Project Management - MSc
Currently viewing course to start in 2024/25 Entry. Switch to 2025/26 Entry
Our MSc Project Management course will help you gain the administrative, organisational and creative skills you'll need to become one of tomorrow's leading managers.
- Level Postgraduate Taught
- Study mode Full Time/Part Time
- Award MSc
- Start date January 2025
- Fees View course fees
- Subject
- Location City Centre
This course is:
Open to International Students
Overview
Our MSc Project Management course will help you gain the administrative, organisational and creative skills you'll need to become one of tomorrow's leading managers.
What's covered in this course?
The course will encourage creative thinking, and the development of leadership and management skills through teamwork, discussion and peer review. You'll develop new skills to an advanced level, becoming a highly-skilled manager capable of administering major projects within and across different organisations.
In addition to further academic research opportunities, career prospects are expected to keep pace with the rapid advances in project management methods and intelligent based technologies, hence, there is expected to be continuing demand for competent, versatile postgraduates who can design and implement innovative solutions for industry
Tailor your degree
The Professional Placement version of the course is optional and is offered as an alternative to the standard version of the course. This will allow you to complete a credit bearing, 20 week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Master's Degree. The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability skills which will, through the placement experience, allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market.
Accredited By
This course is accredited by:
Why Choose Us?
- Accredited course – This course is accredited by the Association of Project Management (APM).
- Route to continue professional development – This programme will offer a route towards membership from APM (Association of Project Management) and PMI (Project Management Institute).
- Professional placement option – Gain desirable employability skills with the option of a professional placement version of the course.
- Develop transferable skills – You will learn the skills you need to succeed within the industry, as well as valuable transferrable attributes.
- Industry-standard facilities and equipment – You will be based at the impressive City Centre campus. The £114 million Millennium Point building boasts a wide range of industry-standard facilities, software and equipment.
- Highly employable graduates – Our graduates have secured roles and promotions at WEG Electric Motors (U.K.) Ltd, Ishida Europe, DHL Manufacturing Logistics Services, Palletways UK, APL Logistics, and BAE Systems.
Where our students go
Our students have gone on to work with companies such as:
- Dynamic Network Maintenance
- University Birmingham Hospital Trust
And in jobs such as:
- Communication Assistant
- Clinical Auditor in HIV
OPEN DAY
Join us for a virtual Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail. Booking isn't open yet for this event, register your interest and we’ll email you as soon as booking goes live.
Next Event: 3 - 7 February 2025
Entry Requirements
Essential requirements
Essential Requirements
We would normally expect you to hold at least a Second Class Honours degree. |
We can also consider your application without standard entry qualifications if you can provide evidence of the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully complete the course. |
If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: MSc
Starting: Jan 2025
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 12 months
- £8,925 in 2024/25
- Full Time
- 18 months with Professional Placement (see below*)
- £9,820 in 2024/25
- Part Time
- 28 months
- Show fees
- £992 per 20 credits
- Year 1 - 80 credits
- Year 2 - 100 credits
Fees for Part-time students
This course can be studied on a Part-time study basis. The cost per year of study is based on credit requirements for that year.
International students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: MSc
Starting: Jan 2025
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 12 months
- £17,710 in 2024/25
- Full Time
- 18 months with Professional Placement (see below*)
- £19,485 in 2024/25
Professional Placement option*
The Professional Placement option will allow you to complete a credit bearing, 20 week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Master's Degree. The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability skills which will, through the placement experience, allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market.
Furthermore, by completing the Professional Placement, you will be able to develop and enhance your understanding of the professional work environment, relevant to your chosen field of study, and reflect critically on your own professional skills development within the workplace.
You will be responsible for finding and securing your own placement. The University, however, will draw on its extensive network of local, regional and national employers to support you in finding a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study. You will also benefit from support sessions delivered by Careers+ as well as advice and guidance from your School.
Placements will only be confirmed following a competitive, employer-led selection process, therefore the University will not be able to guarantee placements for students who have registered for the 'with Professional Placement' course. All students who do not find a suitable placement or do not pass the competitive selection process will be automatically transferred back to the standard, non-placement version of the course.
Personal statement
You’ll need to submit a personal statement as part of your application for this course. This will need to highlight your passion for postgraduate study – and your chosen course – as well as your personal skills and experience, academic success, and any other factors that will support your application for further study.
If you are applying for a stand alone module, please include the title of the module you want to study in your Personal Statement.
Not sure what to include? We’re here to help – take a look at our top tips for writing personal statements and download our free postgraduate personal statement guide for further advice and examples from real students.
Course in Depth
Master's
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 180 credits):
The module aims to provide you with a foundation for academic research skills employed in all modules, but particularly the master’s dissertation. This will enhance your learning experience providing a research output which is both industrially relevant, and contributes academic value to the research base of your chosen industry.
This module will focus on resource management and its effective deployment and allocation to achieve sustainable competitive advantage for organisations. Two main resources will be considered: HUMAN and FINANCIAL; without which, organisational success cannot be guaranteed.
You will be introduced to theoretical concepts underpinning resource development and deployment such as, human capital development, change management, motivational theories, learning organisations, financial methods, investment appraisal, budgeting, alongside financial and management accounting.
All organisations need input of good and services from external suppliers or providers. This module will examine the developing role of purchasing and procurement within the supply function, in managing these inputs in which the activity can contribute to the efficiency of the organisation or project. Using contract law and its relevant legal duties, rights and processes, you will understand the underpinning contractual obligations for individuals and organisation.
This module will provide you with the opportunity to undertake a critical evaluation of supply chain management and its links to the marketplace, the distribution networks, the manufacturing process and the procurement activity required; ensuring that customers are served at high levels by lowering operational costs through effective logistics and supply chain operations.
Project management is the application of processes, methods, knowledge, skills and experience to achieve the project objectives (PMBoK, 6th Ed. (2012). Project management is key to delivering strategic value within an organisation and it involves far more than a time plan, a budget and a risk register.
This module provides particular focus on global strategic positioning, entry strategies and alliances, effective cross-cultural boundaries and management; developing and retaining an effective global management for products and services for globalisation. The module will reflect on current research, current events and global developments and include many company examples alongside international marketing theory, norms and practices for implementation.
The purpose of the module is to enable you to undertake a sustained, in-depth and research-informed Level 7 project exploring an area that is of personal interest to you. In agreement with your supervisor, you will decide upon your topic which will take the form of a practical outcome (artefact) with accompanying contextual material. The main consideration when choosing your topic is that it must be aligned to the programme you are studying and informed by the research strategy of your school, and you should consider the relevance of this topic to your future academic or professional development.
Professional Placement (Optional)
In order to qualify for the award of MSc Project Management with Professional Placement, a student must successfully complete all of the Level 7 modules listed above as well as the following Level 6 module:
This module is designed to provide you with the opportunity to undertake a credit bearing, 20-week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Master’s Degree.
The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability skills which will, through the placement experience, allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market. Furthermore, by completing the Professional Placement, you will be able to develop and enhance your understanding of the professional work environment, relevant to your chosen field of study, and reflect critically on your own professional skills development within the workplace.
Download course specification
Download nowA range of assessment methods are employed with associated assessment criteria. Knowledge and skills are assessed, formatively and summatively, by a number of methods such as coursework, examinations (seen and unseen, open and closed-book), presentations, practical assignments, vivas, online forums, podcasts and project work.
Lectures are used to introduce themes, theories and concepts, which are further explored in seminars. Technology enhanced learning is used, where appropriate, through the provision of online resources, discussion forums and other activities.
Advanced textbooks are used, together with professional material and journal articles, in order to ensure that students develop a critical understanding of work at the forefront of their discipline.
You'll also a gain of range of valuable transferrable skills, such as time management, organisation, problem solving and more.
You will also be supported by a personal tutor based at the University, who will see you for regular one-to-one meetings. These meetings will generally take place at the beginning of each semester and at the end of the academic year.
Professional Placement option
The Professional Placement option will allow you to complete a credit bearing, 20 week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Master's Degree.
The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability skills which will, through the placement experience, allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market.
Furthermore, by completing the Professional Placement, you will be able to develop and enhance your understanding of the professional work environment, relevant to your chosen field of study, and reflect critically on your own professional skills development within the workplace.
You will be responsible for finding and securing your own placement. The University, however, will draw on its extensive network of local, regional and national employers to support you in finding a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study. You will also benefit from support sessions delivered by Careers+ as well as advice and guidance from your School.
Placements will only be confirmed following a competitive, employer-led selection process, therefore the University will not be able to guarantee placements for students who have registered for the 'with Professional Placement' course. All students who do not find a suitable placement or do not pass the competitive selection process will be automatically transferred back to the standard, non-placement version of the course.
Accreditation
APM Academic Accreditation
This course has achieved Academic Accreditation from the Association of Project Management. APM Academic Accreditation helps students and professionals choose the best education in support of their project management careers.
Employability
The programme has achieved academic accreditation from the Association of Project Management (APM). This accreditation has been achieved in recognition for demonstrating that the key principles set out in the APM Body of Knowledge (6th Edition) have been incorporated and integrated into curriculum design and module development of the programme. The teaching and learning on the programme focuses and emphasises the importance of the Body of Knowledge and ensures that we incorporate it within the guiding principles underpinning the programme.
International
Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
- Details of the entry requirements for our courses
- Some of the good reasons why you should study here
- How to improve your language skills before starting your studies
- Information relevant to applicants from your country
- Where to find financial support for your studies.
Facilities & Staff
Our Facilities
Our state-of-the-art Engineering labs and workshops provide the perfect setting for practical work with modern-day teaching and learning facilities. We pride ourselves on equipping our students with the skill set that they need not only working on industry standard equipment, but having industrial links, which set them up perfectly for a career in engineering.
We are currently undertaking a £400 million investment programme in our facilities, including a major expansion of our City Centre Campus. As part of this, our facilities in Millennium Point have undergone a £6.5 million investment to include a new maker area, engineering labs and equipment.
We have invested in industry-standard facilities to support the practice-based elements of our Engineering courses and give students as much practical learning as possible, to prepare for industry placements and job opportunities after graduation. Students have access to our facilities during classes, and can book out of class sessions with our specialist technicians.
We are a partner of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology (GBSIoT) and have secured £1.1 million of government funding for investment in brand-new equipment and facilities. Funding of £808,000 from the Department for Education has supported our development of an Electric Vehicle (EV) Test Rig, an Additive Manufacturing Machine (3D printer) and a material testing-split zone furnace.
The IoT has enabled procurement of new technologies for material testing, electronics prototyping and production and 3D scanning to compliment computer aided design for manufacture