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Strive for excellence.
We are pausing the intake of new starters on The Open University’s Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship from May 2022.
This is due to redesign work that we are undertaking on some elements of our Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship. It is our intention to reopen registrations for this programme as soon as possible.
These changes do not affect any current apprentices on the Chartered Manager programme and service levels will remain unchanged. We remain committed to providing a quality experience for all our apprentices in existing and future cohorts and to providing apprenticeship programmes which deliver real impacts for employers and apprentices alike.
Please contact us if you have any questions or wish to discuss your requirements.
The Open University's Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship provides apprentices with higher-level management skills, core competencies and desired behaviours to create leaders that can drive performance and productivity improvements in your organisation.
The programme is work-based, combines on- and off-the-job learning and development and can be delivered flexibly around the demands of your workplace.
Francis (Frankie) Bentley, who is an apprentice at South Western Railway, explains why he decided to apply for our Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship.
The programme is suitable for employees new into their roles looking to manage people, projects or tasks, or employees who are aspiring to be, or are in these roles already who want to further their skills and gain a formal management qualification.
Below is a summary of the eligibility criteria as set by the government for apprentices. For further information, see the Government funding rules.
To be eligible for government funding, at the start of the apprenticeship, apprentices must:
The 3 - 4 year work-based training programme includes:
BA (Hons) Degree in Management Practice
Portfolio and work-based project
English and maths functional skills
End-point assessment
Stage 1 |
Stage 2 |
Stage 3 |
Degree completion
Gateway
End-point assessment (EPA): Review of project & portfolio, presentation & interview |
An introduction to business and management (60 credits) |
Shaping business opportunities (60 credits) |
Strategic management (60 credits) |
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Topics include:
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Topics include:
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Topics include:
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Work-based learning Professional practice 1: |
Work-based learning Professional practice 2: |
Work-based learning Professional practice 3: |
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English and maths (functional skills) development* |
* If required. The Open University strongly recommends that these qualifications are achieved within the first 12 months of the apprenticeship in order to have maximum benefit on academic study and workplace development.
The Open University has the experience and support in place to help apprentices succeed and make a positive impact on practice.
In addition to designated account management support, The Open University will deploy expert staff to support your organisation and your apprentices. They will work collaboratively with the relevant roles in your organisation:
The PT is a key role and provides individual support to apprentices to progress and complete all the requirements of the apprenticeship or professional programme they have enrolled in. The support is tailored to the context of each learner’s professional duties and their workplace environment. Regular engagement with each learner’s line manager or work-based supervisor is a critical component of this role. In addition, the PT coaches the apprentice to integrate their academic learning with their professional work, guide them in the development of their portfolio and prepares them for their end-point assessment.
There are further roles and teams that support both apprentices and employers, and that work very closely with the PTs.
The role of the Academic Tutor is to support success by using, interpreting and building on the teaching resources produced by The Open University and provided to apprentices. They monitor progression, mark assignments, provide personalised feedback and work in partnership to support the apprentices’ academic, personal and professional development. In addition, Academic Tutors provide pastoral support to apprentices. They are sometimes also referred to as Associate Lecturers or Module Tutors.
The AEST supports apprentices throughout their Apprenticeship journey. This team of friendly Senior Advisors can offer advice and support for a range of queries apprentices may have whilst studying their modules, whether that be for advice on an upcoming assignment or exam, navigation around The Open University online learning platforms or when they are experiencing difficult circumstances that are having an impact on their studies. This support team is able to reach out to a wide range of relevant teams within the University to help apprentices get back on track again.
This team is made up of English and/or maths specialist tutors and support staff. They work with apprentices who are required to achieve English and/or maths qualifications during their apprenticeship. These specialist tutors are able to provide one-to-one support in areas of challenge and to help prepare the apprentice for the formal qualification tests.
This role supports employers to recruit and onboard applicants on to the chosen apprenticeship programme. APDMs provide information, advice and guidance and carry out an initial assessment to ensure the apprenticeship is the right one at the right level for the individual. APDMs provide quarterly management information reports to employers detailing learners progress and put interventions in place where an apprentice is in need of support. Employers will have a named APDM to be the primary contact for apprenticeship delivery throughout the programme.
This is a person in the workplace who supports the choice of apprenticeship programme for their employee or applicant and is involved in the onboarding process with their applicant. Line managers facilitate the apprentice to take off the job training time and fully engage in quarterly review meetings with the Practice Tutor and apprentice. Line managers have regular one to one meetings with their apprentices to integrate the apprenticeship into performance and development. They are key to enabling a successful work-based project and completion of the apprentice’s end-point assessment.
Before an apprenticeship begins, The Open University is required to conduct an initial assessment of each applicant who wishes to become an apprentice. They assess prior learning to establish if the individual has already covered parts of the knowledge and skills set out in the apprenticeship (recognition of prior learning) or what prior experience an individual has. Employers are also involved in this process, that is called initial assessment. During this assessment, The Open University also establishes whether the apprenticeship is an appropriate training programme for them. This assessment considers the whole standard, not just English and maths, which however is an important part of it.
The initial assessment may identify, for example, that an apprenticeship may not be suitable for an individual because their level of prior learning and experience may be too high; therefore, a higher level apprenticeship or another type of training could be a suitable alternative and is more appropriate for the individual.
The Open University also assesses whether the minimum eligibility requirements for off-the-job training are met and will set the duration of the apprentice contract dependent on prior learning.
Visit the Short Guide for Apprentices for more details.
Achieving English and maths is a mandatory requirement of all apprenticeships.
Replacement exam certificate: For qualifications gained in the UK you can go to the government website to get a replacement exam certificate.
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BKSB English and maths Initial Assessment |
Application submitted and skills audit completed and signed by line manager |
1-2-1 discussion with Apprenticeship Programme Delivery Manager (APDM) |
Overall Initial Assessment including prior qualifications (RPL), maths and English certificate and OTJ requirements |
Signed Apprenticeship Agreement |
Signed Commitment Statement |
Are you an employee interested in applying for an apprenticeship?
To apply you first need to gain approval from your employer. Please contact your organisation with an expression of interest. If your employer is happy to support your application, they will then contact us.
The process for employers to follow is:
The Education and Skills Funding Agency requires that at least 20 per cent of an apprentice’s working week is dedicated to off-the-job learning. Additional paid off-the-job time is required for apprentices needing to complete English and maths (Functional Skills) qualifications. The Open University’s tutor-supported blended learning gives the employer and the apprentice the flexibility to pick the most suitable times around organisational and personal needs – minimising the impact on day-to-day productivity.
Travel costs and expenses are also minimised, as most apprentices don’t have to attend day or block release sessions.
At present the face-to-face days on the programme are being delivered via online meeting rooms. It is a compulsory requirement for learners to attend these days. The Open University is currently reviewing the safe delivery of on-campus face-to-face days and the programme team will be guided by the university and the Statutory Health Profession Regulators in reviewing online and on-campus delivery. Employers and learners will be advised in advance of any changes to the delivery pattern.
Online delivery is both varied and interactive, using rich media formats that engage and enthuse apprentices on their journey. Learning can be accessed 24/7 on computers, tablets and mobile devices. Online forums and tutorials as well as email and telephone communication are used to support apprentices throughout the programme.
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For a more detailed look at our Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship, download our brochure. |
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