Project Management in Construction
Full-time
Part-time
Distance Learning
With placement
One year
Two year
Two year
Two year
January 2025
In a nutshell
This course has now closed for new international applications for January 2025.
Effective built environment project managers balance processes, technology and people to successfully deliver developments and infrastructure projects. Build a highly-desirable skill set for career opportunities in this field with our Project Management in Construction postgraduate degree.
Developed for individuals and organisations managing change in a fast-paced environment, the course places emphasis on integration in projects and leadership in performance improvement. Led by academics and industry practitioners, you will learn to plan, organise, secure and manage people and technological resources. You will understand how to manage control mechanisms, stakeholders, budgeting, contracts and information.
Designed to prime you for a senior project management role, you'll be educated to the highest industry and professional standards. The MSc in Project Management in Construction is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and the Association for Project Management (APM).
International applicant? Please check international intakes for the latest information and application dates.
Start your MSc Project Management in Construction study journey
Register for our next Open Day where you can learn more about the course, tour our campus and meet the tutors
You will:
- Learn to critically evaluate current construction processes and practice, and have the confidence to propose alternative improvements
- Understand how analyse organisation challenges in delivering projects, and apply your knowledge to design and implement strategies for change
- Build the skills to plan and manage construction projects and project information, and understand what is needed to lead and work effectively in project teams
options available
students accepted
Course accreditations
This is for you if...
You want to develop the skills needed to manage change in fast-moving business and project environments
You're a graduate seeking to expand your skills and knowledge for a future project-based career role
You're already working in the built environment and want to formalise your knowledge for career progression
All about the course
Course delivery
The Project Management in Construction postgraduate degree meets industry needs by providing formal qualifications for built environment professionals looking to develop a project management skill set.
The course is delivered through a range of industry-aligned modules. The 180-credit MSc award comprises eight taught modules plus a research-based project. The 120-credit PgDip comprises eight taught modules. The 60-credit PgCert award comprises four specified taught modules. We offer course entry each January and September.
Flexibility is at the heart of our learning approach. You can choose to study this postgraduate course full-time or part-time on campus, or part-time via distance learning. Full-time students can now choose the industry placement pathway, and combine study with real-world practice:
- as a full-time student, you will complete four 15-credit taught modules in each of of the first two trimesters on campus. In the final trimester, you will complete a dissertation worth 60 credits.
- as a part-time student, you will complete two 15-credit modules in each of of the first four trimesters on campus. Across two additional trimesters, you will complete a dissertation worth 60 credits.
- as a distance learning student, you will complete two 15-credit taught modules in each of your first four trimesters. Across two additional trimesters, you will complete the dissertation online, with tutor support.
'With Industry Placement' pathway
Full-time students starting in September now have the option to include a nine month industry placement as part of their studies. Refer to the module section below for further details.
Learning experience
Harnessing our collaborative approach, flexible delivery and industry-aligned curriculum, our Project Management in Construction Management postgraduate degree is designed to help you build a skill set to lead projects in construction and the built environment.
If you are studying on campus, you can take advantage of our proximity to Manchester city centre and visit live construction sites. Distance learning students will also experience our Collaborate Ultra virtual learning environment, supported by real-time and on-demand interactive sessions.
Designed to cover the core elements of successful project management, you will build knowledge in topics such as contract management, procurement, managing culture and change, using BIM and lean techniques. You will also strengthen your research and analytical skills by completing a dissertation on a topic of your choice. Learn more about the current course modules in the section below.
Course team
The Project Management in Construction postgraduate programme is delivered by an academic team with extensive research and subject knowledge. The team is part of a global built environment community with prominence in shaping construction industry best practice.
Course leader: Dr.Kaushal Keraminiyage
Culture and Change Management
Acquire a critical understanding of the importance of culture in the management of project teams, and an awareness of the role of learning and networking to personal and organisational development. You will also become aware of the tools and techniques used for managing organisational change, appraising various change management strategies, developing appropriate implementation plans, and evaluating cultural differences in the construction industry and their impact on professional practice.
Procurement
Through this module, you will learn to critically evaluate client objectives, and determine the appropriate selection of procurement systems for design and construction services, as well as assess supply chain relationships to develop strategies for stakeholders in the construction industry. The module will provide you with the skills to advise clients on the selection of appropriate procurement routes; recommending relevant parties on the rationale regarding early strategic procurement decisions.
Construction Teams
Through this module, you will be able to critically evaluate the factors related to the team formation, development, and improvement whilst analysing the influence of team dynamics upon team management, performance and culture. You will also be capable of describing team roles, responsibilities and the causes of conflict in order to discuss the impacts upon the performance and cohesion of the team and the appropriate techniques for resolution.
Contracts Management and Practice
Develop a critical awareness of contractual provisions relating to various standard forms of contracts with this module, as you examine and explore the practicalities of contract administration, including commercial management of contracts. You will also gain a systematic understanding of various mechanisms for the avoidance, management and resolution of disputes in construction projects. Upon completion, you will have a high level of competence in advising clients on selecting the appropriate contract and warranties for the chosen procurement route.
Process Management in Construction
Develop a practical understanding of planning and modelling software, process modelling, analysis and planning. You will also become acquainted with the tools and techniques used in project management and comprehend the process of improvement, innovation and redesign. The module will provide you with a number of skills, from evaluating the efficacy of processes, to developing process maps which effectively analyse and describe construction projects.
Lean Production and Construction Principles
Develop your knowledge and understanding of Lean production and construction principles and their importance to the successful management of projects. You will also critically appraise the foundational concepts underlying traditional and Lean managerial methods before identifying the opportunities in construction and project organisations for Lean improvement.
Project Management Practice
This module will provide you with a practical understanding of the tools and techniques used for assessing risk and the environmental impact of construction projects. Through this module you will learn to address challenges associated with coordinating production; organising design for manufacturing, assembly and sustainability; managing project handovers and using feedback for improvements and writing reports for senior management.
BIM and Digital Transformation in the Built Environment
In this module, you will develop a systematic and critical understanding of data structures and standards essential for data exchange, and explore various technological tools for constructing sustainable buildings. You will gain expertise in effective communication with project stakeholders and demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of information management processes and data collection, collation and storage methodologies. Additionally, you will critically appraise collaborative built environment processes, recognising the benefits of adopting software for collaborative projects.
Dissertation
This module enables you to develop a research proposal with clear aims and objectives related to your study. You will undertake critical analysis of existing research and engage in various forms of recognised research in order to produce a sustained, sophisticated, and logical argument in the form of a written dissertation.
Include an industry placement with your studies
If you are applying to study our MSc Project Management in Construction postgraduate degree full-time, you can now include an industry placement as part of your studies.
Two-year masters courses with placements are an increasingly popular choice because they can provide you with invaluable work experience.
How does it work?
- All students are initially registered on the standard MSc Project Management in Construction course. Full-time students starting in September have the option to include the industry placement and will be will be offered support to find one.
- Once your placement is secured, your registration will be transferred to the MSc Project Management in Construction with Industry Placement programme - you can only apply for this pathway with a guaranteed placement.
- On completion of the taught elements, you will transfer and progress to your industry placement (9 months).On completion, you will return to the University to complete your final dissertation
Are there any additional costs?
Yes, if you are accepted onto a placement, there will be additional associated costs. As of April 2021, the Industry Placement fee is £1,700.
Information for international applicants
If you are an international student, and are accepted on to the industry placement pathway, you will need to extend your visa, and there will be additional processes and costs associated with this.
You can apply for your visa extension from the UK. You should do this three months before the placement is due to start, so that you have enough time for your visa to be processed.
For more details, visit our Immigration and Visa FAQ page – read the section on extending your visa.
The additional costs are outlined below and are correct as of April 2021:
- Visa application fee (standard service): £475*
- Visa biometrics enrolment fee: £19.20*
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fee for 12 months: £470*
- Admin fee for Industry Placement - £1,700.
*These costs are for your visa extension only, if you have a partner/child you will need to also pay these costs for their visa extension.
Remember, during the industry placement, you may earn a salary from the employer.
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
School of Science, Engineering and Environment
Rising to the challenge of a changing world, our postgraduate courses are designed to shape the next generation of urbanists, scientists, engineers, consultants and leaders.
Driven by industry, and delivered by supportive programme teams, you can develop the knowledge and skills to take your career potential further.
Energy House
The way UK energy is supplied and consumed is changing fast. Consumers and small businesses will soon be able to generate, store, share, buy and sell their energy as the government encourages the transition to a greener economy.
Through commercial and grant funded research, Salford's world-class Energy House laboratories help businesses understand how effective their products and services are in lowering consumers’ carbon footprint and reducing energy bills.
INDUSTRY COLLABORATION AND RESEARCH
When you start this degree course with Salford, you are joining a community making a difference in industry, our local region and in our wider society.
Many of our academics and technicians who support your course also lead collaborative, interdisciplinary, high-impact work in a range of local and global built environment issues and challenges.
Discover how you are part of something bigger.
What about after uni?
EMPLOYMENT
In the construction industry, project management has increasingly moved away from traditional approaches to be more integrated, fusing together the design and construction elements once viewed as separate management disciplines. For a graduate entering construction management, you will need to be ready to cope with high demands and expectations.
By providing you with both technical knowledge, and crucial skills in stakeholder management, strategic planning, communications and problem-solving, the course is ideal preparation for roles working in the architecture, engineering and construction industries. This course has an exceptionally high graduate employment rate, with alumni now working in the built environment, civil engineering, heavy engineering, offshore and petrochemical industries.
As a construction project manager, you will typically find roles in a wide range of organisations, including construction companies, project management consultancies, and government departments.
FURTHER STUDY
You might also choose to take your subject interest further with postgraduate research. Our Centre for Urban Processes, Resilient Infrastructure and Sustainable Environments is home to PhD and Research Master’s opportunities exploring how we can enhance our built environments at local, national and international scales.
Explore our Doctoral School to learn more about research training, support and opportunities.
Career Links
- We have excellent links with the local, national and international architecture, engineering and construction industries. These networks provide context for your studies and help inform our curriculum development.
- We invite industry guest lecturers from the built environment to share their insight and expertise with you. We also organise site visits with local construction companies - if you are a full-time student on campus, this will help you to visualise what you learn and apply it to a real-world context.
What you need to know
APPLICANT PROFILE
This postgraduate course is recommended for graduates from a broad range of subject areas, including the arts, sciences, law or business, as a gateway to a future construction sector career.
This course is also relevant for current architecture, engineering and construction professionals as preparation for future senior roles in industry.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
All of our courses are taught and assessed in English. If English is not your first language, you must meet our minimum English language entry requirements. An IELTS score of 6.0 (no element below 5.5) is proof of this, however we do accept a range of equivalent qualifications.
Read more about our English language requirements, including information about pathways that can help you gain entry on to our degree courses. If you do not have the English language requirements, you could take our Pre-Sessional English course.
INTERNATIONAL APPLICATIONS
Please check international intakes for the latest information and application dates.
COURSE ACCREDITATION
The full masters award in Project Management in Construction is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and the Association for Project Management (APM). Accreditation by the RICS allows exemption from their academic entry requirements.
Undergraduate degree
You must have a minimum of a second class honours degree.
International student entry requirements
We accept qualifications from all around the world. Find your country to see a full list of entry requirements.
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
We welcome applications from students who may not have formal/traditional entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully.
The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process could help you to make your work and life experience count. The APL process can be used for entry onto courses or to give you exemptions from parts of your course.
Two forms of APL may be used for entry: the Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) or the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).
For more information or enquires about this scheme, please contact: AdmissionsSEE-PGT@salford.ac.uk
How much?
| Type of study | Year | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time home | 2025/26 | £9,800.00per year |
| Full-time international | 2025/26 | £17,000.00per year |
| Part-time | 2025/26 | Calculated on a pro rata basis |
| Distance learning | 2025/26 | £1,635 per 30 credit module |
Additional costs
You should consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
Additional cost for 'With Industry Placement' pathway
If you are accepted onto a placement, there will be additional associated costs. International students will also be required to apply for visa extensions. The costs are outlined below and are correct as of April 2021:
- Visa application fee (standard service): £475*
- Visa biometrics enrolment fee: £19.20*
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fee for 12 months: £470*
- Admin fee for Industry Placement - £1,700.
Remember, during the industry placement, you may earn a salary from the employer.
*These costs are for your visa extension only, if you have a partner/child you will also need to pay these costs for their visa extension.
Find more information on our Immigration and Visa FAQ page – read the section on extending your visa.
International student scholarships
If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships. Learn more about our latest international scholarships.