Project Manager Degree Apprenticeship Brochure

PROJECT MANAGER Degree Apprenticeship

CONTENTS OVERVIEW

3

BSc (Hons) PROJECT MANAGEMENT

5

CASE STUDY: KATIE POWELL

6

PROGRAMME DESIGN

8

DELIVERY PLAN

10

ADMISSIONS

13

EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITIES

14

OUR LANCASTER CAMPUS

15

OUR LONDON CAMPUS

16

FURTHER INFORMATION

17

OVERVIEW This programme is designed specifically to enable learners to complete the Project Manager Degree Apprenticeship. 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 (6th Ed). Learners will be provided with everything they need to know to successfully deliver projects in a range of business sectors and subject areas. Learners who successfully complete the programme will be eligible for membership status of the Association for Project Management.

The course content and structure are informed by contemporary research into project management as a discipline in its own right as well as incorporating advice and guidance from employers and the professional body for project management (the APM). The course teaching team were also closely involved in the development of the Degree Apprenticeship standard and thus understand the journey that learners will take from joining the programme to successfully graduating as a qualified Project Manager.

The Project Manager Degree Apprenticeship delivery model has been developed in consultation with our employer partners. The delivery includes block-weeks of face to face tuition at various points throughout the year. This is complemented by high quality directed online learning with weekly tutorial support, through our Virtual Learning Environment. Our block face to face tuition is delivered at either our Lancaster or London Campus.

The programme has been successfully running at our Carlisle and Furness campuses, for Sellafield Ltd, their supply chain, and BAE Submarines respectively, and for Rolls Royce in Derby, since January 2019. Our first London cohorts will start in September 2020.

DEVELOP SKILLS EXPAND KNOWLEDGE UNLOCK OPPORTUNITIES

BSc (Hons) PROJECT MANAGEMENT Our Integrated Degree Apprenticeship allows learners to achieve a BSc (Hons) in Project Management and complete a Higher Level Apprenticeship at the same time, allowing you to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviour required to be a successful and accredited Project Manager. The programme covers areas such as: · Development of robust business cases · Governance of projects · Project planning and control · Stakeholder and communications management · Schedule development and management · Procurement and contract management · Scope identification and management · Risk identification and management · Quality management · Leading and managing teams We will deliver a sound academic programme which will give apprentices, of all abilities and backgrounds, the opportunity to attain a degree level education. We'll provide learners with the theoretical knowledge and understanding of project management. This will help them develop as critical, reflective thinkers and lifelong 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 in line with the Project Manager Degree Apprenticeship Standard.

Please see https://www.cumbria.ac.uk/study/courses/apprenticeships/projectmanagement/ for further details on our programme, including a downloadable copy of the detailed Programme Specification.

CASE STUDY Katie Powell, Project Manager Degree Apprentice

How long have you been studying at the University of Cumbria?

I have been studying at the University of Cumbria since September 2018 as part of my degree apprenticeship. My degree and apprenticeship qualification takes 4 years to complete. During my qualification, I learn the academic theory from the university and at the same time, I gain practical work experience with Sellafield Ltd.

How do you feel about your learning experience so far at the University of Cumbria?

I think studying with the university has definitely benefitted me. I always hoped to study towards a degree but the traditional university route didn’t really appeal to me.

Personally, I learn much better when I can understand theory and apply it in the work place – so an apprenticeship was perfect for my learning style. I was able to work whilst studying and apply my knowledge in a real project environment.

The course is really well structured and clearly aligned to the Association for Project Management approach and Body of Knowledge – which is the key to project management theory.

Any final thoughts or guidance for anyone thinking about studying here at the University of Cumbria?

I would recommend studying with the University of Cumbria to anyone – the tutors are incredibly supportive and the project management qualification is a great mix of theory and practical experience.

"

I feel like the lecturers have a genuine interest in our day to day work at RollsRoyce, as they are always curious to learn about how we work and the projects we are involved in.

Sophie Osbourne, Project Manager Degree Apprentice, University of Cumbria

"

PROGRAMME DESIGN Our programme is designed to enable completion of the apprenticeship within the typical duration of 48 months approved for the Standard. Arrangements for parttime apprentices to take the course over a longer time can be planned on an individual basis.

MODULE TITLE Foundations of Project Management

Professional Development I

4 LEVEL CIMEDACA

Project Context – The Business Environment

Projects in a Commercial Environment

Stakeholder Management

AIMS OF MODULE Provide students with a broad understanding of the principles of project management which will enable them to make a positive contribution to project work in an organisational setting.

Develop skills in a broad range of professional competencies such as interpersonal communication skills, team-working, clear writing, delivering presentations and the use of IT. Understanding of how projects contribute to businesses operating in a global economy; the need for projects in organisations, how they fit within organisational structures and common project lifecycles.

Explain importance, purpose and structure of a typical procurement process, with a focus on project work and managing the risks involved.

Understand the importance of communication in project management and of developing effective communication plans to inform and manage project team members, sponsors, project boards and wider stakeholders.

Project Planning and Control

Provide practical skills and techniques for planning, monitoring and controlling a project; understand importance of project planning.

APM Project Management Qualification

Complete the APM examination, a core element of the Project Manager Degree Apprenticeship standard.

All modules listed must be taken. All modules are worth 20 credits unless stated otherwise.

MODULE TITLE Project Performance Management

Project Management Professionalism

AIMS OF MODULE Develop appreciation of the tools and techniques of performance management with a specific focus on project management, the measurement of its performance and ways this can be improved.

5 LEVEL CIMEDACA

Develop appreciation of project management as a profession, and of a professional body of knowledge and practice; explore the concepts of governance and corporate social responsibility.

Project Management Methodologies

Develop understanding of a range of project management methodologies.

Ensuring Project Quality

Explore and discuss the concept of quality, quality processes and what these mean in the context of projects and project management.

Professional Development II (40 credits)

Develop and reflect upon achievement of identified knowledge, skills and behaviours against a defined standard.

Programme and Portfolio Management

Project Leadership

6 LEVEL CIMEDACA

Governance, Change and Risk Management

Develop ability to critically evaluate organisational approaches to the formation, management and control of programmes and portfolios and their relationship and interdependencies with projects.

Develop ability to identify, evaluate and apply leadership styles taking into account aspects such as teams, project complexity, roles, organisational structure and internal and external stakeholders.

Develop ability to critically evaluate project governance processes e.g. as used to develop standard project management practice, manage changes to scope and identify and manage risk.

Management and Control of Projects

Develop understanding of methods for managing activities and measuring and reporting progress.

Project Manager Degree Apprenticeship EPA (40 credits)

Complete the end-point assessment for the Project Manager Degree Apprenticeship standard.

All modules listed must be taken. All modules are worth 20 credits unless stated otherwise.

DELIVERY PLAN This programme is delivered as blended learning incorporating an initial blockrelease study to enable the required learning and assessment to take place, followed by periods of online learning and a number of blocks of face to face study. A typical virtual study day incorporates tutorials, seminars, group and individual exercises, and engagement with online materials. This mode of delivery allows completion of the apprenticeship within four years.

Indicative Programme Delivery Structure:

YEAR 1 2021-2022 HPRO4001 Foundations of Project Management 1 week block, face to face - October

Assessment Method: 1 x Practical Assessment, 1 x Exam Assessment Timing: September and October

HPRO4003 Project Context – The Business Environment 2 days face to face, 4 days directed online study - October

Assessment Method: Practical and Written Assessment Assessment Timing: November and December

HPRO4007 Project Planning and Control 6 days directed online study - November

Assessment Method: 2 x Practical Assessment Assessment Timing: December and January

HPRO4002 Professional Development 1 week block face to face delivery - January 1 week block face to face delivery - May

Assessment Method: Presentation and Portfolio Assessment Timing: February

HPRO4004 Projects in a Commercial Environment 6 days directed online study - January

Assessment Method: Written Assessment and Written Examination Assessment Timing: April

HPRO4006 Stakeholder Management 1 week face to face delivery - March

Assessment Method: Portfolio Assessment Timing: June

PMQ APM Project Management Qualification 2x 3 day blocks - May

Assessment Method: Written Examination Assessment Timing: June

YEAR 2 2022-2023 HPRO5002 Project Performance Management October-November

Assessment Method: Practical and Written Assessment Assessment Timing: October and November

HPRO5003 Project Management Professionalism January - February

Assessment Method: Practical and Written Assessment Assessment Timing: November and December

HPRO5004 Project Management Methodologies November - January

Assessment Method: Online Examination and Written Assessment Assessment Timing: January and February

HPRO5005 Ensuring Project Quality February - March

Assessment Method: Written Assessment and Written Examination Assessment Timing: March

HPRO5006 Professional Development II Throughout the year with additional time in May

Assessment Method: Portfolio and Written Assessment Assessment Timing: May

YEAR 3 2023-2024 HPRO6002 Programme and Portfolio Management Assessment Method: Presentation and Written Assessment Assessment Timing: October and November

September - October

HPRO6003 Project Leadership Assessment Method: Written Assessment and Written Examination Assessment Timing: December

November - December

HPRO6004 Governance, Change and Risk Management January - February

Assessment Method: Written Examination Assessment Timing: February

HPRO6005 Management and Control of Projects March - April

Assessment Method: Written Examination Assessment Timing: March

YEAR 4 2024-2025 HPRO6101 Project Manager Degree Apprenticeship EPA Work based, supported by tutorials throughout the year

Assessment Method: Report, Presentation and Interview Assessment Timing: Ferbuary/March

"

This approach has been the perfect fit for me, the one day of studying is full of high quality, interesting information – I then apply this to my work placements and prepare for academic study in my free time.

Leejay Brookes, Project Manager Degree Apprentice, University of Cumbria

"

ADMISSIONS The University’s normal requirements for entry to the academic programme are that apprentices should have 96 UCAS points plus Maths and English at GCSE C/4 or above.

More information about UCAS tariff points can be found at https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/what-and-where-study/entryrequirements/ucas-tariff-points. Individual employers will set the selection criteria for their apprenticeships.

Most candidates will have A levels (or equivalent) or existing relevant Level 3 qualifications, and English, Maths and ICT at Level 2. Other relevant qualifications or prior experience may also be considered as an alternative.

As part of admission processes, prospective apprentices complete an Individual Learning Needs Assessment (ILNA), rating themselves against the requirements of the standard to ensure that their programme is tailored to their learning needs. For example, some learners may have already completed their APM Project Management Qualification (or equivalent) and need not attend this part of the course.

EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITIES The employer is responsible for providing the apprentice with the opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) from the standard in the workplace. The taught content provides most of the knowledge, together with opportunities for discussion with tutors and the basis of portfolio building.

However, it is the workplace learning that provides the opportunity to build and evidence the knowledge, skills and behaviours. Consequently, the employer must ensure that the apprentice has sufficient off the job time in the workplace for this – at least half of the 20% off the job learning will take place in the workplace – as well as placement opportunities to allow the learner to develop and evidence the KSBs across all areas of the standard.

The apprentice will need to have an appointed mentor in the workplace who guides them in development of the knowledge, skills and behaviours, ensures they have the opportunity to progress, and who will participate in the quarterly review meetings with the apprentice and our apprentice tutor. The employer is responsible for the Gateway assessment, determining whether the apprentice is ready to progress to End Point Assessment.

OUR LANCASTER CAMPUS

A vibrant and historic heritage city, Lancaster is home to around 15,000 students from around the world. A short walk away from campus you will find Lancaster City Centre, with public transport links via train or bus. On campus, you will find stateof-the-art teaching facilities in the form of a £9 Million investment in our Sentamu building completed in 2017, our halls of residence, library with social working spaces, sports complex with a variety of classes running throughout the week, a chapel, our students' union and three eateries.

OUR LONDON CAMPUS

Our London campus is based at 58 East India Dock Road, Poplar, London E14 6JE. It is served by buses 115, D6 and 15, and is a 5-minute walk from Westferry DLR Station. It has provided outstanding teacher training for over 10 years, and offers professional Policing qualifications with dedicated library resources and fantastic transport links into one of the world's most popular cities.

FURTHER INFORMATION Our website

https://www.cumbria.ac.uk/study/courses/ apprenticeships/project-management/

Email us

project.academy@cumbria.ac.uk or apprenticeships@cumbria.ac.uk

Call us

01228 616332 or 01228 888 740