Level 7 Diploma in Project Management

Unit 1: Strategic Project Management

1.1. Project Strategy : Examines how projects support organisational strategy, business priorities and long-term objectives.

1.2. Business Cases and Benefits : Develops skills in evaluating project justification, expected benefits, investment value and success criteria.

1.3. Project Portfolio Alignment : Explores project prioritisation, resource allocation and alignment with organisational goals.

Unit 2: Project Governance and Assurance

2.1. Project Governance : Examines accountability, decision-making authority, reporting structures and oversight arrangements.

2.2. Compliance and Assurance : Covers project reviews, assurance processes, regulatory obligations and organisational controls.

2.3. Change Control : Develops approaches to evaluating and approving changes to project scope, cost, schedule and deliverables.

Unit 3: Advanced Planning and Project Controls

3.1. Scope and Requirements : Covers requirements analysis, scope definition, work breakdown structures and deliverable management.

3.2. Scheduling and Resources : Examines project scheduling, critical-path analysis, resource allocation and dependency management.

3.3. Performance and Cost Control : Develops skills in progress monitoring, cost forecasting, variance analysis and corrective action.

Unit 4: Project Risk and Resilience

4.1. Strategic Risk Analysis : Develops methods for identifying, evaluating and prioritising project threats and opportunities.

4.2. Risk Response Planning : Examines mitigation strategies, contingency planning, risk ownership and escalation procedures.

4.3. Business Continuity : Explores project resilience, disruption management and recovery planning.

Unit 5: Project Finance and Procurement

5.1. Project Financial Management : Covers budgeting, cost estimation, financial forecasting and expenditure control.

5.2. Procurement and Contracts : Examines sourcing strategies, contract selection, supplier evaluation and commercial risk.

5.3. Financial Performance : Develops the ability to evaluate project value, financial variances and investment outcomes.

Unit 6: Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement

6.1. Strategic Project Leadership : Examines leadership approaches, team performance, motivation and decision-making in complex projects.

6.2. Stakeholder Engagement : Develops methods for stakeholder analysis, communication planning, negotiation and conflict resolution.

6.3. Organisational Change : Covers change readiness, resistance management and the transition from project delivery to operational use.

Unit 7: Quality and Project Benefits

7.1. Project Quality Management : Examines quality planning, assurance, control and the verification of project deliverables.

7.2. Benefits Realisation : Covers benefits planning, performance indicators, ownership and post-project evaluation.

7.3. Continuous Improvement : Develops approaches to lessons learned, performance reviews and improvement planning.

Unit 8: Strategic Project Management Project

8.1. Project Analysis : Requires learners to evaluate a complex project challenge, establish objectives and analyse relevant evidence.

8.2. Strategic Project Plan : Develops an integrated plan covering scope, schedule, resources, budget, risks and stakeholder engagement.

8.3. Evaluation and Recommendations : Requires learners to justify proposed solutions, evaluate expected outcomes and present strategic recommendations.

• Develops advanced capability in project strategy, governance and leadership.

• Strengthens business case preparation, investment evaluation and benefits management.

• Builds integrated planning skills across scope, schedule, resources and cost.

• Improves risk analysis, contingency planning and project resilience.

• Develops quality assurance, procurement and contract management knowledge.

• Strengthens stakeholder engagement, communication and change leadership.

• Explores adaptive, agile, hybrid and digitally enabled delivery approaches.

• Builds an understanding of programme, portfolio and PMO coordination.

• Encourages critical evaluation through a substantial project management capstone.

• Supports progression towards senior project, programme, PMO, transformation and consulting responsibilities.

This qualification is suitable for:

• Experienced project managers seeking more advanced strategic and governance capabilities.

• Project coordinators and project controls professionals progressing into management roles.

• Programme and PMO professionals responsible for project oversight, assurance and reporting.

• Consultants supporting project recovery, business transformation or organisational change.

• Managers responsible for project budgets, suppliers, risk controls, delivery outcomes or cross-functional teams.

• Professionals preparing for senior project leadership responsibilities across public, private and third-sector organisations.

Assessment Format: Written knowledge assessment, case-study analysis, applied assignments, strategic project reports and an integrated capstone assessment.

Total Questions: 60 questions in the principal written knowledge assessment, supplemented by assignment-based and project-based assessment.

Passing Score: Minimum 60% in the principal written knowledge assessment, with all mandatory assignments and the capstone meeting the approved assessment criteria.

Duration: 120 minutes for the principal written assessment. Assignments and the capstone are completed separately within the approved assessment schedule.

Certification: Learners who successfully complete all required units and assessment components may be awarded the HiQual UK Level 7 Diploma in Project Management, subject to applicable programme approval and certification procedures.

To deliver this Qualification, HiQual UK Approved ATPs must demonstrate the capability to deliver, assess, and internally quality assure qualifications in line with recognised regulatory principles and the expectations of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).

Approved centres must operate effective systems to ensure the validity, reliability, fairness, consistency, and security of assessment.

1. Centre Recognition and Legal Compliance

Centres must be formally recognised by HiQual UK prior to the delivery or assessment of any qualification. To maintain recognition, centres must: Be a legally constituted organisation operating in compliance with applicable legislation and regulatory requirements. Demonstrate effective governance, management oversight, and clear lines of accountability. Comply with all HiQual UK policies, procedures, and conditions of centre recognition. Notify HiQual UK promptly of any material changes that may affect delivery, assessment, or internal quality assurance arrangements.

2. Resources, Facilities, and Learning Environment

Centres must ensure that sufficient and appropriate resources are in place to support learning and assessment. This includes: Learning environments appropriate to the mode of delivery, including classrooms and, where applicable, specialist or practical facilities. Access to learning and assessment resources that enable learners to meet qualification outcomes. Secure systems for managing learner data, assessment records, and certification claims. Arrangements that support equality of access and reasonable adjustments for learners where required.

3. Staff Competence and Occupational Expertise

Centres must ensure that all staff involved in delivery, assessment, and internal quality assurance are competent and suitably qualified. Centres must: Appoint tutors with appropriate subject knowledge, teaching competence, and relevant occupational or professional experience. Ensure assessors are trained and competent in applying HiQual UK assessment requirements and standards. Appoint a qualified Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) responsible for monitoring assessment practice and decisions. Maintain records of staff qualifications, experience, training, and continuing professional development (CPD).

4. Assessment Practice and Internal Quality Assurance (IQA)

Centres must operate robust internal quality assurance systems to ensure assessment integrity. Centres must: Ensure assessment is valid, fit for purpose, and conducted in line with HiQual UK requirements. Implement effective IQA procedures to monitor assessor performance and confirm the consistency of assessment decisions. Maintain accurate, complete, and auditable records of learner registration, assessment evidence, and outcomes. Carry out regular internal reviews and standardisation activities to support continuous improvement.

5. Integrity, Risk Management, and Malpractice

Centres must take appropriate measures to protect the integrity of assessment. Centres must: Maintain policies and procedures for the prevention, identification, and management of malpractice and maladministration. Ensure secure handling, storage, and retention of assessment materials and learner evidence. Report any suspected or confirmed malpractice to HiQual UK in accordance with published procedures.

6. Health, Safety, Safeguarding, and Learner Protection

Centres must provide a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment. Centres must: Comply with applicable health and safety and safeguarding legislation. Conduct risk assessments for learning activities, particularly where practical or technical work is involved. Maintain procedures to safeguard learner welfare and wellbeing.

7. Learner Information, Support, and Fair Treatment

Centres must ensure learners are informed, supported, and treated fairly. Centres must: Provide clear and accurate information on programme requirements, assessment methods, and certification. Ensure learners receive timely and constructive feedback on assessment outcomes. Operate transparent complaints and appeals procedures aligned with HiQual UK requirements. Manage learner information securely in compliance with data protection legislation.

Successful learners may progress to:

• Further postgraduate study in Project Management, Strategic Management, Business Administration, Programme Management or Organisational Transformation, subject to the receiving institution's admission criteria.

• Advanced professional development in project governance, project controls, risk management, procurement, agile delivery or project assurance.

• Senior career roles such as Senior Project Manager, Programme Manager, PMO Manager, Project Governance Lead, Transformation Manager or Project Management Consultant, subject to relevant experience and employer requirements.

• Leadership responsibilities involving complex projects, cross-functional delivery, strategic change, project recovery and organisational improvement.

• Research, consultancy or specialist professional development in project performance, benefits realisation, portfolio governance and project management maturity.