In every industry, in every sector, there’s a need for professionals with the practical understanding and specialist knowledge to design, develop and deliver a huge range of projects. From the largest strategic projects to small incremental changes, it’s project managers who get the job done.
On this 16 month, professionally-driven apprenticeship, you’ll develop the specialist skills and best industry practice of the professional project manager – all while continuing to work and earn with your employer.
And you’ll be able to focus your studies to be relevant to your day-to-day work, with work-based learning giving you plenty of opportunities to apply what you learn in the real world of your workplace.
Covering everything from developing and pitching your project’s business case, to budgeting, to risk management, the apprenticeship delivers the latest industry insights. It has been developed in consultation with employers, and will give you the complete project manager’s toolkit – along with the confidence to use it in your developing career.
And you will be able to fast-track that career, thanks to the Association for Project Management (APM) Project Management Qualification (PMQ) embedded in the programme – a professionally recognised foundation that you can build up over your career to become a Chartered Project Professional (ChPP). Pairing industry recognition with a huge range of transferable skills such as presentation, communication, time management and planning, the course ensures you’ll be well set for a fantastic career – whatever your industry or interests.
For employers
Apprenticeships can add value at all levels of your business:
Upskill your staff with industry relevant qualifications.
Drive an increase in productivity.
Promote long-term loyalty and reduce staff turnover.
Reduce the cost of qualifications and training.
Develop staff with a minimum of interruption to day-to-day operations.
Offer genuine opportunities for personal development to both full- and part-time staff.
Scale your business with the help of an increasingly skilled workforce.
For apprentices
Here's what a higher or degree apprenticeship can offer you:
A combination of on-the-job and academic study which is relevant and applied.
A continued wage and contract of employment which includes all the same benefits as any employee.
A higher or degree qualification which is recognised, transferrable and the same level as if achieved through traditional study routes.
A debt free future with zero tuition fees. (Please note, as apprenticeships are funded by employers, apprentices are not eligible to apply for Student Loans Company loans)
An opportunity to develop new skills and progress within your industry.
What does this course lead to?
When you complete the course, you’ll have many opportunities in project management, from working as a dedicated project manager to related roles such as programme managers, project planners, PMO managers and staff, or portfolio managers.
Who is this course for?
If you’re new to project management and looking to develop your existing career with practical, widely valued skills in this essential discipline, this apprenticeship programme is for you.
Facilities
Our vibrant campus brings state-of-the-art facilities to enhance your learning and elevate your student experience. Our award-winning teaching building, The Spark is centred around students and offers a stimulating study environment with flexible learning spaces.
Away from studying, why not try out the gyms, fitness studios and sports halls in our £28 million Sports Complex, or watch a blockbuster film at our student-run cinema with Dolby Atmos audio.
The University cannot guarantee any particular members of staff will teach specific aspects of the course in the future, but will endeavour to ensure the teaching team maintains their balance of experience and qualifications.
Core modules
Project Governance and Context
This module aims at providing students with a practical understanding of governance and the context in which they operate.
Developing the Professional Project Manager
This module facilitates preparation and collation of evidence for the End Point Assessment (EPA) and supports students to develop project management skills and behaviours including collaboration, teamwork, leadership, communication, drive for results, integrity, ethics, compliance and professionalism.
Planning, Budgets, Business, and Benefits
This module aims at providing students with a practical understanding of consolidated planning, budgeting, business case development and benefit management.
Project Quality and Risk Management
This module aims at providing students with a practical understanding of the objectives and principles of risk, issue and quality management.
Contracts, Procurement, Resources, Stakeholder, and Communications Management
This module aims at providing students with a practical understanding of project procurement, contracts and resource management together with stakeholder and communications management.
Managing Scope, Schedule and Estimation
This module aims at providing students with a practical understanding of scope and schedule management.
Successful apprentices will graduate with a:CertHE
How you'll study
The course requires students to attend the University one day per week from the end of September through to June, excluding Christmas and Easter.
You may be assessed by a combination of:
Essays
Individual presentations
Portfolios
Reports
Solent’s curriculum framework builds on our unique, creative and applied approach to teaching. The transformation of students’ lives is at the heart of our mission as a university, and our curriculum – informed by the latest theory – reflects this shared educational vision.
Businesses with an annual payroll above £3million will be classed as a levy paying employer and will be able to use funds accrued in their digital apprenticeship service (DAS) account for payment of the training. Non-levy paying businesses, or those businesses that need to supplement their digital levy account will need to co-invest 5% of the cost of the training with the government to pay the remaining 95%.
The 2022/23 programme cost is not yet available. For guidance, the 2021/22 cost was: £6,000
An apprenticeship levy payer is classed as any UK employer with a PAYE bill in excess of £3m. A 0.5% deduction will be taken from PAYE over this £3m marker directly through the HMRC.
This 0.5% becomes the employers levy fund, which they can use to upskill their existing staff with apprenticeship qualifications or introduce new apprentices to their organisation.
Non-levy paying businesses and businesses that need to supplement their digital levy account will need to co-invest 5% of the cost of the training. The government will pay the remaining 95%.
Small businesses (<50 employees) will receive 100% of the funding where the apprentice is 16-18 years old or is between 19-24 and has a local authority education, health and care plan (EHC plan).
While most course costs are covered by your tuition fees, some essential resources and optional extras may need to be paid for separately. For advice on budgeting and managing your money, please contact student.funding@solent.ac.uk.
Apprentices pay nothing towards their course fees
The course fees will be covered by your employer.
Graduation costs
There is no charge to attend graduation, but you will be required to pay for the rental of your academic gown (approximately £45 per graduate, depending on your award). You may also wish to purchase official photography packages, which range in price from £15 to £200+. Graduation is not compulsory, so if you prefer to have your award sent to you, there is no cost. Extra guest tickets will go on sale after results publication and will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis. The cost per ticket is currently £15. Please note, we do not guarantee there will be any extra tickets available to purchase.
Entry Requirements
To study for an apprenticeship, you must be employed by a sponsoring organisation. The specific entry requirements will be agreed with your employer.
The entry requirement for this apprenticeship course will be decided by each employer, but may typically be five GCSEs at Grade C or higher. Other relevant or prior experience may also be considered as an alternative. We will liaise with employers to determine their requirements, in line with any specific requirements of the provider.
Apprentices without level 2 English and Mathematics will need to achieve this level prior to taking the end point assessment. Evidence of this must be collated by the provider and provided to the end-point assessment body as part of the Gateway process. It is also recommended that the apprentice is supported to become digitally literate where this is important to their role.
All applicants will be interviewed, as well as an employer interview to determine commitment for the apprenticeship delivery period.
Ready to apply?
If you are an employer or a potential apprentice and would like to have an in-depth conversation with us about potential opportunities, please email admissions@solent.ac.uk or call 023 8201 5066.
What is an apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships offer a unique blend of work experience and academic study. Candidates on an apprenticeship will work a paid job while simultaneously working towards a relevant qualification in their chosen field.
Apprentices are employees with a contract of employment which offers the same benefits and protections as any other employee. Apprentices will typically work for four days of the week, using the remaining day to attend classes and study.
Higher degree apprenticeships
Higher and degree apprenticeships give candidates the opportunity to work towards an undergraduate degree. Apprentices work on assignments that are relevant to their workplace, applying their new skills directly to their day-to-day work.
Higher apprenticeships offer an incredible opportunity to reward, incentivise and upskill staff in a cost effective and academically rigorous way. Research has shown that this can increase productivity and retention within the workforce.
All students at Solent University have access to a range of specialist support services. Whether you are having financial difficulty, need additional help with academic skills or want advice on setting up your own business you'll find that help is always on hand.
Most of our specialist support services are based around the Student Hub, a central space where you can access all the information and support you may need during your time at University. The Student Hub is the first point of contact if you have any queries relating to your course, including questions about your timetable, options, and assessments and extenuating circumstances.
We work in partnership with the University to build a sense of pride and confidence in your Union, University and student experience.
Ready to take your career to the next level? Solent’s project management master’s programme is a professionally tailored course aligned to the Association for Project Management’s Body of Knowledge. You will study different methodologies, techniques and processes of project management and the chance to gain professional qualifications such as Agile Project Management™ (Foundation and Practitioner level)*.