STUDY

Undergraduate

CertHE Associate Project Manager (Higher Apprenticeship)

Project management chart on virtual screen
Institution code: S82
UCAS code: N/A
Start date: January 2025
Duration: Two years full-time
Location: Ipswich
Typical Offer: 112 UCAS tariff points (or above), BBC (A-Level), DMM (BTEC), Merit (T Level)
Institution code: S82
UCAS code: N/A
Start date: January 2025
Duration: Two years full-time
Location: Ipswich
Typical Offer: 112 UCAS tariff points (or above), BBC (A-Level), DMM (BTEC), Merit (T Level)

Overview

There is growing demand for project management professionals across the public and private sector to work on complex projects such as Sizewell C, power generation and infrastructure projects and other Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs). The CertHE Associate Project Manager (Higher Apprenticeship) offers a route into these careers and is suited to those without any previous experience of project management.

This course delivers the Associate Project Manager apprenticeship standard, a Level 4 qualification that might be a first step on a career to become a Project Manager or Project Controller. The Associate Project Manager course at the University of Suffolk is an entry-level course for those who will be responsible for identifying, defining and delivering some or all aspects of a project with the support and guidance of a Project Manager. Associate Project Managers are likely to be involved in many difference aspects of the project life cycle including the drafting of business cases, collaborating with stakeholders, reporting on progress and coordinating compliance with codes of practice, legislation and regulations.

The course may also be suitable for those that would like to develop project management skills as part of their broader professional development (for example to support expansion or growth ambitions).

The course is a higher-level apprenticeship that delivers academic learning within a work-based context and you will be applying the ideas from taught sessions to your job role from the first day. Our focus is on helping you to understand how taught content applies in the context of your workplace and the types of projects that you are engaged with. When you complete assessments you will do so by demonstrating that you can apply the ideas from each module to the work that you complete daily.

Associate Project Managers may work on small projects or as part of a much larger project team. They may be involved in creating something new or delivering change programmes that improve efficiency or effectiveness. This could include energy projects, infrastructure works, the implementation of new IT systems or supporting clients with logistics planning. 

The University of Suffolk is world-class and committed to our region. We are proudly modern and innovative and we believe in transformative education. We are on the rise with a focus on student satisfaction, graduate prospects, spending on academic services and student facilities.

2nd

in the East of England for graduate prospects

(The Guardian University Guide 2023)

6th

in the UK for spend on academic services

(The Complete University Guide 2024)

11th

in the UK for social inclusion

(The Good University Guide 2023)

Course Modules

The course consists of four modules, all of which are mandatory.

Full downloadable information regarding all University of Suffolk courses, including Key Facts, Course Aims, Course Structure and Assessment, is available in the Definitive Course Record.

Project management chart on virtual screen

This module draws on your knowledge of projects and project management from previous modules. You will explore the relationship between projects and the wider business environment, the role of project governance and effective communication with colleagues and external stakeholders.

This module concerns the development of business cases and the monitoring of financial performance and project budgets. The connections with other modules (such as the assessment of risks) will be explored and you will develop a familiarity with ways in which finance can be monitored and reported.

In this module you will learn about tools and techniques for controlling projects using project scoping documents and identifying project risks. You will be encouraged to consider how risks are assessed and reviewed in your own work setting and to consider alternative approaches that might be employed in other businesses or sectors.

This module will introduce you to ways in which projects are designed, defined and managed. You will explore techniques for controlling projects and for helping to ensure that they meet financial, time and sustainability targets before exploring how these apply within your own work setting. 

This is a end point assessment. 

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WHY SUFFOLK

2nd in the UK for Career Prospects

WUSCA 2024

3rd in the UK for spend on academic services

Complete University Guide 2025

4th in the UK for Teaching Satisfaction

Guardian University Guide 2024
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Business students
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Virtual Tour: University Campus

Entry Requirements

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Career Opportunities

This course has been designed to offer maximum flexibility for apprentices and for their employers. At the end of this course you will have a good understanding of core project management principles and be equipped to apply them in your workplace and to projects that you are involved in setting up and running.

  • Associate Project Manager
  • Junior Project Manager

Your Course Team

Sarah Harris

Sarah has been at the University of Suffolk since 2009 on the Event and Tourism Management degree programmes. Sarah lectures in Marketing and Event Management.

Jane Hancock

Jane joined the Suffolk Business School in August 2020 after a 10-year career in industry, during which time she qualified as a management accountant (CIMA).

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Jon Walters

Jon recently joined the University to teach the L4 Associate Project Manager course. He has many years project management experience in the IT and Retail sector

j.walters5@uos.ac.uk

Apprenticeship Funding

Degree Apprenticeships are only offered to students undertaking the course as part of their employment. Apprenticeship training will therefore be funded directly by employers or by employers in partnership with Government. Apprentices will not be required to pay any tuition or course fees, and will not be eligible for any Student Finance England maintenance support. Please see our Apprenticeship pages for more information.

Apprenticeships Information
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Related Courses

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BA (Hons) Business Management

The BA (Hons) Business Management course brings together degree-level education and professional practise.

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