APM project management courses

Choose the APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) if you are new to projects, and choose the APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ) if you already have meaningful hands-on project experience.

The two qualifications serve different career stages and learning needs. Use the criteria below to decide:

• Choose APM PFQ if you are new to project management, work in a supporting role (such as IT, finance, or HR) that interfaces with projects, or simply want to understand how projects are run. The PFQ is a 2-day course with no prerequisites, and the closed-book exam is 60 minutes of multiple choice.
• Choose APM PMQ if you already manage projects end-to-end, lead workstreams, or work in a PMO role with substantial project exposure. The PMQ runs over 5 days, covers governance, planning, risk, procurement, and leadership in much greater depth, and the exam is 2.5 hours with both multiple choice and written response questions. It is not suitable for complete beginners.

Holding the APM PFQ before taking the APM PMQ is helpful but not required – neither qualification has formal prerequisites. The PMQ is also a recognised step towards APM chartered status, making it the stronger long-term investment for practising project managers.

Both qualifications are awarded by the Association for Project Management (APM), the chartered body for the project profession in the UK, and both courses are available in instructor-led and blended formats.

No, the APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ) has no formal prerequisites, so you can enrol without first completing the APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ).

The Association for Project Management (APM) does not require candidates to hold the PFQ before sitting the PMQ. However, the two qualifications are aimed at very different levels of experience, and this is an important practical distinction.

• APM PFQ is designed for people new to projects who want a broad introduction to project management concepts and terminology. It is an entry-level qualification with no prior knowledge assumed.
• APM PMQ is designed for practitioners with substantial project experience who need a deeper understanding of project management principles, processes, and techniques. It is not suitable for complete beginners.

If you already manage projects end-to-end, lead workstreams, or work closely with projects in a PMO or programme role, the APM PMQ is likely the right starting point. The PFQ may be helpful as preparation if you feel less confident with core project management terminology, but it is not a requirement.

The APM PMQ exam is also more demanding – it runs for 2.5 hours and includes written response questions, compared to the PFQ’s 60-minute multiple-choice format – so relevant project experience genuinely supports your chances of success.

The APM PFQ and APM PMQ exams differ significantly in format, duration, and difficulty, reflecting the different levels of knowledge each qualification tests.

APM PFQ exam

• Format: 60 multiple-choice questions (closed book)
• Duration: 60 minutes
• Pass mark: 60% (36 out of 60 correct answers)
• Results: Immediate result on screen; PDF certificate issued within approximately 4-5 days

APM PMQ exam

• Format: 40 questions across four types – multiple response, select from list, short response, and long response (closed book)
• Total marks: 90 marks across all questions
• Duration: 2.5 hours, with an optional break of up to 30 minutes between the two parts
• Results: Emailed within 8 weeks of sitting the exam

Key practical differences

The APM PFQ exam tests foundational awareness through straightforward multiple-choice questions and suits people new to project management. The APM PMQ exam is considerably more demanding – it requires written answers, tests applied understanding across a broader syllabus, and is designed for practitioners with real project experience. The PMQ also takes roughly two and a half times longer to complete and results take considerably longer to process.

Both exams are taken online and are closed book. A resit fee applies if either exam is failed.

The APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) and APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ) certificates do not expire and have no formal renewal requirement once awarded.

Both qualifications are awarded by the Association for Project Management (APM), the chartered body for the project profession in the UK. Once you pass the relevant exam and receive your certificate, the credential is yours permanently. There is no continuing professional development (CPD) requirement attached to the qualifications themselves in order to keep them valid.

That said, it is worth being aware of a few practical considerations:

• APM membership and CPD: If you hold or pursue APM membership (such as MAPM or ChPP – Chartered Project Professional), CPD requirements do apply to maintain that membership status. The PFQ and PMQ certificates themselves are separate from membership.
• Employer expectations: Some employers or sectors may expect practitioners to stay current with evolving project management practices, even where no formal renewal is required.
• Progression: The APM PMQ is widely recognised as a stepping stone towards chartered status with APM. Candidates who want to continue developing professionally may choose to pursue further qualifications or APM membership after completing the PMQ.

If you are unsure how your APM qualification sits alongside membership or professional development requirements, APM’s official guidance is the most reliable reference.

The APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) requires 2 days of instructor-led training or around 22 hours total in blended format, while the APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ) requires 5 days of instructor-led training or approximately 40 hours of self-paced study plus 35 hours of live sessions in blended format.

Here is a direct comparison of study time by qualification and delivery method:

• APM PFQ – Instructor-led: 2 days of live online sessions with a fixed timetable
• APM PFQ – Blended: 20 hours of self-paced online modules plus 22 hours of live sessions (start anytime, 12-month access)
• APM PMQ – Instructor-led: 5 days of live online sessions with a fixed timetable
• APM PMQ – Blended: 40 hours of self-paced online modules plus 35 hours of live sessions (start anytime, 12-month access)

Neither qualification has formal prerequisites, but the APM PMQ is designed for practitioners with existing project experience and covers significantly more depth – reflected in the longer study commitment. The APM PFQ is the more accessible starting point for those new to project management.

Both qualifications include the exam within the course, so no additional exam preparation days need to be booked separately. Tutor support by email is also available during and after the course.

Yes, you can take the APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ) without first completing the APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) – there are no formal prerequisites for either qualification.

The APM PMQ is designed for practitioners who already have substantial project experience. If you regularly manage projects end-to-end, lead workstreams, or work closely with projects in a senior or PMO capacity, you can go straight to the APM PMQ without sitting the APM PFQ first.

That said, the APM PFQ is worth considering if:

• You are relatively new to project management and want to build foundational knowledge before tackling the more demanding PMQ content
• You want to familiarise yourself with APM terminology and frameworks before committing to a 5-day, more intensive programme
• You are unsure whether the APM PMQ level is right for you at this stage

The APM PMQ is not suitable for complete beginners with little or no project experience. Its exam includes written responses and runs for 2.5 hours, requiring a deeper level of applied understanding than the APM PFQ’s 60-minute multiple-choice format.

If you have solid project experience and are confident with core project management concepts, starting directly with the APM PMQ is a practical and efficient route to a recognised professional qualification accredited by the Association for Project Management (APM), the chartered body for the project profession in the UK.

Yes, the APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ) is worth pursuing after APM PFQ, provided you have meaningful project experience to build on. The two qualifications sit at different levels and serve different purposes, so holding PFQ does not make PMQ redundant.

Here is how the two qualifications compare:

• APM PFQ is an entry-level qualification covering core project management concepts and terminology. It is designed for people new to projects and does not require prior experience.
• APM PMQ is a practitioner-level qualification that goes significantly deeper, covering governance, risk, planning, scheduling, procurement, leadership, and stakeholder engagement. It requires 5 days of study (or 40 hours in blended format) and includes a more demanding 2.5-hour exam with written responses.

The APM PMQ is recognised by employers as a benchmark qualification and can serve as a milestone toward APM chartered status. It is best suited to project managers and senior team members who already manage projects end-to-end or lead major workstreams. It is not recommended for complete beginners.

If you have gained practical project experience since completing APM PFQ, the APM PMQ is a logical and valuable next step. The PFQ can act as useful preparation, though it is not a formal prerequisite for PMQ.

APM and PRINCE2 are both respected routes into project management, but APM is a professional membership body with its own qualifications, while PRINCE2 is a structured project management method with separate certification.

The Association for Project Management (APM) is the chartered body for the project profession in the UK – the only chartered membership organisation of its kind in the world, granted a Royal Charter in 2017. APM offers qualifications such as the APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) and the APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ), which are grounded in the APM Body of Knowledge – a broad framework covering principles, governance, life cycles, leadership, and stakeholder management. APM qualifications are knowledge-based and suited to professionals who want a thorough conceptual grounding in project management.

PRINCE2 (Projects IN Controlled Environments) is a prescriptive, process-driven method that defines specific roles, stages, and management products for running projects. It is managed by PeopleCert.

Key practical differences:

• Scope: APM qualifications cover broad project management knowledge; PRINCE2 focuses on applying a specific method.
• Flexibility: APM frameworks are method-neutral; PRINCE2 prescribes how projects should be organised and controlled.
• Who it suits: APM qualifications are well-regarded in the UK public sector, infrastructure, and professional services; PRINCE2 is widely used in IT and government environments.
• Progression: APM PMQ can support a path towards chartered project professional status.

Many practitioners hold qualifications from both routes, as they are complementary rather than competing.