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APM training courses

Enhance your project management skills with APM-accredited training courses. Designed to fit your professional development needs.

Knowledge Train | APM courses (instructor-led)

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Self-paced APM training courses

Self-paced APM training

Self-paced APM training has had many different names over the years, including distance learning, computer-based training (CBT), and e-Learning (or elearning). We prefer using the term ‘self-paced’ because you can stop and start your learning whenever, and wherever you want

Self-paced APM training has numerous benefits including:

  • Saves you time – With an online APM course there is no need to travel to a course venue.
  • Saves you money – With self-paced APM training there’s no need to take time off work and lose money.
  • Learn at your own pace – You can study whenever and wherever you want, using any device on any platform.
  • Support provided – You have access to expert trainers to answer all your questions.
  • Best practice design – Our online APM training courses are designed to promote longer lasting and deeper understanding.
  • Long validity – You have access to our self-paced APM online courses for 12 months. You can take your APM exam online any time within this period.
  • Online exam – All self-paced online APM courses include the APM exam taken online. No travel to an exam centre is required, so you can gain your APM certificate from home.
APM (Association of Project Management)

The APM

What is the APM (Association for Project Management)?

The Association for Project Management (APM) is the chartered body for the project profession. It is the best-known project management association in the UK and is an educational charity.

In 2017 the Association received a Royal Charter and became known as the chartered body for the project profession.

APM membership

Membership of the APM is open to both individuals and organisations. In 2022, there were over 35,000 individual members as well as 500 organisations in its Corporate Partnership Programme.

There are several good reasons for becoming a member of the APM:

  • Progression – it enhances your career potential
  • Involvement – it helps you stand out from the crowd
  • Support – it is the constant in your career
  • Community – it provides a network of project professionals
  • Resources – expand your knowledge.

Delivering change

In our changing world, project professionals are at the forefront of delivering change and project delivery is becoming ever more complex. The project profession needs to be better understood, must have consistent standards, and set the highest bar.

Better project delivery is about achieving your desired outcomes. The APM tries to make a difference by challenging the status quo and championing the new. By doing this in an increasingly complex world, it helps the project profession deliver better.

APM women

The APM encourages the active participation of women within the project profession. It hosts the APM Women specific interest group (SIG) which organises events aimed at female project professionals.

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What are the APM certificates?

What are the APM certificates?

APM provides a certificate scheme in addition to offering practical guidance and membership to the project profession. There are 4 levels of APM certificates.

APM Project Fundamentals Qualification

The APMProject Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) is the entry-level APM certificate. PFQ offers a fundamental awareness of project management terminology giving you the knowledge to make a positive contribution to any project.
The PFQ is for people wanting a broad understanding of the principles of the project profession. You don’t need any prior knowledge or experience.

APM PFQ exam
  • Style: Multiple-choice
  • Questions: 60
  • Pass mark: 60% (36/60)
  • Duration: 60 minutes
  • Materials allowed: Closed-book
  • Prerequisites: None
  • Results: Same day.

APM Project Management Qualification

The Project Management Qualification (PMQ) is the 2nd level of APM certificate. PMQ enables you to demonstrate your knowledge of all elements of project management. You can demonstrate an understanding of how these elements interact and how your project fits into your strategic and commercial environment.

APM PMQ exam
  • Style: Essay-style
  • Questions: 10 from 16
  • Pass mark: 55%
  • Duration: 180 minutes (plus 15 minutes reading time at the start)
  • Materials allowed: Closed-book
  • Prerequisites: None
  • Results: Same day.

If you are a PRINCE2® Practitioner, you will take a two-hour paper with only an additional 10 minutes’ reading at the start. This recognises your prior learning, and, in this paper, you must answer six out of ten questions.

APM Project Professional Qualification

The APM Project Professional Qualification (PPQ) is the 3rd level of APM certificate. PPQ assesses your capability in delivering professional projects.

PPQ is the APM’s most comprehensive assessment of professional project management capability. PPQ covers core competencies required across all areas of project management. Assessment is based on a pre-seen case study and is divided into three parts. Two of these (the scenario assessment and oral exam assessment) are done using video conferencing software. The 3rd element (a written report) is submitted via APM’s online platform.

APM PPQ assessment
  • Style: Scenario assessment, oral exam assessment and a written report.
  • Duration: 155 minutes
  • Materials allowed: Closed-book
  • Prerequisites: APM PMQ (or equivalent).

Chartered Project Professional (ChPP)

The Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) standard is the highest level of APM certificate. ChPP assesses your capability in delivering professional projects.

ChPP forms a professional benchmark that demonstrates attainment and of a defined level of technical knowledge, professional practice ethical behaviour. It forms the basis of the assessment that applicants must pass to gain ChPP status and inclusion on the Register of Chartered Project Professionals.

There are multiple requirements and routes to becoming a Chartered Project Professional so check out the APM web site for more details.

Earning your APM certification

To earn your APM certificate, you can enrol on an instructor-led APM training course. Our instructor-led APM courses take place in one of 2 ways:

  • As a traditional physical classroom course – you must travel to the training venue, or
  • As a virtual classroom course – you participate over the internet using a computer and headset (and optional video camera) using our advanced virtual learning technology.

In both types of instructor-led course you receive face-to-face tuition from one of our experienced project management trainers.

Instructor-led courses

All instructor-led training courses are taught by experienced APM trainers and offer the benefits of face-to-face learning with an experienced tutor. To participate in instructor-led APM training courses, you must be able to commit to a fixed classroom schedule.

To check whether there is a classroom instructor-led APM training course in your area, or a virtual instructor-led course hosted on the internet, please check the dates on the APM PFQ or APM PMQ page.

Instructor-led courses

If you cannot commit to a fixed classroom schedule, you can always obtain your APM certificate by enrolling in a self-paced APM online training course.

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Are APM certificates popular?

Are APM certificates popular?

Yes, APM certificates are popular, and becoming more so. In the year to April 2021 more than 12,000 online certificates had been issued. This was despite the complete lack of classroom training due to Coronavirus.

Holding an APM certificate can boost your earnings. According to APM’s 2021 salary survey, being an APM member has its benefits. The research showed that the average salary for APM members has increased from £47,500 the previous year to above the profession’s average to £52,500; while those without membership earned £47,500.

Meanwhile, Full APM members (MAPM) earned £62,500 whereas non-members with five years’ experience earned £52,500.

It is also worth noting that 70 per cent of Full members earned over £50,000 while 60 per cent of non-members with a similar level of experience earned over £50,000[1].

APM Project Fundamentals Qualification course (PFQ) details:

Course format
  • Instructor-led or self-paced online training.
Training includes
  • Accredited APM PFQ training course
  • APM PFQ Study Guide
  • Sample APM PFQ exam
  • APM PFQ exam.
Course times
  • Instructor-led training: 2 days from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
  • Self-paced online training: 25 hours study time; 1-year access.

Learning outcomes

APM PFQ (Project Fundamentals Qualification) training provides students with a basic understanding of projects and project management, including:

  • Projects and the operating environment
  • Project life cycles including linear, iterative and hybrid
  • Project roles and responsibilities
  • Project planning
  • Managing benefits
  • Managing stakeholders
  • Managing scope and changes
  • Managing and optimising resources using schedules
  • Managing issues and risks
  • Planning and managing quality
  • Communicating on projects
  • Leadership and teamwork.
Course content

APM PFQ courses cover the following topics:

  • Projects and the operating environment
  • Project life cycle
  • Project management organisation
  • Project management planning
  • Scope management
  • Resource scheduling and optimisation
  • Risk and issue management
  • Quality management
  • Communication
  • Leadership and teamwork.
Prerequisites
  • None.
Read more

APM Project Management Qualification course (PMQ) details:

Course format
  • Instructor-led or self-paced online training.
Training includes
  • Accredited APM PMQ training course
  • APM PMQ Study Guide
  • Sample APM PMQ exam
  • APM PMQ exam.
Course times
  • Instructor-led training: 5-days’ Instructor-led classroom APM PMQ courses are generally held on the same day of the week over 5 successive weeks from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. On the 6th week, time is allotted on Monday for candidates to sit the APM PMQ exam. Please note that course times may vary. Call our team on +44 (0)207 148 5985 to inquire.
  • Self-paced online training: 25 hours study time; 1-year access.
Learning outcomes

APM PMQ training courses provides students with a more advanced understanding of projects including how project management elements interact and how their project fits into their strategic and commercial environment.You will gain a detailed understanding of:

  • Projects and the operating environment
  • Organisation structures and project roles
  • Project governance
  • Project life cycles including linear, iterative and hybrid
  • Communication and conflict management
  • Leadership, teamwork, and motivation
  • Project planning
  • Managing stakeholders
  • Earned value management (EVM)
  • Managing benefits and the business case
  • Managing scope, changes, and requirements
  • Managing and optimising resources using schedules
  • Procurement and supplier selection
  • Managing issues and risks
  • Planning and managing quality.
Course content

APM PMQ training courses covers the following topics:

  • Project context and operating environment
  • Structure of projects and organisations
  • Project life cycle
  • Communications
  • Leadership, teamwork, and motivation
  • Project management planning
  • Scope management
  • Resource scheduling and optimisation
  • Procurement
  • Risk and issue management
  • Quality management.
Prerequisites
  • None.
Read more

APM training courses FAQs

Is Knowledge Train accredited for APM training?

Yes. Knowledge Train is an APM Accredited Training Partner. We are accredited to deliver Project Fundamentals Qualification and Project Management Qualification training courses.

Why choose Knowledge Train over other course providers?

Knowledge Train only hires the most experienced project management professionals and certified trainers to help deliver our world-class training.

Our instructor-led APM training courses are taught by the best APM trainers in the UK. Each is a training expert with years of experience working as project managers in an APM context.

If you’d like to sit in on an instructor led virtual APM course and learn how we run our virtual training courses, give our team a call at +44 (0)207 148 5985, and we’ll find you a place on our next available APM training course.

Should I take instructor-led or self-paced training?

We’ve designed our instructor-led training and self-paced courses to give you the best possible chance to learn about APM and pass your APM exams. Simply choose the APM course format that best suits your needs.

You should take instructor-led classroom APM training if any of the following apply:

  • You can commit to a fixed classroom schedule
  • You’d like to earn your APM qualification as quickly as possible
  • You prefer face-to-face learning with a trainer
  • You enjoy learning in a social environment with other students.

You should take a self-paced online APM course if any of the following apply:

  • You cannot commit to a fixed classroom schedule
  • You cannot travel to a classroom training venue
  • You prefer to learn at your own pace.

Should I take an APM PFQ or PMQ course?

Instructor-led APM PFQ training courses are best suited to:

  • Those wanting a broad understanding of the principles of the project profession. You don’t need any prior knowledge or experience for this qualification.

Instructor-led APM PMQ training courses are best suited to:

  • Those wanting to participate in projects of all sizes. You’ll typically have some pre-existing project management knowledge. It’s the ideal next step for anyone holding the APM Project Fundamentals Qualification.

What is the latest version of the APM BoK?

APM regularly updates the APM Body of Knowledge (APM BoK) to align with the latest developments in project management best-practices. The latest version is 7th edition.

Our APM instructor-led APM courses and exams are based upon the APM Body of Knowledge (APM BoK) 7th edition.

Does my APM certificate expire?

Unlike some other project management certificates, APM PFQ and APM PMQ certificates never expire and are valid for life.

When do I receive my APM certificate?

APM PFQ exam results and certificate are given within 5-7 days of your exam.

APM PMQ exam results and certificate are given within 8-12 weeks of your exam.

When do I receive my APM Study Guide?

If you choose to attend an instructor-led APM PFQ or APM PMQ training course , you will receive a hard copy of the APM Study Guide by post.

How can I prepare for my APM course?

If you’ve enrolled in an instructor-led APM training course, we’ll provide introductory reading to help you familiarise yourself with basic terms and concepts before the course begins.

For the APM PFQ training course, pre-course reading should take no more than 2-3 hours. For the APM PMQ course, pre-course reading should take approximately 3-4 hours.

When can I take my APM exam?

In our instructor-led APM training courses, your instructor may set aside time during training hours within which to take the exam.

However, you are not obligated to sit your APM exams at this time and can book your exams whenever it is most convenient for you.

For online training courses, you can sit your exam any time withint 12 months’ of purchase.

Do I receive any support to help me pass my APM exams?

As a student of either instructor-led or self-paced online APM training course, you’ll receive an official sample exam that matches the style, form, and content of questions you will be asked in your live APM exams. In addition you will get the support of a qualified and experienced trainer to answer any of your questions.

Do APM courses have homework?

If you choose to study on an instructor-led classroom APM PFQ course, our trainers will assign you homework of 1 hour per night. For students on an instructor-led classroom APM PMQ course, our trainers will assign 2 hours of homework at the end of each day.

Homework includes reading assignments, quizzes, and other beneficial revision exercises.

Is there an APM course near me?

APM training courses in England

You can find an APM course in these towns and cities in England:

 

APM training courses in Scotland

You can find an APM training course in these towns and cities in Scotland:

 

APM training courses in Wales

You can find an APM training course in these towns and cities in Wales:

 

APM training courses in Ireland

You can find an APM training course in these towns and cities in Ireland:

 

[1] APM. 2022. Salary and Market Trends Survey 2021. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.apm.org.uk/salary-survey-2021/. [Accessed 25 June 2022].

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