APM online courses (self-paced)
Self-paced or instructor-led
Choose an APM online course
How APM can help you…
Start a career in the project profession
Get into the project profession by learning core project management concepts online.
Learn the language of projects and begin your career in the project profession.
Learn to manage projects effectively
Learn to manage projects effectively using the APM Body of Knowledge (BoK).
Boost your confidence and ability to manage projects using the APM BoK.
Advance your career with an APM certification
Demonstrate your ability to manage projects effectively with an APM certification.
Show your commitment to professional development by gaining an APM certification.
APM online certification
What is the APM (Association for Project Management)?
The Association for Project Management (APM) is the Chartered Body for the Project Profession and is an educational charity. It is the best-known project management association in the UK.
In 2017 the Association received a Royal Charter and became known as the Chartered Body for the Project Profession.
APM membership
APM membership is open to both individuals and organisations. In 2022, there were over 35,000 individual members and over 500 organisations in its Corporate Partnership Programme
There are many reasons for becoming an APM member:
- 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 – it helps to expand your knowledge.
Delivering change
In a changing world, project professionals are at the leading edge of delivering change and project delivery is becoming more demanding. The APM sees the project profession as needing to be better understood, to have consistent standards, and to set the highest bar.
Better project delivery is about achieving your desired outcomes. The APM tries to make a difference by not being afraid to challenge the status quo and champion the new. By doing this in today’s world, it helps the project profession deliver better
APM women
The APM encourages the active participation of women working within the project profession. It hosts the APM Women specific interest group (SIG) and organises events aimed at female project professionals.
What is APM certification?
APM provides a certification scheme in addition to offering practical guidance and membership to the project profession. There are 4 levels of APM certification, some of which can be obtained online.
APM Project Fundamentals Qualification
The APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) is the entry-level APM certification within the APM qualifications scheme. PFQ certification can be obtained online.
PFQ offers a basic awareness of project management terminology enabling you to make a positive contribution to any project.
The PFQ qualification is for those people wanting a broad understanding of the principles of the project profession. You don't need any prior knowledge or experience for this qualification.
APM PFQ exam
- Style: Multiple-choice
- Questions: 60
- Pass mark: 60% (36/60)
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Materials allowed: Closed-book
- Pre-requisites: None
- Method: Online
- Results: Same day.
APM Project Management Qualification
The APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ) is the 2nd level APM certification within the APM qualifications scheme which can be obtained online. PMQ enables you to show your knowledge of the different elements of project management. PMQ also enables you to demonstrate your 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
- Pre-requisites: None
- Method: Online
- 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 APM certification within the APM qualifications scheme. PPQ assesses your capability in delivering professional projects.
PPQ is the most comprehensive assessment of professional project management capability in the APM qualifications scheme. 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 PMQ exam
- Style: Scenario assessment, oral exam assessment and a written report.
- Duration: 155 minutes
- Materials allowed: Closed-book
- Pre-requisites: APM PMQ (or equivalent).
Chartered Project Professional (ChPP)
The Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) standard is the highest level APM certification. 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.
Instructor-led courses
To earn your APM certification online, you can enrol on a self-paced APM online course. Self-paced learning is an ideal way for busy, working professionals who cannot commit to a fixed classroom schedule. If you do choose to study using a self-paced APM online course, you require a computer, audio, internet, and an optional video camera.
Instructor-led courses
If you prefer face-to-face learning with an experienced tutor, then you should choose an instructor-led APM course taught by experienced APM trainers.
All instructor-led courses are taught by experienced APM trainers and offer the benefits of face-to-face learning with an experienced tutor. To participate in an instructor-led APM course, you must be able to commit to a fixed classroom schedule.
To check whether there is an instructor-led classroom APM course in your area, or a virtual online instructor-led course hosted on the internet, please check the dates on the APM PFQ or APM PMQ page.
Is APM online certification popular?
Yes, APM qualifications are popular, and becoming more so. In the year to April 2021 there were 12,000 online qualifications. This was despite the complete lack of classroom training due to Coronavirus.
Holding an APM qualification 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]
Self-paced learning
Self-paced learning 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
Read the benefits of self-paced learning below to learn more about why self-paced learning is a great way to learn about project management and gain your APM qualification.
Self-paced training benefits
Saves you time
- If you are a busy professional, you often cannot afford the time to attend fixed-schedule classroom training. So, taking a self-paced APM online course saves you time.
Saves you money
- If you are a freelancer or contractor, you lose money if you take time off work to attend a fixed-schedule classroom course. With a self-paced APM online course you fit your learning time around your working hours, so this saves you money.
Learn at your own pace
- You can study whenever and wherever you want. You can use any device (desktop, tablet, or mobile) on any platform (Windows, Mac, IOS, or Android) which has a reliable internet connection. You can choose when and how to study so you study at your own pace.
Support provided
- As a student on our self-paced APM online courses, you have access to an expert trainer. Our trainers aim to answer all questions from students within 1 business day, and often reply within hours
Best practice design
- All our APM online courses are designed to engage your brain, with the aim to promote longer lasting and deeper understanding of the core concepts. For more details about our best practice design see more about our self-paced online learning below
Long validity
- You have access to our self-paced APM online courses for 12 months. You can take your PRINCE2 online exam any time within this period.
Online exam
- All self-paced APM online courses include the APM exam taken online. No travel to an exam centre is required, so you can gain your APM qualification entirely from home.
About self-paced training
Learning technology
These self-paced APM online courses have been designed with the latest web technologies, so they work on Windows, MacOS, iOS and Android. They are fully responsive, and fit any device and screen size – desktop, tablet and mobile. No browser plugins or installation files are required.
Best practice design
Our self-paced APM online training courses are highly interactive, and exercises have been designed to aid a deeper level of understanding, leading to longer-lasting learning.
Like all our online training, these self-paced APM online courses have been designed using the latest best practices in instructional design, including:
Micro-learning
These are short chunks of content taking just a few minutes to complete.
Gamification
Selective use of gamified elements to promote playful elements into the learning process
Learning Management System (LMS)
A modern LMS which remembers where you are and allows you easy access to all your learning content.
Quizzes
Lots of quizzes to check your knowledge at the end of each topic.
Audio
Selective use of audio to enhance, which avoids ‘overloading’ the student with ‘too much information’.
Accessibility standards
Meeting many of the recommended accessibility standards from the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1.
Many companies develop online training cheaply just by filming a trainer in a classroom. We do not think that’s a good way to help students learn, nor does it engage learners.
We are confident that our interactive elearning will help you gain an understanding of project management so that you can sit your PRINCE2 exams with confidence.
APM online course details
APM Project Fundamentals Qualification online course (PFQ)
Course format
- Self-paced online course.
Training includes
- Accredited self-paced APM PFQ online learning
- Sample APM PFQ exam
- APM PFQ exam.
Course times
- 1-year access to self-paced online APM PFQ course.
Learning outcomes
Self-paced APM PFQ (Project Fundamentals Qualification) online 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
- 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.
APM Project Management Qualification online course (PMQ)
Course format
- Self-paced online course.
Training includes
- Accredited self-paced APM PMQ online learning
- Sample APM PMQ exam
- APM PMQ exam.
Course times
- 1-year access to self-paced online APM PMQ course.
Learning outcomes
Self-paced APM PMQ (Project Management Qualification) online training 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
Self-paced APM PMQ online courses cover 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.
Online APM courses frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Yes. Knowledge Train is an APM Accredited Training Partner. Our self-paced online Project Fundamentals Qualification and Project Management Qualification training is accredited by APM.
Online self-paced courses
Knowledge Train works with project management professionals, e-learning experts and certified APM trainers to deliver world-class training that promotes faster, longer-lasting learning.
Our interactive, self-paced APM online training is designed to keep you engaged and focused. It is not cheap to create, nor does it use gimmicks.
For more details about how we deliver high quality APM online courses, see the section above about our self-paced training.
You can try our self-paced APM online courses here.
We've designed our self-paced online APM training and instructor-led courses to give you the best possible chance to learn about project management and pass your APM exams. Simply choose the course format that best suits your needs.
You should take a self-paced APM online 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.
You should take instructor-led 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.
Self-paced online APM PFQ 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.
Self-paced online APM PMQ 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.
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.
APM PFQ and APM PMQ certifications never expire and are valid for life.
APM PFQ exam results and certificationare given within 5-7 days of your exam.
APM PMQ exam results and certification are given within 8-12 weeks of your exam.
If you choose to attend an instructor-led APM PFQ or APM PMQ course, you will receive a hard copy of the APM Study Guide by post.
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.
Your self-paced APM online training is designed to help you learn fast and retain information longer, making it an ideal preparation for sitting your exam(s).
The online self-paced training also contains official sample exams that match the style, form, and content of questions you will be asked in your APM online exams.
Students also benefit from having access to a dedicated expert trainer who is available to answer your questions via email. Our trainers will try to respond to any queries you may have within 1 working day.
[1] APM. 2022. Salary and Market Trends Survey 2021. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.apm.org.uk/salary-survey-2021/. [Accessed 25 June 2022].