Thinking about moving up in project management? You’ve probably heard of PRINCE®2 already. It’s the most popular and recognised framework to handle projects globally.
Before you take any courses, two of the main questions you may have might be the cost and time.
Hi, My name’s Michael, and I’ve been a PRINCE®2 certified project manager for the last 5 years. In this blog, let’s discuss everything about PRINCE®2 and how heavy it would be on your pocket, cheaper ways to get the same certification and the time you will have to spend.
What’s PRINCE®2?
Prince2 mainly stands for PRojects IN Controlled Environments. It’s a framework to run projects smoothly, guiding teams to deliver quality products on time without blowing the budget.
It’s used everywhere in the world, IT, finance, construction, hospitals, government, etc. PRINCE®2 gives you a clear structure and plan to follow despite the size of the project.
Because of the number of successful projects delivered by PRINCE2 certified professionals, employers around the world prefer and often request PRINCE2 as a compulsory qualification for jobs in the project management field.
The Two Steps of PRINCE®2 Certification
There are 2 levels in the PRINCE2 certification. Each level teaching you different aspects of the framework.
- PRINCE2 Foundation: This is where you start. You’ll learn the basics. You’ll learn all the main ideas here. You don’t need any previous experience or educational qualifications for this level.
- PRINCE2 Practitioner: This is the next level where you learn to put the theoretical knowledge you gained in the foundation into practice. You must have completed the PRINCE2 Foundation in order to take this course.
Aspirex offers both these courses as a single bundle. The bundle helps you save time and money, as it’s more affordable than buying each course individually.
How much does the PRINCE®2 certification cost?
The price of the certification differs based on the place you love. The course provider and your style of learning.
Here is a table to show you a quick comparison of the PRINCE2 courses at Aspirex.
| COURSE NAME | PRICE |
| PRINCE®2 Foundation | £555.00 |
| PRINCE®2 Practitioner | £565.00 |
| PRINCE®2 Foundation and Practitioner | £1035.00 |
How long does it take to complete the certifications?
It depends on how long you study and how much time you can dedicate each week, as the certifications are completely self-paced. You can schedule your exam when you feel ready and get the certification.
If you’re someone working and studying, you can complete both the certifications within just 3 months.
Why is PRINCE2 worth your time and cost?
- Recognised Globally
The framework is recognised globally and used in over 150 countries worldwide. This qualification holds a value no matter where you decide to work in.
- Increased Employment Opportunities
In many countries, especially the UK and Europe, the certification is listed under requirements in the project management industry. Applicants aren’t even shortlisted without it.
- Earn a higher pay
Recent salary surveys show that certified professionals earn more in comparison to non-certified ones. You can also negotiate your salary with qualifications like these.
- Claim promotions
The certification helps you build skills along with more knowledge, making you stand out for higher positions with more responsibilities.
- Global Opportunities
Since it’s recognised globally, it holds the same value everywhere in the world. This gives you the flexibility to relocate and still find a job with minimum effort.
Things that make it longer
- Studying without a schedule.
Since the certifications are self paced, if you don’t create a schedule or a target period to complete all the study materials and prepare for the exam, you may take longer than you should to complete the certifications.
Therefore, make sure you have a target period to sit for the exam. It’s easier to prepare when you know exactly when and where your goal is.
- No experience or any other source of understanding
If you’re someone completely new to the industry, it might take a little longer (not years) for you to grasp the concepts. With a little bit of extra effort, you can do it easily.
- How much you study each day
Only studying one day per week can make your study period lengthy unnecessarily. Make sure you create a study habit and stick by it every day. Allocate at least 1 hour of study time every day.
Tips to save money and time in the process
If you’re watching your budget or short on time, here are some tips to help you.
- Take the combined course (PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner bundle)
- Use the right study materials and choose your providers wisely
- Create a study plan to stick to every day. everyday
- Take maximum advantage of free resources on online forums and YouTube.
Final Take
The PRINCE®2 certification is a long-term investment for your career and future.
Even though the cost varies based on your study style, the investment is just a onetime cost to build a lifetime's worth of skills. Therefore, if you’re serious about growing in the field, do it.
