Project Management Short Course

At BOLC Academy, we introduce the essential principles of managing projects through a flexible, online Project Management Short Course. This QLS Level 1 Award is designed for learners who want to understand what project managers do, how projects are organised and how work progresses from an initial idea to a completed outcome. You will study two focused units covering the overview of project management and the project life cycle, supported by an assigned tutor and structured learning materials.

If you are comparing professional development options, explore our full course catalogue or browse the project management training range. This introductory award concentrates on project principles and lifecycle awareness rather than the wider estimating, stakeholder and planning-documentation topics found in longer courses.

Why Study Project Management?

Projects help organisations introduce changes, improve services, develop products and complete time-limited assignments. Even a small project benefits from agreed objectives, defined responsibilities and a clear understanding of what needs to happen next. Without these foundations, teams can lose time through unclear scope, competing priorities and poor communication.

Our Level 1 Award helps you understand the structure behind well-managed projects before taking on more demanding responsibilities. The learning is particularly useful if you support projects in an administrative, operational or team-based role, or if you are considering a more substantial project management qualification in future. You can study around existing work and personal commitments rather than following fixed classroom sessions.

What You Will Learn

• Explain the difference between routine operations and a defined project.
• Describe the responsibilities of a project manager and the contribution of other project participants.
• Recognise basic project management tools and the value of clear objectives and coordination.
• Identify common challenges that affect project delivery.
• Outline the four principal lifecycle stages: planning, execution, monitoring and closure.
• Explain why each stage needs appropriate activities, information and review.

Study Format and Course Information

This online Level 1 Award has an approximate study duration of 60 hours. Enrolment is ongoing, there are no formal entry requirements and the course is designed for self-paced study. Learning materials are provided online, and an assigned tutor supports your progress. Each of the two units concludes with an online assessment submitted to your tutor, allowing you to demonstrate your understanding of the topics covered.

Professional Development and Next Steps

Understanding how projects move through their life cycle can make it easier to participate in meetings, follow assigned actions and discuss milestones with colleagues. This foundational knowledge may also help you judge whether more detailed study in project scope, scheduling, budgeting and risk management aligns with your goals.

If you would like a broader introductory syllabus after this award, consider our Level 1 Certificate in Project Management, which covers additional material on project goals, stakeholders and preparation. Alternatively, the Level 2 project management certificate introduces a wider range of planning and risk-management topics.

For a closer look at everyday responsibilities and the skills needed in project teams, read our guide to project manager roles and responsibilities.

Start Your Project Management Learning

Develop a practical understanding of how projects are organised and managed. Enrol in our Level 1 Project Management Short Course and build your foundation through flexible online study with tutor support.

The curriculum contains two approved units. Each unit builds your understanding before you move from the purpose of project management to the sequence of work involved in delivering a project.

Unit 1. Overview of Project Management

Your first unit introduces projects as organised activities with specific objectives, timeframes and expected results. You will examine the role of project management in helping an organisation coordinate work, allocate responsibilities and keep attention on agreed outcomes. We explain how the project manager brings together people, tasks and information, and why sound judgement and consistent communication are central to that role.

You will also explore introductory project management tools and techniques, including the importance of setting objectives, tracking work and identifying issues early. For example, when a business plans to introduce a new internal process, the project manager needs to clarify the intended improvement, the activities involved and who will be responsible for each step. This unit also considers common causes of project difficulty, such as unclear requirements, inadequate planning and insufficient coordination. By the end, you will be able to explain why a structured approach improves visibility and supports more reliable delivery.

Unit 2. Project Life Cycle

The second unit examines the project life cycle and its four principal stages: planning, execution, monitoring and closure. You will explore the purpose of planning, including the need to understand the proposed work, define intended outcomes, identify key activities and consider practical constraints. We then look at execution, when agreed work is carried out and people and resources are coordinated to produce the required outputs.

Monitoring is explored as a continuing responsibility rather than a final check. You will consider how progress can be compared with expectations, how developing problems can be recognised and why adjustments may become necessary. The unit concludes with project closure, when completed work is reviewed and handed over, outstanding matters are resolved and lessons can inform future projects. A simple workplace example, such as moving a small team to a new system, illustrates how the stages connect without implying that this course includes a practical placement or project assignment.

At the end of this course successful learners will receive a Certificate of Achievement from the Quality Licence Scheme and a Learner Unit Summary (which lists the components the learner has completed as part of the course).

This course and/or training programme has been endorsed by the Quality Licence Scheme for its high-quality, non-regulated provision and training programmes. This course and/or training programme is not regulated by Ofqual and is not an accredited qualification. Your training provider will be able to advise you on any further recognition, for example progression routes into further and/or higher education. For further information please visit the Learner FAQs on the Quality Licence Scheme website.

Frequently Asked Questions
 

What does this project management short course cover?

It covers the purposes and responsibilities of project management and introduces the four main stages of the project life cycle. The two units establish a foundation for understanding how projects are organised and reviewed.

Is the Level 1 Award suitable for complete beginners?

Yes. The course has no formal entry requirements and begins with core terminology and the responsibilities of project management personnel.

How long does the programme take?

The course is designed around approximately 60 hours of study. As it is self-paced, the time you spend studying can be planned around your other commitments.

Can I complete the project management course part time?

Yes. The online format allows you to organise study alongside work or other responsibilities, without attending scheduled classroom sessions.

How many units are included?

There are two approved units: Overview of Project Management and Project Life Cycle. Both are included in the Level 1 Award.

What are the four stages of the project life cycle?

You will study planning, execution, monitoring and closure, learning why each stage contributes to an orderly project process.

Will I learn to manage a full project budget?

The focus of this short award is introductory project knowledge and lifecycle understanding. For more detailed budgeting and estimating content, one of our longer project management programmes is a more suitable next step.

How is learning assessed?

Each unit concludes with an online assessment submitted to your assigned tutor. These assessments relate to the material you have studied.

Is tutor support available?

Yes. BOLC Academy provides an assigned tutor to support you during the course, alongside the online study materials.

What certificate will I receive?

Following successful completion, you receive a Quality Licence Scheme Certificate of Achievement and a Learner Unit Summary recording the completed course components.

Is this an Ofqual-regulated project management qualification?

No. It is a Quality Licence Scheme-endorsed, non-regulated Level 1 Award. It is not an Ofqual-regulated or professionally licensed qualification.

Can this course support further project management study?

Yes. It provides a grounding in the subject. You can then explore more extensive certificates covering project goals, planning tools, stakeholder communication and risk management.

Careers in project management are open to anyone with the drive, determination and desire to succeed. If you are a natural problem solver with a meticulous eye for detail, a project management career could be right up your street. With no prior knowledge or experience required, this Level 1 Project Management Award could pave the way for a successful career in the field. Progress to diploma-level studies upon completion, or take the first step towards a rewarding project management career. Salaries of around £20,000 are the norm in entry-level project management roles.

This introductory award is suitable for people exploring project management for the first time, employees who support project teams, administrative or operational staff who work alongside project managers, and business owners who want a clearer understanding of project stages. It is also appropriate for learners who prefer to begin with a shorter course before committing to more extensive training.