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5th Mar 2026
For Charlotte Brookes, choosing the right next step after A-Levels wasn’t about following the traditional university route, it was about finding something that combined real experience with a recognised qualification.
That’s what led her to study the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship (CMDA) at Abingdon & Witney College.
Charlotte knew she wanted a career in education, but she also knew that full-time university study wasn’t the right fit. The CMDA offered the best of both worlds: hands-on experience in the workplace while working towards a full degree-level qualification.
“It was the perfect option for me,” she explains. “I wanted practical experience while gaining a full-time qualification, and the apprenticeship route allowed me to do exactly that.”
Studying for a degree while working full time is no small commitment. Charlotte admits it was challenging at times, but with structure and support, she found her rhythm.
“The dedicated study time, like assignment workshops, were a huge help in managing my workload,” she says. “Once I found a routine, I was able to balance both work and study and still make time for myself.”
One of the standout aspects of Charlotte’s experience was the support she received from her lecturers and peers.
“My lecturers set a pace that was manageable but still engaging,” she explains. “Being part of a cohort who were all balancing full-time work and study meant we could really relate to one another.”
This sense of shared experience created a strong support network, something Charlotte particularly valued during more demanding parts of the programme, such as her Work Based Project.
“There was a lot of one-to-one support and feedback. It really helped me improve my academic work and pushed me to think more critically. I also appreciated the pastoral support when I needed it.”
Coming into the course with no prior knowledge of business or management, Charlotte found the first year both eye-opening and theory heavy. As the programme progressed, the content became more in-depth and academically challenging, but those challenges helped her grow.
“The most important skills I developed were my interpersonal skills, interacting professionally with a wide range of people and applying what I’d learned in my modules to real workplace situations.”
By studying a broad range of business areas rather than specialising in just one, Charlotte strengthened her overall professional capability and confidence.
For Charlotte, the most valuable part of the CMDA was the ability to directly apply classroom learning to her day-to-day role.
“Being able to take what I’d learned in lectures and link it to my work, and actually see the impact, was incredibly rewarding.”
Her Work Based Project stands out as a particularly proud achievement, alongside receiving her final degree results. Seeing the tangible, positive outcomes of everything she had put into the project made the dedication and commitment truly worthwhile.
Since completing her CMDA, Charlotte has progressed within the College, moving from Faculty Administrator to Apprenticeship Recruitment Coordinator, supporting apprentices through the very process she once experienced herself.
“Completing the CMDA gave me the confidence boost I needed to challenge myself and step into a new role,” she says. “It’s opened up opportunities and given me the flexibility to move into different roles within the industry.”
Charlotte’s message to anyone considering the CMDA is simple:
“Go for it. It’s a challenge and it’s hard work, but I wouldn’t be the person I am today without it. Finishing the qualification and seeing the opportunities it gives you afterwards makes it completely worth it.”
Her journey is a powerful example of how degree apprenticeships can open doors, building knowledge, confidence and real-world experience all at the same time.
