Master of Science in Construction Management
Course Description
Modern construction organisations demand competent, high-level managers to run the business smoothly, efficiently and effectively. This Master of Science in Construction is specially designed for professionals in the construction and civil engineering industry looking to advance their careers.
You will be equipped with all the necessary tools and latest industry knowledge in order to formulate strategies, policies and business plans to be able to lead successful construction projects and construction businesses.
This is a specialist programme that will build and develop your existing skills, knowledge, and expertise to Masters level. This programme provides students with modern and useful construction management concepts through a combination of core compulsory subjects before selecting the elective modules. This Master’s degree enhances opportunities for acceptance into a doctoral degree as well as career development.
The overall course objectives are:
Knowledge:
- Critically reflect on and appraise the utility of financial and international construction management principles in context of construction industry (M5, M10)
- Critically analyse the planning, organization, execution, and legal skills of a construction manager.(M1, M6)
- Identify the different roles and responsibilities in the construction industry. (M 1, 5, 6, 10)
- Critically evaluate construction management technologies, innovations, and processes. (M8, M11)
- Evaluate how the legal, economic, and social relationships between contracting, the building trades, and the regulatory environment inform construction management.(M4)
- Critically evaluate the scientific principles relevant to construction risk and project procurement management (M2, M3)
- Critically evaluate the general theory and methods for building management in the context of sustainable construction projects. (M8)
- Formulate an overview of the major issues involved in managing projects within firms and businesses operating in the building/construction industrial sector. (M1)
- Critically evaluate and apply academic research and knowledge in decision making to a wide range of situations arising in the construction industry. (M7)
- Propose information technology solutions to increase productivity, manage procurement and risks, and to communicate effectively results obtained through analysis, design, and management of all resources.(M9)
Skills:
- Critically assess project management processes and procedures in context of construction industry (M1)
- Solve problems, retrieve information and make effective use of project, contract and risk management processes and procedures in context of construction industry (M1, M2, M4)
- Critically appraise the management and leadership skills required to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary and international construction organisations (M10)
- Critically analyse and test concepts and hypotheses for innovative solutions to problems occurring in international construction management, sustainable construction projects and building management organisations (M8)
- Appraise relevant information/data from a wide range of sources related to procurement and financial management, and organize such data and sources to come up with reliable solutions. (M3, M5)
- Plan the use of appropriate information systems tools for the effective communication of data derived in the various stages of analysis, design and management of projects undertaken by construction businesses and organisations.(M10)
Competences:
- Solve complex problems using a professional approach in areas related to project, risk, and contract financial management relevant to construction industry; (M1, 2, 5)
- Examine the interpersonal and management skills necessary for effective working in the management role in complex construction industry; (M1, M10)
- Evaluate and plan a broad range of issues impacting construction organizations and businesses. (M 4, M8, M10)
- Analyse, interpret and assess the value of evidence in scholarship and research related to strategy, finance and operations to inform problem solving in context of construction industry (M 1, 5, 7)
- Critically evaluate the logistics underlying construction procurement management and project information systems and devise strategies for managing these complexities. (M 3, M9)
- Critically assess the legal, economic, and social relationships between contracting, the building trades, and the regulatory environment inform construction management. (M6)
Entry Requirements
Candidates who apply for this course must possess one of the following:
- a Level 6 degree in a related field;
OR
- a Level 5 diploma or higher diploma and 5 years’ work experience in a managerial role.
Preference is given to applicants having a Level 6 degree in a discipline related to construction, and a minimum of 3 years’ work experience in management within the industry.
Students whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate English language capability at IELTS level 6.0 or equivalent.
Target Audience
This course is targeted at professionals with supervisory and/or middle management experience in the construction industry who wish to have a more thorough background in the subject in order to further advance their careers, namely:
- Architects and Civil Engineers
- Mechanical and Electrical Building Services Engineers
- Project Managers and Coordinators
- Project Owners
The target group can be extended to groups working within the construction industry, such as logistics managers, maintenance managers and facilities managers.
The target group focuses primarily on people already employed within supervisory and managerial level in the construction industry who wish to have a more thorough background in the subject in order to progress further in their career.
Career Paths
This programme aims to prepare you for senior posts within the industry, such as that of construction manager, head of the construction department or construction director of any construction organisation both in the private and public sector.
Modules
You are required to complete all 7 compulsory modules (42 ECTS), and only 3 elective modules out of the proposed 4 (18 ECTS), as well as the Dissertation (30 ECTS) to fulfil the requirements of this Master’s Degree.
If you stop here, you will get:
Postgraduate Certificate in Construction Management
Don’t stop now! Go for that Master’s Degree 🚀
If you stop here, you will get:
Postgraduate Diploma in Construction Management
Don’t stop now! Go for that Master’s Degree 🚀
🏁 Amazing! You’ve just achieved your Master of Science.
Master of Science in Construction Management
How you’ll be assessed
The course comprises:
- Evening classes for part-time courses.
- Classes held throughout the day for full-time courses.
- Guided learning, presentations, comprising synchronous online discussions, tutorials and/or videos.
- Self-study hours comprising research, reading and assignment work.
Assessment
Assessment is carried out via two mandatory components:
- Modular Assessment
- Dissertation Assessment
The programme includes different forms of assessment which allow for and promote students’ critical engagement. The formative and summative assessment tasks may include an in-class assignment and/or a home-based written assignment using diverse assessment tools which may take the form of online and in-class discussions, examinations, case studies, reports, proposals, essays, and presentations, etc., as applicable to the diverse modules.
Dissertation Assessment
Assessment of dissertations is primarily based on:
- Depth of critical understanding of the theoretical framework;
- Application of appropriate research tools;
- Critical approach to analysis, interpretation and evaluation of research findings;
- Depth and level of argumentation build-up;
- Original contribution to the generation of new knowledge/hypothesis/models;
- Scholarly presentation meeting academic standards
Course Intake Dates
March/ April 2025
Learning Outcomes
For Communication Skills:
The learner will be able to:
- Communicate with a large variety of people at different levels within own organisation as well as external stakeholders;
- Present information and ideas effectively with peers.
- Present arguments effectively with peers, tutors and internal and external stakeholders, verbally and in writing
- Prepare and communicate information on complex contemporary issues in construction management and project management to specialist and non-specialist audiences. (M1)
For Learning Skills:
The learner will be able to:
- Undertake independent and self-directed study through research, both primary and secondary
- Apply critical reflective thinking and be in a position to challenge and critique construction management models, concepts and ideas;
- Enhance their career by developing advanced knowledge and understanding to systematically and creatively inform their construction project management practices;
- Become independent, self-directed learners with the tools and motivation to continue learning, developing and reflecting throughout their careers.
- Apply IT based skills in the use and/or application of tools such as: Scheduling tools, information management, BIM, Risk Management tools etc.
- Prepare for career progression and employment as construction managers
- Provide a broad foundation in various aspects of theory and practice in the field of general management as applied to construction industry settings
- Develop the practical management skills and prepare for a career in the management of civil/structural facilities construction projects (ie. project and risk management, operations management, contract management, financial management.)
- Demonstrate a range of skills and knowledge in the practice of planning, financing, operating, monitoring, managing and delivering large scale civil engineering, infrastructure, and construction projects.