Advanced Project Management in Construction

Please note

This document only provides information for the academic year selected and does not form part of the student contract

Awarding Institution

University of Huddersfield

Final Award

MSc Master of Science

Teaching Institution

University of Huddersfield

School

School of Arts and Humanities

Department

Department of Design and Built Environment

Subject Benchmark Statement

Characteristic Statement - Master's Degree

Date of Programme Specification Approval

2024-07-08

Version Number

2024.01

Educational Aims of the Course

The programme is specifically designed to create reflective practitioners with advanced project management skills. Through an intense programme of study of subject-specific knowledge, the course provides the student with the knowledge and professional skills that have been identified by the Association of Project Managers (APM), the Royal Institute of Chartered … For more content click the Read More button below. Critically evaluate and to devise advanced project management plans to improve the architectural, engineering, construction and facilities management (AEC/FM) industry; Develop a strategic understanding of knowledge of the current problems and new insights in project and process management in the built environment; Critically evaluate current research and advanced scholarship in the area of Construction Project Management.

The programme is specifically designed to create reflective practitioners with advanced project management skills. Through an intense programme of study of subject-specific knowledge, the course provides the student with the knowledge and professional skills that have been identified by the Association of Project Managers (APM), the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) as essential for the construction project manager. Thus, on completion of the MSc, the student will be fully equipped to take the lead role of Construction Project Manager, namely to:

Critically evaluate and to devise advanced project management plans to improve the architectural, engineering, construction and facilities management (AEC/FM) industry;
Develop a strategic understanding of knowledge of the current problems and new insights in project and process management in the built environment;
Critically evaluate current research and advanced scholarship in the area of Construction Project Management.

Course Offering(s)

Full Time

Full Time - September

Full Time - January

Part Time

Part Time - September

Part Time - January

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion you will be able to:

Organise and plan complex construction projects and manage project information effectively and creatively and communicate their conclusions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Effectively relate process thinking and theories to construction projects.

Critically examine existing project management practice, define problems and evaluate alternative solutions.

Analyse rigorously company problems and design and implement strategies for change that demonstrate self-direction and originality.

Lead and work effectively with project teams and communicate effectively in a variety of forms.

Demonstrate in depth subject-specific knowledge in the main disciplines of project scheduling, negotiation, lean construction, BIM, sustainable construction, financial management, risk and opportunity management, process management and collaborative approaches to procurement, communication and virtual collaboration, and strategic management of people and projects.

Analyse the frameworks within which construction management decisions are made under a range of different social, economic, environmental and political systems within UK and international contexts.

Identify and critically appraise appropriate methods and techniques for analysing and solving project problems, also in a collaborative setting.

Develop and evaluate proposals and strategies.

10.

Define, seek out and synthesise data to support decision-making.

11.

Design and undertake a major piece of independent research relating to construction project management.

12.

Undertake critical analysis of research and other literature relating to a research question; communicate the purpose, context, research undertaken, results and its applicability.

13.

Apply information and management theory to construction project management issues in a real or realistic context.

14.

Utilise a range of information systems and critically appraise their value to an organisation’s activities and assets.

15.

Combine knowledge from different construction industry and business disciplines in order to solve multi-faceted problems of an international nature.

16.

Develop communication and technical skills using presentational and written means to a professional practice standard.

Course Structure

Masters Level

Masters Core

Masters Compulsory

Masters Optional

Interim Award

Postgraduate Certificate in Education

Postgraduate Diploma

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Research active staff, aligned to our research centres within the School, provide valuable input into the modules on the programme. This programme is aligned with our Innovative Design Lab (IDL) (http://www.hud.ac.uk/research/researchcentres/idl/), providing students with a unique opportunity to engage in activities and events led by a community of research active … For more content click the Read More button below. 14.2 Guest lectures and events All students are regularly invited to guest lectures and special events housed within the School of Arts and Humanities. As postgraduate students, they are encouraged to participate in a variety of academic and enterprise activities, to fully assimilate into the culture of the School and to take full advantage of the opportunities it offers. Such events and activities may include: field trips, attending guest speaker sessions from industry, and participation in staff-led activities through the research centres. As part of this programme, guest lectures from leading edge industrialists will be delivered, ensuring students are exposed to the latest industry developments (focus on practice based learning). 14.3 Lectures, Seminars and Tutorials All students on the Masters programme are supported through lectures, seminars and tutorials. Some seminars take place through the School’s themed research groups. Some of the tutorials involve hands-on exercises in which students will be expected to apply/use some of the concepts and tools which they will be exposed to. The variety of support through formal lecture delivery, guided tasks and discussions in a seminar and tutorial setting, allow for different learning experiences, on an individual basis and as part of postgraduate peer-groups. 14.4 Group Activities Group work forms part of an enriching postgraduate student experience, and opportunities are made available for students to participate in teamwork activities and group projects. Group work allows for the development of a deeper understanding of a subject discipline through interactions with others. Students are encouraged to exploit their role within the commercial, business and entrepreneurial contexts of art, design and architecture. In this respect, we encourage participation in group activities at postgraduate level and foster new insights into subject knowledge, through multi-/cross-disciplinary exchanges. 14.5 On-line resources Students are supported by guided skills audits, the design and use of working documents and briefs, the effective use of library resources, the identification of relevant literature sources, academic reading and note-taking, academic referencing skills, project planning, time-management and the protocols of research ethics and academic integrity. 14.6 Part time students often face competing work, family and study pressures, requiring a degree of flexibility in their studies and interaction with their tutors. In this respect the use of the Unilearn Learning Environment (Blackboard) which enables a level of support that fully meets the diverse needs of part time students. 14.7 The VLE allows learning resources and teaching materials to be made available to all students 24/7, with contents that maximise interactivity in the learning experience. The variety of materials available support both formative and summative assessments. It also supports students to engage with peers and tutors through interactive tools. 14.8 A blended teaching and learning approach is adopted for full time and part time on campus aiming to make networking opportunities and learning from peer interaction possible. 14.9 Modes of Assessment 14.9.1 Written formats: The flexibility of written options on the Masters programme enables students to identify and use the right writing mode for their conceptual direction, context and platform. Frameworks for these modes include: reflective journals, reflective essays, research reports, market reports, journal articles, theses and dissertations. 14.9.2 Verbal Presentations: oral communication and verbal justification is a Masters level requisite and a common approach on practice-led programmes. Students will be encouraged to engage in presentations as part of their studies, which may take the format of Power Point presentations, Research Posters, project presentations of practice, and/or the presentation of formal papers. 14.9.3 Projects: Students will be required to present project work during their studies, directed to the learning across specific modules. Students will be encouraged to use projects in which they are currently engaged in practice for a basis of analysis and improvement. For students who are not working whilst studying, alternative project proposals will be provided. 14.10 Reasonable adjustments are made for students with Personal Learning Support Plans with Personal Learning Support Plans.

14.2 Guest lectures and events

All students are regularly invited to guest lectures and special events housed within the School of Arts and Humanities. As postgraduate students, they are encouraged to participate in a variety of academic and enterprise activities, to fully assimilate into the culture of the School and to take full advantage of the opportunities it offers. Such events and activities may include: field trips, attending guest speaker sessions from industry, and participation in staff-led activities through the research centres. As part of this programme, guest lectures from leading edge industrialists will be delivered, ensuring students are exposed to the latest industry developments (focus on practice based learning).

14.3 Lectures, Seminars and Tutorials

All students on the Masters programme are supported through lectures, seminars and tutorials. Some seminars take place through the School’s themed research groups. Some of the tutorials involve hands-on exercises in which students will be expected to apply/use some of the concepts and tools which they will be exposed to. The variety of support through formal lecture delivery, guided tasks and discussions in a seminar and tutorial setting, allow for different learning experiences, on an individual basis and as part of postgraduate peer-groups.

14.4 Group Activities

Group work forms part of an enriching postgraduate student experience, and opportunities are made available for students to participate in teamwork activities and group projects. Group work allows for the development of a deeper understanding of a subject discipline through interactions with others. Students are encouraged to exploit their role within the commercial, business and entrepreneurial contexts of art, design and architecture. In this respect, we encourage participation in group activities at postgraduate level and foster new insights into subject knowledge, through multi-/cross-disciplinary exchanges.

14.5 On-line resources

Students are supported by guided skills audits, the design and use of working documents and briefs, the effective use of library resources, the identification of relevant literature sources, academic reading and note-taking, academic referencing skills, project planning, time-management and the protocols of research ethics and academic integrity.

14.6 Part time students often face competing work, family and study pressures, requiring a degree of flexibility in their studies and interaction with their tutors. In this respect the use of the Unilearn Learning Environment (Blackboard) which enables a level of support that fully meets the diverse needs of part time students.

14.7 The VLE allows learning resources and teaching materials to be made available to all students 24/7, with contents that maximise interactivity in the learning experience. The variety of materials available support both formative and summative assessments. It also supports students to engage with peers and tutors through interactive tools.

14.8 A blended teaching and learning approach is adopted for full time and part time on campus aiming to make networking opportunities and learning from peer interaction possible.

14.9 Modes of Assessment

14.9.1 Written formats: The flexibility of written options on the Masters programme enables students to identify and use the right writing mode for their conceptual direction, context and platform. Frameworks for these modes include: reflective journals, reflective essays, research reports, market reports, journal articles, theses and dissertations.

14.9.2 Verbal Presentations: oral communication and verbal justification is a Masters level requisite and a common approach on practice-led programmes. Students will be encouraged to engage in presentations as part of their studies, which may take the format of Power Point presentations, Research Posters, project presentations of practice, and/or the presentation of formal papers.

14.9.3 Projects: Students will be required to present project work during their studies, directed to the learning across specific modules. Students will be encouraged to use projects in which they are currently engaged in practice for a basis of analysis and improvement. For students who are not working whilst studying, alternative project proposals will be provided.

14.10 Reasonable adjustments are made for students with Personal Learning Support Plans with Personal Learning Support Plans.

Study Plans

Support for Students and their Learning

Induction packs will be sent to students prior to arrival at University followed by an induction for orientation and introducing study skills at the beginning of term one.
Student handbook and on-line module guides.
Workshop facilities.
Fieldtrips (optional).
Specialist PC & CAD/IT facilities.
Virtual learning environment, University VLE.
Print Bureau
Personal Tutor System
Academic Skills Tutors
Special arrangement will be made for disabled students in line with the individual requirements confirmed through consultation with the student and a representative from academic and/or disability support services.

All students are required to engage with the process of Personal Development Planning through project proposal development, which includes the auditing of specific skills. Reflective processes are a requirement of various modules delivered on the course.

In admitting students, and in teaching and assessing them, the course operates in conformity with the University and School of Arts and Humanitie’s policies on equal opportunities.

Criteria for Admission

The University of Huddersfield seeks and encourages applicants in order to widen participation, improve access and apply the principles of equal opportunities. We provide support for applicants who require additional assistance in order to select the right course of study and make a successful transition to studying at University. We encourage local, national and international applications. Further information for International Students can be found on their website.http://www.hud.ac.uk/international

If you were educated outside the UK, you are required to have International English Language Testing System (IELTS) at a score of 6.0 with a minimum score of 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in any single component. If you have alternative qualifications or do not meet the IELTS requirement we also offer a range of Pre-Sessional English Programmes.

The University provides opportunities for the accreditation of prior learning (APL) as stated in Section 3 of the Regulations for Awards.

The University’s general minimum entry requirements are specified in Section 1.5 of the Regulations for Awards.

Every person who applies for this course and meets the minimum entry requirement – regardless of any disability – will be given the same opportunity in the selection process. General advice and information regarding disability and the support the University can give can be found by contacting student services as follows:

Telephone: 01484 472675

Email: disability@hud.ac.uk

Further information is available on the disability services website.

Further advice on the specific skills and abilities needed to successfully undertake this course can be found by contacting the admissions tutor and by visiting our course finder website page

The normal entry requirements are:

Prospective applicants should be (or about to become) graduates of a British University or equivalent overseas institutes of Higher Education. Preference will be given to good honours graduates, although exceptional applicants from a non-academic background will also be considered.
This course is aimed at design and construction professionals, e.g. architects, construction project managers, quantity surveyors, building surveyors or other built environment related disciplines wishing to further their careers through postgraduate studies.
Students whose first language is not English will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent will be considered acceptable.
Graduates with other degrees must be supplemented by evidence that demonstrates the development of a professional practice within the field. Graduates with other degrees supplemented by professional evidence must be able to demonstrate the ability to appreciate and manipulate concepts of theory and practice, together with analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to postgraduate study. The nature of this evidence will vary but will include some visual reference and written documentation.
Applicants who wish to build on previously acquired qualifications and experience for continuing professional development must demonstrate a proven ability and track record. These applicants may wish to update and develop specialist skills or to diversify to suit changing professional needs.
Exceptional candidates from non-academic backgrounds with a proven track record in industry and commerce will also be considered via the accreditation for prior experimental learning (APEL). Those with non-traditional backgrounds with evidence of skill and/or portfolio of work, which meets the admission standards of the course, will also be considered.
Articulation arrangements for those entering the course directly at PGDip or MA Phases are that candidates must satisfy the criteria for either the PGCert or PGDip Level Descriptors as Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) criteria as normal postgraduate admissions for the University of Huddersfield.

Please note

University awards are regulated by the Regulations for Awards (Taught Courses) on the University website.

Quick links to the Regulations for Taught Students, procedures and forms can be accessed on the University website.

Course and Module Catalogue