APM online certification
Certification from the chartered body for the project profession
The Association for Project Management (APM) is the chartered body for the project profession in the UK. APM qualifications are highly respected by employers in the UK because they show that the candidate has a wide range of project management knowledge and skills.
APM certification
Based upon the APMBOK
APM offers a range of project management qualifications. APM certification is based on the best practice guidance found within the APM Body of Knowledge 6th edition (APMBOK).
Many UK organisations use this guidance to manage their projects, though it is especially popular in the construction, transport, defence and government sectors.
APM certification complements your project management methodology
APM certifications equip you with a broad range of project management knowledge and techniques. As such, the APM guidance is very complimentary to project management methodologies such as PRINCE2.
In the UK, to progress their careers in the project management profession, many PRINCE2 practitioners also gain APM qualifications because the knowledge they gain can be used to build upon their PRINCE2 knowledge.
Levels of certification
There are several levels of APM certification:
- Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) – 1-hour exam, 60 multiple-choice questions. You must score 60% or more to pass. Entry-level certification suitable for current/aspiring project team members and project managers. No pre-requisites.
- Project Management Qualification (PMQ) – 3-hour exam, 16 written questions. You must score 55% or more to pass. Suitable for current/aspiring project managers.
- Practitioner Qualification (PQ) – assessed with written exam, observed group work and interviews. Suitable for those with PMQ certification and project-based experience wanting to demonstrate project management ability.
- Project Professional Qualification (PPQ) – four exams, 3 hours each, 4 written questions in each exam. Suitable for those working in a project, programme or portfolio environment.
- Registered Project professional (RPP) – assessed with written application and interview. Suitable for those with at least 7 years project management experience, or who hold PPQ or PQ certification.
- IPMA Level A (Certified Projects Director) & IPMA Level B (Certified Senior Project Manager) – assessed through experience and a formal assessment. Suitable for senior project, programme or portfolio managers.
Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) online course
The Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) online course enables you to become certified with this entry-level APM certification.
Who should take it?
Take this course if you:
- Want to gain a well-respected project management certification in the UK; or,
- Want to gain the skills to work as a project manager; or,
- Want to understand key project management techniques; or,
- Don’t have the requisite experience to apply for the higher APM certification.
Includes:
- Accredited APM PFQ online training (12 months’ access)
- APM PFQ online exam
- Exam preparation
- Support from a subject matter expert
Click here to try the demo view demo
This course at a glance
- Access: 12 months
- Study time required: 25 hours
- Pre-requisite: none
- Exam: included
- Accredited: yes
- PMI PDU awarded: 25
Course features
Learning outcomes
At the end of this course you will have gained a basic understanding of the guidance described in the APM Body of Knowledge. You will also be ready to sit the APM PFQ examination.
Designed for long lasting learning
This course is highly interactive with lots of exercises specially designed to aid a deeper level of understanding, leading to longer-lasting learning. We are confident that our elearning will help you gain an understanding of the knowledge areas within the APMBOK so that you can sit the PFQ exam with confidence.
Structure
This course consists of 11 self-paced interactive modules split into 41 bite-sized episodes which cover the full APM PFQ syllabus. These modules will help prepare you to sit the PFQ exam. The modules are:
- Introduction
- Project management and the operating environment
- The project life cycle
- Management structures by which projects operate
- Project management planning
- Scope management
- Scheduling and resource management
- Risk management and issue management
- Project quality management
- Communication
- Leadership and teamwork
Exam prep
With plenty of questions designed to aid knowledge retention, you will be well-equipped to pass the PFQ exam.
Time
We expect that it will take about 25 hours to complete the full course. Because each person learns at a different pace, some students may require more time, others less time. You will gain 25 PMI® PDUs from studying this course.
Benefits of online learning
Why study for APM certification online?
Studying online is ideal for busy people. If you study online rather than in a classroom there are some key benefits:
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Saves time – Studying online means you don’t need to travel to a course venue to study. For PFQ, you don’t even need to go to an exam center because you can take your exam online too.
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Saves money – the prices of our APM online courses are very competitive.
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Flexible schedule – you can study where and when you want. The only requirement is that you need internet access.
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Flexible delivery – you can study on any device. You can even study on your mobile whilst on the move, or in the coffee shop!
Project management certification and careers
Undoubtedly having any project management certification will help boost your career. In the UK APM qualifications, along with PRINCE2 are the most popular project management certifications.
In addition, not only are project manager salaries excellent but having certification will boost your earnings even more. To read more about how different project management certifications can boost your earnings, read this article.
It’s also true that project management certification can help you get into project management, not necessarily as a project manager though. Project support or project administrators are more entry-level positions.
For more information, read this guide to starting a project management career.
Choosing the right PM certification
There are so many options to choose from when it comes to project management certification that it can become difficult to choose. This table summarizes the main options.
| Country / region you plan to work | Accreditation body / Qualifications | Re-requisites |
| UK only | APM - PMQ, PFQ | None for PMQ |
| UK, Europe, Australia, NZ, South Africa | AXELOS - PRINCE2 Foundation, Practitioner | None for Foundation |
| North & South America, Africa, Asia, Middle East | PMI - CAPM, PMP | High |
| Countries outside of USA and UK | IPMA (International Project Management Association) national associations - IPMA Level A® to Level D® | None to high |
