Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship

Providing new and existing staff with the opportunity to access management training, gain a degree and achieve Chartered Manager status with the Chartered Management Institute
Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship

Do you want to attract and develop talented employees? Do you need highly skilled managers to support the future of your business?

Our Chartered Manager degree apprenticeship has been specifically designed by employers for employers, to offer a work-based degree tailored to meet the needs of your business.

Working in close collaboration with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), this programme provides a uniquely flexible alternative to traditional university study. Your employees will have the opportunity to gain a BSc (Hons) Professional Management degree at the University of Plymouth and earn prestigious Chartered Manager status, whilst in employment.

Internationally recognised as the highest status that can be achieved in the management profession, the Chartered Manager accreditation will develop and enhance all of the practical skills and core knowledge needed to become a successful 21st century leader.

How to apply 

The potential apprentice will be required to complete an Initial Needs Assessment (INA) with the support of their employer and the University to ensure the Apprenticeship programme is an appropriate solution to their skills development needs. On completion of the INA the University will assess the information provided and determine the next steps.

To request the Initial Needs Assessment please contact apprenticeships@plymouth.ac.uk

Fees and funding

  • Apprentices do not pay any course fees.
  • By studying a Degree Apprenticeship, students will obtain a full honours degree, and not incur any costs.
  • Fees are paid for by the apprenticeship levy.

Funding models

There are currently two funding models; 
  • Co-funded: Non levy organisations and Levy who have exceeded their Levy contribution.
  • Fully funded: Levy paying organisations 

Programme cost


Total cost £12,000

Example of costs per funding model; 

Co-funded 

If you are a non-levy paying organisation or you are a Levy organisation who has exceeded their pot the government will financial co-support your Apprenticeship training – they will contribute 95 per cent of the costs and as the employer you will contribute 5 per cent. 
  • Government contribution £11,400
  • Employer contribution £600
  • Apprentice contribution £0
Fully funded

If the annual pay bill of your organisation exceeds £3m you will pay for your apprenticeship training through your levy account. If you have exceeded your levy contribution you will fund apprenticeship training through the co-funded model – to better understand how this will work please make contact with us.

Employer contribution £12,000

A relevant HND, Foundation Degree, or other Level 5 (or equivalent) qualification will be required.

Professional diplomas or certificates from a relevant professional body (ILM, CII, CISP, CILT, IoE, CMI, CIPD) and recognised as equivalent to Level 5 may also be considered. The qualification should ideally be in subject relevant to your chosen specialist route. 

Applicants with credits or qualifications in a non-related subject must demonstrate that they have knowledge and skills sufficient to meet the demands of this programme.

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to achieve an IELTS overall score of 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in each skill) or equivalent in a secure English Language test. If an applicant’s English Language score does not meet these requirements, they may complete one of the University’s pre-sessional English Language courses, to support their application.

Applicants who do not possess the qualifications outlined above may also be eligible for admission on the basis of previous work experience or training. In consultation with your employer, the programme team will ensure that applicants can demonstrate their capacity to benefit from and successfully complete the course as above. Applicants will be subject to a diagnostic of their core knowledge and skills to establish the level of prior and experiential learning. If this is satisfactory, they will receive appropriate learning support to ascertain their readiness to start their programme of study.

Key benefits

  • @ Tailored to your business needs - an industry-led, work-based degree that enables your employees to specialise in a number of career-specific areas
  • @ Prestigious Chartered Manager status - internationally recognised as the highest status achieved in the management profession
  • @ Increase retention and productivity - actively investing in your team is proven to increase productivity and retention (CMI)

Chartered Managers add an average value of £391,000 to their organisations (CMI)

Who is this suitable for?

This is suitable for new recruits entering into their first management position, as well as aspiring or existing managers already in employment. 

Whether you are in the private or public sector, a small or large organisation, this programme will help your employees acquire high level management skills and competencies to become a successful leader.

Job roles may include: Line Manager, Team Leader, Senior Manager, Head of Department, Office Manager, and Operations Manager.

Apprentice Testimonial

"I had become an ‘accidental manager’ and the Chartered Manager apprenticeship is giving me the tools to formalise my work using best practice and theory. With a focus on work-based practice, I am constantly evaluating our day-to-day activities and can suggest and implement improvements."

Jason Scott

Agile Development Manager and IT Security Coordinator, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Read about Jason's experience

Core modules and learning

Introduction to Programme

This introductory module provides support for the apprentice to become a proficient Higher Education learner, enabling them to engage with the learning environment and resources available in order to develop the core academic skills required for study. Led by a specialist learning development tutor and learning technologists, it will help all apprentices (even those new to Higher Education and E-Learning) to identify areas for development and create a personalised teaching and learning plan to meet their needs. This builds the foundation for the core modules to follow.

Professional Management Practice

Running throughout the programme, this module will embed the knowledge and standards required of a professional, Chartered Manager. Main topic areas include: Strategic Planning and Management, Financial Management, Managing Change, HR, Leadership, Risk Management and Legal frameworks. Apprentices are required to apply knowledge within their own working environments and reflect on personal experiences within these key areas of management practice. The application of theory to practice is a critical aspect of learning with assessment being predicated on demonstration of active work-integrated learning. During the second year of this module, there is a focus on refining the work-based portfolio to reflect the personal development of management practice skills, knowledge and behaviours.

Sales, Marketing and New Technologies

Through study, reflection and exercises, this module seeks to explore the development of knowledge and embed the practice of creating marketing strategies and developing new markets. The aim is to use theory and practice for effective marketing and sales in local and global markets, taking into account the impact of new technologies and digital business on a commercial, public or social (third sector) organisation.

Running through the module is a sustainability theme that recognises businesses have a responsibility for the environment and the people it directly and indirectly employs.

Work-based Research Project

This module is based on the learner undertaking a substantive, investigative work-based project within their own organisation. With the support of a project supervisor over a six-month period, they will develop the skills needed to design a work-based project, to collect data and to report on their findings in a professional manner. They will discuss key findings, make recommendations for performance improvement, and reflect on their self-effectiveness and professional practice.

Specialist options

In addition to the core modules, apprentices can choose from a range of specialist elective modules in industry-related areas, such as organisational performance and human resourcing; international supply chains; and international trade.

Apprentices will also undertake a work-based project which will be developed with their employer and will be tailored to their organisation's needs.

This will enable them to apply some of the skills and behaviours covered throughout the programme.

Delivery 

Delivered over two years as a work-integrated degree programme, the apprenticeship is delivered via flexible learning with all study material available online and mandatory campus attendance three times a year. 

As a student at the University of Plymouth, apprentices can benefit from a full range of facilities and resources, including the library, study spaces, and core reading material including journals and industry reports.

Study commitment

As a guide, apprentices should expect to study for an additional 12 hours per week on top of their scheduled learning. Employers are expected to support their apprentice's study by providing a workplace mentor and supporting meetings and assessments. 

Programme staff