The Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship, or CMDA, has been one of the most popular ways to earn a management degree and Chartered Manager status without paying university fees. From September 2026 the funding picture changes, so it is worth understanding exactly what the programme involves and what your options are.
This guide covers what the CMDA is, what it awards, who it suits, the 2026 funding change, and the funded management and leadership routes that TESS Group delivers if you want chartered-level skills without a full degree.
What is the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship?
The CMDA (standard reference ST0272) is a Level 6 degree apprenticeship for managers. It combines a real management role with part-time university study, and it is one of the few apprenticeships that awards a full bachelor's degree. Apprentices split their time between the day job and structured learning, with their employer supporting the programme.
It is designed for people in, or moving into, genuine management roles: team managers, department heads, operations managers, project leads, and aspiring senior managers.
What you get: a degree plus Chartered Manager status
Two things make the CMDA distinctive:
- A bachelor's degree in business and management. Depending on the university, this is awarded as a BA (Hons), BSc (Hons) or BBA (Hons).
- Chartered Manager status. The CMI is the only body that can award Chartered Manager status. On completion, and after the end-point assessment, apprentices can achieve Foundation Chartered Manager (fCMgr) or full Chartered Manager (CMgr) status, depending on their experience.
That combination, a degree plus chartered professional recognition, is the main reason employers and managers choose the CMDA.
Entry requirements
Entry is set by each employer and university, but as a guide you can expect:
- A-levels or an equivalent Level 3 qualification, or relevant management experience.
- English and maths at Level 2 (GCSE grade 4 or C, or equivalent), or a commitment to achieve them during the programme.
- A management role with enough scope to apply the learning at work.
How long does it take?
The CMDA usually takes up to four years to complete. Experienced managers who can evidence prior learning may follow a fast-track route of around two years. Because it is a degree, it is a longer commitment than most Level 3 to Level 5 management apprenticeships.
Important: CMDA funding ends in September 2026
This is the big change for 2026. From 1 September 2026, the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship will no longer be government funded. In practice:
- Apprentices who start before 1 September 2026 will continue to be funded through to completion.
- After that date, the CMDA is only available to privately funded learners, so an employer or individual would need to pay for it directly.
The CMDA is not alone. Several leadership and management apprenticeships are being defunded around the same time, which is why many employers are now reviewing the funded routes that remain. We cover the full list in our guide to leadership apprenticeships defunded in 2026 and the routes that replace each one.
Funded management and leadership routes (that TESS delivers)
TESS Group does not deliver the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship. We specialise in funded management, leadership and AI apprenticeships from Level 3 to Level 6, with CMI qualifications built in, so you can develop chartered-level management capability through routes that stay funded after September 2026.
| Route | Level | What it awards | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship | 6 | Business degree + Chartered Manager (CMgr) | Government funding ends Sep 2026 |
| AI for Operations Leaders | 4 | Specialist AI leadership skills + CMI Level 5 | Levy funded |
| AI for Team Leaders | 4 | AI leadership skills + CMI Level 3 | Levy funded |
| CMI Level 5 Management & Leadership | 5 | CMI Level 5 management qualification | Standalone qualification |
| CMI Level 7 Strategic Management & Leadership | 7 | CMI Level 7 senior leadership qualification | Standalone qualification |
See the full range on our leadership and management apprenticeships hub.
Which route is right for you?
- If you specifically need a bachelor's degree, the CMDA is the route that awards one, but you would need to start before September 2026 to be government funded, or fund it privately afterwards.
- If your priority is chartered-level management skills with funding that continues, a levy-funded AI leadership apprenticeship with CMI built in is the closest funded alternative.
- If you already hold a degree, or do not need one, a CMI Level 5 or Level 7 qualification develops the same management capability without the length of a degree.
Not sure which fits your team? Talk to TESS and we will map the options to your roles and your funding.
Explore funded routes with TESS Group: management, leadership and AI apprenticeships from Level 3 to Level 6, with CMI qualifications built in. Ofsted Good, 4.9/5 from 690 reviews, monthly rolling starts. Browse leadership & management apprenticeships →
Related reading: Leadership Apprenticeships Defunded in 2026 | CIPD vs CMI Qualifications Compared
Frequently asked questions.
Does the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship give you a degree?
Yes. It awards a full honours degree in business and management (a BA, BSc or BBA depending on the university) alongside Chartered Manager status through the CMI.
Is the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship still funded in 2026?
Government funding for the CMDA ends on 1 September 2026. Apprentices who start before that date are funded through to completion. After it, the programme is only available to privately funded learners.
What level is the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship?
It is a Level 6 programme, which is bachelor's degree level. It usually takes up to four years, with fast-track routes of around two years for experienced managers.
Does TESS Group offer the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship?
No. TESS Group does not deliver the CMDA. We deliver funded management and leadership routes from Level 3 to Level 6, including AI leadership apprenticeships with CMI qualifications built in, plus standalone CMI Level 5 and Level 7 qualifications.
What is the best funded alternative to the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship?
For a route that stays levy funded, an AI leadership apprenticeship with CMI built in, such as AI for Operations Leaders with CMI Level 5, develops chartered-level management skills. For senior managers who already hold a degree, CMI Level 7 is a strong option.