ARMA’s Qualifications Programme: The Certificate in Research Management
Professional development is at the core of ARMA’s mission. We offer a range of recognised professional qualifications that enable members to progress their careers and deliver their roles at the highest standard. The ARMA Certificate in Research Management qualifications have been designed to provide both formal recognition and a structured learning framework for research management professionals at any stage in their career.
We are delighted to have supported more than 250 students from universities, funding organisations and other research organisations in over a dozen countries to successfully gain their qualifications.
Our certificates
You must be an ARMA member to study for an ARMA qualification. There are two professional qualifications on offer:
Certificate in Research Management Foundation – An introductory level qualification for those starting their career in research administration. It covers a broad range of topics required for an overall understanding of research management and is ideal for lower-level roles in research offices. Read more about the Foundation CRM
Certificate in Research Management Advanced – Following on from the Foundation, the Advanced certificate has been designed to provide an insight into the technical and professional skills needed in research management today. It looks in greater depth at the skills, roles and activities required for the profession and supports students to develop a higher-level view of the issues. It is not a requirement to complete the Foundation certificate before the Advanced if you already have at least two years’ experience in research management. Read more about the Advanced CRM
Our Certificate in Research Management Foundation and Advanced qualifications have been developed in consultation with some of the UK’s leading practitioners in research management. They are accredited by Awards for Training and Higher Education (ATHE) to Levels 3 and 5 Certificates respectively and are regulated by OFQUAL.
Not sure which qualification is right for you? Try our helpful diagnostic tool
Why study for an ARMA qualification?
The Certificate in Research Management qualifications are self-guided and have been designed to enable students to study at their own pace. Each qualification can be completed in two years, although students can take up to three years if needed. By completing an ARMA qualification, students will:
Gain formal recognition of prior and new knowledge
Boost your skills and put them to use within your team and organisation
Enhance their career prospects and confidence to move to the next stage in their career
Build a network of peers from across the sector
Our qualifications are fully online with webinar support available for all units and access to online resources. Students will be expected to attend relevant webinars to supplement their guided learning.
How do they work?
What the CRM packages contain – in a nutshell!
Students will be part of a cohort working through mandatory and optional units with help from a mentor, their own line manager and their wider network.
Each unit has a dedicated webinar, presented by one of our specialist trainers. Students will be expected to undertake some guided learning with their mentor and through workshops and events. The majority of time will be spent on informal learning. They will be able to access online resources to help them complete the units. They will also learn from colleagues in the workplace, and from their peer network.
Each unit is assessed through an assignment, drawing on the guided and informal learning the student will have done in relation to each unit and using examples from the student’s workplace. Students must pass 5 mandatory units for the CRM Foundation and 6 units (4 mandatory plus 2 of the options) for the CRM Advanced.
Areas of study
Foundation
Understanding research policy
Understanding research funding
Supporting research project and portfolio management
Supporting research culture
Research impact and public engagement
Advanced
Supporting research policy and strategy
Equality and Diversity in Research Management
Research Governance
Managing a funding portfolio
Delivering results: people, systems and processes
Managing collaborations
Data for Decision Making
Testimonials
Hear from graduates about their ARMA CRM experience:
Spotlight on Anona Spotlight on Fernando Spotlight on Fiona Spotlight on Kshipra Spotlight on Gillian Spotlight on Emma
I really enjoyed studying for my Certificate in Research Management Foundation with ARMA. Not only did it directly help me within my role as a Research Grants Administrator but it broadened my general knowledge of the research landscape in the UK.
Alex Stanbury – CRM Foundation 2018 & CRM Advanced 2020 Cohort Graduate
I am now the Head of the Research Administration Team and that would never have been possible had I not completed this course. The modules sync perfectly with the nature of my job and I have gained the knowledge I need to inform discussion, develop strategy and improve the experience of our fantastic researchers.
Pam Doyle – CRM Foundation 2018 Cohort Graduate
How to apply
The Certificate in Research Management qualifications are open exclusively to ARMA members. Find out more about ARMA membership and associated benefits here
Once you are an ARMA member, log into the member area and register your place on the 2025 cohort of the Foundation or Advanced CRM. The 2025 programmes will commence on Monday 3rd November. Registration opens in early summer and will be announced in our member’s newsletter in spring.
We have compiled some FAQs about our qualifications including the costs and payment options. For more information or to discuss about whether our certificates would be suitable for you, please get in touch with qualifications@arma.ac.uk
The deadline for registrations is Thursday 16th October 2025
