MSP® Foundation
Understand key concepts relating to programmes and MSP.
Understand how the MSP principles underpin the MSP framework.
Understand the MSP themes and how they are applied throughout the programme.
Understand the MSP processes and how they are carried out throughout the programme.
MSP® Practitioner
Understand how to apply the MSP principles in context.
Understand how to apply and tailor relevant aspects of the MSP themes in context.
Understand how to apply and tailor relevant aspects of the MSP processes in context.
Learning outcome
Understand the key elements of the MSP® best practice programme management framework.
Successfully explain each stage of the MSP® journey and the activities required to guide a programme through its lifecycle.
Outline the relevant aspects of MSP® themes, principles, and lifecycle within a practical context.
Build on the knowledge acquired from the Foundation Level.
Demonstrate the ability to tailor and apply the MSP® programme management framework effectively.
Begin applying the framework to real programmes within your organisation.
MSP® Foundation exam
Exam format - Multiple-choice (Standard Classic, Missing Word & List).
All questions are presented in a multiple-choice format.
You will receive a question and four possible answers for the 'Standard Classic' questions.
In the 'Missing Word' questions, you will encounter a sentence with a missing word, and your task is to select the correct word from four given options.
For 'List' questions, you will be shown a list with four statements, and you need to identify the two correct ones.
Number of questions - 60.
There are 60 questions, each worth 1 mark.
No negative marking.
Duration - 1 hour (60 minutes).
Suppose you are taking the exam in a language other than your native or primary working language. In that case, you may be allowed an additional 25% extra time, making it 75 minutes.
Pass mark - 36/60 (60%).
Material allowed - None.
This is a 'closed-book' exam, which means you may only use the materials provided for the examination.
MSP® Practitioner exam
Exam format - Multiple-choice (Standard Classic & Matching).
The questions are all in a 'multiple-choice' format. Each one begins with a brief scenario description, followed by a question.
The 'Standard Classic' questions, worth 1 mark each, have four possible answers (A, B, C, D).
For the 'Matching' questions, worth 3 marks each, you will be given three pieces of information. You must select the correct answer for each piece from a list of five or six options.
Number of questions - 70.
Every Matching question consists of three items that need to be paired correctly.
With a total of 18 Matching items and 52 Standard Classic questions, the exam comprises 70 question items in total.
Duration - 2 hours 30 minutes.
Suppose you are taking the exam in a language other than your native or primary working language. In that case, you might be eligible for an additional 25% extra time for 188 minutes.
Pass mark - 42/70 (60%).
Material allowed - MSP manual.
This examination is an 'open book.' You are allowed to use the Managing Successful Programmes 5th Edition publication. However, no other materials besides this publication and the examination papers are permitted.
IMPORTANT: You must ensure your device is compatible with taking your exams. Please check and follow the official guidelines here.
No prerequisites for the Foundation Course
The MSP® Foundation course is accessible to anyone eager to boost their programme management skills.
Mandatory requirement for Practitioner Training
You must first complete the MSP® Foundation course and exam before you start your Practitioner level training, which is why this combined Managing Successful Programmes (MSP®) 5th Edition, Foundation & Practitioner training course is an excellent choice for those looking to cover the basics right through to an advanced level of understanding. This way, you will earn both the Foundation and Practitioner certificates.
Our MSP® Foundation & Practitioner Virtual Classroom training course is designed to benefit a diverse range of professionals. It is ideal for Project or Programme Managers who want to enhance their skills. It also suits project team members who need to understand and apply the processes involved in corporate programmes.
This course provides a solid foundation for a career change into programme and project management. It is also perfect for Project and Programme Managers looking to achieve the full MSP® qualification for experience and validation.
Comprehensive training experience
Our MSP® 5th Edition Foundation and Practitioner course offers an extensive and engaging training experience. We meticulously design our content to ensure you fully understand the core principles and practices of programme management, equipping you with the skills to excel in your career.
Trusted and credible provider
As a fully accredited training provider by PeopleCert on behalf of AXELOS, we ensure you gain up-to-date knowledge and skills for project management. Our proven track record includes training over 630,000 delegates globally, with over 15,273 students giving us an Excellent rating on Trustpilot. Our reputation as a trusted and credible provider is well-established, focusing on your success.
Interest-free finance options
To make your education more accessible, we offer interest-free finance or interest-free payment options. This alleviates immediate financial strain and allows you to budget effectively for your learning journey, making high-quality training more attainable.
Global recognition
Our MSP® courses are globally accredited and internationally recognised, reflecting our commitment to maintaining the highest standards in education. Partnering with PeopleCert on behalf of AXELOS, we ensure our courses meet the esteemed accreditation requirements, providing you with a respected qualification worldwide.
Expert Trainers
Our courses are delivered by expert Trainers with extensive experience in programme management. They bring valuable insights and practical knowledge, enabling you to apply what you learn effectively in real-world scenarios.
Official MSP® Digital Manual included
Your enrolment includes the official MSP® digital manual, providing all the essential materials for your studies and future reference. This comprehensive resource ensures you have access to everything required to succeed in the course and beyond.
Learn anywhere
Our virtual classroom delivery method allows you to learn from the comfort of your home or office. This ensures you can fit your studies around your schedule without compromising the quality of your training.
What is an MSP course?
The Managing Successful Programmes (MSP®) course is a comprehensive training programme designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to manage and deliver complex programmes successfully. Our MSP training course covers the principles, governance themes, and transformational flow of MSP, ensuring you understand how to apply these in real-world scenarios. It's ideal for anyone involved in programme management, including project managers, programme managers, and senior executives.
What does MSP certification stand for?
MSP stands for Managing Successful Programmes certification. It is a globally recognised credential that demonstrates your expertise in programme management and showcases your ability to effectively manage multiple projects and achieve strategic objectives.
Is MSP certification good?
Yes, MSP certification is highly regarded in the field of programme management. It enhances career prospects by validating your skills and knowledge in managing complex programmes. With MSP certification, you stand out to employers and clients, proving your capability to handle large-scale projects and drive organisational change.
What is MSP in project management?
In project management, MSP refers to Managing Successful Programmes. It is a structured framework for managing and aligning multiple interrelated projects with an organisation's strategy. MSP helps ensure that all projects within a programme are coordinated effectively, delivering benefits and achieving the desired outcomes. Understanding MSP as part of your project management training equips you with the skills to manage complex programmes more efficiently.
Why use MSP?
Using MSP provides numerous benefits, including improved governance, better alignment of projects with business objectives, and enhanced risk management. MSP offers a clear framework that helps organisations deliver change successfully, ensuring that programmes are managed efficiently and benefits are realised. By adopting MSP, you can drive strategic transformation and achieve lasting organisational success.
How long does it take to complete the MSP® Foundation & Practitioner course?
Our MSP® Foundation & Practitioner Virtual Classroom course lasts 5 days. You'll have access to comprehensive resources, interactive sessions, and guidance from expert trainers to ensure you fully understand the material.
This training covers the updated PRINCE2 Programme Management framework, formerly known as Managing Successful Programmes MSP. It combines MSP Foundation knowledge with MSP Practitioner application in one five-day live online course.
You will study the principles, themes and processes before applying them to programme scenarios. This creates a structured learning path from understanding the framework to using it in context.
Yes. PRINCE2 Programme Management is the updated name for Managing Successful Programmes, commonly called MSP.
The course still focuses on programme-level governance, benefits, risk, stakeholders and change. The new name distinguishes it clearly from PRINCE2 Project Management.
PRINCE2 Project Management is project-centric and supports the delivery of a defined project. The MSP framework is programme-centric and helps organisations manage connected projects and change activities around shared strategic objectives.
This broader approach allows programme teams to manage interdependencies, governance and benefits across work that would be difficult to control as separate projects.
The framework provides principles, themes and processes for governance, control and delivery. It helps teams connect strategic objectives with projects, change activities, outcomes and benefits.
This structure supports successful programmes, although results still depend on leadership, resources, decisions and how well the guidance is applied.
MSP certification can support progression towards Programme Manager roles by showing that you understand a recognised programme management framework. It may also support applications for Business Change Manager, programme office or PMO leadership roles.
Certification alone does not guarantee a job, promotion or salary increase. Employers will also consider your experience, leadership skills and record of delivery.
The MSP Foundation course does not last 5 days as a standalone course. The 5-day duration applies to this combined PRINCE2 Programme Management Foundation and Practitioner Virtual Classroom course.
During the five days, you cover Foundation knowledge and Practitioner application, supported by live teaching and exam preparation.
The course develops knowledge of governance, benefits, risks, stakeholders and interdependencies across complex programmes. The Practitioner element also gives you opportunities to apply the guidance to scenarios.
This can help you strengthen the judgement and programme-level understanding needed for more senior responsibilities. Workplace experience remains important when progressing into leadership roles.
Older course materials use terms such as MSP principles, MSP themes and MSP processes. The updated course refers to PRINCE2 Programme Management principles, themes and processes.
Principles guide decisions, themes address recurring areas of governance and control, and processes guide work through the programme lifecycle. Older searches may also use successful programmes MSP when referring to the same framework.
Programme management brings connected projects and change activities together around shared objectives. It helps teams align programmes with strategy and focus on outcomes rather than viewing each project in isolation.
The framework also supports benefits realisation by helping teams identify, track and review value throughout delivery.
The course can suit Programme Managers, Project Managers, Business Change Managers, portfolio professionals and programme office staff. It may also support people moving from project delivery into programme-level roles.
It is relevant across different sectors where organisations need to manage connected projects, benefits and strategic change.
The certification can demonstrate your commitment to professional development and your understanding of a recognised programme management framework. It may strengthen applications for programme, change and PMO-related roles.
It cannot guarantee a particular role or salary. Your experience, wider skills and the needs of employers will also affect your progression.
Yes. The course explains how programme management differs from managing a single project. It then shows how connected projects and change activities can be governed around shared benefits and strategic objectives.
This makes it useful for Project Managers and other professionals preparing for programme-level responsibilities.
There are no formal prerequisites for Foundation. However, you must pass the Foundation exam before you can sit the Practitioner.
Some awareness of projects or programmes may help you connect the guidance with your work, but it is not required.
The combined Foundation and Practitioner Virtual Classroom course lasts five days.
You will also complete a mandatory online pre-course before the scheduled live training.
The course includes:
Accredited Foundation and Practitioner training
The Foundation and Practitioner exams
The official PRINCE2 Programme Management manual
The PRINCE2 Programme Management process map
Tutor support
Hard-copy materials and Take² exam insurance may be available as optional extras at checkout.
Yes. Both exams are included, and you have 12 months from the purchase date to take them.
You must pass Foundation before sitting Practitioner.
Both exams are taken online through remote proctoring.
Before booking, check that your device, internet connection and testing environment meet the official requirements.
No. The Foundation exam is closed book.
Questions: 60
Duration: 60 minutes
Pass mark: 36/60, or 60%
Yes. The Practitioner assessment uses practical programme scenarios.
Questions: 70
Duration: 150 minutes
Pass mark: 42/70, or 60%
Book policy: Open book using the official manual
Yes. Both certifications must be renewed within three years of the award date to remain current.
You can review the available renewal routes through PeopleCert when planning your professional development.
Yes. After passing both exams, you will receive one Foundation certificate and one Practitioner certificate.
You will learn through structured live sessions led by experienced trainers. They will explain the framework, guide practical discussion and help you prepare for both assessments.
The course includes accredited training, both exams, official learning materials, the process map, tutor support and flexible payment options.
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