The School of Intelligent Finance and Business at XJTLU makes PRINCE2 Project Management a core requirement for students and staff.

The School of Intelligent Finance and Business at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) has incorporated PRINCE2 into the mandatory Project Management module in its undergraduate curriculum.

This reaffirms its commitment to professional, project-based learning, and preparing students for the workplace.

Under the leadership of the Dean, Professor Junsong Chen, this initiative applies not only to students studying project management, but also to the academic and professional staff involved in designing, delivering, and supporting project-led education across the school.

The move reflects the school’s distinctive approach to higher education, which emphasizes practical learning and preparing students for professional environments.

An industry-inspired approach to education

Professor Chen explained that the decision was shaped by the school’s position as an “industry school”, which differs from traditional academic institutions:

“Our school does not follow the conventional education model. Instead, we apply practical approaches to education, and professionalism is important in both business and teaching. Project management is a crucial part of that professionalism.”

Most of the school’s academic staff, along with some professional staff, have been encouraged to pursue PRINCE2 Project Management certifications, recognizing that project work underpins both teaching and day-to-day operations.

“From organizing school activities to delivering modules and collaborating with industry partners, much of what we do can be considered a project,” Professor Chen explained.

“Having a shared project management method helps us achieve better outcomes and improve the overall student experience.”

Why PRINCE2 Project Management?

PRINCE2 Project Management was selected for its relevance in both academic and operational settings, and for its alignment with the school’s project-based learning model.

“In many of our modules, learning involves more than just studying concepts; it is about applying them in practice,” Professor Chen said.

“Students work on projects that are often connected to real companies. Faculty need to understand the entire project lifecycle and the key factors needed to organize and deliver successfully.”

All staff teaching the undergraduate project management module are required to hold a PRINCE2 Project Management certification, thus ensuring the consistent application of the method in their teaching. Students are also encouraged to pursue the Foundation level certification after completing the course, to gain a recognized credential alongside their academic qualifications.

Strengthening employability through practical skills

The school believes that combining a formal certification with hands-on project experience gives students a meaningful advantage as they enter the workforce.

“Earning the PRINCE2 Project Management certification demonstrates to employers that students have the ability (or skills) to contribute to and deliver real projects, and we provide many opportunities for students to do exactly that,” Professor Chen added.

By linking the method to live projects during their studies, students can demonstrate not only an understanding of project management principles, but also the ability to apply them in practice – initially as team members and later as project leaders.

Professor Chen also highlighted sustained demand for project management education, noting high enrolment in postgraduate project management programmes as evidence of the relevance of these skills across industries.

“Most work in a company is organized around projects. Whether in engineering or business, project management skills are widely applicable and increasingly important,” he said.

A culture of professionalism for staff and students

Beyond improving student outcomes, the initiative reflects a broader cultural objective within the school.

“This is an important skill not only for our students, but also for our staff,” Professor Chen concluded. “Encouraging colleagues to get certified reflects our school’s culture. Even in higher education, we can adopt professional practices to make the way we work more effective.”

John Knott, Director, Global Academic Partnerships at PeopleCert, said: “XJTLU demonstrates how professional certifications can be integrated meaningfully into higher education. By aligning staff capability, curriculum design, and student outcomes around PRINCE2 Project Management, the school is equipping learners with skills that translate directly into the workplace.”

Andrew Wang, Head of Greater China Region at PeopleCert, said: “As a pioneer in the internationalization and innovative practices of higher education in China, XJTLU has demonstrated exceptional strategic foresight by deeply integrating the PRINCE2 Project Management method into its teaching, research, and campus governance.

“This collaboration goes beyond the mere introduction of a certification system; it serves as a model for systematically upgrading educational frameworks through international standards. By focusing on faculty development, co-building curricula and integrating academic ecosystems, we have jointly established a loop of methodology, teaching practice and industry applications.

“This not only aligns with China’s policy direction for cultivating interdisciplinary talent but also provides a replicable model of industry-education integration for the global higher education sector. We look forward to deepening our collaboration with XJTLU and jointly advancing the application of project management thinking in broader educational contexts.”