MSP® 5th Edition Foundation & Practitioner
Methods of delivery offered:
Why Choose Us
Managing successful programmes is not just a professional asset; it’s a strategic advantage in today’s evolving job market.
Our MSP Foundation & Practitioner course will equip you with the knowledge and tools to confidently manage complex, high-impact programmes. You’ll earn globally respected certifications, build real-world skills through practical application, and receive expert support every step of the way. Whether you’re upskilling for your current role or transitioning into programme management, this course helps you stand out in a competitive job market.
What’s included
In your MSP 5th Edition Foundation & Practitioner Course
This comprehensive course focuses on the end-to-end principles of programme management, equipping you with the knowledge and structure to successfully coordinate complex initiatives across multiple projects. You’ll master the proven MSP® framework, gain both Foundation and Practitioner certifications, and learn to apply best practices in real-world scenarios.
With us, you’re never left to navigate the course alone. Our expert team walks the journey with you to ensure you stay on track to earn your globally recognised qualification!
Don’t take our word for it.
Hear it from our students
With a consistently high TrustScore and thousands of glowing reviews, many of our learners praise our expert support, exceptional service, and the premium standard we set in self-paced learning.
Personalised Trainer & Mentor Support
Your journey will start with a designated expert support team to guide and motivate you throughout your studies.
- Personalised Support: Get direct access to a qualified MSP tutor as your first point of contact for any course-related questions or challenges.
- Custom Study Plans: Stay on track with a personalised study schedule that accommodates your pace and career goals.
- Ongoing Motivation: Your mentor is your personal cheerleader; they help you stay focused and motivated to succeed.
Experience real student support with ITonlinelearning!
Live Exam Prep Sessions
Go into every exam with the confidence to succeed with individual exam preparation and course content revision.
- 1:1 Sessions with Certified Tutors: Receive detailed coaching through your course content to identify areas that need improvement before your formal exam.
- Review Exam Techniques & Practice Questions: Learn to break down complex questions, spot keywords, and apply structured answering techniques from a qualified MSP tutor. The hour-long structured session will prepare you to sit your official examination.
- FREE Exam Resit: Get unlimited free exam resit for both the MSP Foundation and MSP Practitioner exams for added peace of mind and another chance to succeed (*subject to T&Cs).
Our expert-led exam prep resources ensure that success isn’t only possible but also expected.
FREE AI for Project Management Course
Build practical confidence with our exclusive AI for Project Management course, designed to help you use AI tools effectively and responsibly in real project work. This hands-on course explores how AI can support common project management tasks, including project definition, planning, work breakdown structures, stakeholder communication, meeting summaries, risk identification, decision support, and reporting.
- Use AI in Practical Project Work: Learn how AI can help with planning, communication, meetings, risks, decisions, and project updates.
- Write Better Prompts: Discover how to choose the right AI tool for the task and create prompts that generate clearer, more useful project outputs.
- Stay in Control: Learn how to review AI-generated content, protect sensitive information, and keep human judgement and accountability at the centre of your project work.
This bonus course helps you use AI to save time, improve your workflow, and support your project management career with practical, future-focused skills.
Exclusive Resource Library
Gain unlimited access to a lifetime wealth of over 100 industry-specific resources to support every step of your future project management journey.
- 1 Year Exclusive Access: Get study materials, templates, case studies, reference guides, webinars and more!
- Lifetime Tools: Revisit key topics whenever you need a refresher with 24/7 access anytime, anywhere, forever.
- Practical & Professional: You’ll have everything you need to enhance your learning and sharpen your skills for both exams and the workplace.
Our comprehensive library gives you the tools you need to study smarter, not harder.
A FREE Membership to PeopleCert Plus
Get exclusive access to a year FREE access to PeopleCert Plus. As a PeopleCert Plus member, you’ll gain access to career enhancing resources, including mock exams, digital badges and curated content to help you stay ahead in your field.
MSP®5th Edition Foundation & Practitioner
What You Will Learn
The MSP® 5th Edition Foundation & Practitioner course combines both certification levels to give you a complete understanding of the MSP® programme management framework. It’s ideal for individuals aiming to contribute to strategic programme initiatives and develop the skills needed to support or lead the delivery of transformational change.
Understanding Programmes and the MSP® Framework
Get to grips with what makes a programme unique and why programme management is key for coordinating complex, strategic change. You’ll explore the three core lenses of the MSP® framework: principles, themes, and processes, and see how they work together to support enterprise agility. At Practitioner level, you’ll take this further by learning how to apply these concepts in real-world environments and align programmes with organisational goals.
Applying MSP® Principles to Programme Management
Learn how the seven MSP® principles form the foundation of successful programme delivery. From leading with purpose to realising measurable benefits, this module shows you how to put each principle into practice. You’ll not only understand their intent but also evaluate how they shape decision-making and behaviour across complex change programmes, especially at Practitioner level where application and impact are assessed.
Using MSP® Themes to Structure and Support Programmes
Discover the seven essential themes: Organisation, Design, Justification, Structure, Knowledge, Assurance, and Decisions, which support governance, planning, and delivery throughout a programme’s lifecycle. You’ll learn how to apply each theme effectively. At Practitioner level, you’ll assess their use in context, tailor them to suit different organisational environments, and measure their contribution to programme success.
Managing Programmes Through the MSP® Transformational Flow
Understand how to navigate a programme from start to finish using MSP®’s structured process model. You’ll explore each stage of the transformational flow, from identifying a programme to closing it down. At Practitioner level, you’ll build on this by working through realistic scenarios, learning how to apply each process, assign roles, manage outputs, and integrate themes and principles for successful programme outcomes.
AI for Project Management
Learn more about the use of AI in project management with a focus on how AI tools can support common project tasks like defining project ideas, building work breakdown structures and task lists, preparing stakeholder communications, identifying risks, supporting decisions, and creating project reports. You’ll explore how to choose the right AI tool for the task, write effective prompts, review AI-generated outputs, and use AI safely and ethically while maintaining professional judgement, accountability, and human oversight.
Career and Progression Prospects
Project Management skills are in demand across a wide range of industries. This certification has the power to open the door to exciting new opportunities.
Here are just a few roles you’ll be qualified to pursue:
Programme Manager
Programme Support Officer
Programme Assistant
Assistant Programme Manager
Programme Administrator
Operations Manager
What you could earn
We want to help you achieve the best outcome in your studies so you can flourish in your desired path.
per year
Junior Programme Manager
per year
Programme Manager
per year
Senior Programme Manager
Included with your course.
Stay on track with direct access to expert recommendations, general support, and answers to all your questions. Kick-start your course with a 45-minute guidance session within 1-week of enrolment, followed by regular monthly check-in emails. You can also request a live session with your trainer halfway through the course.
Translate your theory into practical experience with exposure to real-life project management by shadowing a virtual project manager.
We believe in the quality of our training—and your success! That’s why we give you unlimited exam resits at no extra cost if you need a second chance to pass. If you fail an exam, you will need to have a review session with a tutor and pass our internal assessment in order to qualify for a FREE exam resit.
Enjoy exclusive access to Digital Badges, CPD, Project Management tools, Case Studies, and Kudos with a 1-year premium membership to PeopleCert Plus!
Gain a lifetime wealth of over 100 project management resources, including study materials, templates, case studies, reference guides, webinars and more!
Stay motivated throughout your learning journey with a personal study coach who provides all the ad-hoc support you need to succeed in your certification.
Access 1-hour exam preparation support before each exam with a qualified MSP trainer to revise and explore specific exam techniques, approaches to exam questions, keyword identification, and review of essential practice questions.
Get instant help when you need it! Our live chat team is always ready to assist with prompt, real-time responses—and when not available, you’ll have an interactive 24/7 AI tutorbot standing by for immediate answers.
While you can finish the course in less time, we still want you to study at your own pace with 12 months of full access to your course materials; giving you plenty of time to revisit the content whenever you need.
Get personalised interview coaching from qualified professionals who know what employers are looking for to secure your dream job!
Connect with a thriving community of certified MSP Project Managers and current students to exchange essential course tips and industry-specific insights to help you along your journey.
MSP® 5th Edition Foundation & Practitioner
Frequently Asked Questions
You have questions, and we have all the answers
This course is ideal for individuals looking to gain a formal understanding of programme management or step into more strategic project delivery roles. Whether you’re a senior project manager, a programme support officer, or transitioning into a leadership role within change management, MSP® certification can help you build confidence in leading and managing programmes at scale.
You’ll gain a deep understanding of the principles, themes, and processes of Managing Successful Programmes (MSP®). At Foundation level, you’ll learn the core framework for delivering transformational change through programmes. At Practitioner level, you’ll develop the skills to apply and tailor MSP® in real-world situations, improving your ability to lead complex initiatives and align projects with organisational strategy.
The course is delivered entirely online, allowing you to learn at your own pace. You’ll have access to interactive modules, revision tools, and exam preparation support over a 12-month period. Our learning experience includes 1:1 tutor support, live exam prep sessions, and access to a 24/7 AI-powered learning assistant for immediate answers and guidance when needed.
Most learners complete the MSP® course in 4 to 6 months, but your enrolment includes 12 months of full access to all course materials and exam booking windows. You’re free to progress at a pace that suits your lifestyle and study preferences.
There are no formal prerequisites for the Foundation level. To sit the Practitioner exam, however, you must first pass the MSP® Foundation exam. If you’re enrolling on the combined course, this progression is already built into your learning journey.
We include one free resit for each MSP® exam, Foundation and Practitioner giving you peace of mind if things don’t go to plan on your first attempt. If you need extra support before your resit, our tutors will help you review weak areas and rebuild your confidence with targeted revision.
The MSP® Foundation exam is a 60-minute closed-book test consisting of multiple-choice questions. The Practitioner exam is a 150-minute open-book assessment with objective testing based on scenarios. Both exams are taken online and can be booked at your convenience.
Yes, your enrolment includes a 1-year PeopleCert Plus Membership. This gives you access to over 150+ official eBooks, mock exams, digital badges, CPD tools to keep your certification current, and exclusive masterclasses. It’s an excellent way to continue developing your programme management skills after completing the course.
The MSP® Foundation certificate is valid for life. The Practitioner certification is valid for three years. You can maintain your certification by either retaking the Practitioner exam or logging 20 CPD points annually through your PeopleCert Plus Membership.
MSP® certification prepares you for roles such as Programme Manager, Transformation Manager, Change Manager, Senior Project Manager, or any leadership position responsible for overseeing multiple related projects. It’s widely recognised by employers across public and private sectors who value structured programme delivery.
Yes, the course includes the exam fees for both the MSP 5th Edition Foundation and Practitioner exams. When you sign up for the combined course package, you will receive exam vouchers (or codes) that cover the cost of scheduling your official MSP exams through PeopleCert (the examination institute) once you are ready to sit your exam and pass your internal assessment. This means you won’t need to pay anything extra to sit the exams, it’s all bundled in the course.
When you’re ready to take an exam, we’ll guide you through the process of booking it. The exams themselves are typically taken online via remote proctoring, so you can sit them from the comfort of your home or office at a time that suits you. Since the fees are covered, you can focus on studying and passing the exams without worrying about additional expenses. And remember, we also include a free retake (Take2 voucher) for each exam, so even that second-chance fee is covered by us. All in all, our goal is to provide a hassle-free certification process, learn, take your exams, and get certified without hidden costs along the way.
We understand that funding your course is an important consideration, so we offer flexible payment options to make it as easy as possible for you to get started. You have a couple of convenient payment plan choices:
Interest-Free Instalments (In-House Financing): You can spread the cost of the course over manageable monthly payments with 0% interest. This internal financing option allows you to pay in chunks (for example, over 3, 6, or 12 months) without any extra fees. It’s a budget-friendly way to invest in your career by paying as you learn, rather than one large sum upfront. We’ll work with you to set up a plan that fits your budget, and approval is usually straightforward since it’s handled directly through us.
Premium Credit Financing: We also partner with Premium Credit to offer an extended financing option. If you prefer a longer-term payment plan or need a higher credit limit, Premium Credit can finance your course with monthly payments. This option is like a student loan, you apply through our partner, and upon approval, you can spread the payments over a longer period (conditions and any interest rates will be explained during the application). It’s another hassle-free alternative to paying a lump sum and can cover the course and exam fees together.
Both options are designed to be stress-free and help you get started on the course right away, rather than delaying your plans. Our career consultants can explain the details of each plan and help you choose the best one for your situation. No matter your budget, we want to support your learning journey, finances shouldn’t stand in the way of advancing your career. Feel free to reach out to us to discuss the payment plans; we’re here to help you find the ideal solution so you can focus on your studies with peace of mind.
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