Retail Leaders Degree Apprenticeship

Progress your learning and develop the skills needed to lead one of our multi-million-pound stores.

About the role

The Retail Leaders Apprenticeship offers a unique blend of on-the-job experience and academic learning, designed to prepare you for a leadership role within our stores. You’ll develop your skills while working in various departments and have the opportunity to earn a Level 6 (degree equivalent) Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship in Business Management.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll get hands-on experience across all our departments, including Food, Clothing, and Home, gaining a deep understanding of our operations. You’ll learn how each role contributes to the success of our stores and get to grips with the routines and processes that keep everything running smoothly.

Six months into the programme, you’ll enrol in a Level 6 apprenticeship, which will deepen your knowledge and leadership skills through structured learning. The apprenticeship qualification will allow you take on more responsibility and prepare you for your first Team Manager appointment.

Throughout the apprenticeship, you’ll continue to rotate through different departments, with ongoing support and mentoring to ensure you’re ready for the next steps in your career.

What you’ll need

You will need strong functional literacy and numeracy skills (A*-C/9-4 in GCSE English and Maths or equivalent). If you have good literacy and numeracy skills but lack formal qualifications, you’ll need to complete Level 2 Functional Skills qualifications alongside the apprenticeship. Additionally, you must have been a resident in the United Kingdom for at least three years before the start of the programme or have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

What we look for

We’re looking for individuals eager to learn and develop. You should be curious, with a passion for retail and a desire to grow into a leadership role. Being a team player who communicates openly and gets close to customers is essential. You’ll also need to be resilient, adaptable, and ready to tackle challenges head-on, balancing your learning with your day job.

Example career path

You’ll build a career as unique as you based on your skills and interests, but here is a common path that many colleagues in Retail make their own.

- Team Manager
- Deputy Manager
- Store Manager
- Regional Manager

Learning and support

Your development is our priority. We’ll give you a structured programme including mentoring, on-the-job training, and opportunities to solve real challenges that will help you build a long-term career at M&S. And, if we believe you can reach your potential faster, we will give you the tools and opportunities to do it. But the person who is really going to make this happen is you. With our support, we want you to own and drive your development.