College of Project Controls and Project Management

Project Controls
Professional Level 6

A fully funded, work-based pathway for professionals who plan, control, forecast and govern complex projects with Operational, Strategic and Chartered Project Professional routes.

Fully funded apprenticeship route — subject to eligibility

Book an information session Compare pathways

Explore funding details

For professionals working across project controls, planning, cost, risk, reporting, governance and transformation.

Course at a glance

Choose your preferred cohort

Select an intake to register your interest.

27 monthsSoft start, modules and final workshops.

6 creditsEach credit is delivered as a four-month block.

3 pathwaysOperational, Strategic or Chartered Professional.

£34,000 supportPotential package, subject to eligibility.

Tailored route: module mix can reflect employer requirements.

Level 7 access: Strategy and Leadership sessions on Saturdays.

Programme overview

From project controls practice to senior delivery confidence

Project Controls Professional Level 6 is for people who need to turn project data into reliable plans, controlled costs, credible schedules, early warnings, governance decisions and executive confidence.

Build senior project controls capability

Develop stronger capability in planning, scheduling, cost control, performance measurement, risk, reporting, governance and decision support.

Apply learning at work

Use your own job duties, projects, reports, dashboards, controls challenges and employer context as the basis for applied learning and evidence.

Progress towards recognition

Each pathway supports Project Controls Professional Level 6, with route-specific recognition opportunities through the Institute of Project Controls, the Controls and Skills Authority, and the Association for Project Management.

Recognition summary

All pathways lead to the Project Controls Professional Level 6 work-based route and are designed to support Institute of Project Controls Fellowship and Incorporated Cost Engineer progression. The Chartered Pathway is the route designed around the Association for Project Management recognised assessment for Chartered Project Professional technical knowledge. Chartered Project Professional status is awarded only by the Association for Project Management after its full requirements are met.

Who should apply

For professionals who plan, control, analyse, govern and deliver projects

The programme is not only for Project Management Office professionals. It is also suitable for engineering, infrastructure, construction, consultancy, digital transformation, marketing and business-service environments where project performance matters.

Project controls and performance roles

Project controls managers and project controllers.
Planning leads, planners and schedulers.
Cost engineering leads, cost engineers and cost controllers.
Estimators, reporting analysts and performance analysts.

Project engineering and delivery roles

Project engineers, site engineers and delivery coordinators.
Project managers, programme managers and delivery leads.
Risk practitioners, assurance practitioners and change professionals.
People working in complex project environments who need better control systems.

Strategic governance and leadership roles

Heads of project controls, senior planning leads and scheduling leads.
Heads of Project Management Office and portfolio governance professionals.
Senior risk, assurance, transformation and benefits practitioners.
Professionals preparing for senior controls, portfolio or governance leadership.

How the programme works

A six-credit work-based programme over 27 months

The programme uses a credit system. A normal credit is one four-month course. The Project Management Professional course is two credits because it is delivered over eight months.

One-month soft start

Induction, role review, employer engagement, funding checks, diagnostic review, learning platform access and pathway confirmation.

Six credits over 24 months

Select a standard pathway or tailor your six credits to match your current job duties, evidence opportunities and employer priorities.

Operational route Strategic route Chartered route Tailored route

Two-month closing workshops

Portfolio consolidation, employer progress review, professional discussion preparation and End-Point Assessment readiness support.

Additional professional development access

Learners also receive access to the Diploma Level 7 in Strategy and Leadership, delivered on Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. The diploma structure includes six modules, each lasting three months, with an overall duration of 18 months.

Choose your pathway

Pick a standard route or tailor the six credits around your job duties

There are three standard pathways. Learners can also tailor the module mix after employer engagement and approval where their current duties require a different balance of planning, controls, governance, portfolio, artificial intelligence or reporting capability.

Operational Pathway

For project controls delivery, planning and performance roles

Best suited to learners focused on schedules, earned value, planning, control, reporting and operational delivery confidence.

Strategic Pathway

For senior project control, portfolio and governance roles

Best suited to learners working with strategic governance, programme management, portfolios, Project Management Office leadership and senior decision support.

Chartered Pathway

For Chartered Project Professional readiness

Best suited to learners who want the Association for Project Management recognised assessment route for Chartered Project Professional technical knowledge.

Operational Pathway — select six credits

This route is designed for people working close to operational project controls, planning, scheduling, earned value, delivery reporting and performance control.

Course / professional qualification	Professional body or owner	Credits	Typical duration
Project Management Professional	Project Management Institute	2 credits	8 months
Artificial Intelligence in Project Controls Certificate	Institute of Project Controls	1 credit	4 months
Scheduling Professional	Project Management Institute	1 credit	4 months
Earned Value Management	APMG International	1 credit	4 months
Project Planning and Controls	APMG International	1 credit	4 months

Strategic Pathway — select six credits

This route is designed for senior project control roles, leading project controls, Project Management Offices, risk practitioners, heads of project controls and professionals preparing for strategic positions.

Course / professional qualification	Professional body or owner	Credits	Typical duration
Project Management Professional	Project Management Institute	2 credits	8 months
Artificial Intelligence in Project Controls Certificate	Institute of Project Controls	1 credit	4 months
Managing Successful Programmes	PeopleCert / AXELOS	1 credit	4 months
Management of Portfolios	APMG International	1 credit	4 months
Project Management Office course	Project Management Institute	1 credit	4 months

Chartered Pathway — Association for Project Management recognised assessment route

This route is designed for learners whose priority is Chartered Project Professional technical-knowledge recognition through the Project Management Office Professional Level 6 route.

Course / module	Professional body or owner	Credits	Typical duration
Certified Project Management Office Professional Level 6: Module 1 — Project Planning and Control	Institute of Project Controls / recognised assessment route for Association for Project Management technical knowledge	1 credit	4 months
Certified Project Management Office Professional Level 6: Module 2 — Risk, Issue and Quality Management	Institute of Project Controls / recognised assessment route for Association for Project Management technical knowledge	1 credit	4 months
Certified Project Management Office Professional Level 6: Module 3 — Stakeholder Engagement, Communications Management and Reporting Systems	Institute of Project Controls / recognised assessment route for Association for Project Management technical knowledge	1 credit	4 months
Certified Project Management Office Professional Level 6: Module 4 — Project Management Office	Institute of Project Controls / recognised assessment route for Association for Project Management technical knowledge	1 credit	4 months
Artificial Intelligence in Project Controls Certificate	Institute of Project Controls	1 credit	4 months
Earned Value Management or Management of Portfolios	APMG International	1 credit	4 months

Cohort orientation

Case studies and study materials can be tailored to your sector

The same professional standard can be applied to different industries. Kent Business College can tailor case studies, exercises, examples and templates to match the orientation of each cohort.

Cohort 1: Engineering, construction and infrastructure projects

For learners working in construction, civil engineering, infrastructure, manufacturing, carbon sustainability, complex engineering delivery, project controls, cost engineering and major project environments.

Construction Infrastructure Manufacturing Carbon sustainability Engineering delivery

Cohort 2: Business, consultancy, digital and service-sector projects

For learners working in management, consultancy, marketing, accountancy, financial services, management services, strategic management solutions, information technology and digital transformation services.

Business consultancy Marketing Accountancy Financial services Digital transformation

Capability and workplace outputs

What learners can evidence at work

The programme is designed to turn learning into visible project controls evidence, stronger decisions and better workplace systems.

Integrated project baseline

Project schedule and critical path analysis

Earned value performance report

Cost forecast and variance analysis

Risk and issue register

Change control process

Executive project dashboard

Stakeholder engagement plan

Project Management Office operating model

Portfolio or programme governance pack

Artificial intelligence workflow or dashboard

Professional practice portfolio

Project controls professionals collaborating during a learning session

Delivery and assessment

Live, applied and work-based

The programme is designed for working professionals. Learners prepare before class, explore concepts with tutors, apply tools at work and reflect on evidence, impact and professional judgement.

Prepare

Short reading, diagnostic questions, project evidence review or workplace context preparation.

Explore

Live tutor-led classes, cases, worked examples, professional discussion and practical workshops.

Apply

Use the framework, template or technique in a real project, approved workplace scenario or simulated professional context.

Reflect

Capture evidence, evaluate impact, improve the artefact and prepare for portfolio or End-Point Assessment review.

Assessment approach

Applied work-based evidence aligned to programme outcomes.
Professional portfolio development and reflective commentary.
Knowledge, practice and evidence review throughout the journey.
Final workshops to prepare for professional discussion and End-Point Assessment.

Employer involvement

Confirm suitable duties, evidence opportunities and route fit.
Support the learner with protected off-the-job learning time.
Review workplace application and progression where relevant.
Help align the module mix with operational and strategic business needs.

Expected workload and learning commitment

A structured weekly rhythm designed for working professionals

The programme combines live online learning, guided independent study, practical portfolio-building and regular coaching. Learners apply project controls and project management principles to real work-life contexts and build evidence of their Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours progression throughout the programme.

Apprenticeship requirement 840 hoursApprenticeship learners must complete the required off-the-job training hours across the programme.

Weekly live teaching 2 hoursLive, interactive online class with your tutor, including discussion, worked examples, case analysis and applied project controls practice.

Typical weekly study 7 hoursA balanced weekly commitment combining live learning, guided reading and practical portfolio-building activities.

Your weekly learning commitment

Each week is designed to help you learn, apply, evidence and reflect. The expected weekly workload is approximately seven hours.

Live online interactive session

Tutor-led online class with explanation, group discussion, workshops, project controls examples and practical application.

2.5h

Reading, quizzes and podcasts

Guided Learning Management System activities including reading materials, quizzes, podcasts, reflective prompts and learning checks.

2.5h

Portfolio-building activities

Practical evidence-building tasks, such as capturing workplace examples, screenshots, anonymised documents, photos or reflections showing how project controls and project management are applied in real work-life contexts.

Important: Portfolio evidence should be authentic, relevant and professionally presented. Learners should anonymise confidential employer, client, project and commercial information where required.

Monthly coaching meeting

You will have a one-hour monthly coaching meeting. During this meeting, you make a short presentation to your coach about your Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours progression and discuss your evidence, learning needs and next actions.

Progress review every 10 weeks

Every 10 weeks, there is a one-hour progress review with your line manager and coach. Your coach presents your progression, listens to feedback from your line manager and identifies learning needs to support your development and career progression.

Workplace support matters

Apprenticeship learners need employer support for off-the-job learning. Your line manager should help protect learning time, support workplace application and provide feedback on how your learning is supporting your role and organisation.

Need an alternative route?

If your line manager cannot support off-the-job hours, speak to us

If your employer or line manager is not able to support the required off-the-job learning hours, you may still be able to join through a partially funded programme supported by the Institute of Project Controls. Funding support may be available from 50% to 75%, depending on eligibility and approval.

Book an information sessionOur admissions team will explain the apprenticeship route, employer responsibilities, Institute of Project Controls funding options and the best route for your situation.

Teachers and subject experts

Learn from recognised project controls, portfolio and project management experts

Coaching support

Coaches who support your portfolio, skills and progress

Coaches support study habits, evidence development, professional confidence and the connection between training and workplace performance.

Benefits of studying with Kent Business College

More than a qualification

Your funded learning journey is designed to support your wellbeing, confidence, career direction, professional recognition and long-term success.

Wellbeing and learner support

Supporting you personally, professionally and academically throughout your learning journey.

Private healthcare insurance through Benenden Health.
Access to our mental wellbeing system.
Mental wellbeing self-assessment tools.
Inclusiveness assessments.
Free optional assessment of potential barriers to education, such as attention, anxiety or learning-support needs.
Artificial intelligence-powered learning management system and learner dashboards.
Original hard-copy and soft-copy learning materials.

Know yourself and build your career

Helping you understand your strengths, personality, interests and career direction.

Free optional personality traits assessment.
RAISEC career interest test.
Job-fit and career-fit psychological tests.
Personal development dashboards.
Career guidance to identify the right pathway and module mix.

Professional recognition and networking

Connecting you with professional bodies, events and recognition opportunities.

Graduation ceremony.
London Masterclass events three times a year.
Professional body memberships linked to your programme.
Institute of Project Controls membership for two years.
Professional clubs, workshops and networking opportunities in different cities.

Funding and included package

Funding options after we confirm fit

Kent Business College confirms programme suitability, apprenticeship eligibility, employer support and the most suitable route before enrolment. The funding package is designed to remove barriers and include more than tuition alone.

Department for Education apprenticeship funding

£27,000

Designed to support the eligible apprenticeship route where learner, employer and programme conditions are met.

Education and training delivery.
End-Point Assessment costs.
Coaching services.
Learning materials.

Institute of Project Controls support package

£7,000

Designed to support the wider professional development package for eligible learners.

Memberships and professional exam costs.
Diploma Level 7 in Strategy and Leadership.
Transport and attendance support for London Masterclass events.
Club and workshop costs in different cities.
Private healthcare insurance during the programme.
Graduation ceremony costs.

Important: Funding is subject to current rules, learner eligibility, employer agreement, prior-learning review, residency and work-location checks, programme suitability and written confirmation. Professional-body membership, exam, fellowship, incorporated status and chartered outcomes are subject to the relevant organisation’s own rules and assessment requirements.

Employer partnerships

Employer partnerships across project-driven sectors

Trusted partnerships across construction, public sector, healthcare, consultancy, education, aerospace, defence and energy.

Infrastructure and construction sector

Councils and public sector

Healthcare and pharmaceutical sector

Business and engineering consultancy sector

University and education sector

Aerospace, defence and oil and gas sector

Information events

Attend an online or offline Kent Business College event

Events are a good way to understand the apprenticeship route, funding package, pathway choices and professional recognition before booking a one-to-one session.

Project Controls Professional Level 6 event image

Programme information session

Understand the six-credit structure, operational, strategic and Chartered pathways, and how to choose the best route.

Fully funded apprenticeship route event image

Employer funding briefing

Designed for employers who want to understand Department for Education funding, off-the-job learning and learner eligibility.

Chartered Project Professional route event image

Professional recognition webinar

Explore the Chartered Pathway, technical knowledge evidence, portfolio development and professional-body requirements.

Find the right upcoming event

See dates and formats for programme, employer funding and professional recognition sessions in one place.

View all events

Take the next step

Ready to choose the right Project Controls Professional Level 6 pathway?

Start with a one-to-one conversation. The team can help you understand your pathway, employer requirements, funding eligibility, professional recognition route and next intake.

1. Book a one-to-one information session

The key call to action. Discuss your role, funding route, evidence access and pathway with one of the coaches. Book an information session

2. Attend an Eventbrite event

Join an online or offline information event before applying or speaking to your employer. See upcoming events

3. Email Alice Saunders

Send your question about eligibility, funding, cohorts or pathways to office@kentbusinesscollege.org. Email Alice Saunders

Frequently asked questions

Practical answers before you apply

When do the courses start?

The course start windows are September, January and April. The team will confirm which pathway and module sequence is available for your chosen intake.

How long is the programme?

The full Project Controls Professional Level 6 journey is designed as a 27-month programme: one month of soft start, six credits delivered over 24 months, and two months of closing workshops for End-Point Assessment preparation.

Can I tailor the programme rather than follow one standard route?

Yes. The programme is built on a credit system. You can choose a standard route or tailor your six credits based on your current job description, duties, employer needs and evidence opportunities, subject to employer engagement and approval.

I want to do Level 6, but some Level 3 modules fit my job. Can I take them?

Yes, this can be discussed. Our programmes are built on the credit system. Each module is a credit and each normal credit is delivered over four months. The only module that is two credits is the Project Management Professional or Certified Associate in Project Management route. Any cross-level choice must still make sense for your job duties, evidence and funding route.

What is the apprenticeship funding eligibility for the 100% funded route?

Typical apprenticeship funding checks include that the learner lives and works in England, spends at least 50% of working time in England, and has an employer who supports the learner with around 7 to 8 hours per week for off-the-job study. Apprenticeships are not based on age, seniority or maximum salary. The learner must be employed and paid at least the applicable minimum wage rules. Final eligibility is confirmed before enrolment.

What if I am not eligible for apprenticeship funding?

Kent Business College can assist you in exploring the Institute of Project Controls fund. This may be relevant for international applicants, learners outside apprenticeship eligibility, unemployed applicants, self-employed applicants, or employed applicants whose employers cannot support 7 to 8 hours of off-the-job study time. The fund application may require your curriculum vitae, a positive-character statement and a statement about your future passions and goals.

Which route should I choose if I want Chartered Project Professional status?

The Chartered Pathway is the route designed around the Association for Project Management recognised assessment for Chartered Project Professional technical knowledge. Completion of the programme does not automatically confer Chartered Project Professional status. The Association for Project Management awards Chartered Project Professional status only when the candidate meets its current professional practice, continuing professional development, ethics and assessment requirements.

Does every pathway include Institute of Project Controls Fellowship and Incorporated Cost Engineer progression?

The programme is designed so all pathways support Project Controls Professional Level 6 and the professional development route towards Institute of Project Controls Fellowship and Controls and Skills Authority Incorporated Cost Engineer recognition. Final recognition depends on the relevant organisation’s assessment, membership and evidence requirements.

Is the Level 7 Diploma in Strategy and Leadership included?

Yes, access to the Diploma Level 7 in Strategy and Leadership is included in the wider support package. It is scheduled on Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, with six modules, each lasting three months, over an 18-month structure.

What does the funding package include?

The Department for Education apprenticeship funding package is designed to cover education, End-Point Assessment costs, coaching services and materials. The Institute of Project Controls package is designed to support memberships, professional exams, Diploma Level 7 access, London Masterclass attendance and transport, professional clubs and workshops, private healthcare insurance and graduation ceremony costs.

Is this suitable outside engineering and construction?

Yes. The programme has two orientation options: one for construction, engineering and infrastructure projects, and one for management, consultancy, information technology, digital transformation, marketing and wider business-service environments.

What is the best next step?

The best next step is to book a one-to-one information session with a coach. They can review your current duties, employer position, funding route, cohort orientation and most suitable pathway.

Book session Events Email Alice