Key information
Accreditation:
This course is Accredited
Typical offer:
112-120 UCAS points from 3 A levels, or equivalent
Showing content for section Overview
Overview
Our four-year BSc (Hons) Project Management Degree Apprenticeship is ideal for project professionals who want to advance their career. Our up-to-date and practical course is delivered by a specialised teaching team and is accredited by the Association for Project Management (APM) — the only chartered membership organisation for the project profession in the world.
Through your degree study, you’ll develop advanced knowledge of budgeting, scheduling, operations, quality management, supply chains, risk and many other subjects. You’ll be able to put this knowledge to use in the workplace straight away.
Alongside your academic study, you will also undertake the APM Project Management Qualification. This widely recognised professional qualification is a great way to enhance your CV and demonstrate your knowledge of the main elements of project management.
The End-point Assessment (EPA) in your final year allows you to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours that you have gained throughout the degree apprenticeship in both the classroom and the workplace.
Upon successful completion, you'll be awarded a Bachelor of Science with Honours degree (BSc (Hons)); the APM Project Management Qualification (IPMA Level D); and a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.
Course highlights:
-
Learn as you earn by continuing to work for your employer as you study
-
Study a degree accredited with APM — the only chartered membership organisation for the project profession
-
Develop your specialist knowledge on topics including budgeting, operations, and quality management
-
Apply your knowledge in your workplace
-
Graduate with full degree BSc (Hons) degree and the APM Project Management Qualification
Accreditation
Contact information
Contact Degree ApprenticeshipsEntry requirements
BSc (Hons) Project Management (Degree Apprenticeship) degree entry requirements
Typical offers
- A levels - BBB-BBC
- UCAS points - 112-120 points from 3 A levels, or equivalent. Applicants with relevant work experience will also be considered (calculate your UCAS points)
- All applicants to the Degree Apprenticeship courses must have an acceptable Level 2 qualification in English and Mathematics. Acceptable qualifications include GCSE with grade C/4 or above and Functional Skills with Pass - please note that we are not able to accept all kinds of Level 2 qualifications, so if you are unsure whether you have a suitable qualification please get in touch. If you do not have an acceptable qualification you will be required to take an additional assessment during the application process
- T-levels - Merit
- BTECs (Extended Diplomas) - DDM-DMM
- International Baccalaureate - 29
Selection process
All applicants will be required to complete a Skills Gap Analysis before completing an application form.
All applicants will be invited to attend an academic interview and may be asked to submit a portfolio of work or undertake additional assessment.
You may need to have studied specific subjects – find full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.
Typical offers
- A levels - BBB-BBC
- UCAS points - 112-120 points from 3 A levels, or equivalent. Applicants with relevant work experience will also be considered (calculate your UCAS points)
- All applicants to the Degree Apprenticeship courses must have an acceptable Level 2 qualification in English and Mathematics. Acceptable qualifications include GCSE with grade C/4 or above and Functional Skills with Pass - please note that we are not able to accept all kinds of Level 2 qualifications, so if you are unsure whether you have a suitable qualification please get in touch. If you do not have an acceptable qualification you will be required to take an additional assessment during the application process
- T-levels - Merit
- BTECs (Extended Diplomas) - DDM-DMM
- International Baccalaureate - 29
Selection process
All applicants will be required to complete a Skills Gap Analysis before completing an application form.
All applicants will be invited to attend an academic interview and may be asked to submit a portfolio of work or undertake additional assessment.
You may need to have studied specific subjects or GCSEs - see full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.
We look at more than just your grades
While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.
You and your employer
When you begin studying for your degree apprenticeship:
- You need to be 18 or over
- You should be able to satisfy government requirements on residency:
- you must be a citizen or have the right to live in the UK/EEA
- you must have been a resident in the UK/EEA (not the Channel Islands or Isle of Man) for a minimum of 3 years
- you must not need a Student Route visa, and must not have been on a Student Route visa within the past 3 years
- You need to have the right to work in the UK, and to spend at least 50% of your working hours in England
- Your job should meet the requirements of the apprenticeship standard relevant to this degree – we can advise you and your employer on this
- Your employer needs to have registered an apprentice service account – we can help your employer with this if needed
If you aren't currently working in a relevant field, you can apply for a job and degree apprenticeship simultaneously. Read more about applying for this degree apprenticeship.
This course is accredited by the Association for Project Management.
Careers and opportunities
What can you do with a Project Management degree?
Successful completion of this degree apprenticeship can help advance your career towards:
- senior project management
- project management office management
- risk management
- programme management
- portfolio management
You’ll also be eligible to apply for full membership of the Association for Project Management (APM).
After your apprenticeship finishes, you can still receive help, advice and support for up to five years from our Careers and Employability service as you advance in your career. The University offers a range of relevant postgraduate courses for you to continue your studies.
Modules
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits. You'll study modules worth 360 credits.
What you'll study
To develop this understanding learners will be introduced to the characteristics of projects, the different project life cycles, organisational structures, project management methodologies, scope management and planning and scheduling. At the end of this module, apprentices should be able to understand what project management is and how to prepare a schedule for projects with consideration of resource management.
This module addresses the following KSBs: K5, S1, S8, B6.
It introduces apprentices to the ways in which projects contribute to businesses operating in local, regional, national and global economies. The module introduces programme and portfolio management, and explores how these enable organisations to achieve their short, medium and long-term strategies. Apprentices will be introduced to the key personnel and processes involved in developing robust business plans, and the requirements to revisit such plans at key stages of a project to ensure ongoing viability of the business case.
It also encourages apprentices to be independent learners with personal tutor support. Hallmarks 5, 7,8 and 10 are assessed during this module by utilising the e-Portfolio where they will have the opportunity to communicate ideas, to be team players and be self-reflective amongst others. Students will also develop the academic skills/competencies to systematically source, assess and use information in a rigorous manner, in alignment with the documentation and inputs they will deal with as project managers. The module will also develop students' knowledge and understanding of the Apprenticeship and APM requirements and how these can be demonstrated through the e-portfolio, and End Point Assessment.
This module addresses the following KSB's: B2, B3 , B4, S2, S3.
Apprentices will evaluate the commercial aspects of strategic sourcing. Audit and assurance processes will enable apprentices to understand the role of governance.
The concepts and theories of operations and supply chains in different business environments and contexts are explored. The module investigates the fundamentals of businesses processes and covers topics such as categorisation of processes, behaviour of processes, capacity of processes, lean processes (e.g. value and waste), charactersitics and behaviour of supply chains.
Assessment is in the form of (a) tests linked to reading and (b) analysis of one or more business operations and supply chain cases.
The module is managerial in perspective, exploring the practical relationship between theory and practice, through the ability to apply theory within an organisational context and, based on this application and analysis, identify key issues and develop appropriate recommendations for actions (LO2). Throughout the module students will be encouraged to reflect on their own perspectives and experiences of working in organisations, exploring these within the context of becoming a professional Project Manager (LO4).
Maximising benefits and being cost effective are set against the legal and ethical frameworks of organisational governance and professional conduct.
This module will guide apprentices on how organisations meet purchasing needs through making use of the purchasing process with suppliers; to carefully signing the procurement contracts with buying organisations, to buying items using favourable terms and conditions in order to execute a successful contracting process.
The module will cover an overview of the procurement environment, procurement planning, choice of procurement methods, preparation of bidding documents, pre and post contract management phases and drafting contracts, contract implementation and management.
Students will further develop the necessary academic critical thinking, analysis and writing skills to enable them to carry out the Project Management function. They will appreciate how to create their own balanced, evidence based and convincing communications for project stakeholders and others.
In addtion, the module will facilitate reflection on the APM End Point Assessment requirements and support students in the self-assessment, identification and review of potential evidence and achievements at Level 5 of the programme.
This module addresses the following DA Standard KSB's: S2, S3, S5, B2, B3 , B4.
The concepts and theories of risks and opportunities in different project environments and contexts are explored. The module investigates internal and external sources of risks to project objectives and mitigation strategies available to projects. Risks to environmental, social and governance project objectives are considered in addition to the classic objectives of schedule, cost and quality.
Methodologies and processes of project risk management and how they are implemented in projects are examined and critiqued. The skills to use and interpret qualitative and quantitative methods and tools for the evaluation, mitigation and management of project risks, opportunities and issues, such as Monte Carlo simulation analysis, are developed.
Assessment is in the form of (a) tests linked to reading and (b) practical risk analysis of a project and (c) critical analysis of project risk management
It explores ways to manage the dynamics of stakeholder relationships and needs during the project, and develop appropriate and pro-active project communication plans to ensure that all of the multi-skilled, internal and cross-disciplinary stakeholders are aligned.
It begins with questions about the purpose of organisations of all types, from transnational corporations to SMEs, social enterprises and not for profit. It then progresses to consider how they are led and governed. The module explores a range of concepts including stakeholder theory, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and ethical decision-making, and then investigates issues of practical application such as stakeholder management, strategic CSR and social accounting, and their implications for the management of projects.
The module covers:
- Projects, Programmes & Portfolios
- Project Life Cycles, Project Reviews, Project Management Plan
- Stakeholders, Organisation, Teamwork
- Leadership, Communications, Conflicts Management, Project Roles
- Scope Management, Estimating, Scheduling
- Resource Management Earned Value, Budget & Costing
- Requirements Management, Change Control & Configuration
- Benefits Management, Negotiation
- Governance, Risk & Issue Management
- Business case
The module discusses both cultural and human dimensions of change management, and considers the role people have in leading and being part of successful and sustainable improvement. The module makes use of case examples and the students' experiences to illustrate the combined roles of continuous improvement, organisational learning and the importance of a creative envrionment as a springboard for innovation and change. The module will develop your knowledge and understanding of a range of improvement and change management methodologies, tools and techniques and their application in practice.
It explores issues raised by Continuous improvement and business excellence models, both within the a project and organisation overview, including its relationships with involved stakeholders.
The module serves as an opportunity to interpret and applicate the continuous improvement methodologies, that could drive a project towards innovative and practical problem-solving solutions. Being quality management the predominant party, via excellence frameworks that drives innovation.
Students have the opportunity to engage with peers and the subject tutor via a discussion forum on the module Moodle site. Tutor-led lectures and seminar sessions will address students through the module content and the assessed coursework.
It will enhance the skills necessary for employment and develop reflective practice for continuing professional development.
It will provide an overview of how to evaluate the quality, relevance and credibility of data that may be presented in the form of project input, measures.
In preparation for Work-based Learning Project and End Point Assessment, the module will support students in the identification and planning of a suitable Work-based Learning Project to enable fulfilment of required APM Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours.
Prepare to positively disrupt industries by building more dynamic, resilient and responsible organisations.
You'll develop your strategic skills and learn to explore growth opportunities as you consider your competitive advantage.
By evaluating internal capabilities alongside external forces, you'll assess change options from restructuring to venturing, and finish this module ready to make strategic decisions that boost economic and social outcomes.
The module will ensure students have completed all necessary components to pass Gateway.
In accordance with APM requirements, students will work independently to develop and deliver an agreed work-based project to the employing organisation, as well as the submission of the Project Report to demonstrate achievement of the requisite KSBs.
In addition, building on the work completed through the course of study, students will be encouraged to reflect upon the KSBs, and complete the e-portfolio in preparation for the EP presentation and interview.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
How you'll spend your time
You'll typically go to the University campus one day a week for around 30 weeks every year to attend lectures, seminars and workshops. On the weeks you don't attend University, you'll spend 20% of your time either studying or training away from your normal workplace.
You’ll need the full support of your current employer to study for one day a week — otherwise you could apply to work for an employer which is seeking to recruit degree apprentices.
Teaching
On-campus teaching for this course may include:
- lectures
- seminars
- workshops
- tutorials
How you're assessed
Your degree modules will be assessed through multiple methods, which may include:
- individual and group work
- presentations and academic posters
- reports and essays
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do the academic assessments that count towards your final mark.
The APM Project Management Qualification is assessed by an examination.
Supporting you
Academic skills support
As well as support from teaching staff and your personal tutor, you can approach the Faculty of Business and Law's Academic Skills Tutors (AST).
AST provides support in areas such as:
- Writing & Assignments
- Presentations & Group Work
- Referencing & Research
- Exams & Revision
- Dissertations & Final Projects
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees
The payment of this course fee is covered by the Government, and in some cases, your employer. This means there's no cost to you as the degree apprentice. Total tuition fees are £22,000 paid over 3 years.
Please see our Degree Apprenticeships page, or contact us, for further information.
The payment of this course fee is covered by the Government, and in some cases, your employer. This means there's no cost to you as the degree apprentice. Total tuition fees are £22,000 paid over 3 years.
Please see our Degree Apprenticeships page, or contact us, for further information.
Additional course costs
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Additional course costs
Our accommodation section shows your accommodation options and highlights how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
You’ll study up to 6 module a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each modules.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Apply
Application deadline
- The application deadline to start in September 2024 is to be confirmed.
- The application deadline to start in September 2025 is to be confirmed.
Applications received after this date may not be considered.
How you apply depends on whether you’re currently employed or not.
How to apply with your current employer
If you’re in full-time employment and would like to do a degree apprenticeship with your current employer, ask them to contact us so we can discuss with them how we can work together.
You might find it useful to share our information for employers page with them.
How to apply with a new employer
If you’re not employed full-time or not working for a company that can fund and support your degree apprenticeship, you'll need to apply for a degree apprenticeship with a company that offers them.
You'll follow their standard recruitment process and we'll assess your academic suitability for the course once you've applied.
We can let you know when there are degree apprenticeship vacancies available with companies we work with – contact us to give us your details.
You can also browse degree apprenticeship vacancies with employers with whom we already have relationships.
If you have questions about degree apprenticeships, please get in touch with us.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.