Compare PRINCE2 Foundation & Practitioner training. Learn about course objectives, exam formats, and prerequisites to find the right PRINCE2 certification for your career.
What is the difference between PRINCE2® Foundation & PRINCE2® Practitioner training?
Thinking about a career in project management? Learn about the difference between PRINCE2® Foundation & PRINCE2® Practitioner training to find the right project management certification for your goals.
PRINCE2® Foundation Training
Our PRINCE2 Foundation training is designed to help you develop a comprehensive understanding of the PRINCE2 project management method. This is the ideal PRINCE2 course for beginners looking to gain a solid grasp of its principles and processes.
Objective
- To develop a comprehensive understanding of the PRINCE2 project management method.
Focus
- It covers all 5 elements that make up the PRINCE2 method, including its principles, practices, and processes.
Training approach
- Our in-person classroom: This training format includes presentations, exercises, quizzes and review sessions to help participants understand the 5 elements of the PRINCE2 method.
- Our self-paced e-learning: Following the same aims and syllabus as the in-person training, the self-paced learning differs in that a training participant can complete their training at a pace, time and location that best suits them. The program includes a mixture of learning videos, exercises, online support forums and a Foundation exam simulator.
Outcomes
- On completion of the training, training participants will gain a solid understanding of the PRINCE2 method, its 5 elements and how they operate together to support successful project delivery.
- On completion of the training, participants are prepared to complete the PRINCE2 Foundation exam, which assesses their ability to recall and understand the method.
PRINCE2® Practitioner Training
The PRINCE2 Practitioner training is focused on refining your ability to apply and tailor the PRINCE2 method to real-world scenarios. This is the perfect training for aspiring project managers seeking to apply best practice and adapt PRINCE2 to different project environments.
Objective
- To refine and enhance the participant’s ability to apply PRINCE2 in real-world scenarios.
Focus
- It builds on the Foundation training by developing understanding and knowledge on how to tailor and adapt PRINCE2 to different project environments.
Training approach
- Our in-person classroom training: This training includes revision, discussion, and sample exam practice and review sessions.
- Our self-paced e-learning: Following the same aims and syllabus as the in-person training, the self-paced learning differs in that a training participant can complete their training at a pace, time and location that best suits them. The program includes a mixture of learning videos, exercises, online support forums and Practitioner exam simulator.
Outcome
- On completion of the training, training participants have enhanced their understanding on how to apply and tailor the PRINCE2 method for a given scenario.
- On completion of the training, training participants are prepared to complete the PRINCE2 Practitioner exam, which evaluates their ability to apply and adapt the method to specific project scenarios.
Which PRINCE2 training is suitable for me?
The Practitioner level is suitable for those who want to apply PRINCE2 in various project types and on projects of different complexity. If you’re a professional looking to enhance your project management career opportunities, this is the course for you.
Foundation Level
- If you aim to understand the learning topics and gain a sound understanding of the PRINCE2 method, the Foundation level is suitable for you.
Practitioner Level
- If you intend to apply best practice project management on different project types or projects of varying complexity, now or in the future, you may want to consider training to the Practitioner level. This level focuses on the practical application of the PRINCE2 method.
In summary, the Foundation level is suitable for those seeking to understand the method, while the Practitioner level is ideal for those looking to apply PRINCE2 in various project types and on projects of different complexity.
How many days do I need to complete the training?
The in-person training for PRINCE2 is structured as follows:
- Foundation Training: 3 days
- Practitioner Training: 2 days
- Foundation & Practitioner Combined Training: 5 days
These durations are designed to cover the necessary content and prepare participants for their respective exams.
For self-paced e-learning, the time effort required to complete this training format and prepare for the exam, as a general rule, is not too different to the time and effort required to complete the in-person training with exam. As people learn at a different pace, use the following as a guide only, as you may require less or more time to complete all learning modules.
Time to complete learning modules of the self-paced eLearning program (estimate only):
- PRINCE2 Foundation eLearning: 21 Hours
- PRINCE2 Practitioner eLearning: 14Hours
The above times do not include any additional study time you may need after the learning modules to prepare for your exam. Sample exams are provided to highlight potential knowledge gaps and as an indicator only, assess your own readiness for an exam.
Are there any prerequisites for completing the PRINCE2 training and exams?
There is no prerequisite for completing the Foundation training and exam. You, however, cannot complete the Practitioner training with us without first completing the Foundation training or holding another recognised and current prerequisite qualification.
Passing the Foundation exam is a prerequisite for taking the Practitioner exam. This ensures that you have a solid understanding of the PRINCE2 method before advancing to the Practitioner level, which focuses on the practical application of the methodology.
Recognised PRINCE2 Practitioner prerequisite qualifications include (these qualifications must be current, not expired):
- PRINCE2® 6th Edition (Foundation or Practitioner)
- PRINCE2® 7 Foundation
- Project Management Qualification (PMQ)
- Project Management Professional Qualification (PPQ)
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
- IPMA Level A® (Certified Projects Director)
- IPMA Level B® (Certified Senior Project Manager)
- IPMA Level C® (Certified Project Manager)
- IPMA Level D® (Certified Project Management Associate)
How do the Foundation and Practitioner exams differ?
The Foundation exam assesses a participant’s ability to recall and understand the PRINCE2 method. It’s a closed-book, multiple-choice exam designed to test your PRINCE2 Foundation knowledge. In contrast, the Practitioner exam evaluates your ability to apply and adapt the PRINCE2 method to a specific project scenario.
Foundation Exam objective
- This exam assesses whether a participant can recall and understand the PRINCE2 project management method. It is designed to test the candidate’s knowledge of the method’s 5 elements: project context, principles, practices, processes, people, as well as PRINCE2 roles.
Foundation exam format
- 60 multiple-choice questions
- 36 out of 60 marks are required for certification (60%)
- 60 minutes
- Closed-book exam.
Practitioner Exam objective
- This exam evaluates a participant’s ability to apply and adapt the PRINCE2 method to a given scenario. It is more advanced, focusing on the practical application of PRINCE2 in potential real-world situations.
Practitioner exam format
- 70 objective style questions (multiple choice and matching questions)
- 42 out of 70 marks are required for certification 60%
- 150 minutes
- Scenario-based exam
- Open book (PRINCE2 official manual only).
How do I complete the exams?
PRINCE2 project management exams are completed online. Exams are taken from the candidate’s own location using a webcam exam proctor, where an invigilator will be observing the exam.
On booking a course with us, you will receive your Foundation voucher, and for people completing the Practitioner course, they will also receive a Practitioner voucher. On creating your PeopleCert candidate portal, training participants can use the Foundation voucher to access the official PRINCE2 manual and additional training support materials. When ready to take your exam, log in to your PeopleCert candidate portal. Here, you will be able to view the next available dates and times to review and select from. Select the date and time that suits you best and book your exam.
Important: before sitting your exams, ensure you have read and understood the PeopleCert exam guidelines. These guidelines have strict rules regarding the exam process and room setup.
What does PRINCE2 training cost?
For PRINCE2 training costs in Melbourne and Perth, please visit our training schedule.
Our self-paced e-learning program is a great option for those looking for a flexible PRINCE2 online course.
In-person public training course fees and inclusions
Fees
- For Foundation or Practitioner pricing, visit training schedule
Inclusions
- For Foundation training package inclusions, visit PRINCE2 Foundation and visit PRINCE2 Practitioner for Practitioner training package inclusions.
Self-paced eLearning course fees and inclusions:
- For PRINCE2 self-paced eLearning fees and inclusions visit: PRINCE2 elearning
Discounted fees
Want to take both the PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner courses and exams? Then take advantage of our special PRINCE2 Foundation Plus Practitioner discounted price offer. Get up to 44% off if you enrol in both the Foundation and Practitioner courses at the same time for in-person training and up to a 30% discount for self-paced eLearning.
What additional support is available to me to help me prepare and pass the exam?
Trainer support post-training
For each HiLogic course, you have email and phone access to our Lead Trainer to support you with any remaining questions you may have on the learning content leading up to your Foundation and Practitioner exams.
Optional add-ons to your training package
- PeopelCert online mock exam: Our training course package includes two sample exams, two each the Foundation course and Practitioner course. Should you seek more sample exam questions, PeopleCert make available at an additional fee an online mock exam, which you can purchase with your training package.
- PeopelCert Take2 Resit exam: Should you think you need it; you can purchase a Take2 Resit exam. Get another chance without needing to pay the full exam fee. You can purchase Take2 with your training package.
- PeopleCert Plus: A membership program helping you maintain your certification current, plus it includes a Take2 Resit exam for each of your exams, Foundation and Practitioner online mock exams, and more than 150 ebooks, plus other resources that come with the Plus membership program. This too can be purchased with your training package.
Get started, learn PRINCE2 now with us. Align your projects with the world’s most used project management method, with over 2 million people holding a PRINCE2 certification worldwide.
- Learn how to structure your projects to improve their chances of success
- Provide clarity to roles
- Enhance your project’s definition
- Learn how PRINCE2 can be agile
- Certify your skills and know-how
- Enhance your career opportunities
- Align your projects with a recognised best practice project management method.