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BSc (Hons) - Project Management (BAE Systems PMDA)

Are you ready to embark upon a journey that combines academic excellence with real world skills?
This programme is designed to equip aspiring Project Managers with the skills and knowledge to lead teams on a multitude of exciting projects, accredited by the Association for Project Management.
Undertaking a degree apprenticeship provides a unique opportunity to earn a prestigious degree whilst working and gaining valuable industry experience. With an engaging blend of theoretical foundations and hands-on learning, you will graduate with the skills you need to tackle complex projects with confidence.
This course is designed for learners that are employed by BAE Systems as apprentice Project Managers. As such, applications for this course are made to BAE Systems, not University of Cumbria.



In Partnership With:

Project Management (BAE Systems PMDA) cover image

Course Overview

This closed cohort programme is designed in partnership with BAE Systems, to fulfil the training requirements for learners employed on the Project Management Degree Apprenticeships (PMDA) route.
The PMDA programme offers the best of both worlds! The University of Cumbria delivers the education component, ensuring you receive a high quality degree, while BAE Systems provides valuable work experience, giving you real world exposure and the opportunity to apply your learning.
You’ll undertake four taught years, each worth 80 credits of engaging and relevant learning, alongside your work placements that allow you to gain a well-rounded perspective and hone your project management abilities. In your final year, you’ll embark on your end-point assessment, which upon completion, will earn you your highly coveted degree, but also make you eligible for a membership of the Association for Project Management.
A minimum of 20% of your time will be spent learning the theoretical knowledge required for complete the programme.


On this course you will...

  • Be taught a course crafted by experienced project management professionals and academic experts. You’ll gain a deep understanding of project planning, risk management, budgeting, stakeholder engagement and other crucial aspects of project management. You will be gifted knowledge that directly applies to the challenges you will face in the real world.
  • Learn by doing. We believe in the power of experiential learning. You’ll work on real projects and have the chance to apply your skills, enhancing your learning experience.
  • Become a strong leader. You’ll develop essential leadership and team management skills; learning to motivate and inspire project teams, delegate tasks effectively and foster a collaborative and high performing work environment.

Course Structure

What you will learn

By the end of this programme learners will be able to:
1. To provide students with a sound academic programme giving them the opportunity to attain as degree level education
2. To provide students with the theoretical knowledge and understanding of project management
3. To develop students as critical, reflective thinkers and life-long learners with the ability to recognise value and place of both and their role in applying principles to practice
4. To enable students to draw links between theory and practice and apply theory to the workplace
5. To develop knowledge, skills and behaviours progressively against the Project Management Degree Apprenticeship standard
6. To develop fully competent Project Managers capable of operating within organisational expectations of professional practice and capability.

Year one

In year 1 you concentrate on learning the basic principles of project management and developing standard project management skills.

  • Principles of Project Management
  • Academic & Professional Skills
  • Stakeholder Engagement
  • Project Planning & Resource Management
Year two

Year two finishes off the fundamental aspects of project management and provides an opportunity to reflect upon the knowledge and experience gained so far. The content then moves on to explore team working and how projects fit into the wider business processes and supply chains.

  • Project Finance Management
  • Projects in Action
  • Business operations & supply chains
  • Project Teams
Year three

In year three you will continue to consolidate your understanding of project management tools and techniques.

  • Legal, Ethical and Sustainability Issues
  • Project Control & Risk Management
  • Leading and Managing Change Projects
  • Projects in Contemporary Organisations
Year four

In year four you will learn about topics that sit beyond project management itself but relate to how that is then performed within an organisational setting.

  • Strategic Planning & The Business Case
  • Effective Leadership & Governance
  • Contemporary Project Management Office
  • Professional Development
Year five

Year five is the final year of academic study. You will undertake a project in the workplace to demonstrate your competence against the knowledge, skills and behaviours defined in the PMDA standard. The project and the assessment take place with in a 6 month window that begins once you pass through the gateway stage.

  • End Point Assessment

Attend an Open Day at Cumbria

An Open Day is your opportunity to explore one of 5 campuses, meet your lecturers, and find out how the University of Cumbria could become your new home.

Take the next step towards achieving your dreams.
A student stands in front of a wall splattered with paint.