BSc Project Manager (Integrated Degree) Apprenticeship

Achieve a professional qualification in project management at IPMA Level D or equivalent
Students and stakeholders at the launch of a business and innovation centre
If you have an enquiry about any of the apprenticeships at the University of Plymouth, please complete the below form.
Enquiry Form
You can also call us on +44 (0)1752 583625.
Office Hours are Monday–Friday, 08:30–16:30

How to apply

The potential apprentice will be required to complete an Initial Needs Analysis (INA) with the support of their employer and the University to ensure the Apprenticeship programme is an appropriate solution to their skills development needs. On completion of the INA the University will assess the information provided and determine the next steps.
The employer must request the Initial Needs Analysis by emailing apprenticeships@plymouth.ac.uk.

Applications for September 2024 will open on Monday 8 January 2024.
Deadline to apply for September 2024 is 30 June 2024.
For more information or to express your interest please complete our online enquiry form.

Apprentices do not pay any course fees – costs are covered by the government and/or employer

Funding models for employers

We can support employers in accessing funding via the apprenticeship levy or provide alternative funding options to minimise or eradicate any up-front cost to the organisation.

There are currently two funding models:
  • Fully-funded: Levy paying organisations
  • Co-funded: Non-levy organisations and levy who have exceeded their levy contribution.

Fully-funded

If the annual pay bill of your organisation exceeds £3 million you will pay for your apprenticeship training through your levy account. If you have exceeded your levy contribution you will fund apprenticeship training through the co-funded model – to better understand how this will work please contact us.

  • Employer contribution: Employee salary only
  • Apprentices contribution: £0

Co-funded

If you are a non-levy paying organisation (the annual pay bill of your organisation is less than £3 million) or you are a levy organisation who has exceeded their pot, the government will financially co-support your apprenticeship training – they will contribute 95 per cent of the costs and the employer will contribute 5 per cent.

  • Government contribution £TBC
  • Employer contribution £TBC
  • Apprentice contribution £0

Programme Modules


  • The Project Professional examines the profession of project management and explores the knowledge, skills, qualities and behaviours expected of a project professional. It provides an opportunity for students to reflect upon their practical experience and the need to develop their capabilities and profile as a project professional.
  • Essentials of Project Management provides an introduction to project management concepts, tools, techniques and practices needed to effectively manage projects within business settings.
  • The Project Environment provides an opportunity to examine the environments which projects operate and assess the factors prevailing in the environment, that can impact upon projects. There is engagement with discussion regarding the importance of projects in society
  • Project Communication highlights the importance of communication in project environments. In particular, the importance of communication to developing stakeholder relationships will be explored, as well as the barriers to effective communication
  • Project Planning and Resource Management explores the crucial processes associated with project development, planning, scheduling and resource management, including work breakdown structures and time-cost optimisation.
  • Leading and Managing Project Teams will explore the leading, inspiring and supporting of project team members and the management of effective stakeholder relationships.
  • Project Quality Management will examine the tools, techniques and approaches to managing quality in project environments.
  • Project Control examines the management control of projects to ensure satisfactory cost, quality and time outcomes. It explores the use of tools, techniques, reporting structures and processes to control project performance.
  • Finance for Project Managers explores the financial management of projects, from justification of the investment decision, determining costs and establishing budgets, through to reporting systems and assessing project performance.
  • Procurement and Supply Chain Management in Projects examines the effective procurement of goods and services in a global environment and the management of commercial and contractual policies, practices and relationships.
  • Managing Project Risk examines the process of identifying and analysing risks and determining appropriate management processes and strategies, for their successful management.
  • Project Governance and Assurance explores the structures and mechanisms of authority, responsibilities and accountability in a project environment, to ensure successful project outcomes.
  • Contemporary Issues in Project Management will evaluate the issues currently effecting and shaping projects in the contemporary environment. It will explore the tools of analysing the contemporary project environment and assess the development of appropriate management practices to address emerging challenges.
  • Innovation and Creativity in Projects will develop knowledge and skills of innovation and creativity. It explores key issues impacting the project, highlighting the importance of innovation and creativity in developing workable solutions to project challenges, and the need for creative responses to manage change.
  • Strategic Context of Projects examines the process of strategic management and its relationship with project management.
  • Strategic Leadership and Organisational Change examines the concepts and theories of leadership in relation to strategy and organisational change.
  • Work Based Project is an account of a project with which the apprentice has been involved and includes a critical appraisal of the project together with a critical review of their achievement in respect the relevant knowledge, skills and behaviour areas of the apprenticeship standard.
  • Professional Review will synoptically assess knowledge, skills and behaviours as detailed in the project management degree apprenticeship standard.

Assessment Methods

The assessment rationale is based on the need to examine relevant theoretical models and frameworks in a practical, work-based context. Therefore, assessment comprises items such as: assignments, reports, presentations, projects and the collating of a work related portfolio.

In addition, all learners will undertake an end-point-assessment (EPA) to assess whether they have achieved the occupational competence, in accordance with the established standard.

The programme 

Designed to meet the standard for the integrated Level 6 degree apprenticeship in Project Management from the Institute for Apprenticeships. Learners who successfully complete the programme will be awarded a BSc in Project Management, achieve a professional qualification in project management at IPMA Level D or equivalent and be eligible for Membership status of the Association for Project Management (APM).

Who is the course for?

The course is aimed at individuals currently contracted for 30 hours or more per week, and meeting the requirements of the occupational profile of the Project Manager Role and responsibilities aligned with the apprenticeship standard.

Areas of specialism

  • @Develop work-based skills in project management.

  • @Develop critical thinking skills to prepare you for further qualifications or study.

  • @Learn from industry specialists and nationally and internationally recognised academics.

  • @Earn while you learn – develop work-based competencies and a degree in project management whilst maintaining employment.

  • @High quality project managers are in demand in all sectors across the world.

Benefits to the business 

The programme has been developed in conjunction with employers and provides the knowledge, understanding and skills to enable employees to be more effective in their project management roles, in a broad range of organisational contexts.


Business meeting management leadership
Human resources concept

Benefits to the apprentice

The programme explores the concepts and characteristics of project management as an area of academic and applied study. It will support the development of capabilities of analysis, synthesis and evaluation appropriate to degree level study, which will help individuals become more effective in their project management careers.


Course facts

Duration: 51 months

Hours of study per week: The apprentice will undertake 2 days of learning fortnightly – 1 day will be the formal taught day made up of a combination of face to face and online. The second day will be self-directed learning. During academic holidays the apprentice will undertake 2 days of self-directed learning which has been pre-set.

Delivery type: 50% face-to-face tuition, 50% online study

Entry requirements: The applicant must:

  • be contracted for 30 hours or more per week, and meeting the requirements of the occupational profile (see apprenticeship standard under the occupation heading) of the Project Manager role and responsibilities aligned with the apprenticeship standard
  • be employed in a job in England and be a UK/EU/EAA resident for at least three years prior to starting the apprenticeship
  • be older than 15 years and have legally left school on the start date of the apprenticeship
  • not be enrolled on another apprenticeship, or Department for Education funded FE/HE programme, at the same time as the apprenticeship
  • hold and can provide a certificate for Level 2 English
  • hold and can provide a certificate for Level 2 Maths NB: Certificates must be provided as evidence- : Please note that we are not able to accept all kinds of Level 2 qualifications, if you are unsure whether a qualification is suitable please email apprenticeships@plymouth.ac.uk for clarification
  • have 80 points – * UCAS Tariff points translate qualifications and grades into a numerical value – to understand the value of qualifications a calculator can be accessed using the UCAS tariff calculator. 

During the on-programme stage, apprentices must collate an evidence portfolio upon which the end-point assessment that includes a Professional Review will be structured. It must contain evidence of meeting the knowledge, skills and behaviours requirements of the standard. There is no preferred platform other than to use APTEM where and when required.

Core skills

  • Demonstrate a detailed understanding of relevant concepts and characteristics appropriate in the study of project management and be able to apply them creatively.
  • Identify and illustrate the importance of planning, development and management of projects in a variety of contexts.

In addition, graduates will be able to analyse new and/or abstract information and situations without guidance, using a range of appropriate techniques.

Key and employment-related skills developed on the programme include: 

  • presentation and communication skills
  • interpersonal and team working skills
  • self-management and professional development skills
  • numeracy skills
  • problem solving and research methods skills
  • learning skills (reflection/evaluation synthesis)
  • information management technology skills.

People

  • Lecturer - Project and Business Management (Degree Apprenticeships)
    Programme Lead