Project Management Degree Apprenticeship

Airbus Defence and Space; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary £23,000

37 hours per week

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Pension

Success share

Flexible benefits

Job summary

Airbus Defence and Space Limited in Portsmouth invites applications for a Level 6 Project Management Apprenticeship Pathway. You will develop project management skills across placements, take responsibility for updating project plans, ensuring on-time delivery, managing risk and reporting to stakeholders while supported by technical mentors.

The programme lasts four years with two on-site rotations and day-release study at Portsmouth University towards a BEng (Hons) in Project Management.

Qualifications

• 104 UCAS points made up of 2–3 A levels including Maths/Physics
• BTEC extended diploma at DMM or above or a T Level at Merit or above
• GCSE Maths and English at grade 4/C or above

Responsibilities

• Learn and understand the roles of project managers across the business.
• Collaborate with multi-functional teams to deliver the latest internal projects.
• Manage supplier relationships.
• Manage and report on budgets.
• Forward Load planning.
• Improve and monitor performance.
• Risk management.
• Support bids, tenders and contract management.
• Work closely with mentors during university studies and on-the-job training.

Skills

Project management

Supplier management

Team collaboration

Education

BEng (Hons) in Project Management

Tools

MS Office

Job description

What you will be doing:

Our Level 6 project Management Apprenticeship Pathway:

• Manage supplier relationships;

Job Description

Start date: 31st August 2027

Location: Airbus Defence & Space Portsmouth

Duration: 4 years

University: University of Portsmouth

Degree: BSc (Hons) Project Management

Application closing date: Applications will be open until 26 October 2026. After this date, the advert will close once sufficient applications are received. Early submission is recommended.

We love your interest in joining Airbus! There is no limit on the number of positions you can apply for. However, please be aware that you can only progress in the selection process for one position at a time. We recommend reviewing all available opportunities and applying to those that best match your experience and aspirations.

Benefits

Salary: £23,000

• 37 hours per week // Half day Fridays!* // 25 days holiday plus bank holidays // Pension // Success share // Plus many more flexible benefits!
• subject to completing full hours prior to this

About us

Ever thought about being a project manager in the biggest Space company in Uk & Europe, contributing to the delivery of the largest space craft in the UK?

Because that's what we do in Portsmouth; we design, build and test satellites!

What do we make? Advanced satellites that help monitor climate change, keep the world connected, and even power your favourite TV shows. (Yep, all national satellite TV in the UK? That’s us.)

Our team in Portsmouth builds the "brains" of the satellite - the payload. It’s where the real magic happens, and we lead the world in some of the tech we make and use!

The satellites we help build weigh up to 6 tonnes and are launched into space to beam TV, internet, and secure communications around the globe - including to military teams on the move.

Oh, and it’s not just about space. We also support maritime satellite terminals - that means keeping ships and crews connected across oceans, no matter where they are in the world. So yes, you could help connect people literally everywhere - from sea to sky.

Whether you’re into tech, space, creativity, or just want to work on something that actually matters - this could be your launchpad. We need project managers in production, procurement, planning, scheduling, and many other business functions.

Apprentices join us from all different backgrounds, from all over the UK! So no matter where you're from, what school or college you went to, we encourage you to apply!

#UK_APP

What you will be doing

Being a degree apprentice at Airbus Defence and Space means you will get to develop skills across a range of project manager competencies and skills, across placements within the business. Taking responsibility for updating your own project plans and schedules, ensuring deliveries are on time, cost and quality, managing risk and issues and providing regular reports to all project stakeholders. Through-out your journey, you will be surrounded by technical experts, industry leaders and fellow early careers.

What will you study?

You will study towards an BEng (Hons) in Project Management at Portsmouth University in a day release format.

We have been collaborating with Portsmouth University on the delivery of this course for some years, and therefore you will join early careers cohorts who are already in the later years of their programmes, bringing a strong peer support network when you start. See more details of the course here.

What will you do?

• Learn and understand the roles of project managers across the business: Project Management Office (PMO), Project Manager, Procurement and Supplier Management, Production and facility management;
• Collaborate with multi-functional teams to deliver the latest internal projects;
• Manage supplier relationships;
• Manage and report on budgets;
• Forward Load planning;
• Improvement and Performance management;
• Risk management;
• Support bids, tenders and contract management;
• Work closely with mentors while progressing through university studies and structured on-the-job training.
• Depending on project timescales, work load and availability, some elements described above may not be achieved over the placement rotations - but your personal development criteria and interests will be reviewed and reasonable adjustments can be made if necessary.

Structure

The apprenticeship programme is 4 years, broken down into two core phases;

Year 1 & 2

• 80% on Site, over a planned structure of internal placements across the business lines;
• 20% Day Release study at Portsmouth University.

Year 3

• Specialise towards permanent role;
• 80% on site, developing speciality competencies into "hiring department";
• 20% Day Release study at Portsmouth University.

Year 4

• Complete Degree (20% Day Release study at Portsmouth University until conclusion);
• Complete the End Point Assessment (part of the apprenticeship);
• Securing your "permanent role" as you leave the apprenticeship and enter the business as a full time employee.

We have a broad range of engineering disciplines on site, which can provide you with an equally broad range of experiences during the rotation phase.

You will be part of an apprenticeship cohort during the programme. You will work closely together to succeed during your learning, projects and events at work or at college, and extra curricular events such as the Outward Bound week and Outreach activities.

Requirements

In order to be eligible to this apprenticeship, you must have a minimum of:

• 104 UCAS points made up of 2 or 3 A levels at BCC or above which must include relevant subjects such as Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Physics and Electronics

OR

• BTEC extended diploma at DMM or above

OR

• T Level at Merit or above

AND

• GCSE with grade C/4 or above in Maths and English Language or Functional Skills

Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate the following:

• A strong interest in space & engineering;
• Submit your CV stating your grades and if they are predicted or achieved;
• Submit a Cover Letter highlighting your passion and suitability for this apprenticeship.

BOOST YOUR APPLICATION

We want to get to know you -not just your grades or school background so, tell us on your cover letter:

• Why Airbus and this apprenticeship? What is it about Airbus that makes you excited to start a career with us? What is it about our company, our values, or the future of aerospace that excites you? We want to hear about what motivates you to pursue this unique path and how you see yourself growing with us.
• What skills and experience do you bring? Think about projects, hobbies, or academic subjects that have given you practical experience. This could include personal projects, academic work and extracurricular activities.

Important Information

This Job Request will be allocated to the projected Joint-Venture scope towards a leading European player in space.

GRADES: If you are on predicted grades, your offer will be conditional to achieving the position’s requirements before the apprenticeship start date.

SECURITY CLEARANCE: You will be subject to a BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standard) check. You may also need to gain UK SC-level Security Clearance or Export Control, depending on the role.

RIGHT TO WORK IN THE UK: Candidates must have current legal authorisation to work in the United Kingdom for the full duration of the programme. For more information, please check the Government Website.

LEVY FUNDING: Successful candidates must be eligible for the levy funding.

Our apprenticeship roles do not meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas & Immigration to enable sponsorship of migrant workers.

AI Guidance: We know you might be thinking about using AI to help you in your application - before you do, please read our guidelines on the use of AI for recruitment at Airbus Use of AI Guidance.

Contact

Please let us know if you need us to make any adjustments to allow you to access and participate fully in the recruitment process. If you wish to discuss this further please contact via email [e-mail]. Any information disclosed will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Company

AIRBUS Defence and Space Limited

Employment Type

Apprenticeship

Experience Level

Student

Job Family

Support to Management

By submitting your CV or application you are consenting to Airbus using and storing information about you for monitoring purposes relating to your application or future employment. This information will only be used by Airbus.

Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief.

Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to [e-mail].

At Airbus, we support you to work, connect and collaborate more easily and flexibly. Wherever possible, we foster flexible working arrangements to stimulate innovative thinking.

#YESPOST