Business to Business Sales Degree Apprenticeship

About the course

The Business to Business Sales Professional Degree Apprenticeship will create confident sales professionals that can deliver value to their customers and organisation. A B2B Sales Professional is responsible for delivering value to business customers. It is a multi-facteted role which includes leading on long term, complex propositions, and requires them to be insightful, commercially astute, and influential 

Apprentices will benefit from teaching covering communications, change management and innovation that supports their practical experience learning on the job. The programme focuses on empowering apprentices to have a creative approach to problem solving and delivering clear and credible sales pitches that get results.

Qualifications

By completing this programme you will be awarded with:

• BSc in Business to Business Sales Professional
• Certificate from the Association of Professional Sales
• Apprenticeship certificate

Who is this apprenticeship for?

This Level 6 degree apprenticeship will provide the practical and theoretical training for aspiring business to business sales experts who want to gain new skills and a formal degree qualification. This includes those early in their career and school leavers applying for degree apprenticeship roles. Apprentices can work for organisations of all sizes that bring value to customers across a broad spectrum of industry and includes corporate, public sector, SMEs and not-for-profit organisations. Typical job descriptions for apprentices on this programme include: account management, sales specialist, new business development and channel sales.

Course outline

The apprenticeship is taught at undergraduate level over three years, covering the essentials of business to business sales. Successful completion of the three years of study will lead to the award of a full Level 6 Degree, provided the apprenticeship is also completed in all parts.

Stage one

The first stage of the apprenticeship is taught at Level 4 over 12 months and includes:

• Financial Management
• Marketing
• Strategic Management
• Principles of Sales and Selling.

Stage two

The second stage is taught at Level 5 over 12 months and includes:

• Marketing Communications
• Services and Events Marketing
• Excellence in Business Project Management
• The Business Sales Professional.

Stage three

The final stage of the degree apprenticeship is taught at Level 6 over 12 months and includes:

• Big Data and Analytics
• Driving Innovation
• Negotiation and Pitching Skills
• Project Proposal
• Final Project.

Start date September, January and April 

You will need to apply for a degree apprenticeship role or already be employed in a job in England with responsibilities aligned with the degree content. Please see the how to apply section below for more information.

Entry requirements are set by the hiring business and not Aston University so they vary between organisations. Apprentices are selected based on their applications, an interview and an assessment process which is tailored to your apprenticeship position.

You will need:

• Three A Levels (or equivalent)
• At least Grade 4 or C GCSE Maths and English.

You will also need to meet the government's eligibility criteria:

• Have been a UK/EU/EAA resident for the past three years or more prior to starting this course 
• Have left full time education when the apprenticeship you are applying for is due to start 
• Be aged at least 16 years old to meet government funding criteria.

How to apply

If you are already employed in this industry, you should discuss with your manager if your organisation is working in partnership with Aston University. If they are, you will make an application through your employer.

If your employer is not yet an Aston partner, they can get in touch with our Apprenticeships Team to find out more information about working with us.

Learning and teaching

The course is delivered through blended learning. Most teaching is delivered through our virtual learning environment, Blackboard. This platform allows apprentices access to a comprehensive range of study materials, recorded lectures, online tutorials, e-journals and much more. Online teaching gives apprentices the flexibility to study from any location without the need to frequently travel to the Aston University campus. 

Apprentices will also attend a two day session on campus once per term in the middle of each module where they will network with other apprentices, have one-to-one sessions with their apprenticeship coach and learn from their subject specialists.

Assessment

Learners will be assessed through two applied assignments per module that relate directly to their role in the organisation, adding immediate value for both the apprentice and their employer. While there are no traditional examinations, assessments will give apprentices the opportunity to demonstrate how they have implemented their learning and had a positive impact in their organisation. 

In the final year, apprentices will complete a large work-based project requiring them to apply all of the theory and skills gained throughout the apprenticeship. For example, this could take the form of a customer case study, a project to create a customer proposal or a strategic plan for a new customer. 

The portfolio 

Throughout the programme, apprentices will complete a weekly learning journal that will create a portfolio showcasing the application of skills, knowledge and behaviours learned through the programme in their day-to-day role. 

Apprentices are supported by a dedicated degree apprenticeship skills coach to support their learning and skills development. They help apprentices translate their theoretical learning into practical application in the workplace. 

The end point assessment 

The apprenticeship concludes with the end point assessment (EPA). The EPA gives the apprentices the opportunity to showcase their academic, personal and professional development achievements throughout the apprenticeship. 

The apprentice will present their work-based project to an interview panel explaining what was delivered, how they have implemented the skills, knowledge and behaviours gained through the apprenticeship and the impact their work has had for the organisation. Next they will give a sales pitch to the panel based on a set task such as gain repeat business, promoting a new product line or a competitive tender. Finally, the apprentice will take part in a professional discussion to demonstrate their competencies and how they have applied their learning in the workplace. After the EPA, the assessors consider what grade should be awarded for the apprenticeship – fail, pass, merit or distinction.

You will not have to pay tuition fees as a degree apprentice as the costs are met by the UK government and your employer*. In addition to your fees being paid, you will also earn a salary while you study, so there is no need to apply for Student Finance.
The funding band for this degree apprenticeship is £21,000.

This is the full cost of your apprenticeship which will be paid for using your employer's apprenticeship levy.

*Employers may require students to pay the fees for resits.