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Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship BA (Hons)

Start date

  • Level(s) of Study: Professional / Undergraduate
  • Start Date(s): September 2024 / January 2025
  • Duration: Four years
  • Study Mode(s): Part-time
  • Campus: City Campus
  • Entry Requirements:
    More information
Information for 2024

Introduction:

The Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship (CMDA) is a new trailblazer apprenticeship programme, created by the Chartered Institute (CMI), the Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS) and higher education providers.

Who is it for?

This apprenticeship is aimed at two different types of people.

  • School leavers looking to do an apprenticeship instead of the traditional study route.
  • Aspiring managers within companies who do not have a degree but want to develop.

Why do the apprenticeship?

This apprenticeship has been designed to provide access to development opportunities for a wide a range of individuals. Whether you are looking for access to development opportunities if you already have practical experience but wish to improve your theoretical understanding and develop your management skills further or individuals who are at the start of their career who wish to become 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 for apprentices (Level 6).
  • You’ll be working as you learn putting into practice your studies and gaining an advantage compared to students in full-time education.
  • You’ll be earning a salary.
  • You’ll not pay for your degree – it is part funded by the Government and your employer will cover the tuition fee.
  • An apprenticeship could increase your opportunity to gain an 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).

Nottingham Business School have both EQUIS and AACSB accreditation.

  • Created by the Chartered Institute (CMI), the Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS) and higher education providers.
  • 100% of Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship FT (September) students were satisfied with the course (National Student Survey 2021).
  • 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).

Course accreditation

  • EQUIS logo

What you’ll study

The aim of the course is to develop managers who can take responsibility for people , projects, operations and/or services and deliver long term organisational success. 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 four years, this may vary depending on the experience of the apprentice. You will be completing a BA (Hons) Management and Leadership degree (three years) which is outlined below and in your final year you will be completing a portfolio of work.

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 and how the diverse theoretical foundations that underpin it relate to, compliment and sometimes conflict with each other.

During your first year you will be studying the following modules on study recall days

  • Contemporary Organisational Design
  • People in organisations
  • Business environments
  • Business performance
  • Developing the professional manager – the individual

Core modules

This year’s theme is “developing collaborative relationships” and promotes greater knowledge and critical understanding of the subject matter in business management areas, whilst developing learning around the role of a manager. 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 in practice
  • Corporate systems and processes
  • 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, 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

BAML is the mainstay of the CMDA which itself is of four years 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 by 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 combination will fully test that the apprentice meets all the requirements of the standard.

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 intensive study blocks for each module. These can last between 3 – 16 days depending on the module. 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 go through the course.

You will also have a number of one-on-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 lots of professional support here, whatever your needs, plus plenty of people to turn to if you need any help or support.

Staff Profiles

Joanna Booth - Principal Lecturer

Nottingham Business School

Joanna currently work within the Executive Education and personalisation teams on a number of programmes within the business school. Her background is within senior management within the not for profit…

Matt Dunn - Senior Lecturer

Nottingham Business School

Matt Dunn is a module leader for the Director’s Perspective (EMBA/SLA) and Leading & Managing Strategy (CMDA) at Nottingham Business School.

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 more

Ines 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 more

How you’re assessed

Assessment types include: written assignments, comprising essays, case studies/analyses, reports and reflective pieces, are assessed against appropriate marking criteria. Course learning outcomes include a requirement to work effectively in teams and therefore this is also reflected in the assessment diet.


Evidence of learning is undertaken in a variety of ways incorporating module assessments which are designed to fully integrate the academic learning and its application to the workplace and the learner’s individual organisation and work role.  In addition, the learner will maintain a continuous electronic portfolio of learning evidence, which they support through 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:

  • A levels (or equivalent) - BBB, excluding General studies or
  • BTEC Extended Diploma - DDM
  • 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 - as such, your employer will pay your tuition fees.

If you or your employer have any questions regarding the fees and funding available for this apprenticeship, please see our Apprenticeships pages, contact our Apprenticeships team at apprenticeships@ntu.ac.uk, or call +44 (0)115 848 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.

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