Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship BA (Hons)
About this course
Please note: This Apprenticeship Standard is currently being reviewed and improved, with the new Standard expected to be in place for September 2025 entry. Please keep checking the website for updates, as the course page will be updated in the coming months with the latest changes.
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 to recap 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).
-
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.
Completing your Apprenticeship
To achieve the apprenticeship, all apprentices must complete an End-Point Assessment (EPA). The EPA is an independent assessment that ascertains whether an apprentice is competent in their occupation.
Gateway
Gateway is the period of time between the end of the off-the-job training (practical period) and the beginning of the assessment period when EPA will take place.
At Gateway, the apprentice, employer and training provider will review the apprentice’s knowledge, skills and behaviours to determine whether they are ready to take their EPA. This is normally done at a Gateway review meeting which takes place near the end of the apprenticeship. At this meeting, all three parties will check that the mandatory aspects of the apprenticeship have been completed and that the apprentice is ready to take their final assessment(s).
Apprentices must meet the Gateway requirement set out in the assessment plan before taking their EPA.
End-Point Assessment
This apprenticeship is non-integrated. This means that the end-point assessment is administered and assessed by an external organisation. For this apprenticeship standard there are two End-Point Assessment Organisations, previous apprentices have completed their EPA with the Chartered Management Institute.
Details of the assessment elements can be found in the assessment plan.
There are three elements to this end-point assessment:
- Work Based Project
- Portfolio
- Presentation and Interview
Successful apprentices will have the option to apply for professional recognition as chartered Managers and members of the Chartered Management Institute (CMgr MCMI) and/or as a member of the Institute for Leadership and Management or other relevant professional body.
We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.
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.
How 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
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.
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
UK students
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.
Additional requirements for UK students
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.
Meeting our entry requirements
Hundreds of qualifications in the UK have UCAS Tariff points attached to specific grades, including A-levels, BTECs, T Levels and many more. You can use your grades and points from up to four different qualifications to meet our criteria. Enter your predicted or achieved grades into our Tariff calculator to find out how many points your qualifications are worth.
Other qualifications and experience
NTU welcomes applications from students with non-standard qualifications and learning backgrounds, either for year one entry or for advanced standing beyond the start of a course into year 2 or beyond.
We consider study and/or credit achieved from a similar course at another institution (otherwise known as credit transfer), vocational and professional qualifications, and broader work or life experience.
Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route. If you wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning, please contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.
International students
We will review your identity documents / immigration status to verify residency eligibility in line with the apprenticeship funding rules, at application stage.
Additional requirements for international students
There are no additional requirements for this course.
Policies
We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.
