Accredited Project Management Courses

It varies by sector. PRINCE2 is commonly required in UK government, finance, and IT organisations, while APM qualifications are widely valued across engineering, construction, and multi-disciplinary teams. Many employers recognise both, and some roles benefit from holding qualifications in more than one methodology. Our qualifications guide compares both routes in detail.

Yes. Our online project management courses lead to the exact same accredited certifications as classroom delivery. The exam is identical regardless of how you study. Choose the learning format that fits your schedule and support needs.

If you’re new to project management with little or no formal experience, start with the APM PFQ. If you already manage projects and want a comprehensive qualification that demonstrates professional competence, the APM PMQ is usually the better fit. Compare levels in our APM qualification levels guide.

Costs vary depending on the qualification and delivery format. Our online courses start from £545+VAT for PRINCE2 Foundation and £425+VAT for APM PFQ, including the official exam. Virtual classroom and in-person courses are priced higher to reflect the live trainer interaction. View all course prices.

Recognised certifications such as PRINCE2, APM, and AgilePM all require paid exams and accredited training. Free tasters and introductory courses exist (including from providers like Coursera and Open University), but they do not award accredited UK certifications. If you’re weighing up free courses against accredited qualifications, our beginners guide explains the differences and why UK employers typically prefer accredited certifications.

It depends on the qualification and how you choose to study. The APM PFQ takes around 10 hours of self-paced study or 2 days in the classroom. The APM PMQ takes 30–40 hours online or 5 days in the classroom. PRINCE2 Foundation takes around 10 hours online or 3 days in the classroom. See the full duration table above for all courses.

No prior experience is required for entry-level qualifications like APM PFQ, PRINCE2 Foundation, or AgilePM Foundation. These are designed for people who are new to the field or managing projects informally. More advanced qualifications like APM PMQ and PRINCE2 Practitioner are aimed at people with some project experience, though there are no strict prerequisites beyond the relevant Foundation qualification.

Our pass rates consistently exceed 98% across all qualifications, significantly above the national average. We achieve this through high-quality course materials, expert tutor support, and comprehensive exam preparation resources including practice papers and mock exams.

There’s no single “best” course – the right one depends on your experience level and the sector you work in. For newcomers to project management, the APM PFQ or PRINCE2 Foundation are the most widely-recognised starting points. For experienced project managers, the APM PMQ is often considered the most comprehensive UK qualification. Our comparison table above maps all the major options against experience level, sector and career destination.

We focus on UK-recognised certifications – APM, PRINCE2, AgilePM, MSP and BCS — which are the qualifications most commonly specified by UK employers. PMI certifications (CAPM, PMP) are globally recognised but more typically requested by US-based or multinational organisations. If you’re considering PMI alongside UK qualifications, get in touch and we can advise based on your target roles.

For corporate teams, the right training depends on how your organisation manages projects. Teams in structured or regulated environments (public sector, finance, large infrastructure) typically benefit from PRINCE2. Teams in iterative delivery environments (software, digital, innovation) usually align better with AgilePM. For mixed or cross-functional teams, APM offers the broadest methodology-agnostic foundation. Our corporate training page covers tailored programmes with group discounts of up to 30%.