Which Project Management
Certification to Choose?

There's no single "best" project management certification, the right one depends on your sector, your career stage, and where you want to work next. This page compares PMP®, PRINCE2, IPMA and CAPM® for the Irish market, so you can make that call with the full picture.

Explore All Certification Courses

Globally Recognised Project
Management Certifications

Earning a project management certification sets you apart, especially as organisations, including many leading employers in Ireland, seek qualified professionals with proven capabilities.

Choosing by sector

Public sector, HSE, local government, EU-funded projects → PRINCE2.

Multinational, US-headquartered, tech and pharma → PMP.

International mobility, competency-based assessment → IPMA.

First project role, early career → CAPM or IPM Project Associate.

Project Management
Qualifications, Certifications, Accreditations

IPM's programmes lead to, or prepare you for, certifications from the following professional and academic bodies.

Professional Body Certifications

The Institute of Project Management

Since 1989, the Institute of Project Management has been committed to promoting education, certification, and member services in project management. During this period, we have trained over 50,000 individuals, with project management becoming widely used across the economy in Ireland and beyond. The demand for education and internationally recognised certification continues to outperform other professional development sectors. IPM's own certifications are awarded by IPM.

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Professional Body Certifications

IPMA – International Project Management Association

IPMA® (International Project Management Association) was founded in 1965 is the world’s first professional project management association. Recognised in over 70 countries across 6 continents, IPMA® certification serves as an unbiased endorsement of your project management knowledge and expertise. In Ireland, the Institute of Project Management administers IPMA’s full 4-level certification programme, supporting Irish professionals and employers in meeting global standards.

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Professional Body Certifications

PMI® – Project Management Institute

PMI's two most relevant credentials in Ireland are PMP, aimed at experienced practitioners and requiring 35 hours of training, and CAPM, designed for early-career professionals with a lower 23-hour training requirement and no prior project experience needed. PMI certifications are awarded by PMI; IPM provides independent training to help you prepare for PMI® exams.

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PROFESSIONAL BODY CERTIFICATIONS

PRINCE2® Project Management Certifications

PRINCE2 (Projects IN Controlled Environments) is a structured project management methodology widely used across industries. Developed by the UK government, it provides a clear framework for managing projects with defined roles, processes, and principles. PRINCE2 emphasises organisation, planning, and control throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring efficiency and effective risk management. Its flexibility allows it to be tailored to suit different project sizes and environments, including those in Ireland and globally.

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Academic Body Certifications

TU Dublin - Technological University Dublin

Technological University Dublin is Ireland's first technological university, established on 1 January 2019, with a history stretching back to 1887 through the amalgamated Dublin Institute of Technology, which progressed from the first technical education institution in Ireland. TU Dublin has over 100,000 graduates, many of whom are building their careers in Ireland and across 70 countries worldwide.

Accredited University

Academic Body Certifications

NFQ – Irish National Framework of Qualifications

The National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) is a system of ten levels used to describe the Irish qualifications system. The Institute of Project Management programmes offer access to NFQ Level 8 and Level 9 Special Purpose awards, 15 ECTS. Special Purpose Awards are a type of award developed for specific areas of learning with a narrow scope.

Accredited University