MSc Construction and Project Management

You could be a civil engineer, architect, planner, commercial manager, M&E services engineer, environmental manager/engineer, lawyer, or any other construction-related discipline.

You could have been in professional practice for a while already: some of our previous students have been many years into their career when they join us.

Or you may be a recent graduate, for example with a BEng, BA (architecture) or BSc. This Master’s gives you the opportunity to acquire a management ‘bolt on’ on top of your engineering, architecture or construction-related undergraduate degree.

There are excellent career opportunities for our graduates as project managers, contract managers, design managers, project architects, project engineers, planners, etc., within project management consultants, construction companies, property developers and government agencies, amongst others.

Graduates are also well prepared for PhD research, which may lead to careers in research establishments and universities.

Where could you be in five years?

Where do you want to be? This programme opens doors, not only in construction but also in other industries. Having completed a dedicated Project Management programme, you can work anywhere in the world, with anyone looking for project management orientated viewpoint.

Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes alongside sterling integration with business experts help our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally.

Employment after the Course

You could be anywhere in the world as a project manager with any of the major design, project management or construction consultants.

Countries such as India, China, Canada and the GCC countries are investing heavily in their infrastructure – with trillions of dollars of investment planned over the next few years - and they need project managers like you to make it happen.

Students may enrol on a full-time or part-time basis.

The programme is delivered on Mondays and Fridays for full time delivery and 1 day per week for part-time students (Monday for first year, Friday for second year). Nine modules (including Dissertation) totalling 180 CATS points are included in the programme, with no optional modules available.

Lectures are delivered by industry orientated lecturers and external experts within the field of Project Management. Assessment is undertaken through coursework and presentations.

The course content gives theoretical and practical coverage across a wide variety of topics:

Course Details

The course content gives theoretical and practical coverage across a wide variety of topics:

Compulsory Modules

Procurement Contract Administration and Law (20 CATS)

Procurement, contract administration and the understanding of contract law is one of the 'keystone skills' for Project Management. This module provides an understanding of construction procurement and contract routes, and contract and tort law, and their application within the construction context.

Project Management, Planning and Control (20 CATS)

This module aims to enhance student awareness of developments in the field of construction project management coordination emphasising the wide range of demands made on construction professionals as managers and the skills required to programme, monitor and control various aspects of a construction project from inception to completion.

Research Methods for Managers (10 CATS)

The module deals with principles of BIM and construction management research from the formulation of research questions, hypothesis and objectives, through literature review, qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis, to presentation of data and report writing.

Project Planning for Sustainability (20 CATS)

The need for infrastructure to be sustainable is one of the driving factors behind project planning, design, construction and operation. This module aims to enhance student awareness of developments in the field of sustainable project development and construction including the need for a connected approach to economic, social and environmental sustainability.

Construction Economics & Construction Finance (20 CATS)

This module will cover both construction finances and construction economics. The ability to understand and manage finances is essential to a project manager in any field. We will examine some of the issues and tools used in financial management. We will also build an awareness of the wider global economic context within which construction operates.

Organisations, People & Leadership (10 CATS)

This module is designed to equip students to efficiently lead and manage in various leadership positions within the structure of any organisation. Instead of having weekly lectures, the class will be taught in small groups over four all-day sessions.

Optional Modules

Building Information Modelling in Practice (10 CATS)

This module is designed to develop a comprehensive understanding of the underlying principles of BIM implementation in practice, particularly in relation to the utilisation of intelligent 3D models. It explores the standards and processes that help to govern the huge range of information generated by the diverse teams who must collaborate to make BIM a success.

Emerging Digital Technology (10 CATS)

This module explores the new technologies which are emerging in the field of BIM and Digital Construction, examining the potential of technology to disrupt the construction industry.

Facilities Management & Asset Management (10 CATS)

This module looks at the practical management of both facilities and infrastructure assets, for example dealing with sustainability, building performance, and evaluation of the physical, environmental and health and safety aspects.

Construction Law 2 (10 CATS)

This module covers dispute resolution in construction, including mediation, arbitration and adjudication. This module ties closely with Procurement, Contract Administration and Law, and Project Management Planning and Control.

Research Module

Individual Research Project (Dissertation) (60 CATS)

For the Dissertation, students are required to undertake an independent research project, producing a written dissertation focusing on a particular issue within the realm of construction project management.

Learning and Teaching

We provide a range of learning experiences that enable our students to engage with industry experts, develop skills and perspectives that will equip them for life and work.

Who will be teaching you?

A small core of tutors with decades of academic and industrial experience.

The Programme Director is Dr Stephen McIlwaine, he is a Chartered Engineer with almost 30 years of experience in the planning and implementation of infrastructure projects in a number of countries, mostly outside the UK, with a focus on environmental management and sustainability of construction projects.

Environment

You will be taught in a class of around 90 if you’re a full-time student, alongside students from a wide variety of disciplinary backgrounds and experience from all over the world - places like India, Nigeria, China, Vietnam and Egypt, as well as from the UK, Ireland and Europe. Our teaching starts around mid day as we know some of you will need to take time off work to attend classes. You’ll have the beautiful new Graduate School at your disposal as well as the facilities within the School.

Assessment

Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:

Methods of assessment will comprise a combination of individual written and technical assignments, group reports, student presentations, and role-play exercises.

Group coursework will also include group presentations to a judging panel. Individual coursework may, where required, be further presented at a panel Q&A session.

MSc students who have achieved a minimum of 50 per cent in the compulsory modules and an average of 50 per cent or above overall in the taught programme, are required to undertake an individual research project and submit a dissertation in September. This dissertation must be passed at 50 per cent for the award of the MSc.

Students who achieve an overall average for their taught modules and dissertation in the range 60 per cent to 69 per cent will be awarded a Commendation. Students who achieve an average of 65 per cent or above in the taught programme and 70 per cent or more for the dissertation, with an overall average of 70 per cent or more, will be awarded a Distinction.