MSc Construction Project Management (Highlands College)

Further to current collaborations with their long term partner, London South Bank University (LSBU), it is anticipated that Highlands College will be able to offer an MSc in Construction Project Management commencing in March 2012 subject to numbers.

This course is for those wishing to further their careers in client organisations or consultancy through involvement in postgraduate studies. It gives aspiring professionals the opportunity to network with other ambitious and successful people within the Construction and Development industries.

It will focus on both practical and theoretical aspects of management in both organisational and project-based contexts. Management subjects are supplemented by advanced financial appraisal techniques and finance. Law is specifically related to construction and development.

The provision will also include the opportunity to carry out postgraduate research on a topic within, or allied to, construction or development.

This course meets all continuing professional development requirements and provides evidence for upgrading professional institution membership. The afternoon / evening study block week mode is suitable for even the busiest of construction professionals

The Course Modules will include:

 Procurement and Management of Construction
 Corporate and Project Finance
 Construction Law
 Management of People and Information
 Project Evaluation
 Ecological and Sustainable Domestic Architecture
 Dissertation

The provision is currently in the process of being accredited by the following professional bodies:
• Association for Project Management (APM)
• Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)
• Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) - this will allow entry to their Project Management Faculty through the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC)

Most applicants will need to have a cognate or semi-cognate honours degree, together with at least two to three years construction-related work experience. If they don’t meet these requirements, they will be interviewed by the university to establish suitability for the course.
Although applicants normally require a first degree (usually at least a 2:2) or a Higher National Diploma in a relevant subject and a minimum of three years post-qualification experience in a relevant field to undertake postgraduate study the university recognises that many people have a wealth of valuable skills and knowledge they've developed at work or through training. Therefore if the applicant has the potential to succeed in postgraduate or post-experience studies the university will consider their application on its individual merits.

The course is run by the department of The Built Environment within the Faculty of Engineering, Science and the Built Environment (FESBE).

Part-time students will typically be currently employed in a surveying / construction or project management related position. They will need to show that their employer fully supports their application, and will allow them to attend on a regular basis over the duration of the course.

Students who have relevant prior masters level academic qualification and / or professional experience may seek credit for relevant units.

The delivery will be by block week mode with tutors “flying in” from the university. Six modules will be delivered at Highlands College and one on campus in London. The block week mode will require attendance at the College from approximately 2.00 to 7.30 PM Monday to Friday with the possibility of further studies on the following Saturday.

The Module delivered in London will require a full week away from the Island and will include formal orientation of the campus and its facilities, taught sessions by various specialist tutors and also likely to include some visits to high profile construction / development sites to assist in the delivery of the specialist modules.

The anticipated programme (order and precise dates to be agreed) will include:
 Delivery of two modules in the academic year 2011 / 2012;
 Delivery of four modules in the academic year 2012 / 2013; and
 The dissertation module to be completed in the academic year 2013 / 2014 with a proposed Graduation of July 2014.

The fee for this provision will be £12,000, payable in three instalments and is inclusive of student travel (air and return rail to London) and accommodation (halls of residence) whilst studying in London (subsistence and local travel costs to be at the expense of the student).

The admissions session and / or induction for this provision are likely to take place at Highlands in February 2012.

To this end if you or any of your colleagues are interested in learning more, please contact Tony Bechelet at Highlands before the end of January at tony.bechelet@highlands.ac.uk or by phone on 608612.