Construction Management

About the course

Managing a construction project from design through to occupation requires a wide range of skills and involves many people. This course will help you develop the general business management and construction specific skills required for site management of major complex construction projects.

The University of Bolton leads the way in offering professional courses which are designed with the current and future needs of employers and your career in mind. Our MSc in Construction Management is designed to give you the edge in a demanding marketplace.

What you will learn

The course focuses on the activities of business management and project management. The Research Methods module allows you to examine a problem of your choice in the workplace. It acts as an introductory module enabling you to develop many of the skills required for academic study in subsequent parts of the programme. These skills include information retrieval and analysis. You will be encouraged to make judgments about problems based upon examination of evidence. A further option module allows you to select a topic related to your own interest, or a priority of your employer. The completion of a dissertation allows you to deepen your knowledge in a particular area, and to apply your research and subject related skills to analyse a situation and develop an appropriate solution.

You will learn key management skills including critical analysis, high level presentation skills, project collaboration and consensus, and team working. You will take responsibility for your own learning and will also learn and collaborate in a small group environment.

What you will study

You are required to successfully complete 180 credits of study to gain the MSc. The programme comprises 150 credits of core modules and thirty credits of option study. Successful completion of the 120 credits without the dissertation would achieve the postgraduate diploma, and completion of 60 credits the postgraduate certificate.

The taught part of the course is normally completed in two years (each year consists of two semesters each of fifteen week duration). An additional year is required for the dissertation. Class contact time for modules M1 and M2 is three hours per week , for thirty weeks in the year. You should expect to commit an additional 500 hours private study per year, some of which involves integrating the academic discipline with work-based activities. Modules M3 to M6 require 5 hours of class contact time. This format allows you to complete study without having to take time away from business commitments in normal working hours.

Special features

• Teaching staff within the School of the Built Environment and Engineering are drawn from industry and academia and have a wide range of experience, leading the field in the study of and research into the built environment and construction.

Careers and professional development

There is an emphasis on ensuring that the judgements you make in assessed work are evidentially based. You will be required to move your thought processes from operational to strategic levels, and to integrate learning in the academic environment to your place of work.

For graduates with a first degree in a built environment subject this course can provide a competitive edge in a fierce employment market. Many students use the programme as a vehicle to enhance their skills and progress their careers. The course also provides an excellent background for those wishing to undertake further study in the form of a PhD in a built environment subject area

On graduation you will also become a member of the University of Bolton's alumni association. You will be a lifelong member of the University's community, able to access careers information and guidance, the library and professional periodicals, as well as a range of other facilities.

Requirements

Entry requirements (typical offer)

Normally, you will have one of the following: an honours degree in a construction discipline and significant industrial experience (for instance, two years full-time employment or four years part-time employment in a relevant industry); professional status with an appropriate construction institution (for instance, Chartered Architect, Builder, Engineer or Surveyor); alternative qualifications and/or experience (for instance, you have held a responsible position for a number of years with relevant responsibilities).

If English is not your first language you will also need IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent).

We are more than happy to have an informal chat with you about this course, either over the phone or in person. If you wish to meet in person please contact the programme leader to arrange a mutually convenient time. (While we reserve the right to interview it is not our usual practice for this course.)

Mode of Attendance : Part-time