PRINCE2

Overview

PRINCE2 is a project management method, and PeopleCert runs its certification exams. The current version is PRINCE2 Project Management Version 7. It is built around seven principles, seven practices and seven processes, which take a project from start-up to closure. Version 7 also adds a focus on people, sustainability, and digital and data management.

There are two levels, Foundation and Practitioner. Foundation checks that you understand the method. Practitioner checks that you can apply and tailor it to a real project.

Levels or stages

Foundation

• Who it suits: anyone at any career stage. There is no prerequisite.

• Exam: 60 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes.

• Rules: closed book.

• Pass mark: 60%.

Practitioner

• Who it suits: project management professionals who want to apply the method.

• Exam: 56 questions and sub-questions worth 70 marks, in an objective-testing format, in 150 minutes.

• Rules: open book, so you can use the official manual.

• Pass mark: 60%.

• Prerequisite: you need one of the accepted qualifications first. These include PRINCE2 Version 7 Foundation, Foundation or Practitioner from the PRINCE2 5th or 6th edition, PMP, CAPM, the APM Project Professional Qualification (PPQ) or Project Management Qualification (PMQ), and IPMA Levels A to D.

Syllabus

Both levels cover the same subject areas, at different depths.

• The seven principles that guide project decisions

• The seven practices, which are the parts of project management you keep working on throughout a project

• The seven processes, from starting a project to closing it

• Project roles and responsibilities

• Managing people and teamwork

• Project performance, including sustainability

• Digital and data management

• Communication with stakeholders

• Tailoring the method to a project's size, complexity and context

Marking and results

Both exams have a 60% pass mark. PeopleCert says official results come within two business days.

Fees

PeopleCert sells exams in bundles, and prices depend on your country. As an example, in October 2026 the UK self-study bundle (exam voucher plus official eBook) cost £393 including VAT for Foundation and £424 including VAT for Practitioner. Look up the price for your own country on PeopleCert's site.

Moving your exam is free up to 48 hours before it starts. Between 48 and 4 hours before, it costs USD 60 (or GBP 60, EUR 70, AUD 85 or JPY 6,815, plus any tax). Later than that, it costs USD 120 (or GBP 115, EUR 135, AUD 170 or JPY 13,635).

How to apply

Buy an exam voucher or bundle from PeopleCert, or through a training provider, then book a time slot. Both exams are offered in 14 languages: English, Chinese, Czech, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Slovak and Spanish.

After the exam

PRINCE2 certifications need renewing. PeopleCert gives a three-year renewal cycle for Foundation and asks for 60 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points, which you log through its PeopleCert Plus membership. Another way to stay current is to pass a different exam from the same product suite before your renewal date.

Preparation tips

• Learn all seven principles, practices and processes, and how they link to each other.

• For Practitioner, practise reading a scenario and working out which part of the method applies.

• Get to know the official manual well, since you can use it in the Practitioner exam.