⚖️ Compare certifications
⚖️ Compare
29 different·2 in common
🧭 Overview
Certifying body≠ differs
IPMA
PeopleCert / AXELOS
Focus≠ differs
IPMA's entry-level, competence-based project management certification.
The application-level PRINCE2 certification — apply the method to a scenario.
Best suited for≠ differs
Early-career PMs in Europe
Practising PMs in PRINCE2 markets
Pass mark≠ differs
60%
55%
Difficulty≠ differs
2 / 5
3 / 5
Open book≠ differs
No
Yes
🚀 Career & roles
Career prospects≠ differs
Competence-based PM certification popular in Europe (esp. Germany and Central/Eastern Europe). Level D is the entry, knowledge-based tier.
Proves you can apply and tailor PRINCE2 to a real project. Frequently mandatory for PM roles in UK/EU and in government tenders.
Post-certification roles≠ differs
Junior PM · Project Team Member · Project Coordinator
Project Manager · Senior PM · Programme Office · Delivery Manager
Demand trend≠ differs
Stable — strong in Europe
Stable — often mandated in UK/EU/gov job specs
Typical salary≠ differs
Regional; recognised across EU employers
Strong in UK/EU; comparable to PMP within those regions
🌍 Recognition & market
Recognition≠ differs
IPMA · strong in Europe (4-level system)
AXELOS / PeopleCert · highly recognised across the UK/Commonwealth
Popular in≠ differs
Germany, Central/Eastern Europe, EU
UK, Europe, Australia, Middle East, Africa
Companies hiring≠ differs
Engineering, manufacturing, consulting, public sector
Government, consulting, public sector, enterprises
Industry verticals≠ differs
Engineering, manufacturing, IT, construction
Public sector, IT, construction, finance, utilities
Tech horizontals≠ differs
Cross-domain (competence-based)
Method-agnostic; enterprise & government delivery
📝 Exam format
Questions≠ differs
90 questions
68 questions
Duration= same
150 min · 2h 30m
150 min · 2h 30m
Question types≠ differs
Not published
Objective testing · scenario-based (open book)
Delivery≠ differs
Not published
Test centre · Online proctored
Languages≠ differs
Not published
English + others
🎓 Eligibility & process
Eligibility / prerequisites≠ differs
None for Level D (open)
PRINCE2 Foundation (or PMP/CAPM/IPMA) required first
Application process≠ differs
Register with a national IPMA body → written exam
Hold Foundation → book Practitioner (course + open-book exam) via PeopleCert/ATO
💸 Cost & effort
Training cost (approx)≠ differs
USD 300–1,000
USD 500–1,500
Exam / application fee≠ differs
USD 400
USD 500
Prep time= same
~4 weeks
~4 weeks
Study hours≠ differs
~40 hours
~35 hours
🔄 Validity & renewal
Validity≠ differs
Not published
3 years
Renewal≠ differs
Not published
Renew within 3 years via CPD (MyPRINCE2) or re-exam
Retake policy≠ differs
Not published
No mandatory wait; rebook and pay the exam fee.
📈 ROI
ROI score≠ differs
3 / 5
4 / 5
Worth it?≠ differs
Strong regional value in Europe; less recognised outside the EU.
High in UK/EU/government markets where it is a hiring gate — strong regional ROI.
📊 Syllabus — domain weighting
🌐IPMA Level D
- Perspective Competences20%
- People Competences35%
- Practice Competences45%
🏰PRINCE2 Practitioner
- Principles15%
- Themes45%
- Processes40%
Career, cost, effort and ROI figures are indicative — they vary by region, employer and experience.