How is this different from PRINCE2 or APM PMQ?

PRINCE2 and APM PMQ are practitioner certifications focused on a specific methodology or body of knowledge. The Level 6 Diploma in Project Management is an academic qualification at degree level that covers strategy, governance and organisational change alongside method.

Can I use this to enter a master's programme?

In many cases, yes. Universities offering top-up MScs in project or programme management often accept a Level 6 Diploma as the entry credential, though each provider sets its own rules.

Do I need to be currently employed as a project manager?

Active project responsibility is strongly recommended because assessments draw on real delivery work. Career changers with strong analytical backgrounds are considered case by case.

Is the diploma sector-specific?

No. The principles are sector-neutral and apply to construction, IT, finance, public sector and not-for-profit delivery. You will be expected to draw on your own sector for case examples.

How long does the Level 6 Diploma in Project Management take?

Most candidates complete in 12 to 18 months alongside work. Full-time routes can compress this. Confirm your study plan at enrolment.

Can I study online while running a full-time delivery role?

Yes. The online and distance modes are designed for working PMs, with assessments scheduled to give you time to apply the material to live work.

Level 6 Diploma in Project Management | HICL London | Harold International College of London

Level 6 Diploma in Project Management at HICL

The Level 6 Diploma in Project Management is pitched at degree-level study and is aimed at people who already run projects and now need to be credible at programme and portfolio scale. You should have moved past the PRINCE2 Foundation stage of your career; this is for the conversations that happen in steering committees, not at stand-ups.

If you can already deliver a single project on time, the Level 6 Diploma in Project Management asks the harder questions: how do you select which projects to run, how do you kill ones that are quietly failing, how do you balance benefits realisation against political reality, and how do you keep stakeholders honest about scope.

The Reality of Senior Project Work

At Level 6 the technical mechanics of Gantt charts and risk registers are assumed. What you spend your time on is benefits cases, governance, supplier management and the cultural side of change. The diploma reflects that. You should expect to engage with strategy, finance and organisational behaviour as much as scheduling.

Who This Diploma Is For

Project managers with three to seven years of delivery experience targeting senior PM or programme manager roles.
PMO leads and governance specialists wanting a degree-equivalent qualification on the CV.
Consultants who deliver client engagements and want to formalise their methodology.
Public sector and NHS project leads working on major change or digital transformation programmes.

Career Pathways

Graduates typically progress into senior project manager, programme manager, PMO manager and portfolio analyst roles. Many use the Level 6 Diploma in Project Management as the academic foundation for a top-up master's in project or programme management, or pair it with practitioner certifications such as PRINCE2 Practitioner, APM PMQ or MSP. Salary outcomes depend heavily on sector and region.

How the Programme Is Delivered

The diploma is offered on-campus, online and via distance learning, so you can study around a delivery role. Module structure, assessment briefs and intake schedule are confirmed at enrolment.

Entry Requirements

A Level 5 qualification, foundation degree, or significant project delivery experience considered case by case.
IELTS 5.5 to 6.0 (or equivalent) for non-native English speakers.
Minimum age 18 at the point of enrolment.
A short professional statement outlining the kind of projects you have run.

Apply for the Level 6 Diploma in Project Management

If you are running projects already and want a senior-level qualification to match, this is the right tier. Click Enroll Now and HICL admissions will respond within one working day with the application form.