Software & systems

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly

University

You can study for a degree in any subject, then either:

• join an organisation's graduate management training scheme
• complete a postgraduate qualification in project management

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

Apprenticeship

You could get into this career by doing an apprenticeship, such as:

• Associate Project Manager Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
• Project Manager Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship

These take between 2 and 4 years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• higher and degree apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-and-degree-apprenticeships
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

Work

You may be able to become a project manager in your organisation, if you've worked for some time in a project support role.  You'll need to complete project management qualifications on the job.

Direct application

In certain sectors, for instance, engineering, construction or cyber security, you may be able to apply directly for jobs if you have an in-depth knowledge of the industry gained through several years' experience.

Skills in planning, business analysis and data management could also give you an advantage.

More information

Career tips

You could take a course covering project management methods, like PRINCE2 and Agile to help you understand these approaches.

Further information

You can find more details about careers, training courses and apprenticeships in project management from the:Association for Project Management; Project Management Institute; Chartered Management Institute

View all vacancies in this region

You can develop your career by completing professional qualifications through the:Association for Project Management (APM); Project Management Institute (PMI); Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

With experience, you could become:a senior project manager, co-ordinating several projects; a freelance consultant, advising businesses on the best way forward; an operations manager, with overall responsibility for products and services

For multi-sector project management in engineering and manufacturing, you could do a Project Controls Professional Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.