The Sheffield Hallam Postgraduate Certificate in Business Administration (Facilities Management) is designed for estates and facilities managers who want to improve their skills, leadership, knowledge and experience to advance their career into senior management. On successful completion of this course you receive the British Institute for Facilities Management (BIFM) level 7 Diploma.
This unique course focuses on developing leading edge knowledge and skill sets, improving your ability to successfully lead and manage organisations in an ever changing and increasingly competitive environment. It meets the needs of people who manage in-sourced or out-sourced facilities for their own organisation or provide facilities management services to other organisations.
The philosophy behind the course is that in any organisation facilities management is a distinct discipline that supports the core business relationship between people, process and place.
Projects tailored to your organisation's needs
We tailor assignments and projects to the needs of your organisation or your own areas of interest, which maximises the value of your studies. Your organisation also has the opportunity to provide input into your learning and contribute to your development.
Applied learning through case studies
As you progress through the course you apply your learning by problem-solving real or simulated case studies. This helps you to identify and deal with links and tensions between different areas of an organisation.
Flexible course design
The course is designed to be flexible so that you can work comfortably with your existing commitments. We use university-based block study with self managed study time, so you can easily complete the course from anywhere within the UK or overseas. You can also study modules as and when it is suits you, enabling you to progress at a pace that meets your needs.
This course is accredited by the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM). Successful completion of the course gives you the formal professional certified membership (CBIFM) and, as a recognised British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) centre, also gives you a level 7 BIFM Diploma in Facilities Management.
One year university-based study blocks
This course contains four modules that must be completed to achieve the Postgraduate Certificate and the BIFM Level 7 Diploma. On successul completion of these four modules, you may wish to consider transferring to the Executive MBA in Facilities Management (the modules represent the first year of the Executive MBA).
Each module involves a three-day study block and self-managed study time.
This flexible attendance means that the course has minimal impact on your work or personal time and you can be based anywhere in the UK or overseas.
Starts October, although students can enter the course in January, April and June dependent on student numbers.
Core modules:
This module provides an essential and critical perspective of facilities management as a profession, covering facilities management theories, models and practice.
The module develops your critical understanding of strategic project management. It develops your knowledge of project management processes coupled with the ability to apply project management concepts in the life cycle of projects. It provides insights into contractual issue in relation to projects, including management of the contracting process and contract performance.
The module develops your critical understanding of the management of property assets and provide insights in to the ways property can have a significant impact on the overall performance of the organisation. Modern drivers of change such as globalisation, technology and innovation in work practices will be analysed and explored. It will encourage critical reflection on the importance of alignment between property and organisational strategy.
Facilities management professionals are operating in a complex and rapidly changing business environment which is increasingly reliant upon the effective collaboration and communication with a range of professionals in the private, not for profit and public sectors. Within this context, the module develops your knowledge of the complexity of leadership and change, through real world diagnosis and application, and awareness of the diverse spectrum of related concepts, models and theories.
Modules are assessed through portfolios which may be made up from a number of tasks.
If you are employed in estates or facilities management this qualification equips you with the knowledge and skills to improve your performance in your present job and helps you to progress more rapidly up the career ladder in areas such as property and premises management, facilities and general management.
This course is accredited by the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM). Successful completion of the course gives you the formal professional certified membership (CBIFM) and, as a recognised British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) centre, also gives you a level 7 BIFM Diploma in Facilities Management.
Focus on the strategic management of projects, programmes and portfolios, and become a project leader in construction.
Project management is traditionally described in terms of the overall planning, control and co-ordination of a project from inception to completion, aimed at meeting a client's requirements and ensuring completion within specified constraints of time, cost and quality.
While this definition continues to provide a good starting point, the reality of modern project management is extremely complex. Client organisations are often pluralistic, comprising multiple stakeholders with different objectives. The complexity of the construction process thus leads to inherent uncertainty.
The role of the project manager is to integrate the various sectors of the industry in order to manage key interfaces throughout the project supply chain. Therefore, the successful project manager must have the ability to integrate and lead an interdisciplinary team in uncertainty. Effective leadership and sensitivity to human issues are vital. Modern clients demand an integrated and effective approach to the management of their construction projects. The discipline of project management continues to evolve and our MSc in Project Management is at the forefront of these developments.
The distinctive focus of the course is on the strategic management of projects, programmes and portfolios.
The aim of the course is to provide a coherent framework for the discipline and practice of project management. Each module includes a number of sessions delivered by leading practitioners. The course is continually informed not only by the latest developments in industry, but also by on-going international research.
A recurring theme throughout the course concerns the dynamic nature of construction projects. Not only is it necessary to set clear objectives at the beginning of a project, it is also important to update them continually as the project unfolds.
A further theme is provided by the need for project managers to provide leadership. This requires a high level of interpersonal skills to motivate diverse team members towards the realisation of project success. Effective project management requires a sound knowledge of tools and techniques. It also requires an ability to think strategically. Traditionally, notions of command and control have to be matched with an ability to manage 'soft' issues. People management is central to the art of project management.
A particular emphasis is given to the early stages of construction projects and the interface with complex clients; projects are rarely carried out in isolation.
Sample modules
Please note that all modules are subject to change. Please see our modules disclaimer for more information.
Dissertation
The dissertation is a major individual research project. Guidance will be given on choosing a research topic, research techniques and the style and presentation of the finished document. Classes in research skills are provided as part of the dissertation module. Students will have their own carefully selected dissertation tutor whose role is to help them plan and successfully execute this key part of the programme.
Full-time
We offer a one-year, full-time modular course. It is taught with ten, one-week attendance periods at the University. The full-time programme starts in September each year.
Flexible part-time
We also offer a two-year, part-time modular course. It is taught with ten, one-week attendance periods at the University. The duration of the flexible route is strongly recommended as two years, but this is not fixed. The flexible course starts in September each year.
The course is intended for those who wish to progress to a project management role, or acquire a broader understanding of the project management process. The course will appeal to professionals from a variety of backgrounds, including:
The course will benefit anyone who wishes to improve their understanding of project management and underpin their practical experience with a robust conceptual framework.
Graduates will typically find employment as a project manager with public and private sector clients, consultants, architectural practices or contractors in the building, civil engineering or oil and gas sectors.
