Fast track assessment for experienced construction project managers
No learning curve
— Designed around the work you already do
No Written Answers
— Your assessor asks. You simply talk about your work.
No online portfolio nightmare
— We analyse and map your evidence.
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The NVQ Experience You Actually Want
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Manageable, affordable, interest-free payment plan with instant approval and no 3rd-party finance involved. From just £203.40/mo.
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Enrolments strictly subject to eligibility screening
No Written Answers:
Your assessor asks about the work you already do, then documents your answers. No question sheets to fill in at home.
You provide the evidence. We work out where it belongs.
Busy and unpredictable schedules:
We have a proven and time-tested system to manage that. No judgment for rescheduling sessions.
The busier you are, the better
Respecting the Non-Academic Mind:
We speak in simple language and cut academic terminology. We relate all questions to your industry experience, ensuring relevance and clarity.
Tailored service with a personal touch
No online portfolio nightmare:
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Level 7 Diploma in Construction Project Management
: Everything You Need to Know
Level 7 Construction Project Management: Entry Requirements
There are no formal entry qualifications for this diploma. You do not need a prior NVQ, you do not need a degree, and you do not need a National Insurance number to register.
What is required is experience. This is a competence-based assessment, not a training course. You must be working, or have recently worked, as a construction project manager with responsibility for delivering projects, and you must be able to evidence that work. An assessor confirms your eligibility during screening, before you pay anything.
The Level 7 Diploma in Construction Project Management is aimed at senior project management professionals who lead and coordinate complex construction projects on behalf of contractors, developers, clients, or consultancy firms. It is suited to individuals who take responsibility for project delivery, manage stakeholders, control budgets, and make strategic project decisions from early planning through to completion.
Successful completion of this qualification entitles you to a White CSCS card (Academically Qualified Person), recognising your academic-level project management competence.
This qualification is appropriate for you if you are working in roles such as:
Construction Project Manager responsible for full project lifecycle delivery
Senior/Lead Project Manager overseeing major projects or multiple live schemes
Client-Side / Consultancy Project Manager managing project delivery on behalf of a client or investor
Programme or Framework Project Manager coordinating several linked construction projects
Project Controls or Planning Manager responsible for programme development, progress analysis, and delivery strategy
Commercially responsible Project Manager managing budgets, cost control, procurement, contracts, and value for money within project delivery
The evidence you provide should come from work you are doing now.
Your evidence should show your ability to:
Manage construction project planning, sequencing, and programme development
Coordinate design teams, contractors, consultants, and client stakeholders
Lead project teams and oversee project performance against time, cost, quality, and risk targets
Control budgets, costs, forecasting, procurement, and contract administration
Manage project risks, opportunities, change control, and reporting
Integrate sustainability, environmental requirements, and responsible construction practices into project planning and delivery
Ensure compliance with construction legislation, contractual obligations, and client requirements
Prepare and present project reports to clients, senior management, or boards
Make high-level project decisions that directly impact outcomes, strategy, or delivery
To undertake this qualification, you must:
Hold a senior project management role with responsibility for delivering construction projects
Have substantial experience in planning, managing, or coordinating construction projects
Be able to provide project-based evidence demonstrating your decision-making, leadership, and project governance responsibilities
Have access to current or recent projects from which you can produce documentation, reports, schedules, communications, and management records
Understand key areas of project governance including contracts, procurement, risk management, programme control, cost management, and statutory compliance
Formal academic qualifications are not required, but you must have sufficient real project evidence to demonstrate competence at Level 7 (equivalent to master's-level responsibility and decision-making).
* On completion, apply for a CSCS card!
* To apply for a CSCS card, you must have a valid H&S test, passed within the last two years.
Is the Level 7 Diploma Equivalent to a Master's Degree?
It sits at the same level. It is not the same qualification.
The UK's Regulated Qualifications Framework places every qualification at a numbered level. Level 7 is the level at which a master's degree sits, alongside a postgraduate certificate, a postgraduate diploma and a Level 7 diploma. They are recognised as the same level of demand, not as the same award.
So when a role specification asks for a master's degree "or equivalent", a Level 7 diploma is what that phrasing is designed to accommodate. What it does not do is entitle you to call yourself a postgraduate or to put MSc after your name. The certificate reads Level 7 Diploma, and that is what it is.
For project managers, the practical value is that the qualification is assessed on the projects you are already running. You are demonstrating decision-making and governance at master's level rather than writing about it, and the award is what CSCS looks at for the white Academically Qualified Person card.
Fast Track Level 7 Project Management: Qualified in 4 to 6 Weeks
Fast track is included as standard, not sold as an extra. With it, the target is completion within 4 to 6 weeks. You get priority status and your assessor builds a plan around your working schedule to hit that window. If things stall, expect a friendly phone call.
This qualification is five mandatory units with no optional selection, and most candidates cover the criteria in one or two sessions. That structure is why it moves quickly when the evidence is ready.
Two conditions apply, and they are worth stating plainly. You need to be motivated and willing to work with your assessor, and you need evidence available. The speed comes from the evidence your projects already generate, not from any shortcut in the assessment.
Once your assessment is complete and the portfolio goes to the awarding body, certification typically takes up to 15 working days, though this varies with the awarding body's workload.
What the Level 7 Diploma Covers: All 5 Units
The Level 7 Construction Project Management qualification is straightforward and consists of five mandatory units only.
Candidates must complete all mandatory units to achieve this qualification.
Mandatory Units · 5 units
Unit Title
Level
Strategic Construction Project Management
7
Leadership and Management in Construction
7
Financial and Legal Frameworks in Construction
7
Sustainable Practices and Environmental Management in Construction
7
Advanced Construction Risk and Quality Management
7
There is no optional unit selection to make. All five units are mandatory, and the full unit titles and their levels are listed above. Your assessor confirms during screening and assessment planning that your projects give you the evidence to cover all five.
How the Level 7 Project Management Assessment Works
Typically, it takes 1 to 2 assessment sessions to cover the assessment criteria. Assessments for this qualification are usually completed remotely via Teams or Zoom video calls.
Although the assessment process may vary depending on your package selected at the time of booking (see the booking form for options), the typical steps you can expect are outlined below. Given the dynamic nature of the industry, we always adapt the process to suit your individual circumstances.
For simplicity, let's break down the process of a typical construction project management assessment into 6 chronological steps.
1
Introduction
You will receive an instructional email providing start-up guidance, including a list of product evidence examples and suggestions for effective collaboration with your assessor. This will help you identify the evidence you need to compile for your assessment portfolio.
2
Welcome Call
You will arrange an induction call (usually a video call) to discuss the assessment requirements, your role, and the product evidence from your current or previous projects. During this call, you will agree the next steps and gain a clear understanding of what you need to prepare for the first assessment session. The assessor will also email any required course materials.
3
Compile Evidence
Based on the assessor's guidance and advice, you will begin compiling evidence (if not already available) for the assessment session.
4
The Assessment
Once you have gathered sufficient evidence for the first session, you will arrange a video call to review your files and explain your work processes and methods. Depending on your preparation, this session may cover up to 100% of the assessment criteria.
5
Assessment Progress
Following the first session, the assessor will review your evidence and carry out a gap analysis to identify any remaining requirements. If applicable, you will receive feedback outlining the steps needed to address these gaps.
6
Completion
Our goal is to cover all criteria and complete your assessment as efficiently as possible. Once 100% of the assessment criteria have been met, we will finalise your portfolio and proceed to claim your qualification from the Awarding Body.
Construction project management in the office at the desk
Key facts for Level 7 Diploma in Construction Project Management
Official title
Level 7 Diploma in Construction Project Management
Also known as
Level 7 Diploma Construction Project Management
Assessment type
Work-based & distance assessment
Prior experience
Required
Classroom attendance
No
Fast Track
Yes
Typical completion
4 to 6 weeks
Remote assessments
Teams & Zoom options available
Dedicated assessor
Yes, with a direct contact number
Guidance & support
Yes, we're here to help
Planning & preparation
Guidance provided
CITB grant claimable
No
Industry-recognised qualification
Yes, UK and globally
Our coverage
UK and overseas (Africa, Asia, Australia, UAE and Canada)
Qualification level
Same level as a master's degree
Exams
No
Level 7 Construction Project Management Cost and Payment Plans
The Level 7 Diploma in Construction Project Management costs £1,695 plus VAT. That is £2,034 including VAT at 20%.
You can pay in full, or spread the cost over up to 10 months from £203.40 per month including VAT. The payment plan is interest-free, approval is instant, and there is no third-party finance company involved.
Every enrolment is subject to eligibility screening before you pay anything, and every assessment carries a money-back guarantee. If you fail, you get 100% of your fee back.
What Is Included in the £1,695
1-Day Registration. All assessments start the same day. If you need proof of registration urgently, we aim to send your registration confirmation within one working day.
A dedicated assessor with a direct contact number, not a shared inbox.
Assessment planning and gap analysis against every assessment criterion across all five units.
Professional discussion sessions, held remotely by Teams or Zoom. Most project management assessments are completed entirely by video call.
Portfolio construction. You supply the evidence from the projects you are running. We analyse and map it against the assessment criteria.
No Written Answers. Your assessor asks about the work you already do, then documents your answers against the assessment criteria.
Fast track, targeting completion within 4 to 6 weeks.
Certification claim to the awarding body on completion.
One option sits outside the standard fee. Mentorship is an optional £500 add-on for project managers who need help putting the underlying project governance procedures and documentation in place, rather than simply evidencing systems they already run.
Total Cost from Diploma to Black CSCS Card in Hand
The diploma is one of three costs. The other two are paid to CITB and CSCS directly, not to us.
Item
Paid to
Cost
Level 7 Diploma assessment
Up Level
£1,695 + VAT
CITB Health, Safety and Environment test (Managers and Professionals)
CITB
£23.50
Black CSCS Manager card application
CSCS
£36
The fees shown are correct as of September 2026. Please check citb.co.uk and cscs.uk.com to confirm the current fees.
How to Get Your Black CSCS Card After the Level 7 Diploma
The black CSCS Manager card is the card for managerial and advanced technical occupations in UK construction. It is valid for five years.
CSCS issues it for construction management and technical NVQs at Levels 4 to 7, together with a valid CITB Health, Safety and Environment test for Managers and Professionals (MAP). This diploma is a work-based vocational qualification at Level 7, so the Manager card is the correct application.
It is not the white Academically Qualified Person (AQP) card. CSCS reserves the white AQP card for academic qualifications: degrees, HNDs, HNCs, CIOB Certificates and certain NEBOSH awards. Vocational qualifications take the black Manager route. Academic qualifications take the white AQP route. They are different routes, and this diploma is not an academic degree.
CSCS lists the Construction Project Manager occupation against the NVQ Diploma Level 7 in Construction Senior Management. Confirm the occupation title on the CSCS Card Finder when you apply.
You also need a valid CITB Health, Safety and Environment test pass for Managers and Professionals. The two together are what CSCS assesses.
The CITB Managers and Professionals (MAP) Test
You must have passed the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test for Managers and Professionals within the two years before you apply for the card.
The test costs £23.50. It runs for 45 minutes and contains 50 questions. There are three versions of the HS&E test (Operatives, Specialists, and Managers and Professionals). For a black card you need the Managers and Professionals version specifically.
Book online through Pearson VUE, by phone on 0344 994 4488, or directly with a local Internet Test Centre. On the day, arrive at least 15 minutes early and bring photo ID that includes your signature. Keep your Score Report afterwards, because it carries information you will need for the card application.
If you need to move the booking, you can reschedule free online up to 72 hours before the test. Rescheduling by phone in the same window carries a £5 fee. You can cancel online for a full refund up to 72 hours before; cancelling by phone in that window costs a £10 administration fee. Inside 72 hours there is no refund either way.
You do not need the MAP test to start your assessment. You need it to apply for the card. Many candidates book it while their assessment is under way.
Applying for the Black CSCS Card
Apply online through CSCS Online or the My CSCS app. The application fee is £36.
You will need your qualification certificate, your valid MAP test pass, proof of identity and a recent photograph. Two situations need extra paperwork:
City & Guilds qualifications issued after 1 April 2013. You must submit an electronic certificate showing the qualification details and a certificate authentication code, so CSCS can verify it directly with City & Guilds.
Qualifications gained outside the UK. You will need to contact Ecctis, the UK national agency for international qualifications, and apply for an Industry Skills Statement so CSCS can compare your award against UK standards.
CSCS issues the card, not us. Their application rules apply and can change. Fees quoted are correct as at September 2026.
Does a PRINCE2 or SMSTS Certificate Get You a CSCS Card?
No. Short courses and professional certificates are valuable, but they are not what CSCS assesses.
Project managers tend to accumulate certificates. PRINCE2, APM qualifications, SMSTS, IOSH and CDM courses all appear on project management CVs, and principal contractors ask for several of them. They demonstrate training, and they matter on their own terms.
What they are not is a qualification of the kind CSCS uses to issue a card. CSCS requires a qualification from its accepted list, plus a valid CITB Health, Safety and Environment test pass. You can store short course certificates in the My Skills section of the My CSCS app, but they will not get you a card on their own.
The Level 7 Diploma sits in a different category. It is an accredited, regulated qualification assessed against national standards, which is why it can support a black Manager card application where a five-day course cannot.
Level 7 Construction Project Management Salary
The National Careers Service gives the construction manager career range, which is the closest published profile to a construction project management role, as £27,000 for starters up to £65,000 for experienced managers. That is the most authoritative public figure available, and it is a career-wide range rather than a promise attached to any single vacancy.
Senior and client-side project management roles, particularly those running programmes or multiple live schemes, sit above that range in practice.
What the qualification changes is not the number itself. It is credibility and access. Client-side and consultancy roles frequently ask for a degree or equivalent, and a Level 7 diploma answers that requirement on the strength of projects you have actually delivered. The CSCS card it leads to also keeps you compliant for site access when the role requires it.
Salary figures are indicative UK market ranges as at September 2026. Actual pay varies by region, sector, project size, employer, and the level of responsibility the role carries.
Level 7 Project Management for Managers Working Overseas
The assessment is work-based and delivered online, which means it does not depend on you being in the UK. Up Level assesses candidates working across the EU, the UAE, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Asia.
Overseas assessments are conducted entirely online. Evidence comes from the projects you are running wherever you are running them, and professional discussions are held over Teams or Zoom, scheduled around your time zone. The certificate you receive is the same UK, Ofqual-regulated qualification a UK-based candidate receives.
Two practical points. First, the qualification is what travels. The CSCS card is a UK site access card and only becomes relevant if and when you work on a UK site. Second, if you later apply for a CSCS card using a qualification gained outside the UK, CSCS requires an Ecctis Industry Skills Statement. A UK-awarded qualification avoids that step entirely, which is one reason project managers planning a return to the UK take it while still overseas.
Level 7 Project Management for Employers and Consultancies
Up Level works with individual candidates and with major contractors and consultancies. Clients include Balfour Beatty, CBRE, AtkinsRéalis, Bechtel, Transport for London, Shepley Engineers and TSL.
For an employer putting a project management team through, the points that usually matter are:
No time off the job. Assessment is work-based and delivered remotely, usually in one or two video sessions. Your project managers stay on their schemes.
Evidence from live work. Candidates evidence the projects, programmes and budgets they are already running. Nothing has to be manufactured for the assessment.
A short, fixed structure. Five mandatory units, no optional selection, which makes planning across a team straightforward.
Bid and framework requirements. Where a client or framework asks for qualified project management personnel, a regulated Level 7 award answers that in a way a short course does not.
Volume enrolment. The booking form takes a quantity, and payment plans apply to multi-candidate bookings.
For multiple candidates, call the office on 0333 050 9007.
Why Project Managers Choose Up Level for Their Level 7 Diploma
10+Years operating
2,000+Learners certified
5.0Consistent customer rating over 7 years
We're a UK-registered NVQ assessment centre working with individuals and major contractors alike.
Read more about us
Raymond Lusis, MCIOB
Lead Assessor and Lead Internal Quality Assurer
Raymond is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Building and leads internal quality assurance across all of our qualifications.
LinkedIn
Approved member of the CITB Training Provider Network.
Approved centre for ProQual awarding body.
CIOB
Chartered Assessors
Higher qualifications are assessed by construction professionals who hold Chartered Membership with CIOB.
FAQ
Level 7 Construction Project Management: Common Questions
Everything you need to know about accreditation, eligibility, and what happens after your assessment.
Once your assessment has been successfully completed and your qualification is ready to be issued, you have a few options if you're paying by instalments:
Pay the remaining balance in full and we'll issue your certificate immediately.
Continue with your payment plan, and we'll issue your certificate once the final instalment has been received.
Request an Early Certificate Release (ECR), which may allow you to receive and use your certificate before your payment plan is completed. To do this, you'll need to sign an ECR agreement and provide identification and proof of address — this helps protect both parties while you continue making your scheduled payments.
If you have any questions about your payment plan or certificate release options, our team will be happy to help.
Up Level Training Centre is officially registered and accredited by nationally recognised awarding and industry bodies. We operate as an NVQ assessment and training centre for construction-related qualifications. We are an approved member of the CITB Training Provider Network (TPN), an approved centre with Pearson (Edexcel), and an approved centre with ProQual Awarding Body.
As a CITB TPN member, our centre is listed on the official CITB Training Directory. Please note CITB is currently updating its directory system — while our centre is visible, NVQ qualifications may not yet appear on the map listing during this update period. You can also contact CITB directly for confirmation.
No, this is not a traditional training or college course. This is an NVQ assessment for experienced workers and professionals who know their job very well and require official recognition of their skills in the industry. Knowledge and prior experience is mandatory.
Yes, to apply for a temporary Experienced Worker (red) CSCS card, you must have a valid H&S test that was completed within the last two years. Find more information on the CSCS website.
Yes, to apply for a CSCS card, you must have a valid H&S touch screen test, passed within the last two years. You do not need this test to start the NVQ assessment. Find more information on the CSCS website.
No. You do not need to complete a lower NVQ level first. Eligibility for the NVQ is based on your current role, occupational competence and ability to provide suitable workplace evidence.
The timeframe for the NVQ assessment may vary depending on your employment status and your ability to provide evidence of your work practice. Typically, you'll discuss all aspects of your circumstances with your assessor before starting, to confirm a potential completion date.
Yes, you can register for the NVQ assessment without a National Insurance number.
Once your assessment is completed and your portfolio is submitted to the awarding body for achievement, the typical waiting period is up to 15 working days — though this may vary depending on the awarding body's workload and your individual case. Your certificate is released by our sales department upon receipt of full payment.
Yes. NVQ assessment is based on demonstrating your occupational competence and knowledge. Your assessor can take your individual circumstances into account when planning the assessment and use appropriate assessment methods, including professional discussion where suitable.
Ready when you are
Turn your experience into a recognised qualification.
Start with a free eligibility check — no cost, no obligation — or go straight ahead and book your assessment.
A free eligibility check for the Level 7 Diploma in Construction Project Management.
Once confirmed and happy to proceed, the booking fee is £1,695.00 + VAT,
or from just
£203.40/month (including VAT) with an interest-free payment plan over up to 10 months. Instant approval and no 3rd-party finance involved.
This assessment isn't suitable for beginners
Sorry, this assessment is not suitable for beginners. We only work with experienced workers and professionals who know their job and require official recognition of their skills in the industry.
Knowledge and prior experience are mandatory.
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Booking for
Level 7 Diploma Construction Project Management
From only
£203.40
p/m (VAT incl.)
or £1,695.00 + VAT paid in full
1-Day Registration
All assessments start the same day. However, if you need proof of registration urgently, choose this package. If you can't get on site without a CSCS card, we'll aim to send your registration confirmation within 1 working day so you can apply for the Experienced Worker (Red) CSCS card right away.
* To apply for a temporary CSCS card, you must hold a valid H&S test, passed within the last two years
Included
No Written Answers
Replace hours of written knowledge questions with assessor-led questions about your work. It feels like a natural conversation. You provide the answers. Your assessor records and documents them against the assessment criteria.
* Professional discussions (interviews) are audio or video recorded as evidence for your qualification
Included
Fast Track
With this option, you'll speed up the process and complete your assessment within 4 to 6 weeks. You'll receive priority status, and your assessor will work out a plan that fits around your work schedule and hits that timeframe. When procrastination creeps in, expect a friendly phone call from your assessor to help you get back on track.
* You must be motivated and willing to cooperate with your assessor
Included
Optional package
Even experienced managers can have knowledge gaps or may need support with some management systems, procedures or documentation. With this option, your assessor also works as a mentor, helping you understand what is expected, where to find the right industry information, and how to put suitable systems into practice on your real projects. As you apply them in your workplace, the genuine procedures, records and documentation created through your normal management activities may also be used as assessment evidence where they meet the required criteria.
* This package is NOT intended for novices without prior industry experience
+£500
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Total (incl. VAT)£2,034.00
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Before you call
Check common questions first. If you still need assistance, call our office — we’ll be happy to help.
Yes — prior experience is mandatory. The Level 7 Diploma in Construction Project Management is a competence-based qualification that assesses your existing skills and knowledge in the field.
No — we don't run workshops or training courses. Our NVQ qualifications are designed for experienced professionals who are already working in the industry. The assessment is based on your existing skills and evidence gathered from your work on site.
No — you don't need any prior qualifications to be eligible. However, you must have practical experience and be actively working in the industry.
