Masters Degrees (Construction Project Management)

The MSc in Construction Project Management prepares students for a professional role in the management of construction projects by providing students with an understanding of both the people-related and technical requirements necessary for the successful management of projects, as well as the organisational and strategic aspects; it also stresses the project control mechanisms of resource management, budgeting and cost management, change control, contract management and information management.

This MSc is one of four MSc courses within the Management of Projects Group of Programmes. The other MSc courses are: Management of Projects, Commercial Project Management and Engineering Project Management.

The School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering has a long history of delivering project management related masters courses and the staff who deliver the programme are drawn for a wide variety of backgrounds and industrial experience.

Course description

The MSc in Construction Project Management prepares students for a professional role in the management of construction projects by providing students with an understanding of both the people-related and technical requirements necessary for the successful management of projects, as well as the organisational and strategic aspects; it also stresses the project control mechanisms of resource management, budgeting and cost management, change control, contract management and information management.

This MSc is one of four MSc courses within the Management of Projects Group of Programmes. The other MSc courses are: Management of Projects, Commercial Project Management and Engineering Project Management.

The School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering has a long history of delivering project management related masters courses and the staff who deliver the programme are drawn for a wide variety of backgrounds and industrial experience.

Teaching and learning

The Construction Project Management MSc is a full time course which is studied over 12 months, starting in September each year. The course comprises eight taught course units, each worth 15 credits, and a research dissertation worth 60 credits. Students on this particular MSc study four core units fundamental to project management, and which are shared by students on the other MSc courses. In addition, the Construction Project Management Professional Practice unit is programme specific unit which is designed to simulate the major challenges to delivering a successful construction/civil engineering project through the medium of a `live' case study approach. Students must also select three option units and carry out a Construction Project Management based dissertation.

Assessment of the taught part of the programme is via a combination of formal written examinations and coursework assignments, which will include group work and oral presentations. Some assessment is based on online material provided by the Association for Project Management (APM) and PRINCE2 (a process-based method for effective project management).

Career opportunities

Graduates of the Construction Project Management MSc are highly regarded by industry. This course offers students a unique blend between academic excellence, problem-based learning and industry practice. During their studies, students are required to immerse their knowledge in `live case studies', where actual construction/engineering projects are selected as part of the curriculum.
Our recent graduates go on to work with large multinational organisations globally, such as:
-Accenture, UK
-AECOM, UK
-Atkins, UK
-BGS Ingenieros SAC, Brazil
-Chechen State University, Russia
-E.C. Harris, UK
-FFC Pakistan
-FDM Group, UK
-Ghandara Designs, India
-Pentecost University College, Ghana
-Hyundai Engineering & Construction, Korea
-Ikea, China
-Jones Lang LaSalle, UK
-Joannou & Paraskevaides, Cyprus
-KPMG, UK
-Turner & Townsend, UK
-Sapura Crest Petroleum, Malaysia
-Saleh Ibrahim Steel Contracting LLC, UAE
-Sare Group, India
-Unicon Ltd, Qatar

Accrediting organisations

The MSc in Construction Project Management is listed by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) as an Approved Further Learning Scheme for Chartered Engineer. The JBM represents the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Institution of Structural Engineers, the Institution of Highways and Transportation and the Institute of Highway Incorporated Engineers. This means that successful completion of the MSc will enable applicants with an accredited first degree at BEng level to become chartered engineers.
The School has a Partnership arrangement with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and this MSc is accredited by the RICS Project Management Faculty.

Students who successfully complete the unit MACE 60062 Conflict Management and Dispute Resolution option unit are eligible for associate membership of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

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This course develops the interpersonal skills required for effective project management. It also develops judgmental, managerial and leadership qualities, building on the students’ knowledge and experience gained in first degrees and/or the work environment.

You are provided with a professional experience that allows you to pursue your personal objectives in the areas of Property and Project Management, Construction Management and Consultancy, and Research in the Built Environment.

You can study the MSc Construction Project Management degree full-time or online.

Visit the website http://www.rgu.ac.uk/architecture-construction-and-surveying/study-options/postgraduate-taught-full-time/masters-in-construction-project-management

Stage 1

• Sustainable Development
• Project Information, Organisation & Behaviour
• Design Management
• Project Management 1

Exit award: PgCert Construction Project Management

Stage 2

• Built Asset Procurement & Contractual Arrangements
• Project Planning and Control
• Risk and Safety Management

Choose 1 module option from the following group:
• Building Information Modelling: Application
• Petroleum Economics and Asset Management
• Built Asset Management

Exit award: PgDip Construction Project Management

Stage 3

• Dissertation

Award: MSc Construction Project Management

Format

Distance Learning:
The distance learning Construction Project Management course is a fully on-line course with no attendance on campus. The course is presented via our Virtual Learning Environment (CampusMoodle).

The CampusMoodle infrastructure provides a virtual classroom to deliver the equivalent of on-campus face-to-face staff ¬student contact. The learning experience is enhanced through the provision of core reading, supplementary notes, reading lists, case study materials, web links, video footage, synchronous and asynchronous interaction and discussions. Additionally commercial systems such as Skype are employed to hold online tutorials, guest presentations, virtual site visits and interviews.

Full-time:
The full-time learning Construction Project Management course is based upon campus attendance.

Students will learn by a mixture of teaching and learning methods, including Lecture, Tutorial, Workshop, Seminar, Practical Work, Case Study, Simulations, Games, Student Centred Learning and Private Study. Being a vocationally orientated course the teaching and learning is focused upon providing a sound knowledge and understanding of the subject material in the context of the Built Environment.

Textbooks

Students are expected to purchase core texts, all as indicated in the course Module Descriptors under the heading of Indicative Bibliographies and to pay all costs associated with the preparation of coursework e. g. posters, document folders and the like. Total course expenditure should not exceed £200 to £300 overall.

Placements and accreditation

This course is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). The School has been awarded Accredited Centre status by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).

Careers

When you graduate from the course you will possess a highly respected and professional qualification which is recognised throughout the world. Graduate salaries in this sector are extremely attractive and benefits packages vary significantly between employers. Graduates can choose to work in a number of related fields including the Built Environment, Civil Engineering as well as Heavy Engineering, Offshore and Petrochemical industries. Employment prospects, nationally and internationally, are currently excellent.

How to apply

To find out how to apply, use the following link: http://www.rgu.ac.uk/applyonline

Funding

For information on funding, including loans, scholarships and Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) please click the following link: http://www.rgu.ac.uk/future-students/finance-and-scholarships/financial-support/uk-students/postgraduate-students/postgraduate-students/

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Competency in project management has become a key part of the skills-set of every construction professional and executive, with many construction project managers functioning in a strategic and co-ordinating role in the delivery of the client’s physical development and investment programme.

Society continues to value and shape the built environment resulting in both public and private investment in construction assets and the successful completion of construction projects. As these projects become more socially and technically complex in a changing world dominated by a concern for sustainability, there has been a growing challenge to develop existing and new skills and expertise in construction project management. This challenge is not only national but global as the need for construction project management skills continues to grow internationally. Indeed, our student cohorts reflect this global challenge with students from across multiple continents.

We have been running programmes in MSc Construction Project Management for nearly 20 years. This arose from the need to extend the managerial remit to those activities that fall outside the construction phase to include areas such as financing, design and hand-over. The programme is therefore tailored for construction professionals looking for a more holistic perspective of construction project processes and the challenge of project management in complex building and infrastructure projects.

Accreditation of the programme is provided by the UK’s Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Engineering Council and The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).

Core study areas include: Building Information Modelling, Design Management and Sustainability in the Built Environment.

Key facts

- An outstanding place to study. The School of Civil and Building Engineering is ranked 2nd in the UK for Building in the Times Good University Guide 2015
- Research-led teaching from international experts. 75% of the School’s research was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent in the latest Government Research Excellence Framework.
- Fully accredited by the UK's Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Engineering Council and The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).

See the website http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/programmes/departments/civil/construction-project-management/

Programme modules

- ICT for Construction Projects
This module introduces managers to a wide range of tools and technologies appropriate for their role and projects. The module covers a range of topics including project information flows, e-business, database technologies, emerging technologies, building information modelling technologies, groupware and collaborative systems.

- Research and Communication
The aims of this module are to provide the student with an overview of sources of information in construction; to explain to students how to conduct a literature review and introduce students to the principal methods of investigation in construction research; and provide an opportunity for each student to develop professional and academic skills in oral and written communication.

- Principles of Design and Construction
This module teaches students the fundamental principles of managing a project during the design and construction phases. The module develops knowledge and understanding of the role and principles of the estimating, tendering and planning of construction projects and the importance of health and safety in relation to design and construction activities.

- Principles of Project Management
Students will gain an understanding of construction project management principles and theory. Specific areas covered include management responsibility for running construction projects; contemporary issues facing the construction industry; cultural complexity and the impact of behaviour and motivation on performance; and applying appropriate project management techniques for the different project phases.

- Design Management
This module introduces various Design Management techniques and approaches. These include process mapping techniques for design; ways to analyse and optimise the design process; and students will gain an understanding of the internal workings of a design office and their relationship with the construction team.

- Sustainability and the Built Environment
Students will gain an understanding of sustainability issues that relate to the built environment; ways in which these issues can be managed and effective communication of both strategic and technical information.

- Management of Construction Processes
This module introduces students to cutting edge contemporary management concepts and innovations; complexities of setting up and managing logistics on large construction sites; and essential project management techniques such as risk management.

- Postgraduate Research Project
The aim of this module is to provide the student with experience of the process and methodology of research by defining and studying (on an individual basis) a complex problem in a specialised area relating to Construction Project Management.

Option Module (part-time students only)
- Management and Professional Development 1
The aim of this module is to enable students to plan, develop and demonstrate progress against a suitable professional development framework, such that they become equipped with a range of transferable management and professional development skills.

Option Modules One
Choose one from
- Strategic Management in Construction
The aim of this module is to introduce students to the fundamental concepts of strategic management and the tools for formulating and implementing strategies within the construction sector. The application of strategic management tools to develop appropriate change strategies will be explored and fundamental skills in communication, negotiation and leadership will be developed.

- People and Teams
Students will gain a knowledge and understanding of the key fundamental management principles and theory (such as motivation, teamwork, leadership, task management) and how they can be applied to managing people within the context of the construction project environment. Students will also be able to analyse current theoretical approaches to people management, appreciate importance of ethics and cultural issues and evaluate the key factors driving HRM systems.

- Procurement and Contract Procedure
This module aims to develop students understanding of procurement methods, different forms of contract and contract practice. The module is designed to give students key practical skills including advising clients on appropriate procurement and tendering methods; selecting the most appropriate form of construction contract; and manage a construction contract effectively.

- Business Economics and Finance
Students will gain a sound understanding of macro, meso and micro economics and types, sources and management of finance relating to construction organisations and projects. This will allow students to analyse the policies and operations of construction organisations and projects from an economic perspective to determine likely performance consequences and analyse corporate financial data for investment prospects and business management decisions.

- Federated 3D Building Information Modelling (BIM)
The creation, deployment and use of aggregated and integrated models are key goals of collaboration through BIM. This module aims to deliver hands-on practical skills on the use of BIM technologies (i.e. design software and collaboration tools) for real-time co-creation and data sharing of federated/aggregated 3D BIM models. The concept of shared situational awareness within design teams/processes will be explored.

Careers and further study

Previous students have gone on to work for a variety of organisations nationally and internationally. These include Arup, Atkins, BAM Nuttall Ltd, Balfour Beatty, Kier Group, Morgan Sindall, Skanska and Transport for London. Many of these organisations engage with the University in both collaborative research and in delivering lectures on the courses. This provides an ideal opportunity for students to engage in discussions about employment opportunities.

Scholarships and bursaries

The University offers over 100 scholarships each year to new self-financing full-time international students who are permanently resident in a county outside the European Union. These Scholarships are to the value of 25% of the programme tuition fee and that value will be credited to the student’s tuition fee account.
You can apply for a scholarship once you have received an offer for a place on this programme.

Accreditation

This degree is accredited as meeting the requirements for further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired an Accredited CEng (Partial) BEng (Hons) undergraduate first degree.
The course is also accredited by the UK's Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Engineering Council and The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).

Why choose civil engineering at Loughborough?

As one of four Royal Academy of Engineering designated Centres of Excellence in Sustainable Building Design, the School of Civil and Building Engineering is one of the largest of its type in the UK and holds together a thriving community of over 60 academic staff, 40 technical and clerical support staff and over 240 active researchers that include Fellows, Associates, Assistants, Engineers and Doctoral Students.

Our world-class teaching and research are integrated to support the technical and commercial needs of both industry and society. A key part of our ethos is our extensive links with industry resulting in our graduates being extremely sought after by industry and commerce world-wide,

- Postgraduate programmes
The School offers a focussed suite of post graduate programmes aligned to meet the needs of industry and fully accredited by the relevant professional institutions. Consequently, our record of graduate employment is second to none. Our programmes also have a long track record of delivering high quality, research-led education. Indeed, some of our programmes have been responding to the needs of industry and producing high quality graduates for over 40 years.

Currently, our suite of Masters programmes seeks to draw upon our cutting edge research and broad base knowledge of within the areas of contemporary construction management, project management, infrastructure management, building engineering, building modelling, building energy demand and waste and water engineering. The programmes are designed to respond to contemporary issues in the field such as sustainable construction, low carbon building, low energy services, project complexity, socio-technical systems and socio-economic concerns.

- Research
Drawing from our excellent record in attracting research funds (currently standing at over £19M), the focal point of the School is innovative, industry-relevant research. This continues to nurture and refresh our long history of working closely with industrial partners on novel collaborative research and informs our ongoing innovative teaching and extensive enterprise activities. This is further complemented by our outstanding record of doctoral supervision which has provided, on average, a PhD graduate from the School every two weeks.

- Career Prospects
Independent surveys continue to show that industry has the highest regard for our graduates. Over 90% were in employment and/or further study six months after graduating. Recent independent surveys of major employers have also consistently rated the School at the top nationally for civil engineering and construction graduates.

Find out how to apply here http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/programmes/departments/civil/construction-project-management/

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Thrive in a growing industry

The construction industry is booming, with companies, both nationally and internationally, calling out for qualified project managers to spearhead their latest developments. According to the 2013 Project Management Talent Gap Report, the Project Management Institute (PMI) expects the creation of 15.7 million new project management roles globally by 2020.

To help online students take advantage of these growing opportunities, Nottingham Trent University is offering a comprehensive online MSc in Construction Project Management. The course is designed to equip mid-career professionals, or recent graduates, with practical skills that can be applied straightaway in real working environments.

“I regularly use the skills I learned on the MSc because the range of modules on the course links in perfectly with the industry and consulting environment. Not only is the construction knowledge important, but additional skills learned through non-construction related modules are arguably the most critical.”
Stuart Teare, MSc Project Management (Construction), full time

Course overview

Taught by experts from the construction industry, with direct links to major construction firms, this MSc is perfectly positioned to help you secure a project management career in construction.

Our online MSc Construction Project Management will help you to:

- manage project briefing, key design and development issues at a detailed level
- learn the skills necessary to create appropriate procurement strategies
- gain a comprehensive understanding of the organisational structures necessary to achieve successful project outcomes, including legal and contractual constraints and people management skills.

Flexible and engaging online learning

NTU is committed to offering highly relevant courses, tailored to fit around your lifestyle and career. The online MSc Construction Project Management course provides a flexible and engaging way to learn, with a number of ways to interact with the curriculum, including:

- video lectures
- real-life case studies
- interactive assignments
- social interaction
- digital tools and resources
- interactive academic support.

Course curriculum

The NTU online MSc Construction Project Management is a modular course, completed over three years. It consists of 12 modules worth ten credits each, plus a dissertation worth 60 credits (total of 180 credits).

Core modules:

- Contemporary Construction Themes
- Procurement
- Contract
- Legal Rights and Responsibilities
- Collaborative Working
- Construction Health and Safety
- Lean Project Production
- Design Appreciation and Planning
- Cost Studies
- Managing Organisations and People
- Corporate Strategy and Finance
- Managing Construction Projects
- Research skills and Dissertation.

Career outlook

The online MSc Construction Project Management course from NTU gives you first-hand experience of the systems and processes necessary to lead successful project outcomes.

Faculty and alumni connections with major construction firms, plus a focus on practical and relevant skills, give students a clear pathway to a rewarding career in an industry full of opportunity.

The course offers excellent opportunities for career development. Our recent graduates have gone on to work for major international construction firms. They have been employed in roles such as Construction Project Manager, Cost Manager, Site Manager and Senior Project Manager.

Furthermore, NTU is known in the construction industry for the quality of its students and has a long history of successful student placements, improving the course’s reputation with employers.

Start your journey today

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The Construction Project Management MSc prepares you for complex construction projects in a constantly changing globalised industry. Such an industry calls for skilled professionals who can deal with the challenges ahead.

What's covered in the course?

Accredited by RICS and CIOB, this course gives you a broad yet rigorous grounding in the fundamentals of organising and managing construction projects, and provides you with the knowledge and skills needed as a project manager. Our Construction Project Management postgraduates are highly sought-after and have secured positions with companies such as Turner & Townsend, Miller Construction and Acivico.

The MSc Construction Project Management course will enable graduates with degrees in surveying, construction, architecture, civil engineering and real estate to enter the construction management profession. Practitioners with extensive construction work experience but without a first degree will also be considered, subject to entrance exam and interview.

The course gives you a broad knowledge of the challenges of a changing construction industry. You’ll cover law and contract, sustainability, business management, project management and innovation. Building Information Modelling (BIM) is embedded in the course for integrated project delivery. An overseas study trip is an exciting opportunity to look at construction project management in a globalised construction environment.

Professional staff with industry experience will offer support and guidance. We are constantly reviewing and researching the most up-to-date construction developments to be able to pass on the latest industry knowledge. This is supported by guest speakers such as Andrew Hornby, one of our graduates, who now works for Arcadis. We also have excellent links with companies in the region, including Willmott Dixon, Galliford Try and Birmingham City Council.

This course is located in the prestigious £114m Millennium Point building – part of our City Centre Campus – with technology and facilities that reflect advanced professional practice. Our City Centre Campus location is an inspirational place to learn. Birmingham’s Big City Plan, regenerating and developing the city, means there are plenty of opportunities within the built environment. And you’ll have the added advantage of being based near construction sites, including our new Conservatoire development and the new high speed rail track, HS2, giving you invaluable insight into the construction industry.

Why choose us?

The course is fully accredited by both the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). Successful completion of the course will lead to Professional Membership after the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC).

On completion of the course you’ll have covered both the core content and areas of specialism needed for the opportunity to register for the membership of RICS and CIOB.

You’ll take part in workshops with students from other built environment postgraduate courses. This leads to genuinely multi-professional learning and develops your understanding of all aspects of this industry.

Our strong industry links help you make vital contacts and gain practical experience to back up theory.

Course in depth

The overall teaching, learning and assessment strategy of this course is that you are at the centre of learning and teaching, which has a particular focus on the reflective learner and the development of professional skills and applied research. To achieve this and to ensure that you are exposed to a wide range of learning and teaching methods, we use lectures, seminars, workshops, action learning sets, group work, problem based activities, guest speakers, on-line learning via Moodle, site visits, study trips and discussion forums.

Our teaching is very interactive, and you are encouraged to share your experience and opinions with your peers. Critical thinking is vital in Master’s study, and you are required to develop your own ideas and come up with solutions to problems based on solid evidence and logical analysis. You’ll also be expected to complete reading and assignments outside of class hours.

Although this programme is module based, each module forms part of one of the programme themes. This ensures that module design and associated teaching and assessments link together in progressive subject development. Our part-time students attend lectures on day-release basis, and share the modules with our full-time students.

Modules
-Construction Law and Contract 20 credits
-Project Management Methods 20 credits
-Business Management 20 credits
-Sustainable Construction 20 credits
-Innovation in Construction 20 credits
-Integrated Project Delivery 20 credits
-Dissertation 60 credits

This course is accredited by:

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
The course is fully accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). Successful completion of the course will lead to Professional Membership after the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC).

The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)
The Chartered Institute of Building is at the heart of a management career in construction. Its focus is on those entering and already in a management career in construction, by delivering qualifications and certifications that meet the needs of a changing industry. It works with members, employers, academia and governments across the globe to drive forward the science, practice and importance of management in construction.

Enhancing your employability skills

This course is fully accredited by both The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). All their required competences / learning outcomes are covered in this course.

We have a very close working relationship with our accreditation professional bodies RICS and CIOB. We have annual partnership meetings with them to steer the development of our course. You can participate in regional events such as seminars and site visits as a student member to not only get updated industry knowledge but also network with the practitioners. A visit to RICS HQ during our domestic study trip will provide you with very useful insights into your future career development.

We also work very closely with our industrial partners such as Willmott Dixon, Galliford Try and Birmingham City Council. They are not only actively involved in our course development, teaching and assessment but also contribute in various ways as guest speakers, as well as offering site visits, summer placements, research projects and employment.

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In today's ever-changing market, construction professionals need the knowledge and skills available through postgraduate study more than ever. Successful project managers need to be able to think, lead and act in an uncertain and dynamic business environment, have access to the latest information, understand the appropriate techniques and systems, and have the expertise to apply these to market needs and business opportunities.

The MSc Construction Project Management is designed specifically to enhance your understanding of managing projects, and to support construction professionals in practice and client organisations. It is aimed at architects, surveyors, services engineers, civil engineers, construction managers, and existing project managers who wish to formalise their training on the client and supply side.

Key benefits

The course is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).

Course detail

The course's strengths lie in teaching and learning that meets the practising professional's needs, and with such a diverse range of applicants, it is ideal for peer learning. Module content reflects the current diversity and ongoing change in the construction industry in particular, building information modelling (BIM) as well as sustainability and health and safety. To help you gain the most benefit from the course, we also offer advanced study skills.

You'll also enjoy plenty of opportunities to network with people working at the leading edge of research and practice whose insights feed directly into the course modules and help us shape research opportunities for your dissertation. Our staff include active researchers and consultants, through the Department's Construction and Property Research Centre (CPRC).

Structure

The full Master's course comprises 180 credits divided into three 60 credits stages: Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, and Master's. Students work incrementally through the three stages and must pass all modules at each stage in order to progress to the next.

Modules

• Project Management Principles (15 credits)
• BIM in Design Co-ordination (15 credits)
• BIM in Construction Operation (15 credits)
• Sustainability in the Built Environment (15 credits)
• Managerial Finance for the Built Environment (15 credits)
• Construction Procurement (15 credits)
• Construction Project Management Practice (15 credits)
• Construction Contract Law (15 credits)
• Dissertation (60 credits)

Format

Teaching usually takes place on two whole days a week, with lectures, seminars and other supporting activities. Each module (excluding the dissertation) has a full day of contact, with morning and afternoon sessions, and five teaching days so you engage with each module usually once a fortnight. This allows you to prepare for each module and apply yourself to the activities to consolidate your learning.

Some of your learning will be through using BIM software in computer labs, applying it to real-world scenarios and briefs.

Assessment

Assessment mainly avoids major exams, and many modules have mini projects that require applied research relevant to the syllabus but applied to construction project management in practice.

Careers / Further study

Clients, consultants and contractors value project managers' role highly when it comes to optimising projects' budgets, timescales and quality. Project management roles vary, depending on the nature of the project and working environment, but it is a generic function that many organisations' clients will specify.

How to apply

Information on applications can be found at the following link: http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/study/applyingtouwebristol/postgraduateapplications.aspx

Funding

- New Postgraduate Master's loans for 2016/17 academic year –

The government are introducing a master’s loan scheme, whereby master’s students under 60 can access a loan of up to £10,000 as a contribution towards the cost of their study. This is part of the government’s long-term commitment to enhance support for postgraduate study.

Scholarships and other sources of funding are also available.

More information can be found here: http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/feesandfunding/fundingandscholarships/postgraduatefunding.aspx

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The MSc in Construction Project Management (CPM) uses an innovative structure and integrative use of the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) to deliver a flexible and exciting programme of study. It is designed to meet the challenging demands of the modern learner and the rapidly evolving needs of the construction industry.

We continuously and extensively consult with construction companies and organisations in order to make sure that the course content remains practically relevant for the modern construction manager.

The MSc is available both as a one year full-time programme, and in open-learning mode normally taken over two years (extendable up to 5 years).

See the website http://www.brookes.ac.uk/studying-at-brookes/courses/postgraduate/2015/construction-project-management/

Why choose this course?

- Accreditation by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) demonstrates professional recognition of the quality of our programme.

- Strong links with prominent companies in the sector, such as Mace, Willmott Dixon and BAM Construction who are all represented in our Professional Liaison Group (PLG), which exists to provide advice on existing and proposed courses of study, on research activities and consultancy work.

- The programme adopts an applied learning approach to ensure that it is real-world focused and holistic. Not only is this more effective, it is more fun than the traditional study and examination approach.

- Students develop a broad range of management skills and knowledge including Building Information Modelling (BIM), project finance, technology, and procurement by working on real-life or realistic problems as experienced by the construction industry, consultants and clients.

- Students are also exposed to behavioural aspects of managing projects, which most construction project managers only experience when their careers in the construction industry are well-advanced.

- There are four intensive study periods during the programme where full-time and open-learning students come together on campus to attend lectures, seminars and workshops and share experiences.

- The course is directly tailored to students with a background in the construction industries who want to develop their careers as Construction Managers. Whether you have a degree in a construction related discipline such as Civil Engineering or Architecture, or have a strong background working in construction, if you want to be a Construction Project Manager this is the course for you.

- Our graduates have an exemplary employment record and now span the globe, working in countries including India, Pakistan, South Africa, Canada, Australia, Peru, Middle East and China.

- Our teaching is backed up by strong research activity. Many of our academic staff are involved in academic research and/or professional or commercial consultancy work.

- Many members of staff are part of Brookes' Oxford Institute of Sustainable Development (OISD), a leading research and promotional organisation noted for its work on sustainable technology in buildings and sustainable urban form.

- Our staff have strong links with local companies and sit on professional committees including CIOB and Constructing Excellence.

Teaching and learning

Teaching, learning and assessment methods are to a considerable degree determined by the use of the applied learning approach which leads to a more challenging and industrially relevant course than the traditional lecture approach. Learning takes place through groups of students puzzling through problems, often adapted from real situations with much of the complexity and context intact, using published resources, or reference to experts who are available to offer advice.

In full-time mode, the delivery of new material is weekly with intermediate tutorial or seminar sessions. The intensive study weeks and a European field-trip, when students in both modes of study come together, complement this delivery pattern. For the open-learner, the virtual learning environment is the primary mode of delivery. Communication with open-learning students will be supplemented by email and telephone during the periods off-campus.

Approach to assessment

Assessment is 100% coursework, which includes a great variety of types of work, including quizzes taken remotely on Moodle (Brookes online learning environment). Material can be downloaded from our virtual learning environment and closed discussions can take place. It also enables on-campus and open-learning students to remain in contact with each other.

Field trips

A European field trip is a compulsory element of the PGCert modules. It typically takes place over a five-day period towards the end of January and is heavily subsidised by the department.

The aim of this field trip is to consolidate the knowledge gained in the early part of the course and to develop team and other relationships through exposing our students to European project management practices and to assess their ability to observe and report on the different approaches to project management in the UK and in a European country.

The field trip normally consists of visits to prominent construction/engineering projects and sites, plus architectural attractions, both en route and at the destination. You are introduced to the development and planning practices at the destination, as well as having the opportunity to visit major complex projects.

Student body

The programme attracts students from diverse backgrounds and locations. Students will normally hold degrees in fields within the realm of the built environment including Civil Engineering, Construction, Architecture and Building, and have decided to contribute to the development of the built environment around us by effectively managing construction projects.

Our students hail from as far afield as Nigeria, Russia and India, with backgrounds ranging from recently graduated at undergraduate level, to working with small local companies, to fully established managers in large international construction companies. This diverse group of students bring with them individual responses to the applied learning approach that is at the core of our course delivery.

Typically the open-learning students are employed by a number of different organisations from the private and public sectors in different countries. They have the opportunity to share their experiences in order to gain better understanding of the industry, the range of challenges that Construction Project Managers face, and therefore the breadth of skills that they need to develop in order to perform successfully.

Our full-time students benefit from contact with the open-learning students engaged in construction project management roles in a variety of built environment projects across many countries.

How this course helps you develop

Graduates of the Department of Real Estate and Construction have an outstanding employment record. Local and national construction companies, developers, project managers, house-builders, surveyors and housing associations regularly recruit our graduates.

Many of these companies visit the department annually to meet students for graduate positions. Our graduates are recognised as having an excellent level of communication, presentation and problem-solving skills.

Careers

All of our open-learning students are employed full-time by prominent companies in the sector. Full-time students find similar employment shortly after graduation. They typically hold (Assistant) Project Manager positions. However, the breadth of knowledge that our students gain gives them the flexibility to function effectively in a number of different roles.

Free language courses for students - the Open Module
Free language courses are available to full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students on many of our courses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.

Please note that the free language courses are not available if you are:
- studying at a Brookes partner college
- studying on any of our teacher education courses or postgraduate education courses.

Research highlights

Many of our academic staff are involved in academic research and/or professional/commercial consultancy work. In the recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014), our Unit of Assessment (UoA 16) ranked 4th within the University in terms of its Grade Point Average (GPA). We hold the 11th position in terms of Research Impact and Power Rating (GPA x number of full-time equivalent staff submitted) among the 45 institutions that submitted to our unit of assessment.

Many members of staff are part of the Oxford Institute of Sustainable Development (OISD). This research and promotional organisation is noted for its work on sustainable technology in buildings and sustainable urban form among many on-going projects.

A recent HEFCE report into sustainable development in higher education in England suggests that the OISD is one of the key players in sustainable development research.

Research areas and clusters

Areas of interest include:
- sustainability, adaptation and resilience to climate change
- Building Information Modelling (BIM)
- collaborative supply networks for procurement and delivery of project
- building economics
- forecasting techniques
- risk management
- social networks in project environments
- managing complex projects
- management of knowledge and innovation as a source of competitive advantage
- adaptive re-use of existing buildings
- facilities management
- health and safety.

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Globally recognised for its quality and expert delivery, our MSc Construction Project Management is an extremely popular course which is well respected in industry. The themes of sustainability, enterprise, employability and internationalisation are central to the programme of study and by focusing on these specialised areas, you’ll become fully equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary for forging rewarding and successful careers. The development of leadership and team building skills is a cornerstone of the course: you’ll attend a bespoke residential workshop hosted by an internationally renowned management development company situated in the heart of the Lake District National Park.

INDUSTRY LINKS

We have excellent links within the building, construction and project management industries.

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AND ASSESSMENT

Throughout the course you will develop your knowledge and understanding through a series of lectures, seminars and practical workshops. These contiguous teaching methods are supported through directed study of text books, research papers/journal articles, case study materials, workshops, and assignments or project work.

Subject specific skills are developed through opportunities to practise such activities in an appropriate learning context (e.g. seminars, tutorials and workshops). Web-based materials and practical manuals are used where appropriate to support structured learning. Other skills are developed through naturally arising opportunities in the curriculum.

Knowledge and understanding is assessed through written assignments, the research dissertation and oral presentations. The assessments are all designed for you to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding and meet the various module learning outcomes. Within each module the assessment methods are designed to contribute to your continuing development. Feedback is provided on a regular basis, identifying opportunities for improvement and providing periodic evaluations of progress.

LEARNING OUTCOME & AIMS

The course seeks to develop the skills of postgraduate managers and engineers in the following areas:
-Enable graduates in management and engineering disciplines to develop their project management skills.
-Focus upon project planning and control methods within the construction project management process.
-Extend knowledge of innovative tools, techniques and methodologies in the resolution of complex problems.
-Develop personal, interpersonal and project-personnel skills.
-Provide the opportunity for students to complete a range of modules that are relevant to their working environment and general interest in the context of international project management.
-Develop the student’s research methods and applications.

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Learn how to lead and integrate a team of multi-disciplinary professionals on this Construction Project Management Masters. This postgraduate course provides links to leading practitioners, RICS and CIOB accreditation, and direct entry to RICS APS.

•Course available to study full time (1 year) and part time (2 years)
•Fully accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)
•Strong emphasis on developing the professional and transferable skills required by industry
•Part time, day release, study option if you are already in employment
•Graduates eligible for direct entrance on to the RICS APC professional training programme and CIOB PDP if employed


Construction project management is a highly challenging role, requiring skilled individuals with the ability to lead and integrate a multi-disciplinary team of professionals.

Increasingly complex organisational structures coupled with rapid technological change require project managers to be aware of, and appreciate the need for, sophisticated communications systems.

This Masters course will give you the knowledge and practical skills required to undertake a variety of project management roles in the construction and property sectors after graduation. As the course addresses projects from the perspectives of both demand and supply, it is also ideally suited for individuals from other sectors involved in the procurement of built assets, for example, on behalf of project sponsors in the public sector.

Close partnerships with industry and practice ensure the course – and our graduates – are responsive to the changing needs of industry, government, local communities and professional practice.

The course is taught through a mixture of lectures, tutorials, seminars, projects and field study visits.

The intention is to provide a stimulating and challenging programme of study resulting in the development of self-reliant, versatile, enterprising and competent construction project managers.

The programme will offer the appropriate type and level of support as you build the knowledge, understanding and skills to become an independent learner for the future. It even enables you to exercise some choice as to what you study in relation to your own background, interests or career aspirations.

The specific aims of the programme are to:
•develop and/or extend your exposure to the current and emerging theories and practice of project management specifically in a construction and engineering industry context
•encourage a risk management approach to problem solving
•provide opportunities for collaborative and individual student-centred study, developing analytical, critical, problem solving and research skills appropriate to the role of a construction project manager
•provide clear career development opportunities to aspiring cognate and non-cognate project managers within the construction and engineering sector
•develop and/or extend your exposure to current and emerging principles and practice within a global construction industry

Please see guidance below on core and option modules for further information on what you will study.
Level 7
Research Methods: Gain an understanding of the academic research process and the differing techniques, strategies and methods used to undertake research in the built environment. This module is studied before the Dissertation module.
Dissertation: The dissertation submission is usually between 15-18,000 words depending on the subject area. It allows you to develop an area of interest in depth and to critically analyse this area.
Project Management Fundamentals: To explore and promote contemporary project management principles and concepts. Also to examine processes, tools and methodologies of project management through a problem based learning approach using industry case studies.
Project Planning, Executing, Controlling and Closure: To develop the requisite project management skills and knowledge necessary to manage the key processes of planning, executing, controlling and closing a project at appropriate stages in the project life cycle. Industry standard project simulation software is used to apply the theoretical knowledge in a context.
Production Management and BIM: Will provide an in-depth understanding into the production management of modern, complex and fast paced construction projects. It also provides an appropriate awareness and expertise about key aspects of Building Information Modelling (BIM) within the Construction Management role
Sustainable and Lean Principles within Construction: To identify and critically appraise how environmental sustainability and lean principles can be incorporated into a more modern and innovative construction organisation and industry
Collaborative BIM Project: Allows students to follow BIM protocols and practice in a collaborative multidisciplinary project team to achieve project success. Real life project simulations are worked on using industry standard software
Prince 2®: To develop the requisite skills and knowledge needed in order to apply the PRINCE2® method to the management of different stages of the project life cycle

Further guidance on modules

The information listed in the section entitled ‘What you will study’ is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal Academic Framework review, so may be subject to change. Students will be required to undertake modules that the University designates as core and will have a choice of designated option modules. Additionally, option modules may be offered subject to meeting minimum student numbers.

Academic Framework reviews are conducted by LJMU from time to time to ensure that academic standards continue to be maintained. A review is currently in progress and will be operational for the academic year 2016/2017. Final details of this programme’s designated core and option modules will be made available on LJMU’s website as soon as possible and prior to formal enrolment for the academic year 2016/2017.

Please email [email protected] if you require further guidance or clarification.

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Are you interested in gaining a Masters qualification that develops your professionalism in effectively managing construction projects? This two-year course will give you transferable skills in project management and specialist knowledge about construction projects.

The course covers how to plan construction projects, how to manage supply chains, how to keep people working together, and how to use Building Information Modelling (BIM) for a more efficient construction process.

Strong demand for construction project managers means there will be significant opportunities for you to take up a well-paid, challenging and international career. The course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), which gives it additional credibility in the eyes of potential employers.

In the second year, for one semester, you’ll undertake an internship, study in another country or join a research group. This valuable experience will enhance your employability and further develop your theoretical and practical skills.

Internship

This option offers the opportunity to spend three months working full-time in one of the many companies/industries with which we have close links. You may be able to extend this over more than one semester in cases where it is adjacent to a vacation period. We will endeavour to help those who prefer this option to find and secure a suitable position but ultimately we are in the hands of the employers who are free to decide who they take into their organisation.

Research

If you take this option, you will be assigned to our Architecture and Built Environment Research Group. There is every possibility that you may contribute to published research and therefore you may be named as part of the research team, which would be a great start to a research career.

Study Abroad

We have exchange agreements with universities all over the world, including partners in Europe, Asia, the Americas and Oceania. If you take the Study Abroad option you will spend a semester at one of these partners, continuing your studies in English but in a new cultural and learning environment. Please note that this option may require you to obtain a visa for study in the other country.

The course is particularly aimed at people with at least some background in the construction industry. If you have a different background you may wish to consider our MSc Project Management.

Learn From The Best

You’ll be taught by tutors whose wealth of practitioner and research expertise adds to the richness of the delivery of the course. Their expertise, combined with their on-going active research, will provide an excellent foundation for your learning.

The high quality of Northumbria’s research in Information Sciences is shown by the fact that 90% of our research impact has been judged to have very considerable reach and significance (Research Excellence Framework 2014).

Our reputation for quality is reflected by the range and depth of our collaborations with industry partners. These collaborations and links help inform our curriculums and ensure input from practitioners via guest lectures and master classes.

Teaching And Assessment

Our teaching methods include lectures, small group seminars, workshops, master classes, and field visits. As this is a Masters course there is a significant element of independent learning and self-motivated reflection.

You’ll undertake a Masters project that will hone your skills in evaluating and applying research techniques and methodologies. The topic of the project will reflect your own unique interests.

Assessments are designed to give feedback as well as to monitor your level of achievement. The assessed projects will enable you to test your skills in ways that relate to current industrial practice. Specific assessment methods include assignments, written reports, exams, group presentations and debates.

The Advanced Practice semester will be assessed via a report and presentation about your internship, study abroad or research group activities.

Learning Environment

Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) is embedded throughout the course with tools such as the ‘Blackboard’ eLearning Portal and electronic reading lists that will guide your preparation for seminars and independent research. Our use of lecture capture software will help you revise challenging material.

You’ll have access to industry-standard software such as Microsoft Project, Asta Powerproject, IBM SPSS and NVivo. You will have access to the most up-to-date versions of Autodesk BIM software and other BIM-related learning materials including the ‘White Frog’ system.

Our library, which was ranked #2 in the UK in the Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey for 2015, has excellent digital resources with over 100 databases for independent learning as well as half a million electronic books and another 500,000 print books.

To facilitate group projects there are dedicated student working spaces, such as ‘The Hub’, an area that is well equipped for meetings and working with IT. The Zone is another area that’s popular with students undertaking group work or individual study.

Research-Rich Learning

As a Masters student you’ll develop your research skills to a new and higher level. Your research supervisor will support you in your final independent research project, where you choose to produce either a research paper or a dissertation. Your supervisor will provide guidance from its development through to completion.

Northumbria’s strong research ethos is an essential aspect of how you will develop as a critical, reflective and independent thinker. Your project-based learning will benefit from the research activities of the teaching team.

Our specialist interests include information management, process improvement strategies, lean construction, project-driven organisations, innovation diffusion, 4D planning and scheduling, and construction project management. Northumbria University is particularly known for working on Building Information Management (BIM).

Give Your Career An Edge

The course meets a particular need for professional education in construction project management. Many of the modules involve field visits and guest lectures, allowing you to understand the processes being used to manage construction projects and to talk with experienced managers. This will give you extra insights that increase your competitive edge.

The course has the additional credibility of being accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building. This will make it easy to demonstrate that you meet the academic requirements for chartered status.

The Advanced Practice semester may help you develop a track record of achievement that will help you stand out from other job applicants.

A two-year Masters course, like this one, may carry particular weight with employers. They’ll understand that you’ll have a deeper understanding of topics as well as more hands-on practical experience.

When it comes to applying for jobs, our Careers and Employment Service offers a range of resources as well as support that’s available online and on a one-to-one basis.

Your Future

This course will open up opportunities in management roles in construction-related organisations, particularly internationally-driven contracting companies. Past graduates have gone on to work for companies such as Arup, Arcadis, BAM Construct UK, BDP, Bouygues Construction, Carillion, Kier Group, Laing O’Rourke, Mace, Mott MacDonald, Ryder Architecture, Sir Robert McAlpine, Skanska and Turner & Townsend. Job roles have included BIM coordinators, design managers, digital engineers, directors, management consultants, project managers and technical specialists.

The course could also lead you to a postgraduate research degree such as an MPhil, PhD or Professional Doctorate. If you decide to start up your own business, it’s good to know that the combined turnover of our graduates’ start-up companies is higher than that of any other UK university.

Whatever you decide to do, you will have the transferable skills that employers expect from a Masters graduate from Northumbria University. These include the ability to tackle complex issues through conceptualisation and undertaking research, the ability to contribute to new processes and knowledge, and the ability to formulate balanced judgements when considering incomplete or ambiguous data.

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This accredited postgraduate course is for those wishing to further their careers in client organisations or consultancy. It gives aspiring professionals the opportunity to network with other ambitious and successful people within the construction and development industries.

You'll focus on both practical and theoretical aspects of management in organisational and project-based contexts. Management subjects are supplemented by advanced financial appraisal techniques and finance, law is specifically related to construction and development.

This course meets all Continuing Professional Development requirements and provides evidence for upgrading professional institution membership. The afternoon/evening study mode is suitable for even the busiest of construction professionals and is an excellent opportunity to network with other ambitious professionals and their organisations.

Excellent scholarship opportunity

Students who have accepted an offer for a place on this course are encouraged to apply for LSBU's Stuart A Johnson scholarship. Find out more about the Stuart A Johnson scholarship via the link below

http://www.lsbu.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/fees-and-funding/scholarships/stuart-a-johnson-scholarship

Modules

Core modules:

Procurement and management of construction
Corporate and project finance
Construction law
Management of people and information
Project evaluation
Dissertation

Optional modules:

Please be aware that option selection is subject to availability.

Advanced measurement and documentation
Behavioural finance
Building control
Building Information Modelling and Collaborative Working
Health and safety management in construction
History of architecture and construction
International real estate and construction
Legal resolution of property and construction disputes

Placements

Construction project:

Our construction project managers look at financing a project, procuring construction work, financial management and the entire construction process.

Their work will take into account current construction technologies, energy efficiency solutions and environmental and sustainability issues. The project is very detailed and is carried out across site visits, analysing on-going construction projects and an appraisal of eco-technologies. These factors can be influenced by a construction's location so our field trips can take our students both overseas to expanding countries like Dubai or round the corner to building developments happening on our own campus.

Market report and case study analysis:

Students on our MSc Construction Project Management course can choose to study International Real Estate and Construction as an optional module. For this complex module students need to go on a study visit to an international city which has an emerging real estate and construction market.

Past students have gone abroad to take in either Dubai in the United Arab Emirates or Shanghai in the People's Republic of China. The field trip includes visits to real estate companies and construction firms, site visits and meetings with various professionals. From these briefings, students need to produce a country report that includes a detailed strategy including how they could break through in the real estate or construction market in these overseas destinations.

Accreditation

The PgDip Construction Project Management is fully accredited by the Association for Project Management, the MSc is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building, and the MSc is fully accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (this will allow entry to RICS Project Management Faculty through the Assessment of Professional competence).

Expertise and history

London South Bank University has a long history of educating professionals for the building-related industries. With roots in London Council School of Building (1904), Brixton School of Building (1940) we have been offering training for this sector for over 100 years.

Today we are expert at attracting property and construction students from the UK and around the world. Much of this is down to the highly successful links we have with major real estate consultancies, property companies, contractors, cost consultants and developers to ensure our courses are highly relevant for the current market.

Today, according to the Guardian PG subject tables 2013 we are the largest School of Building and Town Planning in the UK (combining full-time and part-time modes of study) and our building graduates have the best employment prospects in London (Complete University Guide 2014).

Our current students and alumni hold key positions in their organisation, often as senior managers and business owners.

Employability

Employment prospects are excellent. Successful students enter a variety of roles in client organisations, professional practices, local authorities, housing associations and major contracting companies.

On the course you'll develop of a number of transferable skills in oral and written communications, analytic thinking and research skills, as well as advanced IT.

The department has recently set up a Building Information Modelling (BIM) Centre to provide a research and enterprise facility linking the University with industry. It is designed to foster knowledge creation and exchange in BIM by connecting staff and students with practitioners in an increasingly interdisciplinary world.

LSBU Employability Services

LSBU is committed to supporting you develop your employability and succeed in getting a job after you have graduated. Your qualification will certainly help, but in a competitive market you also need to work on your employability, and on your career search. Our Employability Service will support you in developing your skills, finding a job, interview techniques, work experience or an internship, and will help you assess what you need to do to get the job you want at the end of your course. LSBU offers a comprehensive Employability Service, with a range of initiatives to complement your studies, including:

• Direct engagement from employers who come in to interview and talk to students
• Job Shop and on-campus recruitment agencies to help your job search
• Mentoring and work shadowing schemes.

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This is a fast-track conversion course for graduates from an unrelated disciplines who want to become a construction project manager and a member of the Chartered Institute of Building and/or the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

The course is also suitable if you are a professional working in a property or surveying role and want to improve your skills and career prospects in construction project management. If you have a degree in a related area, you should apply for the MSc Project Management.

Construction project management is a global, professional role. It can involve some of the largest and most prestigious international construction projects, such as building for the 2012 Olympics in London. The construction project manager plays crucial central position in the co-ordination of the different resources of consultants, labour, finance and materials to fit the client's requirements. Communication and strong interpersonal skills are vital to the role.

You benefit from a range of teaching, learning and assessment techniques. Intensive study weeks allow you to work on complex, professional briefs with other students. One of the modules is an international project which currently takes place in Shanghai with assistance from international surveying firms.

The international project provides you with an opportunity to gain experience of the project management of a real site and reflects the challenges associated with working on a real live project for a client. You work with local practitioners and other experts benefiting from insights from professionals working in that location.

You work alongside students studying related subjects by taking part in an interdisciplinary project. This increases your understanding of their roles and responsibilities, how your role as a construction project manager interacts with those roles and develops the skills and knowledge essential to an effective professional practitioner.

The course includes practical construction projects. These involve completing technical and professional tasks and applying creative solutions that draw on your developing knowledge. You study:
-Property law.
-Economics.
-Building technology.
-Health and safety.
-Project planning.
-Sustainable development and refurbishment.

Teaching takes place in a newly refurbished, dedicated building at our City Campus. We also support you with online resources that allow you to learn off-campus. Based on our City Campus there are opportunities to use many of the city's new and existing buildings for case studies, project work and practical teaching sessions.

For more information, see the website: https://www.shu.ac.uk/study-here/find-a-course/mscpgdippgcert-construction-project-management

Professional recognition

This course is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).

Course structure

Full time – 1 year
Part time – 2 years
Starts September

Modules
-Economics and market context
-Law and professional context
-Sustainable building technology
-Health and safety management
-Project planning and contractual issues
-Sustainable development and refurbishment
-Applied research methods and dissertation

Assessment: individual coursework, group projects, examinations.

Read less

Are you interested in gaining a Masters qualification that develops your professionalism in managing construction projects? With this course you’ll gain transferable skills in project management and specialist knowledge about construction projects.

The course covers how to plan construction projects, how to manage supply chains, how to keep people working together, and how to use Building Information Modelling (BIM) for a more efficient construction process.

Strong demand for construction project managers means there will be significant opportunities for you to take up a well-paid, challenging and international career. The course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), which gives it additional credibility in the eyes of potential employers.

The course is also available through part-time and distance learning modes, and with the option of an advanced practice element.

The course is particularly aimed at people with at least some background in construction or across the wider architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) industry. If you have background from a different sector you may wish to consider our MSc Project Management.

This course has several available start dates and study options - for more information, please view the relevant web-page:
16 months full time January start - https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/study-at-northumbria/courses/construction-project-management-with-bim-dtfcpf6/

3 years part time - https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/study-at-northumbria/courses/construction-project-management-with-bim-msc-pt-dtpcpj6/

3 years distance learning - https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/study-at-northumbria/courses/construction-project-management-with-bim-msc-dl-dtdcpj6/

Learn From The Best

You’ll be taught by tutors whose wealth of practitioner and research expertise adds to the richness of the delivery of the course. Their expertise, combined with their on-going active research, will provide an excellent foundation for your learning.

The high quality of Northumbria’s research in Information Sciences is shown by the fact that 90% of our research impact has been judged to have very considerable reach and significance (Research Excellence Framework 2014).

Our reputation for quality is reflected by the range and depth of our collaborations with industry partners. These collaborations and links help inform our curriculums and ensure input from practitioners via guest lectures and master classes.

Teaching And Assessment

Our teaching methods include lectures, small group seminars, workshops, master classes, and field visits. As this is a Masters course there is a significant element of independent learning and self-motivated reflection.

You’ll undertake a Masters project that will hone your skills in evaluating and applying research techniques and methodologies. The topic of the project will reflect your own unique interests.

Assessments are designed to give feedback as well as to monitor your level of achievement. The assessed projects will enable you to test your skills in ways that relate to current industrial practice. Specific assessment methods include assignments, written reports, exams, group presentations and debates.

Learning Environment

Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) is embedded throughout the course with tools such as the ‘Blackboard’ eLearning Portal and electronic reading lists that will guide your preparation for seminars and independent research. Our use of lecture capture software will help you revise challenging material.

You’ll have access to industry-standard software such as Microsoft Project, Asta Powerproject, IBM SPSS and NVivo. You will have access to the most up-to-date versions of Autodesk BIM software and other BIM-related learning materials including the ‘White Frog’ system.

Our library, which was ranked #2 in the UK in the Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey for 2015, has excellent digital resources with over 100 databases for independent learning as well as half a million electronic books and another 500,000 print books.

To facilitate group projects there are dedicated student working spaces, such as ‘The Hub’, an area that is well equipped for meetings and working with IT. The Zone is another area that’s popular with students undertaking group work or individual study.

Research-Rich Learning

As a Masters student you’ll develop your research skills to a new and higher level. Your research supervisor will support you in your final independent research project, where you choose to produce either a research paper or a dissertation. Your supervisor will provide guidance from its development through to completion.

Northumbria’s strong research ethos is an essential aspect of how you will develop as a critical, reflective and independent thinker. Your project-based learning will benefit from the research activities of the teaching team.

Our specialist interests include information management, process improvement strategies, lean construction, project-driven organisations, innovation diffusion, 4D planning and scheduling, and construction project management. Northumbria University is particularly known for working on Building Information Management (BIM).

Give Your Career An Edge

The course meets a particular need for professional education in construction project management. Many of the modules involve field visits and guest lectures, allowing you to understand the processes being used to manage construction projects and to talk with experienced managers. This will give you extra insights that increase your competitive edge.

The course has the additional credibility of being accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building. This will make it easy to demonstrate that you meet the academic requirements for chartered status.

When it comes to applying for jobs, our Careers and Employment Service offers a range of resources as well as support that’s available online and on a one-to-one basis.

Your Future

This course will open up opportunities in management roles in construction-related organisations, particularly internationally-driven contracting companies. Past graduates have gone on to work for companies such as Arup, Arcadis, BAM Construct UK, BDP, Bouygues Construction, Carillion, Kier Group, Laing O’Rourke, Mace, Mott MacDonald, Ryder Architecture, Sir Robert McAlpine, Skanska and Turner & Townsend. Job roles have included BIM coordinators, design managers, digital engineers, directors, management consultants, project managers and technical specialists.

The course could also lead you to a postgraduate research degree such as an MPhil, PhD or Professional Doctorate. If you decide to start up your own business, it’s good to know that the combined turnover of our graduates’ start-up companies is higher than that of any other UK university.

Whatever you decide to do, you will have the transferable skills that employers expect from a Masters graduate from Northumbria University. These include the ability to tackle complex issues through conceptualisation and undertaking research, the ability to contribute to new processes and knowledge, and the ability to formulate balanced judgements when considering incomplete or ambiguous data.

Read less

Why take this course?

Project management is key to successful implementation of strategic change in any organisation. This programme develops your academic skills in modelling and evaluating the process of project management, allowing you to develop strategic and practical approaches in a wide variety of business environments.

You will gain a broad understanding of the principles and practice of project management and the tools and techniques required to contribute to business effectiveness.

What will I experience?

On this course you can:

Attend lectures by practising project managers who speak about their experiences and give guidance on project management issues
Participate in live web-based chat forums to discuss your work with lecturers and other students
Tap in to our Library’s vast selection of electronic resources, which can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection

What opportunities might it lead to?

This course is fully accredited by the Association for Project Management, demonstrating that it provides a level of knowledge recognised by a professional project management association It will provide you with the advanced ability to lead or act as part of a team progressing project issues from initiation through to completion. You can expect to find employment opportunities in virtually any industry, especially those within the commercial sector.

Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:

Project management
Consultancy
Project planning
Logistics
Product development

Module Details

You will complete a total of five units (including your dissertation) involving attendance of six or eight days for each unit. You will study several key topics covering areas of project management theory and methods, while gaining an insight into their practical application in a business context.

Here are the units you will study:

Project Environment and Planning: You will develop an understanding of the relationship between project and business management, as well as the project management environment and the factors that influence project outcomes. Strategic aspects of projects are addressed, including project selection and portfolio design. You will also learn how project managers must understand the benefits to be delivered by projects, the requirements of stakeholders and how to work within the constraints of cost, time and quality. Estimation methods and planning techniques are taught together with quality management. Approaches to the planning and control of projects that have been developed in different sectors are also covered, including agile methods and fast tracking.

Budgets and Commercial Management: This unit introduces you to raising project finance, building, monitoring and controlling project budgets and measuring Earned Value of project deliverables. It also covers the commercial aspects of procurement including tendering, contracting and the skills and practices of contract and bid negotiation, providing you with the tools and techniques for managing project budgets. The units also examines the key roles that project managers, budget managers and key project personnel play in managing project budgets.

People Management and Risk: This unit develops a critical understanding of individual, team and organisational working in order to deliver project goals successfully. It covers how individual characteristics such as personality, intelligence, ability and skills, motivation and attitudes affect individual performance. You will learn how to empower individuals and teams to achieve quality standards which enhance personal team and organisational performance, together with the development of creative and credible leadership. It also examines the key challenges in the application of risk management frameworks and models in project management, crisis management and corporate governance. Risk management strategies and the development of effective project mitigation and contingency action plans are critically evaluated.

Project Investigation and Systems Methods: This unit explores the investigation of project issues through the use of a structured research methodology and project management analysis tools to enhance the research process. Wider strategic issues are explored to place the research process into context and to illustrate how appropriate research methods can be identified for specific types of research problems. You will also look at tools for the modelling and analysis of complex problem situations (including systems thinking, soft systems methods and influence diagrams) and how these can be used to diagnose problem situations to identify relevant areas for further investigation. Project management methodologies including PRINCE2, Partnering and Programme Management as a wider context for project management research issues are examined. You will produce a research proposal that brings together the use of research methodology and project systems in identifying, justifying and investigating a research question that will feed into the research conducted in your final dissertation.

Dissertation: This unit enables you to deepen your understanding of an aspect of project management of your own choice. Many students choose to investigate topics which they intend to focus on in the next stage of their career. The unit is structured as a research project so you can demonstrate your ability to identify, design, plan and undertake research on a specific project management issue and effectively communicate your findings in an appropriate manner for a Master’s degree.

Programme Assessment

The units are structured as eight teaching blocks of three days of lectures, seminars and interactive syndicate work, with periods of self-managed study between blocks. Each of these will be assessed by coursework assignments. You will also produce a dissertation with guidance from a supervisor. The dissertation is structured as an independent research project to deepen your understanding of a chosen aspect of project management. Your choice of topic can contribute towards the next stage of your career by demonstrating your ability to identify, design, undertake and communicate your original research on a specific project management topic.

Each unit will be assessed by coursework assignments. You will also produce a dissertation with guidance from a supervisor.

Student Destinations

The key characteristic of this programme is the emphasis on strategic aspects of projects which provide a platform for a career as a senior project manager in high profile organisations, Graduate destinations have included:

Public sector management, including NHS and Fire Services
Infrastructure planning and implementation
Naval and Aerospace construction industries
Doctorate level study in Project Management

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The course will a focus upon project quality and control methods in the project management processes including leadership and team skills. It will provide scope to extend knowledge of technologies and resolution of new build problems. It will provide the opportunity for students to complete a range of optional modules which will facilitate the development of their knowledge and problem solving skills, which are suited to the working environment, the programme will develop research methods and applications.

MSc Construction Project Management consists of nine modules of which some are compulsory. The modules are: Project Management; Risk Management; Health and Safety Management; Quality Management; Advanced Construction Technology; Leadership and Team Development; Research Methods, and Dissertation. Optional modules are: Project Appraisal and Cost Analysis; International Procurement; Resource and Expenditure Planning and Control. These modules apply to the full-time course. If studying part-time, you can take up to 4 modules per year for the Masters Programme. On completion you will be able to project manage effectively across any built environment sector.

Most modules are assessed by coursework alone, but there are some examinations. Most coursework is individual but there is some group work. There are also assessed presentations on the course.

Facilities available to students: Computer: Microcomputer laboratories, networked software, Internet access. Library: University central library and resources service, specialist information centre, undergraduate resource centre.

A course module that will help you plan your career is available as a free choice module (called an elective), which you can study as part of your degree programme

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