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How to become a project manager

Project managers plan and deliver projects to time, cost and quality — building plans, leading the team, managing budgets and risks, and reporting progress.

You could work in almost any sector, including business, government, engineering, construction, IT and charities. Commercial project lead is a related title.

There is no licence to practise. Many project managers take qualifications from APM (Association for Project Management), PMI (Project Management Institute) or PRINCE2, and APM offers Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) status.

  • Multiple routes
  • No licence needed
  • Earn while learning possible

4 routes into this career

Each route is a real, published way in. None is guaranteed, and requirements vary by employer. Select up to 3 to compare side by side.

  • Route AApprenticeship

    Associate project manager apprenticeship (Level 4)

    For those who want to learn project management on the job, earning a wage with training paid for.

    Starting requirements

    • You apply for an apprenticeship job; each employer sets its own entry requirements
    • The National Careers Service says higher apprenticeships usually ask for 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 and A levels, or equivalent
    • Vacancies are competitive and availability varies by region

    Pathway outline

    1. Apply for an Associate project manager apprenticeship
    2. Work on projects and train; your employer and the government pay for the training
    3. Complete the end-point assessment
    4. Build experience as an assistant or junior project manager
    5. Move up to project manager
    Estimated duration
    About 18 months, then experience
    How we estimate this

    Find apprenticeship training lists Associate project manager (Level 4) at 18 months. Moving up to project manager depends on experience and your employer.

    Estimated direct study costs
    Up to £7,000 of training (funding band maximum), paid for youPaid up front by you: £0 — training and assessment are fundedApprentices do not pay for training or assessment. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    From day one — apprentices are employees and are paid a wage.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

  • Route BApprenticeship

    Project manager degree apprenticeship (Level 6)

    For those who want a project management degree while working, with no tuition fees to pay.

    Starting requirements

    • You apply for a degree apprenticeship job; employers set their own entry requirements
    • Skills England says apprentices typically have Level 3 qualifications, such as three A levels at grades A to C or a vocational equivalent, plus Level 2 maths and English
    • Degree apprenticeship vacancies are fewer than school-leaver roles and are competitive

    Pathway outline

    1. Apply for a Project manager (integrated degree) apprenticeship
    2. Work on projects while studying for a BA or BSc (Hons) in Project Management
    3. Pass an IPMA Level D qualification or equivalent, such as APM's PMQ or PRINCE2 Practitioner
    4. Complete the end-point assessment
    5. You could become a full member of APM
    Estimated duration
    About 4 years
    How we estimate this

    Find apprenticeship training and Skills England list Project manager (integrated degree, Level 6) at 48 months.

    Estimated direct study costs
    Up to £22,000 of training (funding band maximum), paid for youPaid up front by you: £0 — training and assessment are fundedApprentices do not pay for training or assessment. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    From day one — degree apprentices are employees and are paid a wage.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

  • Route CUniversity

    University degree, then a graduate scheme

    For those who want to study a subject they enjoy, then join a graduate management scheme or take a postgraduate project management course.

    Starting requirements

    • Universities set their own entry requirements (2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, is typical for a degree)
    • Any degree subject is accepted
    • A postgraduate project management course needs a degree in any subject

    Pathway outline

    1. Study a degree in any subject
    2. Join a graduate management training scheme, or take a postgraduate qualification in project management
    3. Build project experience
    4. You could take APM's PMQ or another recognised qualification
    5. Apply for project manager roles
    Estimated duration
    3 years of study, then experience
    How we estimate this

    A typical full-time bachelor's degree in England takes 3 years. APM says PMQ candidates usually have 2 to 3 years' experience.

    Estimated direct study costs
    £29,898 to £30,018Paid up front by you: £528 to £648Up-front figure assumes a Tuition Fee Loan pays the tuition. The loan is repaid from future earnings above a threshold, so it is shown separately as a loan balance.Published fees only, at the lower and upper ends of official ranges. Training provider fees are extra. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    Usually after graduating, although many students work part-time or take a paid placement year.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

  • Route DWork + study

    Move up from project support, with APM qualifications

    For people already in a project support, admin or team role — or with industry experience — who want to become a project manager.

    Starting requirements

    • A project support role, or several years' experience in an industry such as engineering, construction or IT
    • APM's PFQ needs no prior knowledge or experience; its PMQ suits people with 2 to 3 years' project experience
    • Employers set their own requirements for project manager roles

    Pathway outline

    1. Work in a project support or coordination role
    2. Take APM's Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ)
    3. Build 2 to 3 years' project experience
    4. Take APM's Project Management Qualification (PMQ)
    5. Apply for project manager roles; Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) status is possible later
    Estimated duration
    About 2 to 3 years
    How we estimate this

    APM says PMQ candidates most likely have 2 to 3 years' experience as a project professional.

    Estimated direct study costs
    At least £958 to £1,096Plus: APM lists courses from accredited providers, each setting its own price; self-study with the open online exam is also possiblePaid up front by you: At least £958 to £1,096Published fees only, at the lower and upper ends of official ranges. Training provider fees are extra. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    You keep earning throughout.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

Choose “View full journey” on a route to see every step, cost and source.

Good to know

Related careers — not the same as a project manager

Each of these is a separate career with its own entry rules.

Questions people ask

Do I need a degree to become a project manager?

No. You could start through an apprenticeship or move up from a project support role. A degree in any subject is another route, often followed by a graduate scheme.

Which qualification should I take: APM, PRINCE2 or PMI?

Requirements vary. The National Careers Service lists APM, PMI and CMI, and suggests courses in methods such as PRINCE2 and Agile. Check which ones employers in your sector ask for.

What is Chartered Project Professional (ChPP)?

Voluntary chartered status from APM for experienced project professionals, assessed by written submission and interview. APM's Pathway 1 fees are £1,325 plus VAT.

Sources

Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026. Every fee and requirement on this page links to one of these.

UK reference: median full-time pay for all employees was £39,039 in April 2025 (ONS ASHE, provisional).

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