10 project management certifications to transform your career

Organisations worldwide rely on skilled project managers to deliver projects to a high quality, on time and within budget. 

Gaining a project management certification can demonstrate your skill in managing complex projects of all sizes, with project management skills in demand across a variety of industries. 

As of 2024, the project management profession employs approximately 2.32 million full-time equivalents (FTEs) in the UK, according to the Association for Project Management. 

It’s a sector with growing opportunities too, with over 50% of businesses surveyed estimating an increase in project management budgets through to 2027.

Project managers can work across many industries, with there being many opportunities across sectors such as business and professional services, IT and construction. There are also opportunities in the creative sector, media and the growing green economy.

By gaining a certification in project management, you’ll gain valuable skills, stand out in a crowded market and could even boost your earning potential. 

What are project management certifications? 

A good project manager needs to be adaptable, able to work well under pressure and know how to get the best out of the teams they’re working with. 

The best project management certifications will teach you how to plan, execute and manage projects of all sizes effectively. 

Many project management certifications train you on project management methodologies, such as Agile or PRINCE2, and teach you industry-standard tools to manage project timelines, such as Gantt charts and project management software. 

Courses also equip you in skills such as stakeholder management, mitigating risk and managing budgets. 

A project management course should also train you in soft skills such as collaboration and leading teams, so you can get the very best out of the projects you manage. 

10 project management certifications to transform your career

There are project management certifications to suit every level, from entry-level or career changers up to those looking to pursue advanced leadership roles. 

Here are some of the top project management certifications you can take with FutureLearn. 

Project Management Fundamentals 

This microcredential from the University of Aberdeen covers the fundamentals of project management and can boost your career no matter what sector you work in. 

The course delivers 10 modules which cover a broad spectrum of project management. You’ll get an overview of project management methodologies, including time and risk management. The course also delves into more specialised practices like technical report writing and budgeting. By the end, you’ll feel more confident in managing projects strategically and efficiently. 

Find out more: Project Management Fundamentals – University of Aberdeen

Project Management Framework

This short course from the Institute of Project Management gives a comprehensive overview of project management strategies in just 14 hours of learning. 

The course uses case studies, discussions and engaging exercises to teach you project management skills that can immediately be applied to your career. Whether you’re managing projects in your current role or looking to transfer into a project management career, this course offers a chance to upskill in a flexible, efficient way. 

Find out more: Project Management Framework – Institute of Project Management

Agile Project Management Diploma

Looking for an industry-recognised qualification to boost your career? The Institute of Project Management offers this Diploma in Agile Project Management to project management professionals looking to take their career to the next level. 

This course leads to two qualifications – the IPMA agile international certification and the IPM professional diploma. The 15-week online course covers Agile’s essential principles, practices, and frameworks.

Each week will dive into a different aspect of Agile project management, from lean to scrum to kanban. You’ll hear from industry experts and get hands-on experience as you learn how to adapt to complex projects, improve cross-team collaboration and engage with key stakeholders more effectively.

Find out more: Agile Project Management Diploma – Institute of Project Management

Fundamentals of Project Management

This online microcredential created by Nottingham Business School trains you to plan, execute and manage complex projects. 

Through 10 weeks of flexible study and three assessments, you’ll learn project management basics before going deeper into strategy. The course covers the whole lifecycle of project management from planning through to risk management, scheduling and the post-delivery phase. 

The course leads to 10 UK level 7 credits which can be used towards a Postgraduate Certificate in Leadership and Management Practice.

Find out more: Fundamentals of Project Management – Nottingham Business School

Strategic Project Programme Management Diploma

Strategic project management is an increasingly valued trend in business. Organisations need project managers that can look at the bigger picture of how their project fits into an organisation’s overall goal and strategy. 

This diploma teaches valuable skills in strategic project and programme management. You’ll develop the expertise needed to manage projects at a higher-level, advancing your organisation’s overall strategy, as well as your career. 

Learners explore the Project Management Office (PMO) and Project Management Information Systems (PMIS) as well as learning leading agile project management concepts like Scrum, effective cash flow management, financial evaluations, and project funding options.

Find out more: Strategic Project Management Diploma – Institute of Project Management 

Project Leadership and Management Diploma 

This diploma covers all the skills you need to become not just an impactful project manager, but a successful leader. Learn how to lead successful teams by mastering how to demonstrate emotional intelligence, cultivate productive relationships and make effective decisions. 

You’ll finish the course with three industry-recognised certifications from IPM, International Project Management Association (IPMA), and TU Dublin, advancing your career as a project leader to new heights.

Find out more: Project Leadership and Management Diploma – Institute of Project Management 

PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner Combined

PRINCE2 certification is a smart move for anyone wanting to excel in their project management career. This industry-renowned project management methodology stands for ‘PRojects IN Controlled Environments’. It focuses on managing projects of any size or complexity through clear roles, defined stages and systematic processes. 

This course, created by the Institute of Project Management, covers both the theory and practice of the method. You’ll gain experience through exercises designed to simulate real-world project scenarios, while learning from trainers with expert industry knowledge. 

Find out more: PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner Combined – Institute of Project Management

PRINCE2 Practitioner 

For those that have already completed PRINCE2 Foundation training, this course levels up your skills to Practitioner level. 

The two-day course uses a hands-on approach to cover the PRINCE2 method in more detail, using practical tasks to apply what you’ve learned to real-world settings. Afterwards, you’ll feel empowered to manage projects efficiently, meet expectations on time and within budget.

to run and manage projects efficiently as well as meet expectations on time and within budget.

Find out more: PRINCE2 Practitioner – Institute of Project Management

PRINCE2 Foundation 

New to the PRINCE2 framework? This microcredential is one of the best project management certifications for PRINCE2 beginners.

You’ll develop a detailed understanding of the method and learn how to manage projects in any business environment. This course is ideal for those looking to grow their career in project management or those just looking to gain better project management skills in any sector.

Find out more: PRINCE2 Foundation – Institute of Project Management

Budgets and Financial Control

Finances and accounting are vital to project management. If you’re interested in upskilling in these areas, this course will help you manage projects to budget and on deadline. 

You’ll learn how to manage balance sheets and income statements as well as honing your skills in financial statement analysis. You’ll also deepen your understanding of management accounting, so you can make strategic financial decisions with confidence. 

Find out more: Budgets and Financial Control – University of Aberdeen

Grow your project management career with FutureLearn

Kick start or take your next career move with a project management certification from FutureLearn. 

Whether you’re entering project management for the first time or stepping up to master advanced techniques, our flexible courses are designed to fit around your schedule.

To thrive as a project manager, you’ll need both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience that you can use in your day-to-day career. FutureLearn’s courses offer teaching from industry-leader project managers, with the opportunity to build a portfolio of work to show future employers.