BSc (Hons) Project Manager Degree Apprenticeship

Program Overview

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BSc (Hons) - Project Manager Degree Apprenticeship

This programme is designed specifically to enable you to complete the Project Manager Degree Apprenticeship, you will be provided with everything you need to know to successfully deliver projects in a range of business sectors and subject areas. It maps directly onto the knowledge, skills and behaviours identified in this apprenticeship standard and is also designed to cover the entirety of the Association for Project Management's (APM) Body of Knowledge.

Course Overview

The course content and structure are informed by contemporary research into project management as a discipline as well as incorporating advice and guidance from employers and the Association for Project Management (APM). The course teaching team were also closely involved in the development of the Degree Apprenticeship standard and thus understand the journey that you will take from joining the programme to successfully graduating as a qualified Project Manager. You will be awarded a Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) qualification alongside a BSc (Hons) upon completing your degree.

On this course you will...

• Develop robust business cases and learn project planning and control, alongside focusing on personal and professional development.
• Study stakeholder and communications management.
• Learn how to schedule development and management.
• Lead and manage teams.
• Work with projects, programmes and portfolios.
• Manage contract and commercial arrangements.

Key Details

• Recruiting to: UK / RoI / Settled in UK
• Course Location: Carlisle - Fusehill Street, Online, Work-based
• Institute: Institute of Business, Industry and Leadership
• Delivery Style: Online and Face to face
• Course Duration: Full-time: 4 Years
• Course Start Point: September
• Award: BSc (Hons)

Course Structure

What you will learn

We will provide a sound academic programme which will give apprentices of all abilities and backgrounds the opportunity to attain a degree level education. We'll provide students with the theoretical knowledge and understanding of project management, and help them develop as critical, reflective thinkers and life-long learners with the ability to recognise the value and place of both and their role in applying principles to practice. Apprentices will be encouraged to see the links between theory and practice in the workplace, and develop knowledge, skills and behaviours progressively against the Project Manager Degree Apprenticeship Standard.

Year one

• Project Management Concepts
• Principles of Project Planning
• Projects and organisations
• Stakeholders & Communication
• Project Professionalism 1

Year two

• Project Methods and Tools
• Project Teams and Communication
• Controlling Projects
• Organisational Change
• Project Professionalism 2

Year three

• Project, Programme and Portfolio Management
• People and Projects
• Commercial Risk and Contract Management
• Preparing for gateway

Year four

• End Point Assessment (PMDA)

Teaching & Assessment

How you will learn

Apprentices, who are in permanent full-time professional employment, are learning in the workplace in a structured delivery pattern, supported by both the university and the employer. In addition, the programme has been developed with the assistance of a range of local employers to ensure it meets the needs of the region. Delivery is online - part of the study day each week is live with a tutor and part of the day is guided independent study (individual and group work). As the course is delivered online a stable connection to the Internet and access to a laptop or computer is required. Being online means that geography need not be a barrier to studying and as a student, you are able to study from anywhere that has a stable connection to the internet.

How you will be assessed

It is a requirement for the Degree Apprenticeship that apprentices must maintain a portfolio of completed assessed academic work and workplace activities to provide evidence of achievements and capabilities. The building of this portfolio is therefore integral to the degree programme and the end point assessment. All apprentices must take an independent assessment at the end of their training to confirm that they have achieved occupational competence. Rigorous, robust and independent end-point assessment (EPA) is essential to give employers confidence that apprentices completing an Apprenticeship Standard can perform in the occupation and can demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours set out in the apprenticeship standard. The end-point assessment takes place at the end of the apprenticeship after all the on-programme training has been completed and after the ‘gateway’ has been passed.

Overview

Apprentices should have 96 UCAS points plus Maths and English at GCSE C/4 or above. You can find out more about the tariff and qualification options from the UCAS tariff table.

Individual employers will set the selection criteria for their apprenticeships. Entry to the course requires evidence of successful study at Level 3, A-Level, or equivalent. English and Maths at Level 2 (GCSE) are also expected.

Other relevant qualifications or prior experience may be considered as an alternative if the above criteria are not met.

Government funding rules require that an apprentice must:

• have the right to live and work in the UK
• be in employment, paid at least the legal minimum wage
• have a written and signed agreement for the apprenticeship with their employer.

The minimum duration periods for an apprenticeship set in each Apprenticeship Standard, is based on an apprentice working a minimum of 30 hours per week. Where the apprentice works fewer than 30 hours, the minimum duration of the apprenticeship must be increased on a pro-rata basis.

All apprentices must be interviewed, assessed and offered a position by an employer before being admitted to the apprenticeship programme. After acceptance by an employer, the University of Cumbria will require a formal application, which it will assess according to the programme entry criteria.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

2025 - 2026

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.

Funding

Degree apprenticeships are only offered to students undertaking the course as part of their employment. The apprenticeship training is therefore funded by the employer using their apprenticeship levy, with or without a contribution depending on the size and status of the organisation.

Apprentices will not be required to pay any fees and will not be eligible for Student Finance England maintenance support as they are in receipt of a salary. See further information on our Information for Aspiring Apprentices page.

The University will typically charge the maximum fee for the standard, before applying reductions based on accepted prior learning which is determined at application on an individual basis. To discuss sponsoring a learner on programme please contact.

More Information

We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us. This includes the Cumbria Bursary - a non-repayable bursary designed to support first year students with a household income of less than £25,000.