APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ)

On this accelerated APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ) course, you’ll rapidly develop the knowledge and confidence to deliver successful projects across every core PMQ domain. You’ll build a deep understanding of all key project management areas—from individual assignments to major capital projects—and learn how each element connects to drive strategic and commercial value. This course gives you the insight to see the bigger picture, understand how projects operate within an organisation, and apply best practice project management with authority.

At Firebrand, we are proud to be an APM Project Management Qualification Accredited Training Provider. By studying with us, you'll access the latest official curriculum, learn from certified instructors, and achieve your certification faster than with traditional training.

Setting up for success (15–20%)

This domain focuses on establishing strong foundations for project delivery, including:

• Life cycles
• Governance arrangements
• Sustainability
• Business case
• Preparing for change

Preparing for change (15–20%)

Core topics in this domain include:

• Procurement
• Reviews
• Assurance
• Transition management
• Benefits management

People and behaviours (25–35%)

This domain covers essential interpersonal and ethical aspects of Project Management:

• Stakeholder engagement & communication management
• Conflict resolution
• Leadership
• Team management
• Diversity & inclusion
• Ethics, compliance & professionalism

Planning and managing deployment (30–40%)

This domain covers the technical planning and control competencies needed to deliver a project:

• Requirements management
• Solutions development
• Quality management
• Integrated planning
• Schedule management

There are no formal prerequisites to take this exam; however, APM recommend that delegates:

• Have two to three years of experience as a project professional or be actively undertaking a Project Management apprenticeship or degree
• Be working in a project environment
• Be looking to progress their career and improve their employability
• Be interested in learning about all areas of project management and not a particular methodology.

The APM PMQ online exam is delivered through Surpass, APM’s remote invigilated examination system.

Please note that exams are not delivered onsite at the Firebrand Training Centre. Upon completing the course, learners can take the exam online through Surpass.

• Duration: 150 minutes (Plus an optional 30-minute break between the two parts)
• Language: English
• Format: Split into two parts; 40 Questions, with a maximum score of 90 marks
• Question types include: Multiple-response, Select from list, Short response, long response
• Exam structure:
  • Introduction and instruction pages.
  • Section 1: GPDR, employer and county selection.
  • Section 2: Live examination – Part A.
  • Section 3: Live examination – Part B.
  • Section 4: Survey questions (if applicable).
• Passing Score: The pass mark for the APM Project Management Qualification will vary between exam versions to take account of slight differences in question difficulty between different exam versions. The exam has a maximum score of 90 marks.