3 minute read
The Building Blocks of the Future
Q: What is a Degree Apprenticeship?
A: Degree Apprenticeships are a relatively new type of programme developed by employers, universities, and professional bodies working in partnership to enable students to achieve a full bachelor’s or master’s degree as part of their apprenticeship. Degree Apprenticeships combine working with studying part-time at a university. Apprentices are employed throughout the programme, and spend part of their time at university and the rest with their employer.
Q: What Degree Apprenticeships are available from the University of Surrey?
A: The university has applied to join the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers to deliver the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship (CMDA) and the Senior Leader. We will be expanding our offer over time and in response to demand, so please get in touch to discuss the apprenticeship standard you are looking for.
Q: What is the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship?
A: The CMDA is a work-based learning programme that combines studying whilst working in a relevant job role and can be delivered flexibly around the demands of each workplace. The CMDA develops the capabilities and performance of your managers and leaders. It provides them with higher level management skills and core competencies, designed to develop leaders that can drive performance and productivity improvements in your businesses.
Q: Who is the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship aimed at?
A: The CMDA is designed for those who may already have developed practical experience but who wish to develop their management skills further. Typically apprentices will be in a job such as: Manager; Senior Manager; Head of Department; Operations Manager, but can also be considered for those beginning their management journey.
Q: What will Chartered Managers be learning?
A: The Surrey CMDA has been created in consultation with the Chartered Management Institute and includes a broad range of modules aimed at new and existing managers including: Communication, Leadership, Project Management, Marketing, People, Strategy and Accounting. The teaching is underpinned with relevant work based projects and apprentices will be supported by academics with relevant experience, a line manager/mentor at work and via regular feedback.
Q: When will the apprentice study?
A: According to government regulations apprentices must study for 20% of their working week (off-the-job training) and work in a relevant job role for 80% of their working week (on-the-job training). Surrey has invested in blended delivery so that employers throughout England can send their staff on a Surrey apprenticeship, and apprentices have flexibility to accommodate the off-the-job learning around the on-the- job training. The off-the-job training occurs mainly via virtual online learning. Apprentices will spend around three to six days per year at the university undertaking face-to-face learning.
Q: How does the funding work?
A: ‘The apprenticeship levy’ is a pot of money some companies pay into, which all businesses can access to spend on the training costs of apprenticeships. For levy-payers (companies who’ve paid into the pot), 100% of the training costs (up to the funding cap) are paid through the levy. The levy pays 95% of the costs for non-levy employers (companies who’ve not paid into the pot), meaning the employer then has to pay 5%.
Q: Are there any additional costs for the employer?
A: Employers are responsible for funding the payment of apprentices’ wages, including time spent on off-the-job training. Apprentices must not be asked to contribute financially to the direct cost of their apprenticeship or use an apprentice loan to finance an apprenticeship.
Q: What are the entry requirements?
A: Individual employers will determine their own selection criteria. Apprentices also need to meet Surrey entry criteria. Typically, our Degree Apprenticeships require a minimum of level 3 qualifications (such as A levels, BTEC Diplomas) as well as level 2 Maths and English. Other qualifications and work experience may be taken into account and applications will be considered on a case by case basis.
Q: What support does Surrey offer both the organisation and the apprentice?
A: As a business you will have a dedicated Account Manager who will be your primary point of contact with the university, they can advise and support you throughout the process. An apprentice’s first point contact for their academic support will be their personal tutor and Programme Manager.
We have a dedicated Apprenticeship Hub made up of apprenticeship experts and each apprentice will have access to all the same resources available to full-time students. Regular progress meetings will be held involving the apprentice, their line manager and Surrey academic(s).
Q: Why should businesses choose the University of Surrey?
A: The University of Surrey is one of the UK’s strongest professional, scientific and technological universities, with strong links to both industry partners and the public sector. Our apprenticeship offer has been created in conjunction with employers and professional bodies so that apprenticeships at the University of Surrey are perfectly positioned to develop the skills your company needs both now and in the future.
Q: Where should I go to find out more information?
A: The easiest way is to get in touch with us by contacting the team at: apprenticeships@surrey.ac.uk
We like to establish a dialogue with companies and a conversation with the Apprenticeship Hub is the easiest and most effective start. Further information can also be found at www.surrey. ac.uk/business/training-and-education/degree-apprenticeships
