If you’re eager to find out more about careers in project management but haven’t studied the subject, discover the skills and qualifications you’ll need to become a successful project manager
If you are interested in starting a career in project management but haven’t studied it before, you can still learn what skills and qualifications are needed to become a successful project manager simply by obtaining a Project Management Degree.
WHAT IS PROJECT MANAGEMENT?
The Chartered Association for Project Management (APM) explains project management as the use of processes, methods, skills, knowledge, and experience to achieve specific goals within a project.
Good project management is important in business. It helps make sure work is completed on time, meets quality standards, and stays within the budget.
Project management requires a mix of technical skills, business knowledge, and people management. Project managers are responsible for many different tasks. Their goal is to deliver something useful for a company, like new software, an app, or a completed construction project.
Project Manager Careers
Project management jobs can be found in many fields, such as:
- business
- construction
- engineering and manufacturing
- finance
- law
- marketing
- transport
In the UK, starting salaries for project managers usually range from £20,000 to £35,000. Jobs in construction and IT often pay more.
If you are a graduate, you may start out as a junior or assistant project manager and work your way up.
Key Responsibilities of a Project Manager
The APM lists the main duties of a project manager as:
- planning the work, including schedules and assigning people to tasks
- making sure the work is completed on time
- handling any changes that come up
- thinking ahead about risks and planning how to deal with them
- encouraging and guiding the team
- keeping the quality of work high
- staying within the budget
- meeting the goals and benefits planned for the project
Essential Project Management Skills
To do well as a project manager, you will need the following skills:
Time management – You must manage your own time well and help others manage theirs. You need to know how to set priorities, assign tasks, and say no to things that could delay key parts of the project.
Organisation – As a project manager, you will plan goals, manage meetings, create timelines, and track progress. To do all this well, you must stay organised.
Communication – Much of your time will be spent talking and working with others. You need to clearly explain ideas, plans, and updates to your team and other stakeholders. Good writing is important for reports, and good speaking and listening skills are needed for meetings and presentations.
Negotiation – You may need to bring together people with different interests to reach an agreement. Project managers often negotiate over resources, time, and costs. Being able to find a solution that works for everyone is a key skill.
Risk management – Being able to spot possible problems and plan for them is important. You should be ready to act before issues happen.
Leadership – You must lead your team by setting the project’s direction, inspiring others, and keeping the group focused on the goal.
Project Management Work Experience
To improve your project management skills, try to get related work experience. Any role where you lead or organise a group can be helpful.
Look for internships as a junior or assistant project manager in a field that interests you. For example, you might apply to a large IT company like Microsoft or a construction firm like Mott MacDonald.
You could also try shadowing someone who works in project management or taking on leadership roles in volunteer work.
It’s a good idea to join professional organisations like the APM or the Project Management Institute (PMI) as a student member. These groups offer networking events and other helpful resources.
Joining clubs and societies at university is another way to build experience. You can help plan events, run projects, and lead teams, which can all support your career goals.
Project Management Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degrees in Project Management
You can work in general project management with a degree in any subject, but business or project management degrees are especially helpful.
For more specific roles, such as in construction, engineering, or IT, a degree in a related subject is a good idea.
Some universities that offer project management-focused degrees include:
- Arden University
- Leeds Beckett University
- University of Salford
Leeds Beckett offers a three-year BSc in Project Management, which is approved by the APM and includes an optional fourth year of work experience.
To apply, you will need GCSEs in English and maths at grade 4 or higher. You also need 112 UCAS Tariff points, which can come from:
- A-levels
- BTEC diplomas
- foundation degrees
- T Levels
Check university websites to see what grades and qualifications you need.
MSc Project Management
You do not have to get a master’s degree, but if your first degree is in another subject, a master’s can improve your chances. This is especially true for APM-accredited courses.
Some universities offering APM-accredited MSc Project Management courses are:
- University of Liverpool
- Manchester Metropolitan University
- University of Northampton
- University of Portsmouth
- University of Westminster
The MSc in Project Management in Construction at the University of Salford is offered with support from RICS, CIOB, and the APM.
Most of these courses require a 2:2 undergraduate degree. Tuition fees are about £9,800 per year (for the 2025/26 year).
You can also look into construction management degrees if you are interested in that field.
Professional Project Management Courses
While a university degree can prepare you for a job in project management, extra courses and training can help you move forward in your career.
You don’t need to take these courses before getting a job. Many companies offer training once you are hired.
Courses include different types of project management, such as:
PRINCE2 – This is a step-by-step method used for managing full projects. It offers foundation, practitioner, and agile levels. Foundation is for beginners, and practitioner is for people already working in the field.
Agile Project Management (AgilePM) – This is used in fast-paced fields like IT. It focuses on short cycles of work (called sprints) to make steady improvements. Training is available at beginner and practitioner levels.
You can also earn certificates through the APM and PMI.
APM offers:
- PFQ (Project Fundamentals Qualification) – a basic course in project management terms, with no experience needed.
- PMQ (Project Management Qualification) – shows knowledge of project management topics. Some experience is required.
- PPQ (Project Professional Qualification) – for experienced project managers working in many different sectors.
APM also offers short online courses such as:
- Major Project Leadership Specialist Certificate – for those who have led large projects
- Project Risk Management Certificate – builds on PMQ or similar training
To learn more, visit the APM’s training pages.
PMI also offers certificates, mostly for those with degrees and at least three years of experience. Examples include:
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- Program Management Professional (PgMP)
- Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP)
- PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
- PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)
- PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)
Project Management Apprenticeships
If you don’t want to pay university fees, an apprenticeship might be a better option. You can earn money while you learn and gain real experience with a company.
Apprenticeships are usually at higher levels (4 or 5, similar to a foundation degree), but some Level 6 apprenticeships lead to full degrees.
Job titles in these programmes include:
- assistant project manager
- project co-ordinator
- project executive
- project manager
- project support officer
Apprenticeships usually last between two and five years, depending on the level and employer.
Employers offering these include:
- Amazon
- BAE Systems
- NHS
- Network Rail
- Rolls-Royce
- Vodafone
You can search online for project management apprenticeships.
Applying for Project Manager Jobs
You can find job openings on company websites or through industry groups.
If you are invited to an interview, prepare well by researching the company, reviewing the job description, and understanding your CV. Be ready to talk about your experience and recent news in the field.
Interview Questions for Project Managers
To get ready for a project management interview, practice answers to questions such as:
- Which project management methods have you used?
- What qualities make a good project manager?
- How do you plan project schedules?
- How do you assign tasks and resources?
- How do you make sure deadlines are met?
- How do you keep your team motivated?
- How do you handle disagreement between stakeholders?
- What is your approach to risk management?
- What was the hardest project you worked on, and why?
- Have you had a project fail? What did you learn?
- What was your most successful project, and what made it work?
These questions help show your experience and ability to handle real situations.