Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship BA (Hons)
About this course
The Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship (CMDA) is an esteemed apprenticeship programme, created by the Chartered Institute (CMI), the Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS), together with higher education providers.
Who is it for?
This apprenticeship is aimed at:
- Aspiring or existing managers within organisations, looking to strengthen their managerial and leadership skillset
- School leavers looking reap the employability benefits of an apprenticeship, instead of the traditional study route
Why undertake the apprenticeship?
This apprenticeship has been designed to provide development opportunities for both the individual and the organisation. The course will strengthen your practical experience in the workplace, whilst improving your theoretical understanding of management techniques. Furthermore, the programme aims to develop your career prospects to become acclaimed, professional managers and achieve Chartered Manager status.
What are the benefits?
- You’ll complete a course with a bachelor’s degree and a Chartered Manager award at Level 6
- You’ll be working whilst you learn; able to implement the theoretical knowledge gained immediately in the workplace
- You’ll gaining an employability advantage compared to students in full-time education
- You’ll be earning a salary
- You won’t pay tuition fees – the apprenticeship is funded by the Government and your employer
- An apprenticeship will increase your prospects for internal promotion and develop your career
Funded by the Government and your employer, this apprenticeship combines work-based learning and business education, which leads to a degree and professional recognition through the award of Chartered Manager status (CMgrM CMI).
Nottingham Business School has over 20 years’ experience in the delivery of in-company work-based learning degrees in business and management and will deliver this innovative programme in partnership with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).
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The University is TEF Gold accredited for teaching and has been ranked #1 for employability, according to Uni Compare, 2024. -
NTU has been ranked as the #1 Higher Education Provider of Apprenticeships in the UK for the 2024 RateMyApprenticeship Awards. -
92% of Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship students are in highly skilled jobs within 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020/21). -
93% of Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship students are in work and/or further study within 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020/21).
What you’ll study
The aim of the course is to develop managers who can take responsibility for people, projects, operations and services to deliver long-term success and impact within their organisation. The course structure and design is based upon an integrated and thematic approach. Our professional development module underpins the course and supports the development of behavioural and interpersonal skills for both academic and work-based purposes.
The typical duration for this apprenticeship is 3.5 - 4 years. This may vary depending on the experience of the apprentice. You will be completing a BA (Hons) Management and Leadership degree, outlined below and in your fourth year; you will finalise your portfolio of work and complete your End Point Assessment.
Core modules
This year is designed as an introduction to management, as both an academic discipline and field of contemporary organisational practice. The emphasis is on encouraging the development of a holistic and integrated grasp of the interdisciplinary nature of management. You will study how these diverse theoretical foundations relate, compliment and sometimes; conflict with one-another.
During your first year, you will be studying the following modules on study recall days:
- Contemporary organisational design
- People in organisations
- Applied marketing
- Digital business and new technologies
- Business performance
- Developing the professional manager – the individual
Core modules
This year’s theme is “developing collaborative relationships”. You will learn and develop a critical understanding of the subject matter in business management areas. It supports this with consideration around the importance and focus of developing collaborative relationships with all stakeholders.
During year two, you will be studying the following modules on study recall days:
- Problem analysis and business improvement
- Stakeholder relationship management
- People and talent management
- Corporate systems and processes
- Applied project management
- Developing the professional manager – the collaborator
Core modules
The theme ‘contemporary leadership’ focuses on the contemporary nature of leadership, ethical leadership, globalisation and corporate and social responsibility. Students will complete a substantial work-based research project. This is an opportunity to undertake research into an area of study which can have a substantive impact and return for their organisation. This is achieved whilst providing the student with the opportunity to demonstrate abilities and competence across a range of knowledge and skills; crossing the divide between theory and practice.
During your final year, you will be studying the following modules on study recall days:
- Leading and managing strategy
- Leading and managing innovation and change
- Contemporary leadership in 21st century organisations
- Work based research project
- Developing the professional manger – strategist
The BA Management and Leadership degree is the mainstay of the CMDA, which is typically 4 years in duration; culminating in an End Point Assessment (EPA). The successful completion of which, allows the degree apprentice to apply for the status of Chartered Manager.
The End Point Assessment is a robust panel interview, which will include a presentation on the synoptic work-based project, review of portfolio evidence, and a question and answer session.
This assessment technique fully ascertains that the apprentice has met all the requirements of the standard, before the award of their degree apprenticeship.
How you’re taught
As you will be in full-time employment during this degree, you will be called back to Nottingham Business School for study ‘blocks’ for each module. These blocks occur typically for 2 days per calendar month. You will also be expected to complete independent study outside of University as well.
The programme uses a variety of teaching, learning and assessment methods, including group work, written assignments and presentations. You will be working on work-based projects to complete your assignments, which allows you to add value to your organisation as you progress through the course.
You will also have a number of one-to-one tutor sessions during each year, which will allow you to:
- discuss your personal and professional development
- discuss and gain feedback about your work
- ask questions about the projects you're working on
- raise any difficulties you are experiencing relating to your work, personal circumstances or your University experience.
You'll also use our virtual learning environment, NOW, which is a flexible web-based system that gives you 24-hour access to module learning materials and reading lists. It allows you to discuss work with tutors and submit coursework electronically from anywhere in the world.
In addition, you'll find a wealth of professional and personal support whilst you complete your degree apprenticeship with Nottingham Trent University.
Case Studies
Danny Coates
Danny, 31, who has several years of experience working in a manufacturing environment, decided to pursue an apprenticeship as he wanted to develop himself as a professional in his career as a manager. Studying at NBS has allowed him to apply theory to practice, as he mentions “the most enjoyable part of the apprenticeship is the relevance to my role, and applying new tools and techniques to what I do day-to-day”. Read more to find out about Danny’s experience on the Level 6 Chartered Manager degree apprenticeship.
Read moreInes Castro
Inês Castro, 21, studies at NTU as part of our Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship. Read more to here her experiences whilst studying her apprenticeship and how her developing skills will make her stand out in the job market.
Read moreHow you’re assessed
Assessment types include: written assignments, case studies, analysis, reports and reflective pieces – all of which are assessed against appropriate marking criteria. Course learning outcomes include a requirement to work effectively in teams and this is therefore reflected in the assessment types.
Evidence of learning is undertaken in a variety of ways, incorporating module assessments. These assessments are designed to fully integrate the academic learning and its application to the workplace. In addition, the learner will maintain an electronic portfolio of learning evidence, with the inclusion of continuous and progressive reflective pieces of work, e.g. blogs, and journal accounts.
Most 20-credit point modules will have no more than one summative assessment point. In some cases, one type of assessment may be broken in to a number of smaller tasks. Assessment for each module is comparable in terms of time demands. Learner’s assessment takes place at the end of each module, meaning assessment will be staggered and provide a balanced approach to help learner’s progress through the course. Regular formative assessment is used at all levels to monitor an apprentice’s progress and provide feedback about knowledge and understanding gained.
Careers and employability
Thomas Summerfield is currently on the cohort for Pendragon PLC as a Service Adviser:
“Entering my final year of sixth form I was at a career crossroads. Many of my friends were opting for the traditional university path but I set out in search of alternative routes to find something that would fast track my career. Finding the CMDA was the perfect solution, enabling me to study for a degree in Management and Leadership whilst gaining invaluable work experience in an industry I’ve always felt passionate about.
“I’ve gained a real understanding of the business and am able to apply my classroom learnings in a practical way. Developing my skills and confidence in a workplace environment will certainly give me an advantage. It’s something that my friends studying a traditional degree just won’t get.”
Accreditation
Our partnership with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) means that when you graduate you'll also receive a Chartered Management Award. The apprenticeship is a level 6 standard.
Campus and facilities
Entry requirements
Individual employers will set the selection criteria for their apprentices though most will be expected to hold:
- 104 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications (excluding General Studies), BTEC Extended Diploma DMM or an equivalent qualification.
- Applicants who do not meet the standard entry requirements will be considered subject to experience and academic assessment.
- 5 GCSE's including English language and maths at grade C / 4 or above
- Individual employers may have additional selection criteria for their apprenticeships
- Applicants who do not meet the standard entry requirements will be considered subject to experience and academic assessment.
Nottingham Business School will liaise with employers to determine their requirements.
Applicants who cannot evidence their required level 2 qualifications will be asked to complete a functional skills assessment prior to joining the course.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form
We will review your identity documents / immigration status to verify residency eligibility in line with the apprenticeship funding rules, at application stage.
Fees and funding
To undertake an apprenticeship, you must be employed.
Levy paying organisations will finance the tuition fees via their apprenticeship levy.
Non-levy organisations will benefit from 95% co-investment from the government to cover the course fees.
If you, or your employer, have any questions regarding the fees and funding available for this apprenticeship, please see our Apprenticeships pages and contact our Apprenticeships team at apprenticeships@ntu.ac.uk / 0115 848 2589.
Unfortunately English apprenticeships are not available for EU or international students.
How to apply
As you will be studying whilst working full-time, you are getting an abundance of on the job experiences and industry connections to ensure your career gets a head start.
For more information or to talk to us about the companies who currently have opportunities available please email us NBS.business@ntu.ac.uk or call +44 (0)115 848 8139.
Unfortunately this course is not available for EU or international students.