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Overview
Build a solid grounding in project management with the APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ), ideal for anyone starting out in projects or working alongside project teams.
What you will gain
- Clear understanding of core project management concepts and language
- Insight into project life cycles, roles, and responsibilities
- Practical awareness of planning, risk, quality, and communication
- Confidence to take and pass the APM PFQ multiple-choice exam
Who this course is for
- People new to project management or considering a project role
- Project team members who need to understand how projects are run
- Professionals whose work interfaces with projects (e.g. IT, finance, HR)
- Anyone wanting an entry-level project management qualification with no prerequisites
Benefits
Get started in projects
Recognised APM credential
Practical and accessible
Flexible ways to learn
Expert project trainers
Covers all core topics
Delivery
Compare learning options to find the format that suits you best.
Course
This PFQ course provides a clear and practical introduction to the APM Body of Knowledge 7th edition. You’ll explore how projects differ from business-as-usual, how they are structured and governed, and how to plan, control, and communicate effectively across the project life cycle. By the end, you’ll be ready to sit the PFQ exam with confidence.
Understand projects and context
Work with project life cycles
Know key roles and responsibilities
Plan and define project scope
Schedule, resource, and manage risk
Manage quality, communication, and teams

Curriculum
The APM PFQ curriculum is aligned to the APM Body of Knowledge 7th edition and covers the full project life cycle and key knowledge areas.
- Project management and the operating environment
- Project life cycles
- Project roles and responsibilities
- Project management planning
- Project scope management
- Resource, scheduling, and optimisation
- Risk and issue management
- Quality in projects
- Communication in projects
- Leadership and teamwork
Full curriculum details
Project management and the operating environment
- Definition of a project and project management
- Differences between projects and business-as-usual
- Relationship between projects, programmes, and portfolios
- Purpose of PESTLE analysis in understanding external context
Project life cycles
- Phases of a typical linear project life cycle
- Phases of a typical iterative project life cycle
- Hybrid and extended life cycles and when they are used
Project roles and responsibilities
- Key roles such as sponsor, project manager, team members, users, and PMO
- Project governance and decision-making structures
- How roles interact to support project success
Project management planning
- Purpose and content of a project management plan and business case
- Stakeholder analysis and benefits management
- Estimating methods and the estimating funnel
- Success criteria, progress reporting, and deployment baselines
Project scope management
- What scope management means in projects
- Scope in linear vs iterative projects
- Using PBS, WBS, CBS, OBS, and RAM
- Configuration management and change control processes
Resource, scheduling, and optimisation
- Purpose of scheduling and milestones
- Critical path, time boxing, and resource optimisation
- Resource levelling and smoothing
- Procurement strategy at a basic level
Risk and issue management
- Definition of risk and purpose of risk management
- Typical risk management process and risk registers
- Definition of issues and issue management
- Stages of an issue resolution process
Quality in projects
- Definition of quality and quality management
- Quality planning, quality control, and quality assurance
- Use of decision gates, reviews, and audits
Communication in projects
- Definition and importance of communication
- Advantages and disadvantages of communication methods
- Contents and benefits of a communication plan
Leadership and teamwork
- Definition of leadership in a project context
- How team leaders influence performance
- Challenges in developing and leading project teams
- Using models such as Belbin and Tuckman to support team development

Exam & certification
What to expect from the APM PFQ exam and how we help you pass.
- Format: Multiple choice (objective test)
- Questions: 60
- Pass mark: 60% (36/60)
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Materials: Closed book
- Prerequisites: None
- Results: 5 business days
- Exam access: Online
Your path to success
Reviews & success stories
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FAQs
Do I need any previous experience or prerequisites to study the APM PFQ course?
No previous experience or formal prerequisites are required to study the APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) course. The APM PFQ is an entry-level qualification designed specifically for people who are new to project management or who are considering moving into a project role.
The course is well suited to:
- People starting out in project management with no prior knowledge
- Project team members who need to understand how projects are structured and run
- Professionals working alongside projects in functions such as IT, finance, or HR
- Anyone seeking a recognised, entry-level project management qualification
The APM PFQ exam itself also has no formal prerequisites. The exam is a 60-minute, closed-book, multiple-choice test comprising 60 questions, with a pass mark of 60% (36 out of 60 correct answers).
The qualification is awarded by the Association for Project Management (APM), the chartered body for the project profession in the UK and the largest professional membership organisation of its kind in Europe. APM was granted a Royal Charter in 2017, making the APM PFQ a credible and professionally recognised starting point for anyone entering the project management field.
Because the APM PFQ has no prerequisites, it is a practical first step before progressing to more advanced qualifications such as the APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ).
Should I choose instructor-led or self-paced APM PFQ training?
The best APM PFQ delivery format depends on how you learn and how much flexibility you need around work commitments.
Instructor-led APM PFQ training runs as two days of live online sessions with an accredited trainer. It suits learners who prefer a structured timetable, benefit from real-time Q&A, and want to complete the qualification quickly in a focused block. The official APM PFQ guide is included, and the exam is booked as part of the course.
Blended APM PFQ training combines approximately 20 hours of self-paced interactive online modules with around 22 hours of live evening sessions. You can start at any time and study around existing work and personal commitments. Tutor support is available by email throughout your 12-month access period. This format suits independent learners who prefer to set their own pace.
Use these criteria to decide:
- Choose instructor-led if you want a clear start and end date, live group learning, and structured exam preparation in a short timeframe.
- Choose blended if you need to fit study around shift patterns, travel, or other responsibilities, or if you prefer to revisit material before moving on.
Both formats include the APM PFQ exam and access to sample papers. Knowledge Train reports an 84% pass rate across its APM PFQ courses, regardless of format.
How do I take the APM PFQ exam?
The APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) exam is taken online as a closed-book, multiple-choice test, and it is included as part of the course fee when you train with Knowledge Train.
Here is what to expect from the APM PFQ exam:
- Format: Multiple choice (objective test)
- Number of questions: 60
- Pass mark: 60%, which means 36 out of 60 correct answers
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Materials permitted: None – the exam is closed book
- Prerequisites: None required
- Results: Typically returned within 5 business days
- Access: Online
The APM PFQ exam is accredited by the Association for Project Management (APM), the chartered body for the project profession in the UK. Because there are no prerequisites, the qualification is open to anyone, including people who are completely new to project management.
Knowledge Train provides official APM study materials and sample papers to help you prepare, and course access to post-course resources is included for up to 12 months depending on the delivery format chosen. Knowledge Train reports an 84% pass rate for the APM PFQ, which reflects the exam preparation built into the training.
When will I receive my APM PFQ exam results and certificate?
APM PFQ candidates receive their exam result immediately after completing the online multiple-choice test, with the official PDF certificate typically arriving by email within 4 to 5 days, though the formal processing window is up to 2 weeks.
Here is a summary of what to expect after sitting the APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) exam:
- Immediate result: Your pass or fail outcome is displayed on screen as soon as you finish the 60-minute, 60-question online exam.
- PDF certificate by email: Most candidates receive their official APM PFQ certificate within 4 to 5 days of passing.
- Maximum processing time: APM states that official results and the PDF certificate will be emailed within 2 weeks.
The APM PFQ exam is taken online and is a closed-book test with a pass mark of 60% (36 out of 60 questions). Because results are confirmed immediately, candidates do not need to wait to know whether they have passed before planning their next steps, such as progressing to the APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ).
The APM (Association for Project Management) is the chartered body for the project profession in the UK, and the PFQ certificate is issued directly by APM as a recognised, entry-level professional credential.
Is APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) hard to pass?
The APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) is considered an entry-level exam and is achievable for most candidates who prepare properly, with Knowledge Train reporting an 84% pass rate across its learners.
The PFQ exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 60 minutes, with a pass mark of 60% (36 out of 60 correct answers). The exam is closed book and taken online. Because it tests breadth of understanding rather than deep technical knowledge, candidates who engage fully with their training and review the official materials are well placed to pass first time.
The main topics covered include project life cycles, roles and responsibilities, scope management, scheduling, risk, quality, and communication – all of which are introduced during the two-day instructor-led course or the blended learning programme offered by Knowledge Train.
A few practical points worth knowing:
- There are no prerequisites for the APM PFQ, so no prior project management experience is assumed.
- Candidates receive their result immediately after the exam, with an official PDF certificate typically issued within four to five days.
- If a candidate does not pass first time, a resit is available for an additional fee.
For anyone new to project management, thorough engagement with the course content and practice papers is the most reliable way to prepare confidently.
Can I retake the APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) exam if I fail, and does it cost extra?
Yes, you can retake the APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) exam if you do not pass, but an additional exam resit fee will apply.
The APM PFQ exam is a closed-book, online multiple-choice test consisting of 60 questions, with a pass mark of 60% (36 out of 60 correct answers) and a time limit of 60 minutes. The exam fee is included in the course price for your first sitting. If you need to resit, you will need to pay a separate resit fee – this is not covered by the original course cost.
A few practical points worth knowing before you sit the exam:
- You receive your result immediately after completing the online exam.
- An official PDF certificate is emailed within approximately two weeks, though most candidates receive it within four to five days.
- There are no formal prerequisites to sit the APM PFQ exam, so the resit process is straightforward.
- Knowledge Train reports an 84% pass rate for APM PFQ candidates, which means the majority of learners pass at the first attempt.
To give yourself the best chance of passing first time, make use of the sample papers included with the course and take advantage of tutor support, which is available by email for up to three months after your course ends.
Still have questions? Contact us by phone on 0207 148 5985, via live chat, email, or by completing the form below.
How to find us
Knowledge Train
20 Old Bailey, London, EC4M 7AN,
England, United Kingdom.
Call +44 (0)207 148 5985
Opening hours
Monday to Friday – 09:00 to 17:15





