Strategic Project Management Diploma Special Purpose Award at NFQ Level 9

The Strategic Project Management Diploma offered by the Institute of Project Management which, has run since 2012, was recently validated by the Institute of Technology Tallaght in Dublin as a Special Purpose Award (15 credits-ECTS) on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) at Level 9. This is part of a broader suite of project management courses offered by IPM to professionals at every stage of their career.

The alignment of the Institute of Project Management’s Certified Project Management Diploma to the Irish NFQ facilitates recognition of the relationship between a professional award (IPMA – Level C^®) and qualifications in the NFQ. Specifically, the alignment process here determines that the Institute of Project Management professional award can be recognised as a Special Purpose Award at NFQ Level 9.

The benefits of having the programme validated as a Special Purpose Award are:

it is now placed on the NFQ, and all awards obtained in Ireland on the framework are quality-assured and recognised internationally;
it supports lifelong learning by recognising knowledge and skills within a comparative framework;
it provides a system of establishing eligibility in learning processes for access, transfer and progression in higher education, making pathways such as the Strategic Project and Programme Management Diploma an ideal next step;
it facilitates comparing the award with international awards and aligns the professional body qualification with awards made on the framework.

Further information on the Irish NFQ and awards descriptors can be obtained at www.nfq.ie. Those looking to advance their careers in project leadership may also find the Project Leadership and Management Diploma a valuable progression route.