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Managing for Operational Success Apprenticeship Achieving Business Excellence

Level 5

Summary

Study level

Undergraduate

Award

Apprenticeship

Part time

15 months of training plus a 5 month final apprenticeship assessment

Location

Nationwide

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What makes Arden University special?

Education for everyone, everywhere

Whether you're constrained by location, cost, time, or other life commitments, we're passionate about giving you access to higher education that fits into your busy, modern life.

You decide how and where to study

We offer a wide range of flexible undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in both our online and blended study modes.

Full support both online and on-site

We're also proud to offer non-standard entry, meaning your work experience and previous qualifications are taken into account when assessing your application.

Strong focus on employability

You will gain in-depth subject knowledge and transferable skills that employers from a huge range of industries will value. Many of our courses at Arden are also accredited by leading professional bodies in the UK.

Course Overview

This Level 5 apprenticeship programme has been designed to strengthen the capability of managers and aspiring managers who lead people, projects and resources. Those pivotal operational roles that directly influence team performance, service delivery and organisational outcomes.

The apprenticeship blends management theory with practical application. You’ll learn how to develop operational plans, manage budgets and resources, lead change and continuous improvement, use data and technology to support decision‑making and foster inclusive, high‑performing teams. The programme is ideal for team leaders, supervisors, early‑career managers and those transitioning into an operational management role.

Qualifications Awarded

Upon successfully completing Final Apprenticeship Assessment, you will receive:

* Level 5 Operations Manager Apprenticeship (awarded by the Department for Education)

+ you can choose apprenticeship only or to include an academic element via the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) written assessments, at no additional cost

Choose either:

Apprenticeship only route
Apprenticeship plus CMI L5 Management & Leadership Award
or (one CMI Unit)
Apprenticeship plus CMI L5 Management & Leadership Certificate (three CMI Units)

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Career development resources

You'll have online access to a huge range of career development tools from the day you start studying.

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Course details and modules

The programme’s curriculum draws upon the Operations manager occupational standard. It covers knowledge, skills and behaviours in four capability areas:

Organisational performance – delivering results: operational planning, project management and resource management, including budgeting and financial forecasting.
Interpersonal excellence – managing people and developing relationships: leadership styles, coaching and mentoring, recruiting, developing and motivating staff, and building relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Personal effectiveness – managing self: self‑awareness, time management, decision‑making and critical analysis.
Agility and professionalism: ethical behaviour, compliance with legislation, equity, diversity and inclusion, and an appreciation of environmental and social responsibilities.

Modules

Pathway - Achieving Business Excellence

Equips leaders to navigate organisational transformation, drive innovation and achieve sustainable business growth.

This apprenticeship is delivered in 4 significant phases and integrates core CMI modules with an elective CMI module in Phase 3. You will build your portfolio mapping your evidence against the KSBs throughout the programme

Phase 1 - Ignite your Leadership

Core module: Principles of Management & Leadership in an Organisational Context (7 CMI credits)

During Phase 1, you will focus on building self-awareness, personal growth, and inclusive leadership foundations in a business environment.

You will attend three live workshops, each lasting three hours.
1. Applying Management and Leadership Theories
2. Understanding the Organisational Environment
3. Building Effective Management and Leadership Practice

These will be supplemented by five pre-recorded 1-hour webinars:
Leading from Within
Self-Leadership & Lifelong Growth
Integrity in Action
Shaping Cultures of Belonging
Building Strategic Relationships

If you have chosen the CMI Award or Certificate route you will be required to write a 3,500 – 4,000-word assessment for the CMI unit: Principles of Management and Leadership in an Organisational Context.

If you have chosen apprenticeship only route, you will not submit this written assessment.

Phase 2 - The Project Playbook

Core module: Managing a Project to Achieve Results (6 CMI credits)

During Phase 2, you will focus on strengthening interpersonal effectiveness, collaboration, operational improvement, and project development in business setting.

You will attend three live workshops, each lasting three hours.
1. Project Fundamentals & Strategic Alignment
2. Planning, Stakeholder Engagement & Risk Management
3. Tools, Problem-Solving & Project Closure

And four pre-recorded 1-hour webinars:
Negotiating with Purpose
Resolving Conflict with Confidence
Budgeting for Sustainable Impact
Smarter Ways to Lead

If you have chosen the CMI Certificate route you will be required to write a 3,500 – 4,000-word assessment for the CMI unit: Managing Projects to Achieve Results.

If you have chosen apprenticeship only route or the CMI Award route, you will not submit this written assessment.

Phase 3 - Achieving Business Excellence

Achieving Business Excellence
Elective module: Managing Change (5 CMI credits)

You will attend three live workshops, each lasting three hours.
1. Understanding the Reasons for Organisational Change
2. Evaluating Change Approaches and Models
3. Planning, Communicating, and Sustaining Change

And four pre-recorded 1-hour webinars:
Evolving Systems for Better Outcomes
From Vision to Delivery
Thriving in a Tech-Driven World
Presenting for Influence

If you have chosen the CMI Certificate route you will be required to write a 3,500 – 4,000-word assessment for the CMI unit: Managing Change

Phase 4: Final Apprenticeship Assessment Success Toolkit

Mock Professional Discussion and Gateway to Completion
CMI Webinars
Portfolio completion
Career enhancement

Final Apprenticeship Assessments

Apprenticeship Assessment takes place from months 9 to 15 on programme where you will conduct a workplace project. The Final Apprenticeship Assessment comprises of two methods:

Project with report and presentation: You will write a report (approx. 4,000 words) outlining your workplace project and prepare presentation materials. You then deliver a presentation to an independent assessor with questions lasting at least 60 minutes.
Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence: a 60‑minute professional discussion based on your portfolio, with at least six questions from an independent assessor.

You must pass both assessments to complete the apprenticeship. Overall grades are pass, distinction or fail.

Study options

Your apprenticeship is supported through four key online platforms, each designed to help you learn, apply, and track your progress effectively:

BUD – The central hub for your learning journey. Here you will follow the Diagnose, Develop, Demonstrate, Debrief cycle, apply your learning in the workplace, and build your portfolio of evidence over time. BUD is also where you will record your off-the-job hours.

iLearn – This platform hosts key learning content and interactive knowledge checks that mark the end of each monthly learning cycle. iLearn helps you consolidate your learning throughout the programme and provides links to live workshops and pre-recorded webinars.

Zoom – All live workshops and Academic Skills sessions are delivered via Zoom, giving you interactive, real-time learning experiences.

Teams – Your orientation, first day of learning, and ongoing coaching sessions take place on Teams, providing a space for collaboration, support, and communication with your coaches.

During your orientation, you will receive a full introduction to each platform, ensuring you know how to access and make the most of the tools available throughout your apprenticeship.

It’s been absolutely brilliant. The development days allow us to bounce ideas off each other and gain experience from people with different backgrounds. It really brings our online learning to life. I really look forward to attending these.

Rob Wyatt

Senior Leader Masters Degree Apprenticeship

Arden’s flexible delivery model combines online study with scheduled sessions and personalised coaching, including:

Flexible, self‑guided online learning via our virtual classroom.
Scheduled virtual teaching sessions and webinars.
Regular virtual one‑to‑one coaching with a dedicated Arden coach.
Quarterly virtual progress reviews with your coach and employer.

Your employer must allow you to devote six hours of your working week to apprenticeship study. Additional time outside of your working week may be required. The programme is typically delivered over 15 months on training, followed by up to 5 months final apprenticeship assessment.

Entry requirements

At Arden University we consider applications on a case by case basis. If you have significant work experience, have qualifications you have gained elsewhere, or a degree or qualification that isn't a clear pathway to this degree - we are more than happy to discuss your application.

What you need to study with us

Our aim is to make learning as accessible as possible by ensuring that you can study in a flexible and convenient way. That's why we keep our requirements simple. All you need is a laptop or desktop PC (we recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good internet connection. Through ilearn, our online university campus in the cloud, you'll be able to access your course calendar, support services, learning materials, and our online library containing thousands of ebooks, as well as tools for creating assignments, keeping notes, and collaborating with other students on your course.

Academic route

GCSE English and Mathematics at Grade D/3 or above / equivalent or initial assessment ‑ Level 1

Experiential route

Minimum 2 years relevant work experience in relevant roles, demonstrating readiness for Level 5 study.

Plus General Entry requirements

Full support from Employer and Line Manager, including the minimum Off-the-job training hours.
Be in permanent employment, in a suitable role with responsibilities aligned to the chose apprenticeship standard.
Contracted to minimum 30 hours per week.
Be a UK/EU/EAA resident for at least 3 years prior to starting and be proficient in English language.
Provide evidence of Level 2/GCSE English and maths or confirmation from your employer if they do not require.
Not hold equivalent level or higher qualification in same subject as applied for.

English and Maths Requirements for Apprentices

To help you succeed in your apprenticeship, it's important you have the right level of English and maths. Here’s what you need to know:

If you're aged 16 to 18 and don’t already have, or cannot provide evidence of, a Level 2 qualification (GCSE or equivalent) in English and/or maths, you’ll be required to study these subjects as part of your apprenticeship. This is a mandatory part of your training.

If you're 19 or older and don’t already have, or cannot provide evidence of, a Level 2 qualification in English and/or maths, your employer will decide whether you need to take standalone qualifications during your apprenticeship. This offers more flexibility based on your role and development needs.

Important:

We will need either evidence of your English and maths qualifications or written confirmation from your employer that these qualifications are not required.

These changes reflect the updated apprenticeship funding rules for 2025–2026.

Course fees and funding

The programme falls under a £9,000 funding band. Apprenticeship funding rules mean that levy‑paying employers can use their levy funds to cover the full cost of training and assessment. Employers who do not pay the levy contribute 5 % of the programme cost, with the government paying the remaining 95 %. Funding rules may change, so employers should check current guidance.

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Meet the faculty

Here at Arden University we strive to provide a fresh and unique approach to your business and management education. With ideas and experiences taken from employers and thought leaders across the world, we give you the opportunity to put proven business skills and techniques into practice during your studies. I look forward to welcoming you to the Arden University family.

Professor Dilshad Sheikh

Dean of the Faculty of Business

Career prospects

Completing the Level 5 Operations Manager Apprenticeship provides a fast track pathway to year 2 of Arden's Level 6 Chartered Manager degree apprenticeship that includes BA (Hons)Degree In Business & Administration.

With professional membership from the CMI and the opportunity to gain Chartered Manager status, you’ll be well‑equipped to advance your career in operations management and leadership.

Completing the Level 5 Operations Manager Apprenticeship provides a pathway to higher‑level apprenticeships such as the Level 6 Chartered Manager degree apprenticeship.
Graduates may progress into roles such as area manager, department manager, general manager, operations manager, regional manager or specialist manager.
With professional membership from the CMI and Institute of Leadership and the opportunity to gain Chartered Manager status, you’ll be well‑equipped to advance your career in operations and leadership.

Industry skills

The apprenticeship equips you with the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to excel as an operations manager. You will learn to:

Develop operational plans, set targets and manage budgets.
Plan and manage projects using risk‑management and project‑management tools.
Lead, motivate and develop teams through coaching and mentoring.
Build relationships and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
Manage change and continuous improvement, using data analytics and technology to inform decision‑
Demonstrate professional and ethical behaviour, understanding your responsibilities in relation to legislation, diversity, inclusion and sustainability.

These capabilities ensure you can contribute to organisational performance, drive innovation and foster a positive organisational culture.

Professional recognition

The apprenticeship aligns with professional membership of the Chartered Management Institute and the Institute of Leadership. Apprentices with sufficient management experience may apply for Chartered Manager status upon completion, providing further recognition of your leadership skills and enhancing your career prospects.