School of Architecture and Built Environment

MSc Construction Project Management with Professional Practice Placement

MSc Full-time 18 months

This course aims to meet the growing need within the built environment sector for professionals with a thorough understanding of the management of the construction process from inception to completion.

This course aims to meet the growing need within the built environment sector for professionals with a thorough understanding of the management of the construction process from inception to completion.

Award
MSc
Start date(s)
16 September 2024,13 January 2025
UCAS Code
Course specifications
Course length
Full-time (18 months)
Campus location
University: City Campus
UCAS points calculator

Why choose this course?

This is a full-time only version of the MSc Construction Project Management course that aims to provide an industrial placement opportunity during Semester 3

May to October

  • Gain practical industry experience through a semester-long placement
  • Develop expertise in strategic, technical, commercial, legal, and financial aspects of construction management
  • Learn to integrate technical (hard) and social (soft) management styles in construction projects
  • Opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world construction challenges
  • Extended learning period of 18 months, including the valuable placement experience

This course will enable you to appraise, analyse and evaluate the art and science of construction project management covering the areas of strategy, control, technical, commercial, legal, financial and organisational issues. You will reflect on and make cases for the integration of the technical (hard) and social (soft) management styles required within the context of strategic and operational construction projects.

What's unique about this course?

Construct your future in our top-tier Building program - ranked 34th nationwide!

  • Industry Placement: Unique opportunity for a semester-long placement from May to October.
  • Comprehensive Curriculum: Covers the entire construction process from inception to completion.
  • Problem-Based Learning: Develop critical thinking and innovation skills through real-world scenarios.
  • Flexible Structure: Full-time study with dedicated weekly learning sessions, allowing for self-directed study.
  • Career-Focused: Meet the growing need for professionals with thorough understanding of construction project management.

What happens on the course?

This course comprises 6 x 20 credit modules with a 60 credit dissertation and the opportunity to add a further 20 credits through the successful completion of the placement module.

  • Core Modules (Semesters 1-2):
    • Advanced Project Planning and Control: Develop skills in project management, including best practices and computer-aided planning.
    • Contemporary Issues: Explore current trends and challenges in the construction industry.
    • Forms of Contract: Study various contract types used in construction projects.
    • Operational Construction Project Management: Learn practical aspects of managing construction operations.
    • Strategic Construction Project and Programme Management: Understand high-level project and program management strategies.
    • Research Methods and Professional Skills: Develop essential research and professional capabilities.
  • Learning Structure:
    • Weekly learning sessions, typically held on Wednesdays
    • Combination of structured learning and problem-based scenarios
    • Self-directed study time to complete coursework and research
  • Industrial Placement (Semester 3):
    • 20-week placement from May to October
    • Opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in a real-world construction environment
    • Gain practical experience and industry connections
  • Dissertation (Final Semester):
    • 60-credit individual research project
    • Apply skills and knowledge gained from taught modules and placement
    • Opportunity to focus on a specific area of interest within construction project management
  • Assessment Methods:
    • Combination of coursework, presentations, and practical projects
    • Emphasis on applying theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios
    • Reflection on placement experience as part of overall assessment
  • Professional Development:
    • Opportunities to engage with industry professionals through guest lectures and site visits
    • Development of critical thinking, argument, and creativity skills
    • Focus on both technical (hard) and social (soft) management styles in construction

Placement opportunities will be actively investigated but the University reserves the right to default to the MSc Construction Project Management if an appropriate placement cannot be found.

Course Modules

Potential Career Paths

Overseeing all aspects of construction projects from inception to completion

Managing day-to-day operations on construction sites

Handling contractual aspects of construction projects, including negotiations and dispute resolution

Managing financial aspects of construction projects, including budgeting and cost control

Identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks in construction projects

Advising on sustainable construction practices and green building initiatives

Overseeing the implementation of BIM technologies in construction projects

Ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations on construction sites

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

Students will be exposed to construction project management at a strategic and operational level. This course will expand the horizon of the construction project into the inception, concept and feasibility projects that need to take place in order to ensure that the building project meets the needs and objectives of the client and the client’s business.

The historic nature of the built environment sector and its flexibility in the face of external change is approached with industrial partners who set the scene for research and understanding in areas of challenge and interest. Uniquely industry has the chance to set the agenda for study and to take part in the research and development within topics of interest and become part of creative and innovative solution.
This course will apply a balanced hand to the art and science of project management dealing with both the technical and the softer people related attributes of effective construction project managers. Work-based projects, residential courses and the opportunity to gain ‘badged’ training alongside structured learning and research enriches the experience of students and their employers.

We are currently developing the Springfield Campus which will be Europe’s largest construction centre of excellence.  Join us as the exciting development takes shape and from 2020/21 students in the School of Architecture and the Built Environment will be taught from the new campus.

Find out more about Springfield Campus.

At the end of this course you, the student, will be able to:

  • Appraise critique and evaluate the advantages of the art and science of effective and efficient construction project management within a variety of strategic and operational contexts.
  • Acquire knowledge through academic, industrial and practical research and apply solutions to a range of complex issues, adopting suitable approaches to problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Work, lead and manage within an effective team environment whilst analysing and recognising the contributions of individuals.
  • Apply numerical, statistical and quantitative skills within the planning and control of construction projects in order to evaluate key issues which impact on project performance.
  • Take responsibility for and organise your own learning through self-management and independent study and continue to advance your own knowledge and understanding, developing new skills to a high level.
  • Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data and communicate conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences using a variety of skills and media appropriately

Location Mode Fee Year
Home Full-time £8883 per year 2022-23
Home Full-time £8883 per year 2022-23
Home Full-time £9328 per year 2023-24
Home Full-time £9794 per year 2024-25
International Full-time £15450 per year 2022-23
International Full-time £15450 per year 2022-23
International Full-time £16450 per year 2023-24
International Full-time £16950 per year 2024-25

These fees relate to new entrants only for the academic year indicated for entry onto the course, any subsequent years study may be subject to an annual increase, usually in line with inflation.

A second-class honours degree in a construction related discipline, or equivalent, is required for direct entry onto the Master’s programme. Students are selected using application form and references in the first instance. However, if you have a compatible non-cognate degree and/or have relevant industrial experience you may be interviewed and if successful offered a place on the Masters course or on the postgraduate certificate version of the course with the potential to extend this to a full Master’s degree. or A Postgraduate Certificate in a construction related discipline, or a related subject with a minimum of grade C in all modules.

International Applicants

Your qualifications need to be deemed equivalent to the above entry requirements.

Postgraduate Loan (Home Fee Status):

You may be able to get a postgraduate student loan from Student Finance England of up to £12,167 to help pay for a Master’s degree. Applications are made through Student Finance England and more information on the regulations and eligibility criteria can be found at Masters Loans gov.uk.

* Any RPL will invalidate your eligibility as you must study a minimum of 180 credits


Changes for EU students:

The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as Overseas (International) students for fee purposes. More information about the change is available at UKCISA:

EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) click here.


Postgraduate Loyalty Discount:

You can get 20% discount on a taught on-site postgraduate course if you’re a University of Wolverhampton Graduate.

The University offers a generous 20% Loyalty Discount to students progressing from an undergraduate programme to a taught postgraduate programme, where both courses are University of Wolverhampton Awards.

There is no time limit on how long ago you completed your degree as long as this is your first Masters level qualification.

The discount applies to the first year of enrolment only. Students who receive a loyalty discount are not entitled to any further tuition discount or bursary. For full terms and conditions click here.


Self-funded:

If you are paying for the fees yourself then the fees can be paid in 3 instalments: November, January and April. More information can be found by clicking here.


Sponsored - Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

Your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.


Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.


Charitable Funding:

You might also want to explore the possibility of funding from charitable trusts; please see the following websites Association of Charitable Foundations, Directory of Social Change or Family Action. Most charities and trust funds offer limited bursaries targeted to specific groups of students so you will need to research whether any of them are relevant to your situation.


You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

Online

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