Construction Economics and Management MSc

London, Bloomsbury

This Master’s in Construction Economics and Management equips students with the expertise to become leaders in the construction and infrastructure sectors. Accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the programme focuses on the economics and finance of construction, as well as the management of construction projects and enterprises.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£24,100
£12,050
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£39,800
£19,900
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 calendar year
2 academic years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2025
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 27 Jun 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 29 Aug 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Whilst UCL will endeavour to issue decisions as soon as possible, it is expected that some applications will be considered in Spring 2024 as part of a gathered field, with formal decisions released in May 2023.

Entry requirements

UCL's minimum qualifications are a lower second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. However, there is a heavy demand for places on this programme and in practice a significantly higher standard will be required unless the applicant can offer professional qualifications or five years of more of relevant practical experience.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

The Construction Economics and Management MSc at UCL’s Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction provides an in-depth understanding of the economic and managerial aspects of construction projects and enterprises. 

This master’s course blends academic rigour with practical insights, focusing on the financial mechanisms, policy frameworks, and economic factors driving the construction industry.

Students will engage with contemporary issues such as sustainable construction, project finance, and global construction markets, benefiting from UCL's close connections with leading industry professionals and organisations. The course prepares graduates to tackle complex challenges and lead innovative projects in a dynamic sector.

Who this course is for

This programme is ideal for applicants who already possess knowledge and experience of project management and are seeking to move from a project-based to a business-based role within construction, or wish to specialise in areas of practical application of economics and finance.

What this course will give you

Accreditation: this master’s programme is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), enhancing your professional credentials.

Expert Knowledge: Gain a comprehensive understanding of construction economics, project management, and enterprise management.

Industry Connections: Access UCL’s extensive network of industry leaders, guest lecturers, and alumni.

Practical Skills: Access training in financial analysis, risk management, and strategic decision-making specific to construction projects.

Research Opportunities: Conduct cutting-edge research with guidance from leading academics. The Bartlett's research received the UK's most world-leading ratings for Built Environment research in the most recent Research Excellence Framework.

Career Support: Access dedicated career services including networking events and career workshops.

Global Perspective: Insights into international construction markets and global best practices.

Flexible Learning: Options for full-time or part-time study to accommodate working professionals.

Study in London: London is among the most connected cities in the world, offering incredible access to major construction firms, consultancies, and governmental bodies, while also providing a dynamic and vibrant learning environment enriched by the city's diverse and thriving construction industry.

Top Ranked: For the second year in a row, The Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment was ranked #1 in the world for ‘Architecture and Built Environment’ (QS World University Subject Rankings 2024).

Find out more about the benefits of studying at The Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction.

The foundation of your career

The programme develops an understanding of financial and other kinds of management within the context of the project-based firm and the construction industry in its widest sense. There are some elements which can be put to use straight away while other elements of a strategic nature will prove useful as graduates move into more senior management roles. It is an attractive graduate qualification either for those trained in a technical discipline without previous economic training or those trained in economics or finance without previous exposure to construction.

96% of Bartlett graduates were in work or further study 15 months after graduation.

Top industry sectors for Bartlett graduates in work are construction, built environment and property (37% of graduates); engineering (17%); finance (8%); academic research and higher education (7%); and other scientific and technical professions (5%).

Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction graduates are working in 45 countries around the world.

Example jobs:

  • Construction project manager
  • Engineering professional
  • Finance and investment analyst / advisor
  • Production manager
  • Construction director
  • Project support officer
  • Chartered surveyor
  • Civil engineer
  • Environment professional
  • Architect

Example employers:

  • ARUP
  • Balfour Beatty
  • British Land
  • Deloitte
  • UK Government
  • Skanska
  • Turner & Townsend
  • AtkinsRéalis
  • TfL  
  • Mace
  • Tetra Tech Europe  
  • Vodafone  

(Data from Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017-2021)

Employability

The career options for graduates are varied, and many students go on to work for construction, engineering and design enterprises, professional consultants and commercial research organisations, and client enterprises with significant project portfolios such as retailers or banks. Graduates have been recruited by many of the UK's very best construction-sector firms. The MSc can be used as a foundation for MPhil/PhD research.

Networking

The Construction Economics and Management MSc programme and the School actively supports students and alumni in establishing their professional network, recognising the importance of networks in providing graduates with opportunities and support throughout their careers.

Accreditation

The Construction Economics and Management MSc course is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), a globally recognised professional body accrediting professionals within the land, property, construction, and infrastructure sectors worldwide.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars and group work on case studies, exercises and problems. Lectures include industry and academic guest speakers.

Assessment is through written examination, term papers and the dissertation.

In terms 1 and 2 full-time students can typically expect 12 contact hours per teaching week through lectures, workshops and tutorials. In term 3 students will be completing their own dissertation research, keeping regular contact with their dissertation supervisors.

Outside of lectures full-time students typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, using their remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments.

Modules

You will undertake 8 taught modules and the research dissertation.

Term One:

You will take 4 compulsory modules, and receive training in research methods.

Term Two:

You will take 4 optional modules and submit an outline of your proposed dissertation research.

Term Three:

You will complete outstanding assignments for the taught modules, following which you will continue work on your dissertation in this term and throughout the summer.

The compulsory modules provide the basic knowledge and theoretical underpinning of the Economics and Management of Construction. The optional modules build upon this knowledge and allow exploration of more specialist areas.

Year One:

In term one you will take 2 economics-based compulsory modules.

In term two you will take two optional modules, one from weeks 21-25 and one from weeks 27-31.

In term three you will complete outstanding assignments for the taught modules.

In the summer there is no formal teaching, but you should be developing ideas for your dissertation.

Year Two:

In term one you will take 2 management-based compulsory modules and present the outline for your dissertation research.

Modular-flexible study is undertaken on a module-by-module basis. In a given academic year, modular-flexible students have the option to complete as few as one module or as many as eight modules, depending on individual preferences and availability.

Modular-flexible students are required to complete all eight taught modules as well as the dissertation module within a maximum timeframe of five academic years.

It is advisable for students to complete the compulsory economics-based modules during the first year, while the Dissertation module must be undertaken in the final year of study. Students can contact the Teaching and Learning Team on bssc.enquiries@ucl.ac.uk if they need any advice or support with module selection.

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Construction Economics and Management.

Fieldwork

Fieldwork may contribute to primary research for the dissertation.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £24,100 £12,050
Tuition fees (2025/26) £39,800 £19,900

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

For Full-time and Part-time offer holders a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

For flexible/modular offer holders a £500 fee deposit will be charged.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

Students are expected to bring their own laptop.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

UCL offers a range of financial awards aimed at assisting both prospective and current students with their studies.

Any additional funding available from The Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction and the Built Environment Faculty Office are advertised on the respective websites.

In our faculty, The Bartlett Promise Scholarship aims to enable students from backgrounds underrepresented in the built environment to pursue master's studies. Please see the UK Master's scholarship and Sub-Saharan Africa Master's scholarship pages for more information on eligibility criteria, selection process and FAQs.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

UCL East London Scholarship

Deadline: 26 June 2025
Value: Tuition fees plus £16,000 stipend ()
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

Next steps

Please note that for this programme, applications are considered in a number of different rounds, and so there are a series of deadlines. Please see the Bartlett website for more information.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Construction Economics and Management at graduate level
  • why you want to study Construction Economics and Management at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree.

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Please upload a personal statement. Your statement should be clearly written, and be no more than 500 words. Please use the statement to tell us: Why have you chosen Construction Economics and Management programme and why The Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction?  What specific areas of construction economics and construction management have you got an interest in and why? What are the values and experiences that you could bring to the programme? How will you use your studies in your professional and personal life? If there is a particular area you plan to research (for your MSc dissertation) please include this in your statement.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2025-2026

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.