Project Management Certification IPMA Level C | English
Course - Project management training - E-Learning
Certified Project Manager IPMA Level C
Information on our course
Achieve the internationally recognized IPMA® Level C certification in just six months through a combination of classroom instruction, live virtual classes, e-learning, or individual coaching.
This industry-independent certification is aimed at project leaders and project managers with experience managing limited projects who want to further develop their skills.
The course teaches project management skills in accordance with IPMA (International Project Management Association) guidelines. During the training, you will learn the most important concepts, methods, and tools for successfully planning, executing, and completing projects.
The goal of the training is to become a Certified Project Manager IPMA® Level C.
Course options and fees

E-Learning
Course fees including coaching & reviews: CHF 5250.-
Duration: individual
With the e-learning course, you can study flexibly at your own pace, without having to stick to a fixed schedule. If you have any questions, your personal coach will be on hand to help.
Should you encounter any learning difficulties during the course, you can switch to the next face-to-face or virtual live course. The e-learning course fee will be credited in full.
The course fees include coaching on preparing project documentation, including application, executive summary report, project/portfolio/programme report, and interview training.
If there are 2 or more participants from the same company, you will receive a discount on the course costs. The costs for certification are excluded.
* excl. certification fees
The certification fees of CHF 3200.- include the following certification steps from the VZPM. These are charged directly by the VZPM and are not included in the course costs:
Certification step | Certification fees |
Application to obtain the certificate | CHF 200.- |
Executive Summary Report | CHF 400.- |
Written exam | CHF 600.- |
Report | CHF 800.- |
Interview | CHF 1200.- |
Total certification fees | CHF 3200.- |
Course dates IPMA Level C
Reasons to attend a course at 4Projects
Trust our team with over 25 years of training and coaching experience and more than 900 certified graduates. 98% of our participants have successfully earned their certification.
- Although the subject matter is complex, it is taught in a way that is both understandable and exciting thanks to its structure and practical examples.
- The coach also answers questions about theory and practice outside of course hours.
- Small classes: Six to twelve participants are guaranteed for successful learning.
- The course content is up to date and covers all ICB4 competency elements.
- You will receive a knowledge database and a project management compendium with over 800 pages of text, illustrations, and tables in PDF format. You can use the PDFs indefinitely, including during the written exam.
- Audio and interactive content help you understand the material better.
- You will also receive tried-and-true templates and tools for your own use.
- The e-learning option includes individual support: video sessions with a coach upon request.
- Exam training is based on sample exams from previous years (PDF).
- Coaching and Reviews of application documents, reviews of executive summary report (ESR), reviews of project report.
- Receive specific suggestions and tips for project documentation.
- Interview training to prepare for the interview with the assessors (1.5-2 hours).
- There is a network of experienced project managers, Scrum Masters, and product owners.
IPMA® certification is internationally recognized and often associated with more responsibility and a salary increase.
The IPMA® level at which you become certified depends on your experience. No experience is required for IPMA® Level D certification.
IPMA® Level C certification process
The following figure shows the IPMA® Level C certification process. Our services (4Projects), the services of the certification body (VZPM) and the services of the candidates are listed under the individual certification steps and their delivery objects.
English can be chosen for the certification process, written examination or for the certificate language.
Course contents and objectives
The course content is based on the official IPMA® standard and covers all 28 elements of competence. The focus is on project implementation methodology.
Competence area Practices
Competence element | You are able to... |
Project design | draw up a basic plan of action for the project right at the beginning, |
Requirements and objectives | define and prioritize requirements and objectives, |
Scope | define the scope of services and determine the deliverables, |
Time | select and adapt an appropriate project management process model, creating and adapting a schedule and deadline plan, |
Organization and information | establish a project information and documentation system, |
Quality | establish a quality management system, |
Finance | plan and manage a project in terms of costs and financing, |
Resources | planning, procuring, and deploying resources, |
Procurement | negotiate with suppliers, |
Plan and control | create and implement a project control system, |
Risk and opportunity | plan and implement risk and opportunity management, |
Stakeholders | deal with affected parties and stakeholders to ensure the project is accepted successfully, |
Change and transformation | sell the project not only functionally, but also psychologically to achieve greater acceptance among those affected and involved. |
Competence area People
Competence element | You are able to... |
Self-reflection and self-management | reflect and manage yourself, |
Personal integrity and reliability | build integrity and reliability for yourself and within the project team, |
Personal communication | communicate appropriately, |
Relationships and engagement | build a network of relationships, |
Leadership | lead oneself and others successfully, |
Teamwork | build an interdisciplinary and high-performance team, |
Conflict and crisis | be prepared for conflicts and crises, and learn how to deal with them successfully, |
Resourcefulness | think and act holistically, |
Negotiation | negotiate successfully, |
Result orientation | work in a results-oriented manner. |
Competence area Context (perspective)
Competence element | You are able to... |
Strategy | apply strategy, structure, and culture to your project, |
Governance, structures and processes | identify the existing management structures and processes, then manage your project accordingly, |
Compliance, standards and regulation | identify the existing rules, standards, and regulations, and apply them to your project, |
Power and interest | identify the company's power and interests and use them for the project, |
Culture and values | recognize culture and values, and align project management accordingly, practicing sustainability in project management and solutions. |
Requirements and performance measurement
To obtain IPMA® Level C certification, you must provide proof of experience from the last six years. In exceptional cases, this period may be extended to ten years.
- Three years of experience as a project manager in projects of limited complexity; or
- Three years of experience in a responsible project management role as an assistant to the project manager of complex projects (e.g., deputy project manager or sub-project manager).
A school diploma or vocational qualification is not necessary.
You can check whether you meet the requirements for the first certification step before registering. The preliminary assessment fee of CHF 600.- will be credited towards your course fees when you register.
The certification rounds are conducted by the Association for the Certification of Persons in Management (VZPM).
- In an Executive Summary Report (ESR), candidates provide information about their company, their position, and a reference project.
- The three-hour written exam consists of open-ended questions (case studies).
- Afterwards, the candidate must describe a self-managed project in a report.
- This report serves as the basis for the oral portion of the exam, which is a two-hour interview with two assessors.
You can prepare for the written exam by taking practice and sample exams based on past exams. The exam questions will be similar in structure to the current exams. Your coach will assist you with any questions you have about the exam and help you pass.
Graduation

After the course, proof of achievement is available in the form of recognized and well-known certifications. By passing the certification process for the relevant certification, you are entitled to use the following title:
Certified Project Manager IPMA® Level C
Project Manager IPMA® Level C
Related designations: Project leader, project manager
Advantages of IPMA® Certification
Our training courses are recognized by the Association for the Certification of Persons in Management (VZPM) and count toward IPMA® recertification.
Our continuing education courses provide structured preparation for IPMA® certification, which is recognized internationally and is industry-neutral. Our participants work in a variety of industries and professions, which enriches the courses with diverse experiences.
IPMA® certification can help advance your career, increase project success rates, and improve customer satisfaction. It offers a number of advantages for individuals and companies.
For individuals:
- Higher salary: Studies show that certified project managers earn higher salaries on average than non-certified managers.
- Better career opportunities: Certification can help you stand out from the competition and improve your chances of getting a new job or promotion.
- Certification can also give you more confidence in your everyday project work. Certification boosts your confidence and allows you to perform your tasks more competently and efficiently.
- Personal development: Preparing for and taking the certification exam contributes to your personal development in project management.
For companies:
- More efficient project management: Certified project managers are generally more efficient and effective.
- Higher quality project results: Applying best practices in project management generally improves project results.
- Lower project risks: Certified project managers are better able to identify and minimize risks.
- Improved communication and collaboration: Using standardized methods and processes improves communication and collaboration within the project team.
Trainer & coach
As a manager and consultant for projects and change, I have in-depth knowledge, skills, and abilities in a wide range of industries.
My core competencies include:
- IPMA® certifications based on the international ICB4 standard.
- Strategic and operational project management, program management and portfolio management.
- I am also an adult educator (SVEB-I) with expertise in adult education methodology and didactics.
My main activities include:
- Training and seminars: Planning and conducting training courses, classes, and seminars for companies and individuals.
- I also coach projects and changes of medium to very high complexity.
- Implementation of a Project Management Office (PMO).
- Implementation of project, program, and portfolio management (PPP).
Follow-up courses
Information material
- Certification process IPMA Level C - en (2,0 MiB)
- IPMA Broschure 4Projects - en (2,1 MiB)
- Extract Teaching Material Project Management I Introduction (4,3 MiB)
- Audio Extract Teaching Material Project Management I Introduction (27,3 MiB)
- Explanatory video 4-Level IPMA certification system - Englisch (50,5 MiB)
- Exam questions IPMA Level C (779,8 KiB)
- Example_Minicase_IPMA_Level_C_mA_EN (190,9 KiB)