Course content
This apprenticeship enables people who manage teams or oversee projects to develop their knowledge, skills, and behaviours so that they can drive performance and productivity improvements while strengthening the responsible leadership skills needed to deliver meaningful results in their organisation.
Our ambition is for our apprentices to graduate academically ready to grow into more senior roles. Apprentices will gain the knowledge and experience to enable them to:
- achieve the long-term goals of their organisation through the employment of proven academic models;
- manage a project from planning to implementation over the entire project lifecycle;
- and to use quality assurance and controls to improve project management processes.
Apprentices can expect to be stretched and challenged but supported throughout as they develop the academic skills required to deliver change through their management roles.
The modules below provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
Year 1
120 credits of compulsory modules.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory 1 | ||
| Workplace Dynamics and Professional Practice | 30 | |
BEM1073DA: Workplace Dynamics and Professional Practice
The module has been designed to provide you with practically applicable skills which will enable you to contribute to your organisation's leadership process wherever you currently stand on the hierarchy. An overview some of the current trends in leadership studies will be covered before we consider the role of communication and power dynamics in more detail. We'll look at the techniques you can adopt (and adapt to your role specifically) to improve the effectiveness of your communication in a leadership and management context. We will also consider leadership ethics with a focus on critically assessing the leadership ethics in some high-profile case studies.
This module will enable you to develop the skills and behaviours that underpin successful leadership of projects. You will develop key professional practice skills and behaviours including; collaboration and teamwork; personal and professional responsibility; integrity, ethics and professionalism; inclusivity and innovation and resourcefulness. This module will also enable you to develop your reflective and critical thinking skills so you can identify, evaluate and modify your own behaviours using self-analysis and constructive feedback to demonstrate and adapt your behaviours in your own organisation.
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
Year 2
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
Year 3
120 credits of compulsory modules.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory 1 | ||
| International Project Management (IPMA) | 30 | |
| Work-Based Project | 20 | |
| Professional Review | 20 | |
| Applied Project Management | 20 | |
| Commercial Procurement and Contract Management | 15 | |
| Digital Business and New Technology | 15 | |
BEM3074DA: International Project Management (IPMA)
This module will enable you to utilise your knowledge and understanding on the key aspects of project management learnt throughout the Project Manager Integrated Degree Apprenticeship giving you an opportunity to achieve the Level D Certificate with the International Project Management Association. The Level D Certificate will be updated over time to ensure relevance in line with principles and practices across industries. This will enable you to demonstrate your understanding of the fundamentals of project management, demonstrate your understanding of the principles and themes of building a successful project from planning to implementation. It will cover the entire project lifecycle, including aims and objectives, budgeting and timescale, team development, resources, and scope. From this you demonstrate clear insight into project management through to completion, including the fundamental business skills and behaviours associated with project success. Material for this module will be updated to align with the IPMA Level D Certificate.
BEM3076DA: Work-Based Project
The work-based project will assess knowledge, skills and behaviours are details in the Project Manager Degree Apprenticeship Assessment Plan for this Apprenticeship Standard. This module forms the first part of the End Point Assessment for this Integrated Degree Apprenticeship. The Report will be covering the project in the workplace, to be submitted at the end of the 20-week period.
This module will enable you demonstrate your understanding of the knowledge, skills, and behaviours of a project manager and how these have been applied in a project environment within your organisation. The Work Based Project report will be an account of a project with which the apprentice has been involved and must include a critical appraisal of the project together with a critical review of their achievement in the relevant KSB areas of the standard (see Annexe A, Table A2 in the Apprenticeship standard).
The work-based project must relate to your work environment and must be agreed by your employer and academic supervisor. This capstone module promotes the consolidation of learning across the programme and will result in a work-based project written up in report format. The report must include a critical review of your achievement of the relevant knowledge, skills and behaviours, this there will also be a substantive evidence base which will demonstrate the application of these knowledge, skills and behaviours.
BEM3077DA: Professional Review
The professional review will synoptically assess knowledge, skills and behaviours as detailed in the Project Manager Assessment Standard . This module forms the second part of the Apprenticeship End Point Assessment and requires the Portfolio to be complete. This module will give you the opportunity to showcase the knowledge, skills and behaviours that you have gained through your apprenticeship programme and will give you the opportunity to deliver a formal presentation based on your achievement followed by an interview. Throughout the presentation and interview you will be able to demonstrate how you have developed your project management understanding and capability through a variety of experiences
BEM3078DA: Applied Project Management
Throughout your programme you will be building up your knowledge skills and behaviour in the context of project management, whilst collating an evidence portfolio. This portfolio will contain work product that will showcase your application of knowledge in your workplace and mastery of the skills and behaviours. Within this module you will be given the tools to gather evidence which will enable you to demonstrate your competency against the knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) outlined in the Project Manager Integrated Degree Apprenticeship Standard.
The aim of this module will be for you to be able to demonstrate the full range of the knowledge skills and behaviours criteria of the Project Management Degree Apprenticeship. You will have built confidence and understanding of all these areas through the course of the programme; you will have looked at these different competence elements from an academic and a work-based perspective. This portfolio will demonstrate how you have executed the skills and behaviour in practice; evidenced by work-based products, witness testimonials and regular feedback demonstrating your learning through the whole programme. The aim of this module is to ensure you can write and discuss with confidence the experiences you have had on your learning journey within a professional discussion aimed to fully assess your capability in all areas represented by your Portfolio.
BEM3101DA: Commercial Procurement and Contract Management
This module will enable you to recognise how organisations can gain competitive advantages and efficiencies in procurement by acquiring superior information flow, streamlining repetitive tasks, and reducing costs. This module will support you in exploring a range of strategies for managing cost, quality, service, and time across supply chain networks that leverage assets to deliver financial targets. You will learn to make ethical and sustainable decisions when it comes to budgeting, cash flow forecasting, risk mitigation, cost efficiencies, and other supply chain processes.
This module will equip you with the skills and knowledge required to fully understand the role that commercial procurement and contract management plays within a project or programme to enable the best business outcome. This will be achieved be exploring the role and importance of being commercial, understanding and working with procurement, as well as contract management throughout the project lifecycle and how it can assist with the budget management when diligence to processes and systems are adhered to, ensuring that projects are delivered effectively to deliver the optimum outcome.
BEM3102DA: Digital Business and New Technology
This module focuses on the dynamic and innovative digital capabilities that business professionals need to develop to meet the modern-day business challenges.
The module therefore aims to address some of the challenges through integrating innovation, the creation of value from ideas, with the digital context enabled by the 'Fourth Industrial Revolution'. Topics will consider how data-driven technologies and services are radically disrupting traditional forms of social and economic value and exchange, presenting significant - perhaps unprecedented - opportunities for innovation to create a more sustainable and ethical business environment.
The aim of the module is to enable you to understand innovation in the digital era, including what innovation is, why it matters, how organisations build innovation capabilities and how we can use data and digital tools to innovate. It explores organisations through the pillars of innovation (People, Processes, Technology & Infrastructure) and how businesses search for opportunities, select appropriately and implement to capture value.
Employer information
We’re aiming to develop managers who are competent, well-rounded, and ready to take on greater responsibility across a range of management roles following completion of the apprenticeship. Our teaching provides apprentices with strong foundations in project management principles, business operations, leadership, and organisational change - giving them a thorough and challenging learning experience while providing you with a highly capable employee.
We provide the theoretical knowledge that underpins the practical work apprentices will carry out within your organisation. Apprentices will develop the skills to manage projects across the full lifecycle, improve business performance, lead teams effectively, and implement sustainable change within complex organisational environments.
Our curriculum has been designed to reflect current industry needs and employer expectations, ensuring it remains relevant and directly applicable to workplace settings. We also have a dedicated partnerships team who will work closely with you throughout the programme, providing support and guidance for both employer and apprentice.
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How to apply
Leadership and Project Management BSc (Hons) does not follow the standard UCAS application process. You can apply to this programme in addition to making applications to any institution through UCAS. To gain a place on the degree apprenticeship:
- Apply directly for a vacancy with a relevant employer – please check their websites for vacancies. The GOV.UK website will also list a number of DA vacancies throughout the year. Current DA vacancies our partner employers are advertising through us can be found on our current vacancies page. Applicants are welcome to apply for more than one vacancy.
- Already have a position or job offer from a company that is willing to support your application.
Once you meet one of above options, please get in touch with us and we will proceed with your application.
Funding
Full programme cost: £22,000
The employer fully covers the cost of this apprenticeship; students do not pay for any of the eligible training costs. The students 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 about 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 the apprentice must meet the criteria listed in the Department for Education guidance.
The apprentice must have a valid and eligible residency status to gain entry onto the apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
| Qualifications | Typical Offer | Required Subject |
|---|---|---|
| A level | CCC | |
| Equivalences | View other grade equivalences |
The Leadership and Project Management programme has three entry routes:
- Application through A-Levels CCC or equivalent Level 3 qualification, OR
- Application through experience: Applicants will be required before acceptance to the programme to demonstrate two years of previous project management experience, OR
- Application through Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL): Applicants who have achieved the Level 5 Operations Manager or the Level 4 Associate Project Manager Apprenticeship and the APM PMQ (or equivalent qualification), could be eligible for accreditation of prior certificated learning (APCL) and complete the programme in 30 months. If individual employers have any prospective employees that hold these qualifications, please get in touch with the University for further information.
Applicants must also be in a role that supports the gathering of evidence required for the Project Management apprenticeship standard. Individual employers may set additional selection criteria in discussion with the University.
Additional entry requirements
As an apprenticeship funding requirement, all apprentices aged 16-18 studying for a level 3 apprenticeship or higher are required to evidence achievement at level 2 in Mathematics and English before their gateway to endpoint assessment.
If the apprentice is aged 19+ when they begin their apprenticeship training, and they do not already hold a suitable equivalent qualification, English and / or maths is an optional part of the programme under the funding rules. However, L2 English remains a standard entry requirement for University of Exeter programmes.
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Applicants must also have a valid and eligible residency status to gain entry onto the apprenticeship – please see the Department for Education website for further information.
Learning and teaching
The first year provides fundamental knowledge underlying project management, delivering the principles and themes of building a successful project; an understanding of the business environment, exploring how projects contribute to businesses operating in local, regional, national and global economies; and delivers training in evaluating and establishing project governance. Leadership knowledge and skills are introduced to enable apprentices to lead across diverse teams.
In the second year, the apprentices will gain knowledge and skills in project justification, constructing robust project proposals, and change management models, including practically planning and implementing change; understanding communication with internal and external stakeholders to build support; understanding of working with project sponsors, as well as the organisational influences and demands on the management of a project; and an understanding of quality management, to convert actions into project management success.
The third year delivers understanding of strategies for managing cost, quality, service, and time across supply chain networks that leverage assets to deliver financial target, digital business and new technologies including AI, before undertaking a project to demonstrate an understanding of the principles and themes of building a successful project from planning to implementation.
During and outside of this time apprentices will also be able to meet one-to-one with their academic mentor.
Careers
About the apprenticeship
Apprentices will be a full salaried member of an organisation. Much of the learning will take place at work, either through projects linked to academic content or time set aside for distance learning. Apprentices will be working in an exciting and relevant job from day one of their studies, meaning when they graduate, they'll have both the professional and academic experience sought after by employers.
Employer-valued skills
Solid industry experience is what employers look for when recruiting. The structure of the apprenticeship standards means that apprentices will gain knowledge, skills and behaviours to be a fully-fledged project manager at the end of the programme. They will have gained experience in areas including business environment and organisational strategy, workplace dynamics and professional practice, governance and financial controls, project justification, change control, stakeholder engagement, communication management, organisational change management, quality and risk management, commercial procurement and contract management, digital business and new technology, and international project management.
Find out more about our Leadership and Project Management degree apprenticeship
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