MSP courses to advance your programme skills

Both MSP Foundation and Practitioner certifications must be renewed every 3 years.
To stay current, choose any of these options from PeopleCert:

1. Retake the same exam before your renewal date.
2. Earn another PeopleCert certification in the same suite.
3. Collect and log CPD points through PeopleCert membership.

Certifications issued before June 2020 had a renew-by date of 1 July 2023. Expired Foundation certificates remain valid as exam pre-requisites.

Our MSP trainers are experts who coach you to exam success.

You’ll receive:

• Official sample exams matching PeopleCert’s format
• Session recordings (for virtual courses)
• Access to an expert trainer by email (1-day response)

Self-paced courses include identical sample papers and interactive modules to help you learn and retain information quickly.

Before your MSP course, we’ll send introductory reading to help you understand key programme management concepts.

It takes around 2-3 hours and covers the main topics you’ll meet on day one.

To get MSP certification, follow these steps:

1. Research: Review the MSP certification requirements, accredited training providers, and the levels of certification (Foundation) and (Practitioner).
2. Select a training provider: Choose an accredited MSP training provider that offers your desired level of certification.
3. Enrol in a course: Register for an MSP course, either online or in person.
4. Study: Learn the MSP framework, principles, and best practices from the course materials.
5. Attend training: Participate in the sessions and complete any exercises or assignments.
6. Take the exam: Sit the MSP certification exam (multiple choice and scenario-based).
7. Pass the exam: Achieve a passing score to earn your certification.
8. Maintain certification: Continue professional development to keep your MSP certification valid.

Always check the latest requirements from your training provider or certification body for the most up-to-date details.

You have 12 months of access to your self-paced MSP course materials from the purchase date.

The MSP certification is valid for three years.

To maintain your qualification, you must either retake the MSP Practitioner exam before expiry or maintain your status through Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points.

CPD points can be earned by:

• attending conferences and workshops,
• completing online courses, or
• joining professional development programmes.

By earning CPD points, you can maintain your certification and continue demonstrating your expertise in programme management.

Yes. Knowledge Train is a PeopleCert Accredited Training Organisation for Managing Successful Programmes (MSP).

Yes, MSP is a highly respected qualification, especially for professionals seeking work as programme managers in the UK.

Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) is the leading programme management qualification, valued by employers as proof of knowledge and capability in managing strategic change and large-scale initiatives.

MSP and PRINCE2 serve different purposes:

• MSP is a programme management framework used to manage organisational change across multiple related projects.
• PRINCE2 is a project management methodology used to manage individual projects.

In large organisations, MSP coordinates multiple PRINCE2 projects to deliver strategic benefits. They complement each other rather than compete.

Yes, MSP certification is worth it.

In the UK, it’s the most valuable programme management certification. Employers actively seek candidates with MSP certification as evidence of professional programme management expertise.

Investing in an MSP course not only strengthens your CV but also develops your ability to manage complex change programmes successfully.

No, MSP is not the same as PRINCE2.

• MSP is used to manage programmes of change at the organisational level.
• PRINCE2 focuses on managing individual projects.

Together, they form a complete framework for managing both strategic programmes and tactical projects.

Yes. During instructor-led MSP training, expect 1-2 hours of homework daily, including readings, quizzes, and revision exercises to reinforce key concepts.

Choose the MSP course format that fits your schedule and learning style:

Instructor-led MSP training – ideal if you:

• Prefer live interaction with a trainer
• Want to certify quickly
• Enjoy structured, social learning.

Self-paced MSP online training – ideal if you:

• Need flexible study hours
• Can’t travel to a venue
• Prefer independent learning.

Both options cover the same syllabus and fully prepare you for the MSP exams.

Choose your MSP course by experience:

• Foundation – for programme or project managers, business change managers, delivery team members, and PMO staff wanting to learn MSP principles.
• Practitioner – for those ready to apply the framework to real programmes, including portfolio staff and specialist programme roles.

Start with Foundation, then progress to Practitioner to learn practical application of MSP in real projects.

MSP (Managing Successful Programmes) is a globally recognised framework for programme management.

It provides best-practice guidance to help organisations deliver complex change and transformation successfully.

MSP offers a structured, flexible approach to managing multiple related projects so that they collectively achieve strategic goals and realise measurable business benefits.

Key components of MSP

1. Principles – Foundational best practices such as focusing on benefits, maintaining a clear vision, and engaging stakeholders effectively.
2. Governance themes – Emphasises leadership, accountability, risk and issue management, and effective programme organisation.
3. Transformational flow – Defines a lifecycle of processes from identifying and defining a programme to delivering outcomes and realising benefits.
4. Roles and responsibilities – Outlines clear roles such as the Programme Manager, Business Change Manager, and Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) to ensure accountability.
5. Benefits realisation – Central to MSP, ensuring programmes deliver tangible outcomes aligned with organisational strategy.

Why organisations use MSP

• Aligns all projects with strategic business objectives.
• Strengthens governance and stakeholder engagement.
• Reduces risks through structured oversight.
• Enhances adaptability for programmes of any scale or industry.

MSP is not a rigid methodology but a flexible framework that can be tailored to suit different organisational needs and contexts.

It is widely adopted by both public and private sector organisations to improve programme success rates and deliver strategic change efficiently.

If you’re on an instructor-led MSP course, your trainer may schedule exam time during training, but you can book it whenever convenient.

Self-paced students can sit their online exam any time within 12 months of purchase.

All MSP exam results and certificates are issued by PeopleCert.

• Foundation: digital certificate within 1 working day
• Practitioner: within 3 working days

You’ll be notified by email when your certificate is ready to download.

UK students: receive a printed MSP handbook by courier before your course.

Outside UK: receive a digital copy by email (with optional printed version for a postage fee).

Both formats contain the full MSP syllabus used during training.

Knowledge Train’s award-winning MSP trainers are experienced programme management professionals with real-world expertise.

Our instructor-led courses deliver practical, high-quality learning trusted by thousands of professionals across the UK.

To see our approach, call +44 (0)207 148 5985 and request a free observer place on an upcoming virtual class.

Organisations use Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) because it provides a structured, proven framework for managing complex change. Key benefits include:

1. Strategic alignment: Ensures all programmes support organisational objectives.
2. Benefits realisation: Focuses on delivering measurable business value.
3. Effective governance: Enables robust decision-making and risk control.
4. Improved management: Offers structure for managing large-scale change effectively.
5. Stakeholder engagement: Promotes clear communication and buy-in.
6. Risk management: Identifies and mitigates issues proactively.
7. Adaptability: Can be tailored for different industries and contexts.

Overall, MSP helps organisations achieve better outcomes by aligning projects to strategy and ensuring real benefits are delivered.