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L6Apprenticeship2913 approved providers
The Level 6 Project manager (integrated degree), and the 3 providers delivering it.
Help organisations manage projects efficiently.
About this apprenticeship
What this apprenticeship covers
Apprentices develop the skills to plan, deliver, and close projects within budget, on time, and to agreed quality standards. Study covers project governance, risk and issue management, stakeholder communication, scheduling, and resource allocation. At degree level, there is a strong emphasis on analytical thinking and decision-making under uncertainty. Apprentices also build commercial awareness, learning how project outcomes connect to business objectives and organisational strategy.
Day-to-day responsibilities
Week to week, an apprentice project manager might update project plans, run progress meetings, log risks and issues, and produce status reports for stakeholders. They would work closely with delivery teams, finance contacts, and senior sponsors to keep projects on track. Tools such as Microsoft Project, Jira, or equivalent planning software are commonly used, alongside standard reporting templates and change control documentation.
Career outlook
Completing this apprenticeship at degree level opens the door to roles such as Project Manager, Project Lead, or Programme Coordinator, with experience leading to Senior Project Manager or Programme Manager positions. Employers span most sectors, including construction, IT, financial services, healthcare, central and local government, and professional services. Many completers go on to pursue chartered status through the Association for Project Management (APM) or work towards PRINCE2 and other recognised project management qualifications.
3 approved providers
Sorted by achievement rate.
Anglia Ruskin University ARU
Employer: 3.0
Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) is an innovative UK university offering a wide portfolio of learning ...
Arden University
Employer: 3.0
Arden University is a UK-based, technology-enabled university that delivers flexible higher educatio...
Blackpool and The Fylde College
Employer: 4.0
Blackpool and The Fylde College (B&FC) offers a wide range of technical and professional education o...
Career outcomes
Roles after completion
Completers typically step into roles such as Project Manager, Project Lead, or Programme Coordinator, taking ownership of defined projects end to end. Some move directly into Assistant Project Manager positions within larger organisations where structured progression ladders exist. Those from construction or engineering placements often enter site-based Project Manager roles, while completers from corporate or public sector placements tend to move into office-based delivery roles managing budgets, stakeholders, and timelines.
Progression paths
Within three to five years, Project Managers commonly progress to Senior Project Manager or Programme Manager, taking responsibility for multiple concurrent projects or larger, more complex programmes. Beyond that, two tracks become clear. The leadership route leads to Head of PMO, Portfolio Manager, or Director of Projects. The specialist route moves towards roles such as Risk Manager, Change Manager, or an independent Project Management Consultant. Professional chartership through APM or PRINCE2 Practitioner status frequently accompanies this progression.
Where these roles sit
Demand sits across a wide range of sectors. Construction, infrastructure, and engineering firms are consistent hirers, as are central and local government bodies, NHS trusts, and defence contractors. Financial services, technology, and professional services firms also recruit at this level, particularly for internal change and transformation programmes. Roles exist in both large organisations with formal project functions and smaller businesses where a Project Manager may be the only dedicated delivery professional on site.
How it's assessed
How the apprenticeship is assessed
Throughout the programme, apprentices build knowledge, skills and behaviours alongside their day-to-day project management responsibilities. Assessment is integrated with both the apprenticeship and the degree, so evidence of competence accumulates over the full duration rather than being tested in a single end-point event alone. Before completing, apprentices must pass through a readiness gateway, at which point the employer and training provider confirm the apprentice has met the standard's requirements and is ready for final assessment. That final assessment confirms the apprentice can manage projects competently in a real workplace context. Assessment models for many standards are currently being updated; check the standard's gov.uk page for the current specification.
What learners need to prepare
Gathering evidence throughout the programme is essential. Apprentices should keep clear records of the projects they contribute to, the decisions they make, and the outcomes they deliver, rather than trying to reconstruct this at the end. Working closely with both the employer and the training provider from the start helps identify gaps early and gives time to address them. Degree-level academic work runs alongside the practical evidence, so staying on top of both from the outset makes the gateway stage considerably less pressured.
Choosing a provider
What good looks like
Look for providers with an achievement rate above 65% on their FATP profile; given the four-year commitment and degree-level output, anything lower deserves scrutiny. Strong providers will have structured employer engagement throughout, not just at gateway, and will use recognised project management frameworks such as APM, PRINCE2 or PMI alongside real project casework rather than simulations alone. Apprentice satisfaction scores above 80% suggest the academic and workplace elements are being integrated well. Check that the provider holds degree-awarding powers or has a credible university partnership, and that tutors carry current practitioner experience rather than purely academic backgrounds.
Red flags to watch for
Be cautious if a provider cannot explain how they align the degree curriculum with on-the-job project work; the two must reinforce each other or the qualification loses its value. A high volume of enrolments alongside a declining or suppressed achievement rate is a warning sign at this level, where drop-out is costly for all parties. Vague answers about what project management frameworks are taught, or tutors who cannot point to recent delivery experience outside academia, suggest the programme may be out of step with current employer expectations.
Questions to ask before you commit
- What project management frameworks and methodologies does the programme teach, and how current are they?
- How do you integrate the degree-level academic content with the apprentice's real workplace projects?
- Can you show us the achievement rate for this standard specifically, and how has it trended over the last two years?
- What does employer engagement look like beyond the end-point assessment, and how often do you review progress with line managers?
- Which university awards the degree, and is that institution named on the apprentice's certificate?
- Do your graduates typically move into project manager or senior project roles, and can you share examples?
- How do you support apprentices who fall behind on either the academic or workplace strand?
Common questions
What qualifications or experience do I need to start a project manager integrated degree apprenticeship?
Employers set their own entry criteria, but most look for A-levels or equivalent qualifications at level 3, since this is a degree-level programme. Some employers will accept relevant work experience in lieu of formal qualifications. Apprentices must also be employed for a minimum number of hours per week throughout the programme. If English and maths are not already at the required level, these must be achieved before the end of the apprenticeship.
How long does the apprenticeship take and how does work fit alongside study?
The typical duration is 48 months. Throughout that time the apprentice remains employed and applies their learning directly in the workplace. A portion of working hours is dedicated to off-the-job training, such as university study and skills development. The exact requirements are set in the current standard specification, which is subject to revision under ongoing Skills England reforms. Check the gov.uk apprenticeship standard page for the current figures before planning delivery.
How is the apprenticeship assessed and what is the endpoint?
Apprentices must reach the gateway before assessment begins. At that point, the employer, training provider, and apprentice confirm that the required knowledge, skills, and behaviours have been demonstrated in the workplace. The end-point assessment tests competence as a project manager and typically includes a degree qualification alongside practical and professional elements. Assessment models for many standards are being updated, so check the current specification on gov.uk for the definitive requirements.
How does funding work for employers hiring a project manager degree apprentice?
The funding band for this standard is £22,000, which is the maximum government contribution toward training costs. Larger employers with a levy account use those funds directly. SMEs without a levy account pay a small co-investment contribution, with government covering the rest. Employers taking on a 16 to 18-year-old apprentice at a very small organisation may pay nothing at all. Funding rules are administered through the apprenticeship service on gov.uk.
What does a project manager apprentice actually do day to day?
Day-to-day responsibilities depend on the employer and sector, but typically include planning and scheduling project activities, tracking budgets and resources, managing risks and issues, coordinating stakeholders, and producing progress reports. Apprentices are expected to take genuine ownership of project tasks rather than shadow experienced staff. Over time, as competence develops, the scope and complexity of projects they lead will increase, giving them experience across the full project lifecycle.
What can a project manager apprentice do after completing this apprenticeship?
Completing this apprenticeship leads to a bachelor's degree alongside occupational competence as a project manager. From there, progression routes include senior project manager, programme manager, or portfolio management roles. Many completers pursue chartership through bodies such as the Association for Project Management (APM) or the Project Management Institute (PMI). Some move into specialist areas such as change management, PMO leadership, or strategic consultancy, depending on their employer and sector.
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Curated by Alex Lockey, FATP founder and editor. Last reviewed: .
Sources include the apprenticeship's official specification on apprenticeships.gov.uk, Skills England guidance, IfATE archive records, DWP funding bands, and provider data sourced directly from the public Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR). Standard reference: 291.
Some sections on this page were drafted with AI assistance from published source data and reviewed by a human editor before publication. See our editorial methodology for how we maintain this content. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.