←⚖️ Compare certifications
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31 different·0 in common
🧭 Overview
Certifying body≠ differs
APM
PeopleCert / AXELOS
Focus≠ differs
APM's entry-level qualification, based on the APM Body of Knowledge.
The application-level PRINCE2 certification — apply the method to a scenario.
Best suited for≠ differs
Entry-level PMs (UK)
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
The UK Association for Project Management's entry qualification — foundational PM knowledge, widely recognised across UK industry.
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
Project Support · Junior PM · Coordinator
Project Manager · Senior PM · Programme Office · Delivery Manager
Demand trend≠ differs
Stable — strong in the UK
Stable — often mandated in UK/EU/gov job specs
Typical salary≠ differs
Entry uplift in the UK market
Strong in UK/EU; comparable to PMP within those regions
🌍 Recognition & market
Recognition≠ differs
APM (UK chartered body) · strong in the UK
AXELOS / PeopleCert · highly recognised across the UK/Commonwealth
Popular in≠ differs
UK primarily
UK, Europe, Australia, Middle East, Africa
Companies hiring≠ differs
UK enterprises, government, engineering, consulting
Government, consulting, public sector, enterprises
Industry verticals≠ differs
Construction, engineering, IT, public sector
Public sector, IT, construction, finance, utilities
Tech horizontals≠ differs
Cross-domain
Method-agnostic; enterprise & government delivery
📝 Exam format
Questions≠ differs
60 questions
68 questions
Duration≠ differs
60 min · 1h
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 (open)
PRINCE2 Foundation (or PMP/CAPM/IPMA) required first
Application process≠ differs
Book the exam via APM / ATO → 60-question exam
Hold Foundation → book Practitioner (course + open-book exam) via PeopleCert/ATO
💸 Cost & effort
Training cost (approx)≠ differs
USD 300–900
USD 500–1,500
Exam / application fee≠ differs
USD 250
USD 500
Prep time≠ differs
~3 weeks
~4 weeks
Study hours≠ differs
~25 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
Good UK entry point and a path toward APM PMQ / chartered status.
High in UK/EU/government markets where it is a hiring gate — strong regional ROI.
📊 Syllabus — domain weighting
📋APM PFQ
- Project Management & the Operating Environment15%
- Project Life Cycle15%
- Roles, Responsibilities & Governance15%
- Planning (Scope, Schedule, Resource, Budget)30%
- Risk, Quality & Stakeholder Management25%
🏰PRINCE2 Practitioner
- Principles15%
- Themes45%
- Processes40%
Career, cost, effort and ROI figures are indicative — they vary by region, employer and experience.