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Management of Complex Projects MSc

London, Bloomsbury

In today's fast-moving, global marketplace, traditional project management techniques based around strategic planning and control are not enough. Many modern projects are not only complicated (tough technical problems needing co-ordination across many suppliers) but also complex (with unclear requirements). The new Management of Complex Projects MSc has been designed to produce project managers equipped to lead the most challenging of projects.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£22,700
£11,350
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£41,000
£20,500
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2024
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 28 Jun 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 30 Aug 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A minimum of a second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. At least two years' experience working in a project environment is expected.

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

Students gain a systems view of project management, so they can develop effective technical solutions within a constrained commercial context. We teach students a number of guiding principles to enable them to manage complex projects and help them to develop key skills such as risk management, requirements management, conflict resolution, effective communication and leadership.

The MSc programme requires completing of eight 15-credit modules and one 60-credit module.

The 15 credit modules include five compulsory taught modules, one option taught module, and two minor research modules: the Project Concept module and the Project Simulation (PS). The 60-credit module is the final research.

It is recommended to choose one of Transformation for Sustainability or Lifecycle Management as the option module, although there are other alternatives.

Who this course is for

The programme is for ambitious project managers and those wanting to move from engineering roles into project management roles. The programme is targeted at relatively experienced individuals working in industry and who are supported by their employers. Independent students with appropriate industrial experience will also be considered.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

Standard project management courses are no longer a differentiator. Completing this programme at one of the world's leading universities will give students a competitive edge, putting them on the fast track for a career in project or programme management.

Participants gain the skills and knowledge needed to get ahead - from academic theories of conflict and motivation to practical tools for managing risk and tracking project progress.

Students will meet like-minded individuals from other industries, and through extensive group work and classroom interaction will share experiences, learn new approaches, and build contacts that will contribute to future career development.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Complex systems are commonplace in many sectors including rail, aerospace, defence, construction and energy. The ability to manage effectively the projects that deliver such systems is crucial in these industries, and individuals who can demonstrate these skills are in high demand.

Previous graduates have secured employment in the following sectors: academic research and HE, manufacturing, scientific and technical activities.

Employability

Students from our programmes go onto a wide range of organisations including in consultancy, technology, systems and project roles. Examples of destination organisations include PwC, Goldman Sachs Group, Jaguar Land Rover, as well as those sponsoring students such as BAE SYSTEMS, Network Rail, GE Aviation, Siemens and PA Consulting.

Networking

Our programmes attract students who are already in work from a variety of companies and sectors. There are opportunities during teaching events to discuss and compare experiences. In some modules we invite industry speakers as part of the teaching. Alongside the module teaching we have a Professional Skills development series which typically includes talks from industry professionals, from alumni now in work and industry visits.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to comply with full CEng registration requirements.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, case-studies, discussion sessions, workshop activity, and project work.

Assessment is through a combination of course work, in class tests and written examinations. The research modules are assessed through a written report and a short presentation.

A taught module (15 credits) is assumed to require around 150 hours of study. This time is made up of formal learning and teaching events such as lectures, seminars and tutorials, as well as independent study.

Around 24 of these 150 hours will be taken with live teaching events and group work, but the significant proportion is independent study time. This includes working through the reading and recorded lectures, researching and responding to the assignment and, where applicable, revision for the exam.

Modules

Over a calendar year you will complete all of the modules. The five compulsory and one option taught modules occur across terms 1 – 3, with most of the teaching within the first two terms. The Project Concept is introduced in term 1 and concludes at the start of term 2, PS starts in term 2 and concludes early in the summer term. The final report starts at the end of the Project Concept and runs until the end of the summer term.

In the first year you will need to complete four to six taught modules. The five compulsory and one option taught modules occur across terms 1 – 3, with most of the teaching within the first two terms. In the second year you will complete any remaining taught modules and undertake the Project Concept, Project Simulation and the Final Report.

You can choose to complete the programme over the 5 years or less. In each year you will choose which of the five compulsory and one option taught modules you want to complete that year. Project concept and Project Simulation are typically taken in the penultimate or final year. The Final Report is conducted in the final year.

Compulsory modules










Optional modules







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 Management of Complex Projects.

Accessibility

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

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) £22,700 £11,350
Tuition fees (2024/25) £41,000 £20,500

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

There are no programme-specific costs.

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

Funding your studies

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

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Management of Complex Projects at graduate level?
  • why you want to study Management of Complex Projects at UCL?
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme?
  • how your academic and professional background and skills meet the demands of this challenging programme?
  • where you expect 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 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: 2024-2025

Apply for this course

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