking classroom learning at University; the rest of your time will be spent working at AJ Bell, gaining valuable skills, earning a competitive salary with your fees paid, plus much more!

The software development teams at AJ Bell create and maintain the software that powers our investment platform. They design, build, test, and update the systems and applications that our customers and staff use. This includes everything from the website and mobile apps to the backend systems that handle transactions and data. They work to ensure the software is secure, reliable, and easy to use.

As an apprentice in one of our software development teams, you will:

• Learn by doing: Get hands-on experience writing simple code for both the front end and the back end. You’ll build your skills step by step by working on real tasks, with support from your team.
• Assist with projects: Take on meaningful tasks that support our product features. You’ll be guided by the team, and your work will help improve the tools and experiences we build for our users.
• Fix bugs: Investigate and help resolve minor bugs and assist in troubleshooting software issues.
• Test to build confidence: Learn how to test your code to make sure it works correctly and doesn’t break other parts of the system, giving us confidence in the software we\’re delivering.
• Understand the development cycle: Learn how an idea becomes working software. You’ll follow the full journey, from planning and writing code, to reviewing it, testing, and deploying it to our users.
• Collaborate: Work with other team members, attend meetings, and learn from experienced developers.

This apprenticeship offers you a perfect entry point into technology, providing the knowledge and experience needed for a future career in tech. As a software development apprentice, you would follow the software engineering specialist pathway as part of your degree studies.

When you join our Apprenticeship Academy you will enjoy a tailored induction programme with us and Manchester Metropolitan University. This will give you the chance to get to know our business and develop your skills on the job, while at the same time continuing on a development programme designed to help you feel good about your future with AJ Bell. You will also benefit from the support of a dedicated mentor from within the business.

Do youfeel positiveabout taking your first step to a career in the Financial Services industry? AJ Bell is a fast-growing, award-winning business and we could have just the opportunity for you to join theAJ Bell Apprenticeship Academy!

What are we looking for?

• Minimum of 112 UCAS points (under the tariff for courses starting from September 2017)
• Minimum of 5 GCSE’s A*-C / 9 – 4 (including Maths and English)
• You must have the right to work in the UK for the duration of your apprenticeship and have lived in the UK/EEA for the past 3 years
• Ability to demonstrate why you want to work within the financial services industry
• Enthusiasm to learn and develop in different teams within the business

Our perks and benefits:

• Starting holiday entitlement of 25 days, increasing up to 31 days with length of service
• Holiday buy and sell scheme
• A choice of pension schemes with matched contributions up to 6%
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• Annual free share awards scheme
• Buy As You Earn (BAYE) Scheme
• Health Cash Plan – provided by SimplyHealth
• Discounted private healthcare scheme and dental plan
• Free gym membership, with an on-site gym providing a wide range of free classes
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Sick pay+ pledge
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave
• Discounted nursery fees at Kids Planet on Exchange Quay
• Loans for travel season tickets
• Charitable giving opportunities through salary sacrifice
• Calendar of social events, including monthly payday drinks, annual Christmas party, summer party and much more
• Parking at Exchange Quay (Subject to availability)
• Ongoing technical training
• Peer recognition scheme, with rewards including restaurant and shopping vouchers or time off
• Monthly leadership breakfasts and lunches
• Casual dress code
• Access to a range of benefits from our sponsorship deals

At AJ Bell, our people are the heart of our culture. We believe in building strong connections by working together. That\’s why we offer a hybrid working model, where you’ll spend a minimum of 50% of your working time per month in the office. For new team members, an initial period will be full-time in the office to help you immerse yourself in our business and build valuable relationships with your colleagues.

AJ Bell is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and all employees are empowered to bring their whole self to work.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, pregnancy, religion, physical and mental disability, marital status and any other characteristics protected by the Equality Act 2010. All decisions to hire are based on qualifications, merit and business need.

If you feel inspired and meet the entry criteria, then be sure to apply via our website. You should include your CV and a covering note answering the following questions:

• Why do you want a career in technology and specifically as a software developer?
• Why would you like to join AJ Bell’s apprenticeship programme?

Closing date for applications is Sunday 4 January 2026

AJ Bell is one of the fastest-growing investment platform businesses in the UK offering an award-winning range of solutions that caters for everyone, from professional financial advisers to DIY investors with little to no experience. We have over 620,000 customers using our award-winning platform propositions to manage assets totalling more than £96.1 billion. Our customers trust us with their investments, and by continuously striving to make investing easier, we aim to help even more people take control of their financial futures.

Having listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange in December 2018, AJ Bell is now a FTSE 250 company.

Headquartered in Manchester with offices in central London and Bristol, we now have over 1,500 employees and have been named one of the UK\’s \’Best 100 Companies to Work For’ for six consecutive years and in 2025 named a Great Place to Work.

At AJ Bell you can expect a friendly working environment with a strong sense of teamwork, we have a great sense of pride in what we do, and this is reflected in our guiding principles.