Introduction

This article explores the available knowledge-based £1,399 +vatproject management certifications so you can choose the best one for you.

Types of project management qualifications

There are 2 types of project management qualifications: knowledge-based and competency-based.Instructor-led

• • Project Management Professional (PMP) ^®
  • IPMAPortfolio management – Interview with Ipek Sahra Özgüler^® Levels A, B, C or D.Simon Buehring
• For: 19 Feb 2026people wanting to learn how to apply best practices on projectsGain insights into portfolio management from expert Ipek Sahra Özgüler and its strategic importance. Read the interview for deep insights..
• Covers: application of the PRINCE2 methodology .
• Reference book: Managing Successful Projects Using PRINCE2 (7 ^{thP3O: An Overview of Portfolio, Programme and Project Offices} edition).
• Study duration: Knowledge Train2-day classroom or 15 hours online.29 Apr 2026
• Exam: 2.5 hours, 70 objective questions.P3O, or Portfolio, Programme and Project Offices, is a best practice framework that helps organisations optimise decision-making, governance and delivery across their initiatives. Learn how the P3O model supports effective management of portfolios, programmes and projects.
• Learning path: PRINCE2 Practitioner .

IPMA ^® is a registered trademark of IPMA in Switzerland and other countries.

PRINCE2 Agile Foundation qualification

• Difficulty level: Managing Successful Programmes (MSP)low.
• Prerequisites: Simon Buehringnone.19 Feb 2026
• For: people wanting to learn how about project management best practices on Agile projects.Learn how Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) can help you handle complex changes in your organisation. Scroll down for a detailed exploration.
• Covers: understanding of the PRINCE2 methodology in Agile environments.
• Reference book: PRINCE2 Agile (360 pages).
• Study duration: 2-day classroom, or 12 hours online.
• Exam: 1 hour, 50 multiple-choice questions.
• Learning path: PRINCE2 Agile FoundationProgrammes and programme management.

PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner qualificationSimon Buehring

• Difficulty level: 19 Feb 2026medium.
• Prerequisites:Understand the crucial role of programme management in helping organisations adapt and thrive under pressure. Discover more by reading on. any of the following qualifications:
  • PRINCE2 Foundation
  • PRINCE2 Agile Foundation
  • PMI ^® Certified Associate in Project Management
  • PMI ^® Project Management Professional (PMP) ^®
  • IPMA ^® Levels A, B, C or D.
• For: people wanting to learn how to apply best practices on Agile projects.
• Covers: application of the PRINCE2 methodology in Agile environments.
• Reference book: PRINCE2 Agile (360 pages).
• Study duration: 2-day classroom, or 21 hours online.
• Exam: 2.5 hours, 50 multiple-choice questions.
• Learning path: PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner .

Association for Project Management (APM) qualifications

The UK-based Give us a callAssociation for Project Management (APM) is an educational charity. It is the largest independent professional body of its kind in Europe. The APM has over 13,500 individual and 300 corporate members throughout the UK and abroad.

In 2017, +44 (0)207 148 5985

• APM Body of Knowledge 6th Edition (the APMBoK) (258 pages).
• Study duration: 5-day classroom or 35 hours online.
• Exam: Search3 hours with 10 written questions, or 2 hours and 6 questions (for PRINCE2 Practitioners only).
• Learning path: APM PMQ .

APMG International qualifications

APMG offers the AgilePM ^® Agile Project Management qualifications in conjunction with the Agile Business Consortium. These are based upon the Agile Project Framework – the latest version of DSDM, one of the oldest Request a quoteAgile methods . There are both introductory and intermediate qualifications.

AgilePM qualifications have grown rapidly since its launch in 2011. More than 200,000 exams have been taken.

AgilePM qualifications are popular within the IT and software industries.

AgilePM Foundation (introductory qualification)Manage Consent

• Difficulty level: low.To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
• Prerequisites: none.
• For: people wanting to learn about managing agile projects.
• Covers: Functionalbasic understanding of the Agile Project Framework.
• Reference book: Agile Project Management Handbook (240 pages).
• Study duration: 3-day classroom or 20 hours online.Functional
• Exam: 40 minutes, 50 multiple-choice questions. Always active
• Learning path:

• Reference book: Agile Project Management Handbook (240 pages).
• Study duration: Preferences1-day classroom or 15 hours online.
• Exam: 2.5 hours, 80 multiple-choice questions.

• ^th Edition.
• Study duration:

is a Federation of over 55 Member Associations (MAs), each representing one country. The MAs develop project management competencies in their geographic areas.

The IPMA has a four-level certification program:

• IPMA Level A: for those managing complex project portfolios and The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.programmes .
• IPMA Level B: for those managing complex projects. Minimum five years of experience.
• IPMA Level C: for those managing moderately complex projects. Minimum three years of experience.
• IPMA Level D: for those working on projects seeking project management knowledge.Statistics

Since 2004, the IPMA has certified more than 150,000 project managers in over 50 countries. One of the largest Member Associations is the UK-based Association for Project Management (APM).

Certification popularityStatistics

As a company offering project management training since 2005 we’ve learned a lot about the popularity of the many different project management qualifications and exams.

It’s difficult to find information about the number of exams taken. We have made some educated guesses about them. We based these upon information in the public domain.

Choosing a qualification

Employers like to choose candidates for project manager roles based upon their experience. Without experience it’s unlikely you’ll find a job in project management.

However, evidence of a professional qualification can help you. Choose one of these scenarios to help you decide the best qualification.

I want to start a new career in project management

• If you want to take part in projects, choose a lower-level certificate (e.g. The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.PRINCE2 Foundation , Manage optionsAPM PFQManage services)Manage {vendor_count} vendors
• If you want to manage projects, choose a higher-level certificate (e.g. Read more about these purposesPRINCE2 Practitioner , AcceptAPM PMQ ).Deny

I have experience and want to boost my CV/resume

• If you’re based in the UK, Australia or Europe, choose View preferencesPRINCE2 .Save preferences
• If you’re working either in the US (or Canada, Africa, or Asia) or you work for a US-based company, choose PMIView preferences^®{title}.{title}

I work on Agile projects{title}

• Choose Manage consentAgilePMManage consent if you don’t already have PRINCE2; or,
• Choose PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner if you already have PRINCE2.

I already hold one qualification and want another

See the table of qualifications below. If you hold a qualification on the left, the recommended qualification is shown on the right.