Thinking about becoming a project manager? Then consider the UK as an ideal place to study and start your career.
The project profession in the UK is rapidly growing and much in demand – over 2 million people are employed full-time in project-based roles, contributing £156.5bn to the UK economy – more than marketing or financial services. It’s also a great place to gain a high quality, widely recognised qualification in project management – there are several options for you to approach your studies and you could come away with prestigious letters after your name. There now 46 UK undergraduate and master’s degrees in project management from 34 different universities – all accredited by the Association for Project Management (APM).
In short, becoming a qualified project professional can give you many directions in which you can take your career. Here are some of the best reasons to study project management in the UK:
You can become chartered
APM awards Chartered status to experienced project managers who meet the criteria. Becoming a chartered professional means you are recognised as someone who has gained a specific level of skill or competence in your field of work. Universities, such as Nottingham Trent University, are now offering accelerated routes to chartered status through their Master’s degree courses in project management, so by studying the right course, you could fast track your way to becoming a Chartered Project Professional (ChPP). In addition to giving you international recognition and giving your CV a boost, chartered status means that you have set a framework for developing your career, so that you can grow your skillset and land your ideal role.
Big companies recognise PM qualifications
Organisations such as Direct Line and Lloyds Bank work with APM to ensure their project managers have the skills they need. They look for qualified professionals with recognised certifications, such as those from APM. They also spend a lot of time helping their project professionals develop and grow. Luca Lowe, a qualified project manager working for Direct Line, said: “The variety of projects and opportunities that you could get at Direct Line Group [appealed to me] and the fact that it was a very business-focused role. The corporate environment also added to the attractiveness of the role.”
The pay is good
The average salary of a project professional in the UK is £47,500, according to the latest Salary and Market Trends Survey 2019 by APM. Joining APM and becoming a member (MAPM) can also help your earning potential, as it shows you have trusted skills and qualifications. It gives you a better chance of landing larger – and better paid – projects.
Job satisfaction is high
According to that same survey, eight out of 10 project professionals are satisfied with the work they do, and seven out of 10 were expecting a pay increase in the coming year. The majority (77 per cent) also believe there is a good supply of job roles within the sector. “It’s a role where your improvement and development never ends,” says Sohail Khan, a project manager for Lloyds Banking Group. “Every day is a new challenge, and every week there’s something else that you’ve learned that you can apply to different projects. I like how much it can keep you on your toes. There’s never a dull day.”
You’ll be part of a community
Joining APM as a student member gives you access to networks of professionals, as well as key content relating to the project profession – methodologies, trends and best practice. It’s also free to join as a student member. Find out more about the Association for Project Management now.
