Final award:
- IfATE Level 6 Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship
- BSc(Hons) Responsible Business Management
- CMI Level 6 Diploma in Professional Management and Leadership Practice
- CMI Chartered Manager status
| Duration | 2 years |
|---|---|
| Entry point(s) | September |
| Application deadline |
|
| Campus | Online Learning |
|---|---|
| Contact | Tel: 01392 723 099 |
Overview
- Unlock the potential of existing managers, creating a solid skills foundation for your future leadership structure. This is suitable for aspiring managers in both public and private sector and for all sizes of organisations
- Dual accredited by the Chartered Manager Institute (CMI) and the University of Exeter, this degree programme offers business professionals the opportunity to earn a BSc (Hons) in Responsible Business Management, a Charted Manager Degree Apprenticeship, and CMI Charted Manager status upon completion
- Apprentices will use principles of problem-based and inquiry-led learning to demonstrate managerial effectiveness using skills such as critical thinking, negotiation, innovation and creativity
- Explores current issues facing businesses today and equips apprentices with a range of skills to address these challenges and opportunities as part of their organisation to become effective managers and leaders
- The apprenticeship has been designed as an 24 month blended learning, work-based programme funded by the Apprenticeship Levy ensuring minimum time away from the workplace
Top 10 for Business and Management
9th in The Complete University Guide 2025
Business School of the Year
Times Higher Education Awards 2022
Triple accredited Business School
AMBA, AACSB, EQUIS
Membership of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) from the start of the course
Top 10 for Business and Management
9th in The Complete University Guide 2025
Business School of the Year
Times Higher Education Awards 2022
Triple accredited Business School
AMBA, AACSB, EQUIS
Membership of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) from the start of the course
Accreditations
Our syllabus is Dual accredited by the Chartered Manager Institute (CMI) and the University of Exeter. Successful completion of the programme will result in the award of the Level 6 Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship, a University of Exeter BSc (Hons) in Responsible Business Management, and CMI Chartered Manager status.
Entry requirements
Recognising applicants’ prior skills and qualifications allows us to accelerate our programme by providing two fast track entry routes:
- Application through Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL): Where an applicant can evidence a Level 5 Leadership and Management qualification (completed within the past five years) which can be accredited to demonstrate there is already an understanding of Leadership and Management principles
- Application through Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL): Where an applicant has no APCL evidence, but must complete a reflective assignment as part of the application stage prior to programme start to demonstrate previous management experience.
Applicants must have a minimum of two years management experience. They must also be in a role that supports the gathering of evidence required for the Chartered Manager apprenticeship ‘standard’.
There is a requirement from the Education and Skills Funding Agency that apprentices hold a level 2 qualification in English and Mathematics.
If an applicant does not hold GCSE's (C /4 or above) in English and Maths or cannot evidence these or equivalent qualifications, they should be willing to work towards Level 2 Functional Skills qualifications prior to Gateway.
For more information about how we support Functional Skills, click here.
Individual employers may set additional selection criteria in discussion with the University.
Applicants must also have a valid and eligible residency status to gain entry onto the apprenticeship – please see the ESFA guidance for further information.
How to apply
The Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship does not follow the standard UCAS application process. Selection to this programme is made by employers; applicants will already hold a post with an employer and continue working for them throughout the duration of this apprenticeship. Applicants will need to speak to their HR department and/or manager to gain sign off to undertake this apprenticeship.
Once your employer agrees to the apprenticeship, applicants will then be required undertake an application for the University. If successful, they will be offered a position. A place will be confirmed by us, and we will send further information about how to enrol as an apprentice.
Funding
Full programme cost: £19,500
The employer fully covers the cost of the apprenticeship; apprentices do not pay for any of the eligible training costs. The apprentice will be an employee of the organisation, gaining a University of Exeter award alongside working and earning a salary.
Employers who pay the Apprenticeship Levy will pay for the apprenticeship fees directly through that contribution. See further information on the Apprenticeship Levy funding.
Employers who do not pay the Levy will be able to claim 95 per cent of the cost of the apprenticeship from the Government. Up to 100 per cent Government contribution may be available if the employer has fewer than 50 employees and:
- Recruits an apprentice aged 16-18
- OR an apprentice aged 19-24 who has previously been in care or who has a local authority education, health and care plan
Employers must pay their apprentices a salary at least consistent with national legislation.
Funding eligibility criteria
- To be eligible for funding apprentices must meet the criteria listed in the ESFA guidance.
- The apprentice must also have a valid and eligible residency status to gain entry onto the apprenticeship – please see the ESFA guidance for further information.
Course content
The Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship is suitable for current or aspiring professional managers and leaders who wish to develop their knowledge, skills and behaviours, enabling them to drive performance and productivity improvements in your organisation.
Through this programme apprentices will use principles of problem-based and inquiry-led learning to demonstrate managerial effectiveness using skills such as critical thinking, negotiation, innovation and creativity.
Apprentices develop well-rounded management skills by looking holistically across the business functions (Managing People, Marketing, Finance, Operations, Project Management, Digital Business and Technology, Decision Making) applying new knowledge to deepen their understanding.
Apprentices will cover the following topics throughout the programme:
- Leading and Managing People
- Operational and Organisational Strategy
- Project Management and Decision Making
- Sales, Marketing and Communications
- Business Finance
- Digital Business and New Technology
Completion of assignments if applying for a place on the programme using APEL process. Please see entry requirements above
Making the decision to start this course has been one of the best decisions of my career. My initial hopes were that the course would give me more confidence and theoretical knowledge to support my existing experience-based learning.
The course has helped me to achieve all this and more. I thought I had reached my limit with regards to career progression but the apprenticeship has given me renewed ambition and direction and I am excited for future opportunities.
Marissa
Chartered Manager Degree Apprentice
Learning
Approximately 20 per cent of an apprentice's contractual working time will be given over to study (6 hours minimum per week). Our model is designed to be flexible around the needs of apprentices and workloads to minimise undue disruptions to their daily role and ensuring maximum flexibility to gain new knowledge and develop skills and behaviours.
Our blended learning model comprises of:
- Two-to-three day Masterclasses, totalling 28 days across the programme.
- Weekly distance learning comprising online classes and workshops, interactive exercises and lectures.
- Impactful work-based learning, and assessing projects undertaken in the workplace.
This programme will be assessed by:
- Knowledge and skills assessment
- Behavioural assessment
- Module assessments
- Structured competency-based interview
- Assessment of portfolio of evidence
- Assessment of the work-based project followed by a presentation on work-based project – with Q&A session
Our dedicated partnerships team liaise closely with employers throughout the programme. Alongside a team of world-leading academics with rich industry experience, apprentices will also have dedicated mentors to support and guide both them and their employer throughout the entire course of the apprenticeship.
Apprenticeship Standard
Alongside studying for their level 6 apprenticeship, gained after completing the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours of the apprenticeship standard, apprentices will also work towards a BSc in Responsible Business Management and CMI professional accreditation.
This programme aligns with the Chartered Manager (degree) Apprenticeship Standard.
Employer information
Through this programme apprentices will use principles of problem-based and inquiry-led learning to demonstrate managerial effectiveness using skills such as critical thinking, negotiation, innovation and creativity.
Apprentices develop well-rounded management skills by looking holistically across the business functions (Managing People, Marketing, Finance, Operations, Project Management, Digital Business and Technology, Decision Making) applying new knowledge to deepen their understanding to drive impact within their roles.
For more information download our Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship flyer
Careers
Through this programme, employers' managerial potential will be unlocked, as well as the abilities to create solutions for future success. Apprentices will have become well-rounded leaders with valuable understanding across a range of business functions and strategic decision making (e.g. Managing People, Marketing, Finance, Operations, Project Management, Digital Business and Technology, Decision Making).
Our syllabus is dual accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Upon successful completion of the programme, apprentices will be awarded a Level 6 Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship, a University of Exeter BSc (Hons) in Responsible Business Management and CMI Chartered Manager status.
