Software Development Level 4 Apprenticeship

Please note: This role may close soon depending on the level of interest so don’t miss out! 

Thank you for your interest in applying for this TfL Apprenticeship Scheme.

 

We’d like to remind you that you must ensure you are eligible for this scheme before applying. Please read through the eligibility criteria below carefully and ensure that you are eligible before applying.

 

This application will also contain a series of questions to establish whether or not you are eligible. It is important that you take great care in reading and answering these questions as we will not be able to revert your application if an error is made.

 

Please Note: We only allow one application for any of our Apprenticeship schemes per year. Any subsequent applications will be withdrawn

Software Development Apprentice

Getting millions there safely. Loving your job.

Level

4

Apprenticeship Framework/Standard

Software Developer

Salary

£28,380 per annum

What We Offer

You will enjoy excellent benefits and scope to grow. Rewards vary according to the business area but mostly include: 

• Free travel on the TfL network for you and a nominee who lives in the same household  
• Discounted National Rail and Eurostar travel 
• Defined pension contribution scheme  
• Minimum 29 days annual leave (pro rata dependent on role) plus public and bank holidays.  
• Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme 
• Retail, health, leisure and travel offers & many more 
  
  

Duration

30 months

Location:

London - Hybrid working within this role enables a balance of 50 per cent of time split between the office and home over a 4-week period. Hybrid working arrangements can evolve subject to business requirements

Entry Requirements

A minimum of 3 GCSE’s Grade A* - C or Grade 4 and above including Maths and English language plus 2 A Levels at grade A*-D or equivalent.

As part of the qualifications above you should have an A-Level (A*-D) or GCSE (A*-C) in an IT subject (or equivalent) or existing knowledge of any programming language including conditional statements, arrays, loops and error handling.

You are not eligible for this scheme if you currently hold or are working towards a qualification at the same or higher level in a related subject or have already studied content from the qualification for this scheme.

You must be 18 years of age by 7 September 2026 to be eligible for this scheme.

Proposed start date

7th September 2026

Job Overview

Our software teams write the computer programs which keep London moving. Learn to write professional, high-quality code using a wide range of technologies, whilst gaining experience on some of London’s largest and most familiar software systems.

What will I be doing?

Skills

As an apprentice, your development programme will be made up of 3 - 4 placement rotations. Our aim is to equip you with the range of skills and experience you need for your successful career. We also understand that everyone’s career is different, so every apprentice’s journey is unique. Here’s an example idea of what yours could look like:

Year 1

Initial training – 6 - 8 weeks

You meet fellow apprentices who are starting their software development scheme at the same time as you. Over six - eight weeks you are introduced to the fundamentals of writing object-orientated C# and learn how to test your code, whilst in a supportive and friendly group setting. This informal training is led by current developers from our teams, including recent apprentices, and equips you with the knowledge and confidence to start your first placement.

Placement 1 example – Full-stack Developer

- 6 months

Working in a team, under the guidance of an experienced developer, you may create a responsive React web application, which allows London Underground staff to view train timetable information relevant to their station. You collaborate with end users to understand their requirements and demonstrate your product, as it evolves, to get their feedback. Your team may also create a C# API, running in Microsoft’s Azure Cloud, which feeds data to the web application. Using pair programming, within a Scrum team, you’ll learn how to deliver high quality, clean code with extensive automated tests.

Placement 2 example – Revenue Systems Developer – 6 months

Using C# and Azure, your team delivers a scalable platform for calculating the charges related to road usage. With guidance from Microsoft engineers, you learn how to select the right technology from their ever-changing range of products. Extend your knowledge of testing and learn how to optimise the performance of components before they’re released and then how to monitor the live systems for any issues.

Year 2

Placement 3 example – Web Developer – 6 months

You’ll add new features to TfL’s websites, to improve the experience of Oyster & Contactless customers. By your third placement, you’ll be working more independently, picking up your own tasks from the team’s backlog, delivering fully tested components of software for review by your team.

Placement 4 example – App developer

– 6 months

Join the team creating TfL’s mobile apps, with the opportunity to learn Android or iOS development. Combine this with your increasing knowledge of C# to create secure backend services in Azure which push data to devices.

The first placement is fixed, subsequent placements are mutually agreed to ensure you gain experience on the widest possible range of technologies, tools and teams, as this is one of TfL’s key differentiators.

Sustainability 

Sustainability is intrinsic to TfL’s work ethos, and we ensure that we operate in a sustainable way to protect and regenerate the natural world. You’ll also be able to complete placements that help deliver our green strategy and ensure TfL is a strong, green heartbeat for London. 

Where can this career take me?

Our scheme equips you with the skills and knowledge to deliver enterprise software. The experience you gain with large business critical solutions will make you stand out from the competition. You could roll-off as a Junior Developer – Responsible for delivering discrete software stories within a Scrum team, which meet business requirements, are fully tested and meet our standards for code quality. From here you could progress to a Developer (mid-level), then progress to become a Senior Developer and then a Technical Lead, accountable for a team’s software design and implementation, including setting the quality standard.

What training and support will you get?

You will be working towards a Level 4 qualification as a Software Developer.

Typically, you will be required to attend formal training with the official apprenticeship training provider within your first year, lasting between 12 – 16 weeks.

Our award-winning teams will support your ongoing development, through a wide range of on-the-job practical experience and placements. We'll support your professional development through a combination of training, mentoring, and networking.

You'll also receive one-to-one guidance throughout the programme from your:

• Placement manager: Responsible for your day-to-day management and support with your development
• Scheme sponsor: A senior manager who acts as a technical and professional adviser and has line manager responsibility
• Buddy: Usually, an apprentice or graduate who gives support to you and ensure that you feel welcomed in the organisation
• Development adviser: Supports your professional development through providing career coaching and career progression at TfL
  
  

What do we look for?

Our core values are extremely important to us, and we desire candidates who are:

• Caring about our colleagues, our customers and our work

Open to each other, to new ideas and to working together

Adaptable to diverse needs and willing to innovate

Application process 

 

Our application system requires all applicants to upload a CV. Although CVs are not reviewed during the shortlisting process, we do use them to confirm that applicants meet the required grade eligibility criteria. You are welcome to upload a basic CV however, please ensure that the section detailing your qualifications is accurate and up to date. Please note we do not read cover letters.

The application process consists of 5 steps, including online assessments which will need to be completed within an allocated time frame. We highly recommend that you read through this document thoroughly so that you can familiarise yourself with the process.

Please click on this link for which describes each stage of the  Apprentice Application Process

You will receive information and guidance around each assessment stage as you progress through your application.  

Please pay close attention to emails and deadlines provided noting you have 1 week to complete online assessments and we cannot re-issue these tests once the deadline passes.

Assessment centres for apprentice roles will take place from March - May 2026, please note that many roles only have 1 assessment day and we are unable to guarantee alternative dates. We are conducting assessment centres in-person and virtually (role dependent).

Our city. Made better by you.  

TfL is a place that’s open to your ideas. Where you can make a tangible impact and see the positive results of your work on the people and places around you. It’s a place where you can thrive and achieve. Where you’re encouraged and enabled and empowered to feel pride in the work you do. The clue is in the name, really. We work together for a better London. A better place for everyone. Constantly improving and enhancing how we operate to shape a city of the future.  

Inclusive recruitment process  

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We want to represent the city we serve, which will help us become a more innovative and efficient organisation. Our goal is to make our recruitment as inclusive as possible. We are a disability confident employer who guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who meets all of the essential criteria. 

In High Volume campaigns including Graduate, Apprentice and Intern recruitment the minimum criteria we set is achieving a pass mark in our first stage assessments, adopting a proportionate approach as part of the Disability Confident scheme. 

Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments for any stages of the application process.  

Contact us 

Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments. 

Contact the recruitment team by 

•             Phone: 0203 005 1680 (Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 17.30) 
•             Email: earlycareerscampaigns@tfl.gov.uk