Course overview
This work-based programme is designed to provide the essential knowledge, understanding and skills required to operate effectively and successfully in a sales role.
To join the course, the apprentice will need to be employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week in a relevant role and have the support of their employer.
About this course
This apprenticeship is suitable for anyone that wishes to pursue a career in business-to-business (B2B) sales, or to those already in sales roles who are ready to develop their skills further, such as:
- Account managers
- Business development managers
- Sales specialists
It will allow apprentices to combine work-based learning opportunities with academic knowledge gained through formal workshops and projects relevant to the organisation where they work.
The Business-to-Business Sales Degree Apprenticeship is:
- Designed by industry professionals
- Suitable as a way to upskill existing members of staff or as a pathway for new employees
- Delivered in small groups with specially-designed learning sessions ensuring that apprentices get the most out of their time in workshops and lectures
- Required to include a minimum of 6 hours a week off-the-job learning
- Funded through the Apprenticeship Levy - no fees are paid by the apprentice
Successful apprentices will gain a BSc (Hons) Professional Practice in Business-to-Business Sales degree, whilst also having the opportunity to become accredited by the Institute of Sales Professionals (professional membership fees apply).
Programme duration and delivery
It will typically take three years to complete the apprenticeship, however, there may also be opportunities to join part-way through the programme if candidates have considerable experience in a particular area.
Apprentices will receive all the benefits of being a student at Leeds Trinity University, whilst also earning a full-time salary from their employer.
This apprenticeship is delivered through a blended learning approach. Apprentices benefit from face-to-face and online lectures and seminars, delivered by Leeds Trinity University. In addition to this, apprentices will also complete independent research activities which can be undertaken in the workplace.
Course Modules
You will study a variety of modules across your programme of study. The module details given below are subject to change and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Year 1
During the first year, the apprentice will study four core modules.
Starting Your Apprenticeship Learning Portfolio (core)
You'll be introduced to reflective models and theories for apprentices to review experiential learning from work, and you'll create a Learning Journal as part of your Portfolio of Evidence.
The Learning Journal will provide proof of your Degree Apprenticeship Standard competencies.
You'll refine your evidence identification skills throughout the programme, leading to a three-way Negotiated Learning Plan aligned with personal, professional, and academic goals.
Learning Skills for Apprentices (core)
This module aims to equip you with essential study skills for your higher education journey.
You'll engage in activities that cover academic writing, note-taking, literature searching, presentation skills, and referencing.
Additionally, you will learn how to map workplace activities to apprenticeship standards, fostering reflection and skill development.
Negotiated Learning: Developing Business-to-Business Sales Practice (core)
You will explore essential aspects of sales and business development subject areas, including prospecting, sales planning, solution development, and proposal development.
You'll also gain skills in commercial acumen, post-sales delivery, applied insights, teamwork, pitching, negotiation, and digital business leverage.
This module offers you a comprehensive foundation in business-to-business sales and professional development.
Negotiated Learning: Projects in the Workplace (core)
Sharpen your awareness of small-scale work-based project stages and processes in this module.
You'll cover work-based project types, ethical data use, project design, stakeholder communication, and more.
You and your tutor will customise your aims and objectives in the Learning Agreement to align with your unique projects and professional context.
Year 2
During the second year, the apprentice will study four core modules.
Apprentice Portfolio Review (core)
You will align your Apprenticeship Standard's Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours with your degree programme's learning outcomes.
You'll also compile evidence in your electronic portfolio, dynamically linking your apprenticeship, degree, and job role to ensure full compliance with the standard.
You and your tutor will then reflect, analyse, revisit the Individual Learning Agreement, and plan your programme's next stage.
Designing Practitioner Research (core)
You'll be introduced to workplace research and ethical considerations of your profession, emphasising the worker researcher's role.
You will learn more about research methodology, data collection, and ethical practices, culminating in work-based research proposal development.
You'll explore qualitative and quantitative methods, data collection techniques, and how to justify work-based research.
Negotiated Learning: Advancing Sales Strategies (core)
You will delve into essential sales elements, including prospecting, sales planning, solution development, and proposal creation in this module.
You'll also explore key aspects of commercial acumen, post-sales delivery, and the psychology of sales.
You will learn how to leverage digital business tools for enhanced sales performance, making you a stronger and more efficient salesperson.
Work-based Project (core)
Work-based projects include rationale, aims and objectives are drawn up by student apprentice as part of the ‘Learning Agreement’.
This project is developed and defined through a collaboration between the apprentice, workplace, and mentor.
Year 3
In the final year, the apprentice will complete three modules.
Advancing Your Portfolio Towards End Point Assessment (core)
This module guides apprentices in consolidating learning and workplace experiences, introducing them to Gateway and End Point A requirements.
Through reflection and gap analysis, apprentices build a project proposal, aligning outcomes with occupational standards, and ensuring comprehensive coverage.
Emphasizing learning articulation, progression reflection, and project proposal creation, this module prepares apprentices for the Work-Based Project module.
Learning and Teaching
At Leeds Trinity we aim to provide an excellent student experience and provide you with the tools and support to help you achieve your academic, personal and professional potential.
Our Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy delivers excellence by providing the framework for:
- high quality teaching
- an engaging and inclusive approach to learning, assessment and achievement
- a clear structure through which you progress in your academic studies, your personal development and towards professional-level employment or further study.
We have a strong reputation for developing student employability, supporting your development towards graduate employment, with relevant skills embedded throughout your programme of study.
We endeavour to develop curiosity, confidence, courage, ambition and aspiration in all students through the key themes in our Learning and Teaching Strategy:
- Student Involvement and Engagement
- Inclusion
- Integrated Programme and Assessment Experience
- Digital Literacy and Skills
- Employability and Enterprise
To help you achieve your potential we emphasise learning as a collaborative process, with a range of student-led and real-world activities. This approach ensures that you fully engage in shaping your own learning, developing your critical thinking and reflective skills so that you can identify your own strengths and weaknesses, and use the extensive learning support system we offer to shape your own development.
We believe the secret to great learning and teaching is simple: it is about creating an inclusive learning experience that allows all students to thrive through:
- Personalised support
- Expert lecturers
- Strong connections with employers
- An international outlook
- Understanding how to use tools and technology to support learning and development
Assessment
Throughout the programme, apprentices are assessed via various methods including:
- reports
- presentations
- professional discussions
- assignments
- work-based projects
- sales pitches
Apprentices will also create a portfolio of evidence throughout the programme to allow them to demonstrate how they have achieved the knowledge, skills and behaviours set out in the Apprenticeship Standard. Evidence may include reports, reflective logs, formative assessments and learning journals.
Upon completion of the degree, each apprentice will undertake the 'end-point assessment' which has been designed to enable the apprenticeship to be completed in accordance with the Business-to-Business Sales Degree Apprenticeship Standard.
The end-point assessment will consist of a work-based project, a presentation, panel interview and a sales pitch.
This will be assessed by an independent assessor.
Entry Requirements
Leeds Trinity University is committed to recruiting students with talent and potential and who we feel will benefit greatly from their academic and non-academic experiences here. We treat every application on its own merits.
The following information is designed to give you a general overview of the qualifications we accept. If you are taking qualifications that are not included below, please contact our Admissions Office who will be happy to advise you.
You will need to be employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week in a relevant role and have the support of your employer, and:
- Provide evidence of Level 2 English and Maths qualifications (e.g. GCSE at grade 4 or above)
- A Level 3 qualification (e.g. A-Levels, BTEC National Diploma or an Advanced Apprenticeship)
Applicants who do not meet the standard entry requirements in the bullet points above may be considered based on their knowledge, skills and experience.
Once a completed evidence pack is received applicants will undertake an initial assessment interview with the programme lead to establish their suitability for the apprenticeship.
Support
We offer extensive support to all of our apprentices - whatever your background or academic experience.
This includes access to our peer support mentors and the Learning Hub, which offers tailored support for academic skills.
Fees and finance
Funding
Degree Apprenticeships are fully funded by your employer if their wage bill is over £3 million each year.
The government will fund up to 95% of the apprenticeship’s course fees, up to the relevant funding band, if the organisation has spent all its levy or has an annual wage bill below £3 million each year. Employers who do not pay the apprenticeship levy contribute 5% towards the total cost of the apprenticeship, the ESFA will contribute the other 95% directly to the University. Employers must have an account with the Apprenticeship Service Account to be able to reserve Government funding for an apprenticeship. This reservation ensures that funds will be available to pay for the training from the point the apprenticeship starts.
Read more about how levy payments work from the UK Government website.
How to apply
Whether you’re looking to develop your skills with us as an apprentice, or you’re an employer looking for more information on using Leeds Trinity University as a training provider, please complete the form below and we will contact you to discuss your options.
About Leeds Trinity University
Our professional Apprenticeships combine part-time study at Leeds Trinity University with workplace training. We've been providing outstanding provision in higher education for over 50 years and have significant experience of delivering work-based learning programmes. We're proud to offer a personal and inclusive university experience that gives everyone the support they need to realise their potential. Our teaching staff have extensive and relevant professional experience.