Queen Mary University of London is launching a Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship, specifically designed for the social sector. The undergraduate programme is the first of its kind in the UK.
Degree Apprenticeships provide the opportunity to study whilst gaining real-world experience with employers. Queen Mary was the first Russell Group institution to deliver a Degree Apprenticeship programme in 2015 and remains at the forefront of this support for students today.
Based at Queen Mary’s School of Business and Management, the Charted Manager Degree Apprenticeship (Social Change) is a four year course with the first intake in September 2019. It is the first and to date, only programme specifically focused on social change. Partner employers include charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises.
Degree Apprentices split their time between university study and the workplace, and are employed throughout – gaining a full bachelor’s or master’s degree while earning a wage and getting real on-the-job experience in their chosen profession.
Key benefits of the programme over traditional study methods include the promise of zero student debt, up to four year’s work experience, a competitive salary and a potentially guaranteed job at the end of the degree.
Dr Patrick McGurk, lead academic for Queen Mary’s Degree Apprenticeship programme said: “This new programme presents a great opportunity to continue our School’s distinctive approach to responsible management education, and to work closely together with a highly interesting and important group of employers in society.
“The non-profit and voluntary sector offers excellent but often under-publicised career pathways for management graduates, both locally and internationally. To date there has been no undergraduate programme which addresses the specific needs of this sector and as such, our Degree Apprenticeships fill this gap.
“We are excited to embark on a journey with a new generation of students on this academically stimulating and rigorous business degree programme, which will integrate live, workplace-based social change projects as part of their study.”
Sarah Atkinson, Director of Policy, Planning and Communications at the Charity Commission said: “We want to see all charities thrive and maximise their potential to make a difference to people’s lives. To make a difference charity relies on the hard work of skilled and passionate people, and charities are at their best when those with diverse knowledge and experiences come together.
“This initiative aims to support people that want to change the world with building their skills and I really welcome it.”
Matt Hyde, Chief Executive of The Scout Association, led the development of this particular Degree Apprenticeship and is the principal employer lead on the programme. He said: “This degree apprenticeship is the first of its kind. It is a degree relevant to a generation of civically-minded young people who want socially impactful careers. In short students will get to earn, learn and change the world.
“The multi-disciplinary curriculum has work-based modules to equip young people to thrive in the social sector. And critically the degree apprenticeship opens up a pathway to provide talent from diverse backgrounds which is so desperately needed in the social sector.”
Speaking at the launch of the programme Matt Hyde added: "This degree programme stands stands against lazily labelling this generation of young people as 'snowflakes' - it represents a generation who believe the world can be a better place."
Dame Mary Marsh, a leading figure in the social sector, also attended the launch. She tweeted: "It was a great privilege to be part of the launch event #socialchangedegree, a vital and long overdue opportunity. I look for this programme to go forward with strong participation from across the social sector and beyond. Congratulations all."
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