Course content
The Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship (Mary Seacole) is suitable for current or aspiring healthcare managers and leaders who wish to develop their knowledge, skills and behaviours, enabling them to drive performance and productivity improvements in your organisation to achieve career aspirations.
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 many business functions (Managing People, Marketing, Finance, Operations, Project Management, Digital Business and Technology, Decision Making) applying new knowledge to deepen their understanding. Using the knowledge gained, they will be able to apply knowledge into practice directly.
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
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
Completion of assignments if applying for a place on the programme using APEL process. Please see entry requirements above.
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
120 credits of compulsory modules.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory 1 | ||
| Operational and Organisational Strategy | 30 | |
| Project Management and Decision Making | 30 | |
| Sales Marketing and Communication | 30 | |
| Leading and Managing People | 30 | |
BEM2011DA: Operational and Organisational Strategy
This module explores the intersection of organisational history, culture, and strategic implementation. By reviewing macro and micro-organisational factors alongside strategic positioning, students will evaluate the resources and capabilities required to achieve high performance and sustained competitive advantage in a volatile operating environment. You will evaluate and critique organisational strategies for implementation, proactively addressing the complex challenges presented by fluid and unpredictable operational contexts.
Designed to bridge the gap between strategic intent and operational reality, this module explores how strategy is formulated, communicated, and executed. We synthesise contemporary theory with professional practice, utilising fundamental models of strategic management to analyse how strategy impacts diverse organisational functions. This module is a vital component of the apprenticeship journey; by identifying the practicalities and frictions inherent in strategic execution, you will enhance your professional knowledge and skills, ultimately evolving your organisational leadership practice.
BEM2012DA: Project Management and Decision Making
This module is designed to enable you to define, design and propose a small-scale project that will be undertaken in your specific work context as part of the BSc (Hons) in Responsible Business Management/CMDA programme. During this module you will develop an interest in subject areas that reflect your professional role and aspirations, and an appreciation of how the proposed work relates to (some of) the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The learning and work you produce in this module will feed directly into the Organisational Research Project module and your End-Point Assessment (there will be opportunities to discuss and change your original project idea, if necessary, during the final year.)
This module acts as an introduction to project management and offers you the structure and space to negotiate and propose a small-scale project that can be undertaken at your workplace . The module covers the necessary knowledge needed to initiate and plan projects, and it will help you to analyse , synthesise and present a wide range of information and data in proposing innovative and ethical solutions to address specific business needs and challenges.
BEM2013DA: Sales Marketing and Communication
In the context of growing market competition , organisations from both private and public sectors are focusing more on closer partnership across supply chain and a need for innovation in product and service design. At the same time marketers and people who take such responsibilities feel pressure to promote the products or services through either including harmful, immoral or misleading content or promises which cannot be fulfilled by the product or service.
This module will help you to explore the role of sales and marketing in the organisation and the key concepts that underpin the responsible behaviour of the marketer in the world today. The module will enable you to widen and deepen your understanding about how the sales and marketing strategy in your organisation is created and the challenges and opportunities it faces. You will also learn that commercial marketing solutions can be creative while taking into account business responsibilities towards society and the environment.
BEM2014DA: Leading and Managing People
The Leading & Managing People 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. We'll also look at aligning leadership with organisational culture, strategy and stakeholder management principles which will link the Leading & Managing People module to other modules on the programme.
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
120 credits of compulsory modules.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory 1 | ||
| Business Finance | 30 | |
| Digital Business and New Technology | 30 | |
| Organisation Research Project | 30 | |
| Mary Seacole | 30 | |
BEM3015DA: Business Finance
This module will cover financial management skills that are essential for non-financial managers. Financial acumen enhances decision-making skills and this module is designed to enhance your confidence and credibility in financial management.
You will explore financial strategies, including budgets, financial management and accounting, in line with regulatory and organisational guidelines looking at the commercial context in an organisational setting, and how this changes over time.
You will also consider approaches to procurement and contracting, and legal requirements as well as manage budgets, control expenditure and produce financial reports.
The aim of the module is to provide future managers with core accounting and finance knowledge and methods to aid the decision-making process, gain confidence and credibility in financial management.
BEM3016DA: Digital Business and New Technology
We are living and working in a period of continual disruption, which we can define as major changes that unbalance and reorganize the ways that individuals, organizations, societies and their ecosystems connect and act. The 21st century is only 20 years old, and we have already experienced significant shocks and change following 9/11 attacks in 2001, the 2007-8 financial crisis and the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. The same period has seen the rise of China as a global and economic power. Technology centred firms like Alibaba, Amazon, Facebook, Google and Tencent have harnessed the potential of the internet to create and dominate new markets in the digital era. Concerns over the future of our planet have risen to be central to the discussions of politicians, decision makers in business and society more broadly.
BEM3018DA: Organisation Research Project
This module provides the structure and support for you to successfully complete and report on a work-based project that brings together your learning from different parts of the BSc (Hons) in Responsible Business Management/CMDA programme. The module builds upon knowledge gained in earlier modules, and in particular the Project Management and Decision Making module, and it will help you think about the design, implementation and reporting of your project, as well as its actual and potential value to your organisation. Working on this module will allow you to deepen your understanding of your chosen subject area (e.g. Marketing, leading people, operational strategy, ethical management), and to contribute to your immediate professional context, whilst addressing End Point Assessment (EPA) criteria.
BEM3079DA: Mary Seacole
Please note that Degree Apprenticeship programmes have variable start dates and modules are taught across the full year.
The purpose of this module is to enable you to develop and enhance your managerial and leadership behaviours within the health care sector. This includes an understanding of the principles of learning and professional development, and then applying those techniques into the workplace to reflect and further conceptualise the presence and impact of management behaviours. These behaviours include but are not limited to competencies of performance, social and emotional intelligence to lead teams, active listening, coaching and influencing others, time management and stress management.
The aim of this module is to provide you with the theories and techniques to develop your reflective practice, understand learning needs, and apply your career management skills into the workplace, within the NHS and related care sector organisations.
The Mary Seacole module will prepare you for the demands of leadership in the healthcare system today and into the future. It will give you the theoretical knowledge and practical understanding needed to deliver inspiring leadership.
The focus on professional development will allow you to consider and implement a range of tools and techniques to support the professional development of your team. You will also develop a data driven reflective account of your own managerial behaviours which draws on relevant module content as a tool of analysis. Finally, you will gain an understanding of how managerial knowledge, skills and behaviours can be developed and maintained as a form of long-term professional practice.
This module will prepare you to demonstrate core knowledge, skills and behaviours upon completion of your Level 6 Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship. This includes but is not limited to:
Our syllabus is triple accredited by the Chartered Manager Institute (CMI), University of Exeter and the NHS Leadership Academy. 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, Mary Seacole Certificate (awarded by the NHS Leadership Academy) and CMI Chartered Manager status.
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 (Mary Seacole) Degree Apprenticeship flyer.
Top 10 in the UK for Business and Management
9th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 and 8th in The Complete University Guide 2027
Triple accredited Business School
AMBA, AACSB, EQUIS
Membership of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) from the start of the course
All Business School departments are top 10 for graduate prospects
Entry requirements
The Chartered Manager programme has two entry routes:
- Application through Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL): This is where the applicant will have evidence of a L5 Leadership and Management qualification (completed within 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, completion of an assessment will be required before acceptance to the programme to demonstrate previous management experience and professional competencies gained over time.
Applicants will have a minimum of two years management experience.
There is a requirement from the Education and Skills Funding Agency that apprentices hold a level 2 qualification in English and Mathematics.
Find out more about how we support Functional Skills.
Applicants will be in a role that supports the gathering of evidence required for the Chartered Manager apprenticeship ‘standard’.
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 (Mary Seacole) 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: £22,000
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 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 16-21
- OR an apprentice aged 22-24 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.
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 learning model comprises of:
- Two-to-three day Masterclasses, totaling 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
This programme aligns with the Chartered Manager (degree) Apprenticeship Standard. Alongside studying for their Level 6 Apprenticeship, using the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours of the apprenticeship standard, apprentices will also work towards a BSc in Responsible Business Management, CMI professional accreditation, and the Mary Seacole Certificate which is assessed and awarded by the NHS Leadership Academy.
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 Triple accredited by the Chartered Manager Institute (CMI) University of Exeter and the NHS Leadership Academy. 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, Mary Seacole Certificate and CMI Chartered Manager status.
Find out more about our Chartered Manager (Mary Seacole) degree apprenticeship
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