Construction Project Management (MSci)

This degree programme is the first integrated master’s programme in Construction Project Management in the UK. It will equip students with core project management skills within the context of the transformative delivery of construction and infrastructure projects.

Access and widening participation

• UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. If you are eligible for Access UCL you do not need to do anything in addition to the standard UCAS application. Your application will be automatically flagged when we receive it.

Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates

• The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who don’t have the qualifications to enter directly. These intensive one-year foundation courses are taught on our central London campus.
• Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.
• The Construction Project Management MSci 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:

• Industry
• Technology
• Management
• Professional practice
• Integration.

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 the facilities.

Projects are studied from the perspective of a range of relevant stakeholders, including policy makers, clients, occupiers, funders, designers, contractors and facilities managers. 

One of the unique features of this programme is the structure, which 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.

What this course will give you

• An integrated 4-year degree programme structure with the final year focused on extending students' knowledge and skills through to postgraduate (Masters) level modules and independent research.
• World-class education designed and delivered by leading researchers, educators and practitioners.
• Learn about sustainability initiatives influencing the future of construction and the attainment of carbon neutrality in the sector.
• Learn about cutting edge research leading to industry transformation.
• Studying in London is the perfect setting and opportunity for construction project management students because of the proximity to many exciting ongoing building and infrastructure projects, as well as access to leading construction and consulting firms.
• By studying with us, you will be joining the university ranked #1 for Construction, Surveying and Planning in the UK (the Guardian University Guide 2024) and #1 for Architecture and the Built Environment in the world (QS World University Subject Rankings 2023).

Teaching and learning

• 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. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
• Upon successful completion of 480 credits, you will be awarded a MSci (Hons) in Construction Project Management.

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 is 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.

Full-time
Year 1
Compulsory modules

• 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
• Industry 1: The Construction Ecosystem

Year 2
Compulsory modules

• 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
• Built Asset Management

Year 3
Compulsory modules

• Integration 1: The Net Zero Carbon Building
• Integration 2: End-to-end Value Delivery

Optional modules

• 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
• Estate Management 1: Law of Real Property and Administrative Law
• Estate Management 2: Urban Economics and Valuation

Year 4
Compulsory modules

• Integration 3: Project Leadership Practices
• MSci Dissertation

Optional modules

• Design and Technology Management 3: Manufacturing and Production Technologies
• Project and Programme Management 3: Strategy and Strategic Management
• Estate Management 3: Managing the Development Process

Your learning

• There will be a mix of lectures, seminars, group projects, problem-based learning, project-based learning, software training, workshops and guest lectures. There will also be regular industry guest speakers and site visits.
• It is possible to transfer from this course to 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.
• 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.
• The School will actively support students to prepare for, identify and seek paid placement positions through its wide network of industry contacts. Through this placement, students will learn how the skills that they have acquired on the MSci are applied in the field, in construction projects and firms.
• A 15 credit module has a typical learning load of 150 hours, which are a blend of self-study, contact hours with staff (lectures, workshops, tutorials and field trips) and working on assessment (exam revision and coursework assignments).

Assessment

• The modules employ a wide range of techniques to assess knowledge and learning, including closed and open book examinations, coursework, presentations, portfolios, online quizzes, group projects and a dissertation. Supportive formative assessment will also be available on all modules, and include individual tasks, peer and staff feedback, group exercises, debates and presentations.
• Most modules use a combination of these assessment methods, and weighting for each type varies depending on the module.

The foundation of your career

• 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 management.

Employability

• In addition to the main themes 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.