What is the Association for Project Management (APM)?

Key facts

The Association for Project Management (APM) is a United Kingdom based professional association for project management. It supports the profession through membership, qualifications, standards, and guidance such as the APM Body of Knowledge.This webinar provides a concise overview of AI in projects, showcasing practical applications and AI's capabilities. Read on to enhance your project management skills.

Not to be confused with : APM can also mean Applications Performance Monitoring or other industry acronyms. This page is about the Association for Project Management in the UK.

What APM does for project management in the UK19 Feb 2026

The Association for Project Management (APM) is the chartered professional body for project management in the United Kingdom. In practice, it works to improve how projects, programmes, and portfolios are delivered by providing a recognised qualifications frameworkConsider the impact of diversity and inclusion in your project teams. Learn how to harness these aspects for better decision-making. Read on for professional insights., professional standards, and membership pathways for a
project manager and wider delivery roles.

APM’s activities commonly relate to:

• Professional membership and recognition, including progression through membership grades.
• Qualifications and certificationHow to pass your Foundation-level exam in PRINCE2 that assess knowledge and professional competence.
• CPDSimon Buehring expectations and learning resources to support ongoing capability.19 Feb 2026
• Guidance on project governanceMaximise your chances of passing your Foundation-level exam in PRINCE2 with our targeted revision tips. Read on for effective study strategies., ethics, and good practice.
• Community building through events, interest networks, and publications.

APM qualifications and certifications

APM qualifications are designed to support learning and professional development across different career stages, from introductory project management to more advanced competence assessment. The best starting point depends on your experience, the
project management methodology used in your organisation (for example PRINCE2 environments), and whether you need knowledge validation or professional recognition.

APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ)PRINCE2 exam pass rates

• Purpose : Introductory certification covering key concepts, language, and foundational knowledge in project management.Simon Buehring
• Who it is for19 Feb 2026: Beginners, new starters, and people who work with projects (including stakeholders) but are not yet project managers.
• PrerequisitesCurious about PRINCE2 exam pass rates? Read this article to understand the statistics and how they may influence your training choice.: None.
• Format : Typically a short course plus a multiple choice exam.
• Outcomes : APM PFQ provides a baseline understanding of planning, roles, risk, and communication, supporting progression to more advanced study.

APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ)Interview with Sasha Martin

• Purpose : Knowledge based certification aligned to the APM Body of Knowledge and common delivery practices.Sevcan Yasa
• Who it is for19 Feb 2026: Practitioners who contribute to projects, including aspiring or current project managers.
• PrerequisitesIn this video, Sasha Martin describes how expectations were surpassed when she took her PRINCE2 training course with Knowledge Train.: No formal prerequisite, but some experience or prior study helps.
• Format : Assessed by a written exam.
• Outcomes : APM PMQ provides a stronger grasp of planning, governance, stakeholder management, and control, supporting improved performance in project delivery roles.

Chartered Project Professional (ChPP)Google Project Management Certificate

• Purpose : Competence based assessment recognising professional capability and judgement in project delivery.Knowledge Train
• Who it is for19 Feb 2026: Experienced professionals working in project management, programme managementDiscover sought-after project management abilities through Google's specialised courses. Acquire effective project leadership skills to improve your career prospects by obtaining a recognised certificate., or portfolio management .
• Prerequisites : Demonstrable experience and evidence of professional practice, typically supported by membership and CPD.
• Format : Application with evidence and assessment (process can evolve over time).
• OutcomesPortfolios and portfolio management: Professional recognition that you can apply good practice, leadership, and governance in real delivery contexts.

How APM qualifications relate to PRINCE2 and other methodologiesSimon Buehring

APM qualifications are generally methodology agnostic and focus on transferable principles and knowledge. 19 Feb 2026PRINCE2 is a project management methodology used widely in the UK and beyond; many organisations use PRINCE2 alongside APM aligned learning. In practice, PRINCE2 may provide a structured method for managing stages and controls, while APM learning may broaden understanding across domains such as governance, stakeholder engagement, risk, and professionalism.Understand the strategic benefits of project portfolio management in aligning projects with organizational goals. Learn more by reading on.

APM Body of Knowledge

The APM Body of Knowledge is a reference framework that describes key concepts, functions, and areas of knowledge used in project based work. It is used by learners, practitioners, trainers, and employers to build a shared language and improve capability across delivery roles.

It supports the profession by helping to:

• Standardise terminology across teams and organisations.
• Inform learning pathways and a qualifications framework.
• Provide a common basis for improving governance and decision making.PMO structure

High level knowledge areas commonly associated with the APM Body of Knowledge include:

• Governance and organisational context, including Simon Buehringproject governance19 Feb 2026
• Planning and scheduling
• Risk, issues, and change controlExplore various PMO structures and their impact on project success. Read on to determine which PMO setup best suits your organization.
• Quality management
• People, leadership, and teamwork
• Communication and stakeholder management
• Commercial and procurement considerations
• Integration across programme management and portfolio management

Membership

APM membership (professional membership) provides a way to demonstrate commitment to the profession and access support for career development. Membership criteria and naming can change over time, but grades typically align to experience and contribution.

Typical APM membership grades

• Student : For people in education who are building foundational knowledge.
• Associate : For early career professionals and those developing competence.
• Full : For experienced practitioners who meet defined experience and professionalism requirements.
• Fellow : Senior recognition for significant contribution and leadership in the profession.

Common member benefits

• Access to learning resources that support Continuing Professional Development (CPD) .
• Professional recognition and use of post nominal designations where applicable.
• Networking through events, branches, and special interest groups.
• Publications and guidance supporting better project delivery and governance.
• Career support, including frameworks and pathways for project roles.Give us a call

Chartered status and what it means

APM holds chartered status (chartered body)+44 (0)207 148 5985 as the professional body for project management in the UK. In general, chartered status signals formal recognition and a public interest role in maintaining standards, professionalism, and development routes within a discipline.

For individuals, chartered recognition is commonly associated with assessed competence, professional behaviours, and continuing development rather than only passing a knowledge exam.Or chat with us using the link at the bottom of the screen.

APM vs PMIContact us with questions about the courses on this page, or about which project management certification or training is best for you.

Some people compare APM with the Finance FAQsProject Management Institute (ContactPMICookies)Privacy when deciding on training, certification routes, or professional membership. Both support project management, but they have different histories, geographies, and qualification portfolios.Terms