Strategic Management of Projects MSc

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For professionals who aspire to lead in the management of projects and programmes, this intensive executive development MSc will enable you to move into executive roles in shaping and delivering corporate and project strategy.

About this degree

The programme helps you develop a critical understanding of the challenges that project executives face in designing and implementing strategy, explores how the Management of Projects approach leads to improved value-creation and effective outcomes, and provides tailored, one-to-one professional advice that focuses on your career development specifically.

• You will learn how to make difficult decisions. 
• You will develop lifelong relationships with peers who will move into executive roles in project-based organisations around the world, or start their own business. 
• You will master the area of strategic and project management through a wide range of readings in the areas of business and organisation studies, political philosophy, sociology and economics. 

The programme consists of ten taught modules, with assessment on eight (120 credits), and a research report (60 credits).

Four modules are optional and students have to select two. 

A Postgraduate Diploma consists of ten taught modules, with assessment on eight (120 credits). It is available on a full-time basis over nine months or on a modular/flexible basis over 1-5 years.

_{Compulsory modules}

Of the ten taught modules, students are assessed on six core modules and select two modules from the remaining four (marked with an asterisk) for assessment.

• Capstone Module: The Management of Projects
• Capstone Module: Tomorrow's Company
• Key Knowledge Areas: Supply Chain Management
• Key Knowledge Areas: Managing Innovation and Technology
• Project Lifecycle: The Management of Design
• Project Lifecycle: Governance and Control
• Key Knowledge Areas: Economics and Finance*
• Key Knowledge Areas: Relationships and Marketing*
• Project Lifecycle: Exploring Project Requirements*
• Project Lifecycle: The Project Operational Legacy*

_{Dissertation/report}

All MSc students submit a 10,000-word report on a topic related to the main themes of the programme. The topic should help enhance your career development and the knowledge that is most relevant in your field. 

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of case-based learning, interviews, peer-based learning and lectures and workshops from leading practitioners, policymakers, entrepreneurs and academics. Students are required to have sufficient breadth and depth of knowledge to challenge and inform others. Assessment is primarily through written coursework and the research report.

Student work of the highest calibre is published in the SMPJournal - a collection of student thoughts and ideas developed throughout their studies on the MSc in Strategic Management of Projects. The SMPJournal is an ISSN publication and is listed in the relevant libraries Cambridge and Oxford Universities and the British Library. This will increase your credibility as a professional in the strategic management of projects. 

Fieldwork

You will be required to lead discussions with academics, fellow classmates, alumni and guest speakers and be able to explore the areas that are of interest to your career and professional development plans specifically. 

As part of the 10,000-word report you will conduct primary research and will need to abide by the UCL Research Ethics Framework. 

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.

Funding

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

Careers

Recent graduates of the programme have changed their career, industry and/or sector, have started their own companies, are involved in the government, and are changing the way the corporate world thinks and works. 

Why study this degree at UCL?

The MSc in Strategic Management of Projects brings together distinguished, thoughtful professionals, academics, and policymakers from across sectors and industries who share the ethos and philosophy of the programme and UCL. With their guidance you will explore the key political, strategic and relational challenges that project executives face and develop your own unique competitive approach in strategically managing projects in the context of international geopolitics, climate change, and evolving power relations within and beyond project teams and organisations. 

The MSc in Strategic Management of Projects (SMP) delivers: 120 top-quality sessions led by leading academics, practitioners, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and students; a twin focus on strategically managing projects and critical thinking throughout the programme; personal instruction as a result of highly selective, size-limited student enrolment, so that you have the time to engage deeply with experts, academics and fellow classmates; the SMP Alumni: a community of friends and professionals that will support you in the first steps of your professional development and career following graduation.

Department: Bartlett School of Construction & Project Management

Applications

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £75 for online applications and £100 for paper applications. Further information can be found at: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught/application.

Who can apply?

The programme is designed for those who currently design and deliver project-based work and who aspire to develop their own unique competitive approach to the management of projects. The programme will help you transform your career and the way you think about business and projects. 

Application deadlines

Full-time

26 July 2019

Flexible/Modular

30 August 2019

For more information see our Applications page.

Apply now

What are we looking for?

When we assess your application we are interested in:

• the type of project(s) that you have been involved in and your role in their management
• where you see yourself professionally in 10 years
• how the MSc in Strategic Management of Projects will help you achieve your goal.

Your personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate how the MSc in Strategic Management in Projects will help you lead tomorrow's projects.

Visit the Strategic Management of Projects MSc page on the University College London website for more details!