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Administration for Professional Practice - Business Administrator Apprenticeship

Level 3

Summary

Study level

Undergraduate

Award

Apprenticeship

Part time

15 months, plus end point assessment

Location

Nationwide

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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.

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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 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship is designed for early-career administrators, business support staff and customer-facing teams who want to build strong professional foundations in administration, communication, organisation and workplace problem-solving.

The Administration for Professional Practice Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship is a workforce capability programme designed to develop high-performing business support professionals.

Effective administration is the operational backbone of any organisation. When processes are disorganised, communication is inconsistent or managers are pulled into routine admin tasks, productivity slows down. This apprenticeship helps turn reactive administration into proactive business support.

Apprentices will build the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to deliver reliable administrative services, support colleagues and stakeholders, use systems and data effectively, and contribute to continuous improvement across their organisation.

The programme combines professional administration practice with real workplace application, helping learners build confidence in communication, organisation, workload management, problem-solving and business project delivery.

This apprenticeship is suitable for early-career administrators, business support professionals and customer-facing staff who want to build a strong foundation for long-term career development.

This apprenticeship helps employers address common operational challenges, including:

Disorganised processes
Poor communication across teams
Inefficient administration systems
Overloaded managers carrying out administrative tasks
Inconsistent customer or stakeholder handling
Errors, duplication or delays in day-to-day processes

By developing stronger business administration capability, employers can improve efficiency across teams, create a better customer experience, reduce errors and duplication, and free up managers to focus on higher-value work.

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Course details and modules

This apprenticeship is delivered through a structured learning journey, progressing through five defined phases. The programme builds capability from core administrative foundations through to independent delivery, decision-making, workplace improvement and End Point Assessment preparation.

Modules

You’ll begin by reflecting on your current role, responsibilities and development goals. You’ll build a clear understanding of where you are starting from and what you want to achieve through the apprenticeship.

You’ll also explore the role of a Business Administrator within your organisation and how your work contributes to team performance, operational efficiency and organisational success.

Phase 1: Foundations of Business Administration

Months 2–4
You’ll develop a strong understanding of core administrative principles, including professional communication, organisation and effective workload management.
You’ll learn how to produce accurate business documents and work in line with organisational policies, procedures and legal requirements, including data protection.
This phase builds the foundation for professional practice, helping you understand workplace expectations and deliver consistent, high-quality outcomes.

Phase 2: Supporting the Business Effectively

Months 5–7
You’ll develop your ability to work effectively with colleagues, managers and stakeholders, building strong working relationships and adapting your communication style to different situations.
You’ll learn how to prioritise your work, manage competing demands and deliver tasks independently while maintaining accuracy and quality.
You’ll also develop confidence in using digital systems and tools to support business operations, improving efficiency and responsiveness in your role.

Phase 3: Business Administration in Action

Months 8–10
You’ll begin applying your knowledge in more complex and realistic business scenarios, developing your ability to make decisions, solve problems and manage your workload with greater independence.
You’ll explore how administrative work supports wider business objectives, begin contributing to project activity and identify opportunities for improvement.
This phase focuses on strengthening your ability to think critically and add value beyond routine administrative tasks.

Phase 4: Delivering Business Projects and Improvement

Months 11–13
You’ll build your capability to plan, manage and deliver a business project, applying your knowledge, skills and behaviours in a practical workplace context.
You’ll learn how to structure your work, solve problems, evaluate outcomes and present information clearly and professionally.
This phase develops your ability to take ownership, make informed decisions and demonstrate your impact within the organisation.

Phase 5: EPA Success Toolkit / Gateway to Impact

Months 14–15
In the final phase of the taught programme, you’ll consolidate your knowledge, skills and behaviours and apply them within real workplace and assessment contexts.
You’ll produce a portfolio of evidence, complete a workplace project and prepare for End Point Assessment.
This phase is designed to support readiness for your professional discussion, project presentation and knowledge assessment.

Final Apprenticeship Assessment

At the end of the programme, apprentices complete an End Point Assessment, where they demonstrate their knowledge, skills and behaviours through real workplace application.

The EPA is designed to assess an apprentice’s ability to apply business administration principles in a practical organisational context.

Project presentation based on a work-based project or practical activity
Portfolio-based professional discussion exploring experience, decisions and contribution to the organisation
Knowledge assessment confirming understanding of key administrative principles, processes and professional practice

The assessment is designed to show that apprentices can operate as confident and capable Business Administrators, delivering reliable, professional and value-adding support within their organisation.

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.

This apprenticeship is delivered through online learning, live virtual teaching and workplace-based application.

Delivery includes:
Self-guided online learning
Recorded webinars
Live virtual teaching sessions
1:1 coaching and support
Progress reviews
Workplace-based project application

Apprentices are expected to complete an average of 6 hours of off-the-job learning per week to support completion of the programme requirements.

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

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.

Eligibility

Be in employment in a job with responsibilities aligned with the apprenticeship standard

Have evidence of funding eligibility from their employer

Hold a GCSE Grade A*-C /9-4; OR a have completed recognised Access Programme or equivalent. Please note:

All applicants will undertake an initial assessment in English and Maths competency
Applicants must achieve a minimum of Level 1 to demonstrate readiness to study and ensure appropriate support to succeed on programme
Meet DfE apprenticeship funding residency requirements
Remain in contracted employment for the duration of the apprenticeship, including EPA

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.

Course fees and funding

The apprenticeship funding band for this programme is £5,000.

For levy-paying employers, the full cost of the apprenticeship can be covered through the apprenticeship levy.

For non-levy paying employers, a proportion of the programme cost is paid by the employer, with the majority funded through government co-contribution, subject to the latest apprenticeship funding rules.

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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

related courses

This apprenticeship provides a strong foundation for long-term career development in administration, business support and operations.

Successful apprentices may progress into roles or development pathways linked to:

Team leadership
Office management
Operations
Business support
Project support
Customer service coordination
Administrative management

The programme helps learners move beyond task-based administration and develop the confidence, professionalism and business awareness needed to take on greater responsibility in the workplace.

Industry skills

Throughout the apprenticeship, learners will develop practical workplace skills in:

Business administration and professional practice
Written and verbal communication
Stakeholder engagement
Organisation and prioritisation
Time management
Data handling and digital systems
Producing accurate business documents
Problem-solving and decision-making
Continuous improvement
Workplace project delivery
Reflective practice and evidence building

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

Professional recognition

Successful completion of this apprenticeship demonstrates occupational competence against the Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship Standard.

Apprentices will be able to evidence their ability to apply business administration principles in a real workplace context and contribute effectively to organisational performance.