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This course will equip students with core project management skills within the context of transformative delivery of construction and infrastructure projects.
Overview
The MSci Construction Project Management is an integrated 4-year degree programme with a final year which will extend and deepen knowledge in the management of construction projects through level 7 (masters level) modules.
The programme combines training in the project management of construction with a strong grounding in five thematic areas around which modules cluster: industry, technology, management, professional practice and integration. These modules are designed to focus on key construction industry priorities such as digital delivery, industrialisation of production methods, sustainability, safety, value and quality.
Students will build their understanding of the construction development process, from clients developing their requirements during the design, through the procurement and production stages to the final occupation and ongoing management of new facilities.
Projects are studied from the perspective of a range of relevant stakeholders including policy makers, clients, occupiers, funders, designers, contractors and facilities managers.
This degree structure offers both breadth and depth of knowledge and experience, beginning with the fundamentals of projects, firms, process and procedures, which are introduced in the first year, and prepares students to engage with the more advanced systems and the many intertwined technical, commercial, environmental, socio-technical and ethical issues associated with buildings and infrastructure.
The final two years of the programme allow students to specialise in one of three specialist optional streams: Design and Technology Management, Project and Programme Management, and Real Estate Management.
As you progress through the degree you will:
- Learn how projects are appraised, financed and how investment decisions are made.
- Perceive the impact of legislation on the construction process and the impact of construction on the economy and wider environment.
- Develop excellent analytical, managerial and leadership skills through a variety of activities and interactions.
- Understand how climate change, sustainability, ‘whole life’ principles and circular economy transition are influencing the way we build and manage built assets.
- Learn how innovations can be applied to improve construction project delivery and alleviate key industry challenges.
- Develop skills for embedding key innovations into project delivery and building management including pioneering concepts in digitalisation, industrialised construction and zero carbon design.
- Attend site visits and field trips, observing modern construction project delivery and systems in action.
- Engage and debate with industry leaders on a range of contemporary issues confronting industry as well as proffer solutions.
Course content and assessment
Modules
In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken.
All modules in first and second year are compulsory. In the final two years there are both compulsory and optional modules. Optional modules will be based on the student’s chosen area of specialisation: Design and Technology Management, Project and Programme Management, and Real Estate Management.
A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
Core modules
Year 1
Industry 1 – The Construction Ecosystem
Industry 2 – The Construction Professions
Management 1 – People and Organisations
Management 2 – Projects and Programmes
Professional Practice 1 - Introduction to Law and Contracts
Professional Practice 2 – Basic Business Economics
Technology 1 – Data and Digital Delivery
Technology 2 – Construction Materials and Methods
Year 2
Industry 3 – The Construction Culture
Management 3 – New Build Projects
Professional Practice 3 – Contract Law and Administration
Professional Practice 4 – Business Statistics and Data Analytics
Professional Practice 5 – Project Financial Control and Reporting
Technology 3 –Digital Design and Construction
Technology 4 – Construction Products and Systems
Management 4 – Built Asset Management
Year 3
Integration 1 – The Net Zero Carbon Building
Integration 2 – End-to-end Value Delivery
Year 4
Integration 3 – Project Leadership Practices
Dissertation
Optional modules
(Based on the student’s chosen area of specialisation)
Year 3
Design and Technology Management 1: Requirements and Responsibilities
Design and Technology Management 2: Managing the Digital Design Environment
Project and Programme Management 1: Delivery Models
Project and Programme Management 2: Managing the Project Supply Chain
Real Estate Management 1: Law of Real Property and Administrative Law
Real Estate Management 2: Urban Economics and Valuation
Year 4
Design and Technology Management 3: Manufacturing and Production Technologies
Project and Programme Management 3: Strategy and Strategic Management
Real Estate Management 3: Managing the Development Process
Teaching and assessment
This programme is delivered primarily through small group teaching. Teaching methods include a mix of lectures, seminars, group-work, problem-based learning, project-based learning, design challenges, simulation and modelling, workshops, and field trips. In a number of modules you will work in groups and give presentations of your work, replicating the co-operative teamwork characteristic of the industry.
Assessment includes examinations, coursework, project work, presentations and a dissertation. Most modules use a combination of assessment methods, and weighting for each type varies depending on the module.
Study modes, entry requirements, fees and funding
Duration: The course can be studied full time over 4 years or as a 5-year course with a “Placement Year” completed in industry (between years 2 and 3 of the programme).
Entry requirements: Read the full entry requirements for this course on the UCL Undergraduate Prospectus.
Tuition fees and funding
Fees: Tuition fee information can be found on the UCL Undergraduate Prospectus.
Funding: For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding section of the UCL website.
Careers
In addition to the main theme of construction project and programme management, design and technology management as well as real estate management, the programme provides a solid foundation in business statistics and data analytics, law, economics, general and strategic management.
Graduates will have both depth and breadth of knowledge and experience and will be able to choose from a range of career pathways primarily in cost consultancy, project management and construction, but also commercial management, real estate development, property finance and investment, facilities and built asset management, and design consultancies.
Find out more information about careers support available on our careers page.
Programme staff
Teaching of the MSci Construction Project Management is delivered by a team of lecturers from across the Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction, each of whom has extensive experience and expertise in their field of study. Many of the staff have had wide-ranging involvement in construction projects and firms. The programme also receives support from other academics in the school, and from a range of visiting lecturers from industry who contribute specialist inputs and case studies.
The External Examiners for the programme are either senior built environment academics or leading industrialists from the construction industry.
Programme Leader
Dr Abdul-Majeed Mahamadu
a.mahamadu@ucl.ac.uk
Dr. Abdul-Majeed is an Associate Professor of Innovative and Industrialised Construction. He is chartered construction manager with The Chartered Institute of Building (MCIOB), UK and a fellow of Higher Education Academy, UK. His expertise is mainly in the areas of Building Information Modelling (BIM), the application of emerging digital technologies, industrialised construction and construction health and safety. Abdul holds a PhD in BIM with focus on construction supply chain BIM capability. He also holds an MSc in Construction Project Management and BSc in Building Technology. His industrial experience includes project and cost management in the infrastructure sector. He has also led and managed several research and consultancy projects under the auspices of organisations including European Union, UK Department for Transport, Innovate UK, and the UK Department for International Development (DFID).
Course administrator
Robin Christian
r.christian@ucl.ac.uk
Placement Year Option
This course is available as a five-year course with a “placement year” completed in industry. It aims to introduce you to the realities of the construction industry and its processes, the technical aspects of the building process, and the managerial and professional aspects of running construction projects and a construction organisation.
You can apply for the five-year course with “placement year” from the start, but it is possible to convert between the MSci with no placement year and the MSci with “placement year” programme after your second year. The content of both courses is identical, except for the placement year in industry.
More information about the “placement year” option of the course can be found on the MSci Construction Project Management (with “Placement Year”) prospectus page.
More information
For key information, including how to apply, visit the UCL Undergraduate Prospectus.
