How long is the Higher Diploma in Project Management?

The Higher Diploma in Project Management runs for 15 to 18 months. Full-time and part-time cohorts share the same portfolio-level dossier capstone.

Can the Higher Diploma in Project Management be studied online?

Yes. The Higher Diploma in Project Management runs on-campus in central London, fully online with cohort calls, and by distance learning.

Is the Higher Diploma in Project Management recognised by UK employers?

Yes. The Higher Diploma in Project Management is designed around APM ChPP and MSP standards and articulates into the LSIBM BSc top-up.

What are the entry requirements for the Higher Diploma in Project Management?

A relevant Level 5 qualification, HND or three years of project or programme experience, GCSE English at grade 5 and Maths at grade 4, IELTS 6.0 on the Higher Diploma in Project Management.

What does the Higher Diploma in Project Management cost?

Fees vary by mode and instalment plan. Contact LSIBM admissions for the current schedule and employer-sponsored places on the Higher Diploma in Project Management.

Higher Diploma in Project Management | LSIBM London | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The Higher Diploma in Project Management at the London School of International Business and Management (LSIBM) is a near-degree Level 5 qualification for programme managers preparing to top up into a UK Bachelor's degree in project management while continuing to run programme-of-work delivery. Sitting inside the Business & Management faculty, it covers portfolio management, assurance frameworks, strategic delivery, benefits leadership and stakeholder governance at director level.

The Higher Diploma runs over 15 to 18 months and is available on-campus in central London, fully online, or by distance learning. Tutors are practising programme directors drawn from APM Chartered ranks and PMO Global Alliance, and the capstone is a portfolio-level dossier defended in front of a working programme director. The sections below cover modules, audience and progression.

Key Features

Curriculum reviewed against APM Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) and MSP Practitioner senior standards.
Three study modes — central London campus, fully online, or distance learning — with the same tutor cohort.
Capstone: a portfolio-level dossier defended in front of a working programme director.
Confirmed credit transfer into the LSIBM BSc in Project Management top-up route.
Working reference to HM Treasury Green Book, NAO programme delivery guidance and IPA Gateway Review.

What You Will Learn

The Higher Diploma builds a portfolio-level delivery leader. You will finish able to structure a portfolio, run assurance at scale, own benefits at strategic level, and defend a portfolio dossier in front of a UK executive committee.

Portfolio management — MoP framework, portfolio balance and dashboards.
Assurance at scale — three-lines model, gate reviews, health checks.
Strategic delivery — aligning delivery to strategy through cascading objectives.
Benefits leadership — mapping, measurement, realisation, benefits ownership.
Programme finance at scale — funding envelopes, tranche release and reforecast.
Stakeholder governance at director level — sponsor, board and NED engagement.
Managing external delivery — SI oversight, T&M vs fixed-price at portfolio scale.
Change resilience — organisational absorptive capacity and pace management.

Who This Course Is For

Advanced Diploma programme managers preparing for a UK BSc top-up.
Senior programme managers and PMO leads in UK banks, consultancies and public sector.
Delivery directors formalising senior-track credentials.
Chiefs of staff overseeing multi-programme portfolios at UK scale-ups.
Consultants building a UK portfolio-delivery advisory practice.

Career Pathways

Higher Diploma graduates move into portfolio and programme-director roles, typically stepping through:

Senior Programme Manager
Head of PMO
Portfolio Manager
Delivery Director (junior)
Change Programme Director
Assurance Lead

The Higher Diploma is a direct feeder into the LSIBM BSc in Project Management top-up, APM Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) application, and MSP Advanced Practitioner.

Entry Requirements

A relevant Advanced Diploma (Level 5), HND, HNC, or three years of substantive project or programme experience.
GCSE English Language at grade 5/C and Mathematics at grade 4/C (or equivalent).
IELTS 6.0 overall (no band below 5.5) for non-native English speakers.
A short statement of intent and two references (one academic or professional-body, one workplace) — applicants presenting APM PMQ, PRINCE2 Practitioner or MSP are particularly welcome.

Why Study at LSIBM

The London School of International Business and Management (LSIBM) is a specialist business-education provider based in central London and part of Harold International College. Higher Diploma cohorts sit at the near-degree tier — small groups, tutor visibility every week, curriculum reviewed against ACCA, CIMA, CIM, CIPD, CMI and IOE&IT competencies so graduates walk into a UK Bachelor's top-up with confirmed credit transfer.

London puts the City, Canary Wharf, Whitehall, Companies House, the FCA, the Bank of England and the West End within a short tube ride of every classroom. Higher Diploma students attend at least one working practitioner clinic per fortnight and complete a substantial capstone project defended in front of a working professional.

Apply for the Higher Diploma in Project Management

Move onto the top-up track with the Higher Diploma in Project Management. Click Enrol Now and our admissions team will respond within one working day with intake dates, credit-transfer guidance for UK Bachelor's top-up routes, and the current fee schedule. Higher Diploma graduates articulate into LSIBM's Bachelor's final year with confirmed credit transfer at enrolment.