Quality Management Systems (QMS)
ISO 9001:2026 Foundation Course (Self-Paced Online)
Level
Foundation
Certification
Exemplar Global
Delivery
Self-Paced Online
Duration
8 hours
Content
Video Lessons
Access
Lifetime
What you will learn
- The purpose and structure of ISO 9001:2026
- Key clauses: context, leadership, planning, support, operations, performance evaluation, and improvement
- What changed in the 2026 revision: climate change in context, quality culture and ethical behaviour, opportunity based thinking and the new clause 6.1.3, expanded change management, and contingency planning
- How audits are used to verify conformance
- The PDCA cycle and risk based thinking
Who is this for?
Open to everyone. Ideal for quality coordinators, team members in certified organisations, professionals new to ISO 9001, and anyone preparing to move into quality management or auditing. No prior knowledge required.
Key concepts covered
- Quality management and the ISO 9001:2026 framework
- The harmonised structure shared across ISO management system standards
- The process approach
- Risk based thinking and opportunity based thinking
- Customer focus and customer satisfaction
- Context of the organisation, interested parties, and climate change
- Quality culture, ethical behaviour, and continual improvement
An understanding of ISO 9001:2026 is valuable across every part of an organisation. This foundation course enables you to:
- Understand ISO 9001:2026 and speak the language of quality management with confidence
- Know what changed from the 2015 revision and why it matters
- Contribute to your organisation's quality management system and its certification readiness
- Build a solid foundation before progressing to Internal Auditor training
- Earn a globally recognised foundation credential
Why learning online works for you
- Learn anytime, anywhere. Study on demand, on site or off site, whenever it suits you
- Self paced. Move at your own speed and spend more time on the areas you want to master
- Cost effective. No travel, accommodation, or time away from the office to fund
- Lifetime access. Return to the materials whenever you need them
- Built to stick. Interactive, multi format lessons keep you engaged and improve retention
A quick look inside
By the end of this course you will be able to:
- Explain the purpose and benefits of a quality management system
- Describe the structure of ISO 9001:2026 and how its clauses fit together
- Explain the key concepts: the process approach, risk based thinking, opportunity based thinking, customer focus, and continual improvement
- Describe the 2026 revision changes, including climate change in context, quality culture and ethical behaviour, the new clause 6.1.3, expanded change management, and contingency planning
- Describe how an organisation uses ISO 9001:2026 to manage and improve the quality of its products and services
- Explain what ISO certification is and how organisations achieve and maintain it
As a bonus, this course explains how ISO certification works. You will learn what it means for an organisation to be certified, the role of accredited certification bodies and accreditation, and how organisations achieve and maintain certification.
This course is designed for anyone who wants a working understanding of the standard, including:
- Anyone new to ISO 9001 or quality management
- People who work within or contribute to a quality management system
- Managers, staff, and consultants who need a working understanding of the standard
- Anyone preparing to progress to Internal Auditor training
- Those supporting their organisation towards ISO 9001 certification
There are no prerequisites for this course. It is suitable for complete beginners.
If you were already trained or certified on ISO 9001:2015 and only need to update your knowledge to the 2026 revision, our ISO 9001:2026 Transition course is the shorter option.
Some of our courses share the same lessons. If you have already done those lessons in another course with us, you will not have to watch them again. You just do what is new in this course. This happens automatically when you enrol.
This is not the formal Recognition of Prior Learning that exempts you from a qualification, and it does not mean there is nothing left to do. It saves you time, while the units that make up your course remain mandatory to complete.
You will need a computer, laptop, or tablet with a reliable internet connection. The course works in any modern web browser, such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari. For the best experience, keep your browser updated to the latest version.
What standard is relevant to this course?
Does this course teach the 2026 revision, and what if I trained on the 2015 version?
Do I need any prior knowledge or experience?
Does this course have assessment requirements?
Are there any extra or hidden costs?
How long does the course take to complete?
What is the difference between this course and the Internal Auditor course?
Is this course accredited, and what do I receive on completion?
What if I need assistance to complete the course (literacy, numeracy, physical, vision, or hearing support)?
Can this course help my career?
Course Reviews
Susan J.
Verified12 Oct 2026 · ISO 9001:2026 Foundation Course
Very easy to follow. Clear and concise
Christine K.
Verified09 Oct 2026 · ISO 9001:2026 Foundation Course
Easy to follow and understand




Exemplar Global Certified Training
A certification that opens doors worldwide
This course carries Exemplar Global recognition and digital badge. Your enrolment unlocks:
- A globally recognised qualification
- The final exam and all assessments, with no separate exam fee
- Your digital badge and certificate, included in the price
- Access to the Exemplar Global Community
What learners say
Words from Audit Workshop graduates
Blaise M.
ISO 45001:2018 Lead Auditor
Uganda · Nov 2026
Technical aspects and best delivery methods with a lot of contextualisation!
Kate J.
ISO 13485:2016 Internal Auditor
United States · Nov 2026
I thought the videos were informational, on an IATF training they had a powerpoint with all of the clauses and went through them one by one. I thought that was very helpful. I just kept my ISO 13485 standard near me for the training so it was fine but I would have used a more thorough clause by clause explanation. I thought the course work was good, it was thorough.
Lorenzo L.
ISO 9001:2026 Lead Auditor
United States · Nov 2026
The course was built around a realistic case study which made this a practical learning experience. Of special note, I had to ask a couple of questions for clarity and the responses were quickly and comprehensive.
Alfonso R.
ISO 13485:2016 Lead Auditor
United States · Nov 2026
The ISO 13485:2016 Lead Auditor Training Course was a valuable professional development experience. I particularly appreciated the emphasis on practical application rather than relying exclusively on theoretical knowledge and multiple-choice assessments. The case-study assignments, including audit programme development, audit planning, identification and documentation of nonconformities, and preparation of audit reports, provided an excellent opportunity to apply auditing principles in realistic medical device industry scenarios. One of the strongest aspects was the individualized trainer feedback on submitted assignments, which encouraged critical thinking and helped reinforce the importance of objective evidence, accurate interpretation of requirements, and sound auditing judgment. As an opportunity for improvement, I would welcome additional examples illustrating best practices for documenting nonconformities and interpreting audit findings, particularly in situations where professional judgment is required. Overall, I found the course well-structured, relevant, and particularly beneficial for professionals looking to strengthen their auditing competencies within the medical device industry.
Iminder G.
Integrated Management Systems Lead Auditor
United States · Nov 2026
Training videos were intentionally made simple for people taking this course for the first time or pursuing the certification for knowledge and career growth. I found them easy to follow. Task feedback was clear and thorough. What worked best for me was the convenience of watching and learning the material anywhere, which fit my busy schedule. Great course overall.
Patricia H.
ISO 9001:2026 Lead Auditor
United States · Nov 2026
I like the audit exercises and knowledge tests.
Darrell C.
ISO 9001:2026 Internal Auditor
United States · Nov 2026
The instructor's feedback. I want to do my best, and I need to know what is needed to improve.
Luke S.
ISO 14001:2026 Transition
Australia · Nov 2026
Very informative, Easy to understand.
Gianluca C.
ISO 14001:2026 Transition
Italy · Oct 2026
Very clear and focused on changes in the new standard. Some more practical examples should probably be useful
Luke S.
ISO 9001:2026 Transition
Australia · Oct 2026
Great course. Easy to understand. Very informative.
Jonathan M.
ISO 9001:2026 Internal Auditor
United States · Oct 2026
Videos are great!
Lonnie C.
ISO 19011:2026 Transition
United States · Oct 2026
The instructor was very knowledgeable and communicated perfectly.
James S.
ISO 9001:2026 Lead Auditor
United Kingdom · Oct 2026
Excellent course with a good overview of the new changes to ISO 9001:2026. Well structured with good case studies. Suited my needs with the remote learning and highly recommended. I will use the Audit Workshop training for my team in the future.
Michelle R.
ISO 19011:2026 Internal Auditor
United States · Oct 2026
teacher was very responsive and gives detailed feedback. Instructional videos are amazing.
Stephen B.
ISO 13485:2016 Lead Auditor
United States · Oct 2026
As a Lead Auditor I did not need to go through that part of the course. A big waste of my time and energy.
Jonathan F.
ISO 45001:2018 Lead Auditor
United Kingdom · Oct 2026
good course
Kara B.
ISO 9001:2026 Transition
Australia · Oct 2026
Very helpful being able to review content, and listen to the words more intently.
Michael L.
Integrated Management Systems Lead Auditor
United States · Oct 2026
Very well structured & informative course, Tasks were appropriate for gaining understanding of the New ISO Integrated Quality Systems
Wira S.
ISO 9001:2026 Lead Auditor
Indonesia · Oct 2026
Keep up the great material by providing real case scenario in each importants keynote. My suggestion is to increase the weight of knowledge checks. Great work overall!
Jonathan F.
ISO 9001:2026 Lead Auditor
United Kingdom · Oct 2026
brilliant course
Lonnie C.
ISO 9001:2026 Transition
United States · Oct 2026
Straightforward. Great course
Susan J.
ISO 9001:2026 Foundation
Cyprus · Oct 2026
Very easy to follow. Clear and concise
Jaco W.
ISO 9001:2026 Internal Auditor
Australia · Oct 2026
Really well-structured course and a great platform. I appreciated how evenly paced the modules were, with consistent completion times across each section. The system runs smoothly, making the whole learning experience seamless. Great work!
VEACESLAV A.
ISO 9001:2026 Internal Auditor
Germany · Oct 2026
Speaking from my own subjective perspective: I found lectures of this type easy to follow back when I was at university, but now—as an adult who has taken various other courses—I believe that interactive content is better absorbed and remembered than a dry lecture. Nevertheless, the speaker was interesting to listen to, and the fact that I passed the test on the first attempt is the best possible measure of the lecture's quality.
Questions?
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