
Rising Star: Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship | BA (Hons) Management Practice
Become a Chartered Manager Degree Apprentice and earn while you learn.
At a glance
- Earn as you learn: combine paid work with study
- No tuition fees: graduate with no student debt
- A degree apprenticeship that builds the skills needed by future managers and leaders
- Offered by employers that invest in you
- Accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
- Subject area(s)
- Business and administration
- Qualification level
-
Level 6
- Attendance
- Part-time
- Fee
- Apprenticeships are funded by your employer and the UK Government, so you won't pay any tuition fees. See 'Fees' below for more details
- Course length
- 3 years
- Suitable for
- Those who want to kickstart their career while earning a degree and Level 6 apprenticeship
Overview
Become a degree apprentice and join the next generation of aspiring managers: the Rising Stars.
Whether you've just finished Sixth Form or college - or you're in the early stages of your career - it can be hard to choose between work and higher education.
This degree apprenticeship combines work with study, so you can kickstart your business career while earning a BA (Hons) in Management Practice. Best of all, apprentices earn a salary but pay no tuition fees - so you'll graduate with valuable work experience and no student loan debt.
The Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship was designed with employers and the Chartered Management Institute, so you'll develop skills and knowledge that are attractive to employers. You can:
- Gain a strong grounding in the main areas of business, including finance, marketing and human resources. This could open up a wide range of careers and help you progress to a management role
- Learn how to manage people, projects, operations and services
- Become a leader who can communicate effectively, make strategic decisions, and manage their time
- Put your learning into practice in the workplace
You will need to apply through an employer who can fund and support your apprenticeship. If you are not currently employed, we can help you find a vacancy as a Chartered Manager Degree Apprentice. See 'Entry requirements' below for more information.
Interested in employing a degree apprentice? Visit our Rising Star course page for employers
Key benefits
Get ahead with three years' work experience, a bachelor’s degree and Level 6 apprenticeship from a triple-accredited business school
Graduate with no student debt as your fees are paid for by your employer and the government
Enjoy the benefits of being a full-time employee and get paid time off to study
What you learn will be practical and relevant to the activities you undertake in the workplace
Be supported in your learning with a designated apprenticeship tutor
Network with fellow degree apprentices
Benefit from all the University of Reading has to offer, from support services to the Library, Sports Park and Students' Union
Access mentoring and networking through Henley's alumni community, which includes 87,000 alumni in 165 countries
How to apply
You will need to apply through an employer who can fund and support your apprenticeship.
Not currently employed?
If you're not currently working full-time in a relevant role (for example, if you have just finished Sixth Form or college), then you will need to apply for a job as a Chartered Manager Degree Apprentice. You will then need to follow the employer's recruitment process.
We are proud of our close links with a wide range of companies and can let you know when vacancies are available. Register for updates
For current employees
If you are already a full-time employee, then you should talk to your line manager about this opportunity. You can share our course page for employers.
Entry requirements
Qualifications and experience
Learners typically have at least three A-levels at grades ABB (or equivalent). We encourage applications from candidates who do not meet these criteria, where one or more of the following can be demonstrated:
- up to three years' excellent professional experience
- a strong, evidence-based personal statement explaining why they are suitable for this apprenticeship programme
- applicants have experienced barriers that have impeded their academic progress.
You will also need Level 2 qualifications in English and maths (i.e. GCSEs at Grades 9-4 or A*-C, or equivalent) before starting your Henley apprenticeship programme.
Other qualifications
You may already have an undergraduate degree or other Level 6 qualification, as long as this is in a subject other than business and management (or related fields).
Apprenticeship eligibility
To start an apprenticeship, you must:
- have the right to work in England
- spend at least 50% of your working hours in England during your apprenticeship
- have eligible residency status.
As a degree apprentice, you will work full time and study part time. (See 'Apprenticeship learning and support' to find out more).
All modules are compulsory.
Stage 1
In Stage 1, you will explore your organisation's environment and look at how key resources - such as people and financial resources - can be used to achieve business objectives.
The Orientation module helps you prepare for your apprenticeship journey and meet other degree apprentices.
Meanwhile, the Professional Practice module helps you develop the skills needed at university and in the workplace. This includes academic writing and reading, communication and time management.
Compulsory modules | Credits |
---|---|
Orientation (CMDA | Management Practice)This zero-credit introductory module aims to:
|
0 |
Introduction to Business and Management (MQM1IBM)This module provides an introduction to Business and Management by exploring the organisation's environmental context. The module considers:
Aims: The module aims to develop students' understanding of the concepts and principles underpinning strategy. Students will also be able to interpret and apply them within the context of their own organisation. By the end of the module students will be able to:
Academic authors![]()
Dr Andrea Tresidder
|
20 [10 ECTS credits] |
Organisational Behaviour (MQM1ORB)This module is an introduction to Organisational Behaviour in the contemporary workplace. It explores the challenges, tensions and issues involved in the relationship between individuals, groups and organisations to better understand behaviour at work and managerial processes. A wide range of topics are covered, including:
Aims: The module aims to develop students’ understanding of the concepts and principles from organisational behaviour (OB) to develop knowledge, insights and skills relevant to the management of people in organisations. Academic authors![]()
Dr Andrea Tresidder
|
20 [10 ECTS credits] |
Business Finance (MQM1BUF)The Business Finance module provides students with the foundational knowledge and skills to understand, analyse and make sense of the role of finance in their respective organisations. The module introduces theory and practice of financial accounting and management accounting. Through the workshop and seminars, it equips students with knowledge and practical skills that they can apply in their work. Read moreAims: The module aims to develop students' understanding of the concepts and principles of financial and management accounting and ability to evaluate and interpret these within the context of their organisation. The module aims to enable students to:
Academic authors
Sian Weatherburn
|
20 [10 ECTS credits] |
Personal Effectiveness 1: Understanding Myself and Others (MQM1PEU)The module encourages students to develop self-awareness and reflect on their core values and drivers. Students will reflect upon their own learning, performance and achievement, and plan for their personal, educational and career development. Read moreAims: In this module, students will develop a better understanding of themselves and their interactions with others. The module aims to:
Academic authors![]()
Dr Andrea Tresidder
|
20 [10 ECTS credits] |
Sales and Marketing (MQM1SAM)This module explores marketing in the wider context of business management to give students a firm understanding of its practice and theories. Read moreAims: The module aims to introduce students to marketing and sales from both practice and theory perspectives. The module will explore:
Academic authors![]()
Dr Irute Karanicholas
|
20 [10 ECTS credits] |
Professional Practice 1 (MQM1PRP)This module is the first in a series of three. The module will support students in developing the academic skills needed at university level, including a range of skills and techniques in the area of academic writing, reading and referencing. Students will also develop their competencies as professionals in the areas of time management, stress management and personal presentation. Read moreThe module aims to:
Academic authors![]()
Dr Andrea Tresidder
|
20 [10 ECTS credits] |
Stage 2
In Stage 2, you will deepen your understanding of how your organisation operates by exploring the management of human resources, operations, processes, projects, and infrastructure.
Module | Credits |
---|---|
People Management | 20 |
Operations and Infrastructure | 20 |
Principles of Project Management | 20 |
Personal Effectiveness 2: Leading and Coaching | 20 |
Introduction to Research | 20 |
Professional Practice 2 | 20 |
Stage 3
In Stage 3, you will be introduced to topics including ethics and governance, the challenges of the digital age, and organisational change management. You will also complete your work-based project, which forms part of your end-point assessment.
Module | Credits |
---|---|
Digital Technologies and Innovation | 20 |
Work-based Project | 40 |
Personal Effectiveness 3: Leading and Managing Change | 20 |
Contemporary Issues | 20 |
Professional Practice 3 | 20 |
*The module or course content descriptions set out on this page are correct for those being taught in the current academic year. Modules or course content marked as optional are indicative and may be subject to change. Please note, constraints in timetable scheduling may mean you are unable to take some optional modules at the same time as others.
How will I be taught?
This degree apprenticeship is taught both face-to-face and online. You will take part in:
- full-day workshops, including group work with other apprentices
- weekly virtual seminars with a learning coach
- regular meetings with your Apprenticeship Tutor
- extracurricular activities and events.
Most importantly, you will also have the chance to apply what you have learned back in the workplace. Your employer should give you training and supervision to help you with your day-to-day work duties.
How much time will I spend working and studying?
Study time is designed to fit around your job. As an apprentice, you will work full time but spend at least six hours per week (equivalent) of your working hours on 'off-the-job training'.
Off-the-job training includes time spent attending workshops and seminars at Henley; meeting with your Apprenticeship Tutor; and working on your Portfolio of Evidence. It could also include learning opportunities in the workplace, such as shadowing colleagues.
While it can be challenging to study for a degree apprenticeship on top of your job, it is still possible to balance this with a social life. Try to keep on top of your workload by planning how you will meet deadlines, and be sure to ask for help if you need it.
How will I be supported?
Starting a career and a degree apprenticeship at the same time can be daunting, but you will have lots of support throughout your apprenticeship.
Academic/professional skills
Each stage of the apprenticeship includes a Professional Practice module. This helps you develop the confidence and skills needed for both university and the workplace.
Apprenticeship Tutors
Your tutor will support you and your line manager through the apprenticeship journey. You will meet regularly with your tutor to receive pastoral and learning support. Your tutor will also support you with gathering evidence for your portfolio and prepare you for your end-point assessment.
Learning coaches
Learning coaches help you to gain a deeper understanding of what you have learned. They will also guide you on putting your new knowledge into practice in the workplace.
Your line manager
We will work with your line manager to ensure they understand the details of the apprenticeship. Your line manager will guide you in selecting the topic for your work-based project, join meetings with your Apprenticeship Tutor, and, if required, allocate you a mentor.
Fellow apprentices
You will have the opportunity to mix with other apprentices on the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship | BA (Hons) Management Practice. This enables you to work together, share ideas, support each other, and learn from each others' experiences.
Other support services
As a Henley Business School apprentice, you can access support through our Henley Careers Team. You also have access to the University of Reading's specialist support services.
Dr Andrea Tresidder has a passion for career-focused learning, which inspired her to develop the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship | BA (Hons) Management Practice. She currently teaches undergraduate and postgraduate modules in her areas of expertise: organisational behaviour, project management and research methods.
Assessment takes place throughout the apprenticeship and is based on coursework - there are no exams. Coursework could include written reports, blogs, portfolios and presentations.
To complete your apprenticeship, you will also need to pass your end-point assessment (EPA). This is the final assessment to ensure that you have met the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship (CMDA) standard.
Work-based Project
During Stage 3 you will complete your work-based project. With support from your line manager and an academic supervisor, you will apply what you have learned throughout the apprenticeship to a real-life challenge within your organisation. The final project report will then be submitted as part of your EPA.
Portfolio of Evidence
Throughout the apprenticeship, your Apprenticeship Tutor will help you put together a Portfolio of Evidence. This is a collection of your best work and should contain relevant assignments and work-based evidence. This will also be reviewed during EPA.
Gateway
You will enter Gateway after completing the final module of the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship | (BA (Hons) Management Practice.
To pass through this, you need to:
- have Level 2 qualifications in English and maths (e.g. GCSEs at Grades 9-4). We will ask for evidence of this before you start the apprenticeship
- receive agreement from your employer and Henley Business School that you are ready for EPA
- be registered as an apprentice for a minimum of 12 months
- show that you have successfully completed your BA (Hons) Management Practice
- show that your Portfolio of Evidence and work-based project are complete.
End-point assessment (EPA)
EPA is the final assessment to ensure that you have met the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship (CMDA) standard. EPA is separate from any qualifications or assessments that you will have completed so far.
Your Apprenticeship Tutor will help you to prepare for EPA and showcase your work in the strongest light.
EPA takes place via a one-to-one meeting with an independent apprenticeship assessor and includes:
- a review of your Portfolio of Evidence and work-based project
- a presentation and Q&A session focusing on the outcomes of the work-based project
- a competency-based interview.
On successful completion of this degree apprenticeship, you will be awarded:
- BA (Hons) in Management Practice
- Level 6 Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship
If your employer chooses the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) as the end-point assessment organisation, you may also:
- Achieve a CMI Level 5 Diploma in Management & Leadership
- Apply for Chartered Manager status (once you have three years' experience in a management role)
- Benefit from CMI student membership (for the programme duration plus three months. You then have the option to pay for full membership afterwards).
Tuition fees
Apprenticeships are funded by your employer and the UK Government, so you won't pay any tuition fees.
The cost of the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship is £22,000, which is funded by your employer's apprenticeship levy.
Additional costs
As an apprentice, you will be paid a salary by your employer. This means you don't need to apply for Student Finance to cover living costs.
Depending on your employer, you could study at our Whiteknights campus or locations across the country.
Whiteknights campus

The University of Reading's Whiteknights campus is set in 130 hectares of stunning parkland, with shops, study areas and social venues within easy walking distance.
As a Henley Business School apprentice, you can:
- Join Reading University Students’ Union (RUSU), a thriving community of more than 100 societies
- Make full use of all the University has to offer, including the SportsPark, Library, 3sixty nightclub, Harris Gardens, and Reading Film Theatre
- Enjoy a discount on hundreds of high street and online brands through your NUS Apprentice extra card
Why choose Henley?
Part of the University of Reading, Henley is among an elite group of business schools to be triple-accredited for the quality of our teaching and research.
We believe in standing out from the pack, thinking the unexpected and putting people first. By focusing on your personal development, we empower you to become a confident leader with the skills to succeed in today's complex business environment.
Our programmes are enriched by our knowledge, research and commercial experience. They are continually revised to ensure they remain as relevant as they can be.
(Education Skills Funding Agency, January 2022)
(RateMyApprenticeship, 2021-2022)