Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship - Information for employees

Gain a BSc (Hons) Professional Management practice degree and earn Chartered Manager status whilst in paid employment

European Social Fund (ESF)

Are you looking to progress in your career without taking time out to study? Do you aspire to be a successful leader?

Our Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship has been specifically designed by employers to do just that.

This industry-led, work-based degree is a bespoke programme for you and your organisation, tailored to meet the crucial knowledge and skills you require as a 21st century leader.

Working in close collaboration with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), this programme provides a uniquely flexible alternative to traditional university study.

You will gain a BSc (Hons) Professional Management Practice degree at the University of Plymouth, and earn prestigious Chartered Manager status whilst in paid employment.

How to apply
Entry requirements

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

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

@ Prestigious Chartered Manager status: internationally recognised as the highest status that can be achieved in the management profession
@ Flexible study: salaried employment whilst studying for a degree
@ Enhance your skills: gain access to a wide range of industry-leading tools and practices
@ Tailored to your needs: specialise in an industry-specific module relevant to your workplace
@ No course fees: costs are paid for by the government and/or your employer
@ An education provider you can trust: support from experienced academic staff with an in-depth knowledge of your subject area

Programme overview

Two-year degree
12 hours of study per week
Flexible learning with all materials available online and mandatory campus attendance three times a year
Full access to all University facilities i.e. library, study space, core reading materials, industry reports
Support from a personal workplace tutor and company mentor throughout the duration of the programme
An assigned academic tutor that will set your assignments, deliver teaching and webinars and provide one-to-one feedback.

"The Chartered Manager Apprenticeship has been greatly beneficial to me. I've previously completed qualifications at masters, postgraduate and doctorate level, as well as building my senior management experience, however I value the chance to top up my skills and improve my practice.

The modules studied have given me access to the latest management theory and practice which I can directly apply to my role, particularly in areas such as accounting, risk and change management. Apprenticeships provide an opportunity for those at any stage of their career to develop themselves and add value to their workplace. I would recommend it to everyone."

Dr Julian Commons
Inspection Officer, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service

<p>Dr Julian Commons - Chartered Manager Degree Appprenticeship </p>

Core modules and learning

Introduction to Programme

This introductory module provides you the support to become a proficient Higher Education learner, enabling you 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.

You are required to apply knowledge within your 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 involves you undertaking a substantive, investigative work-based project within your own organisation.

With the support of a project supervisor over a six-month period, you will develop the skills needed to design a work-based project, to collect data and to report on your findings in a professional manner.

You will discuss key findings, make recommendations for performance improvement, and reflect on your self-effectiveness and professional practice.

Areas of specialism

In addition to the core modules that the Chartered Manager Apprentice will study, they will also be able to select from one of the bespoke 20-credit modules which will become their specialism.

It is anticipated that this will inform their choice of research for the synopsis project and enable them to demonstrate some of the skills and behaviours they are expected to develop.

The range of elective modules cover the following areas:

organisational performance
international supply chain
tourism and hospitality
international trade.

<p>Student holding a folder with Tourism and Hospitality with Plymouth University branding</p>

Delivery

The programme is usually delivered over two years and includes a combination of work-based core topics and academic learning.

This apprenticeship programme is delivered via flexible learning with all study materials available online and mandatory campus attendance three times a year.

As a registered student at the University of Plymouth, you will have full access to all of our facilities, i.e. library, study space 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.

How will you be assessed?

Following each module, you will submit a written piece of work in the form of a report, essay or a reflective portfolio. Some of your projects will require more interaction with your workplace and feedback from your work-based tutor and workplace mentor.

Upon successful completion of your modules, you will be awarded the BSc (Hons) Professional Management Practice qualification and achieve Chartered Manager status. Following this you will undertake an independent end point assessment which will be based on a presentation and interview.

Your work-based portfolio and work-based project report will form the basis of this process of end point assessment and the achievement of the apprenticeship. On successful achievement of the apprenticeship you may apply for membership to the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).