Construction Project Management MSc



Any construction project needs to be expertly managed to ensure its successful completion.

Overview

The role of a Construction and Project Manager is to take responsibility for this outcome, managing all elements of the job, including contractors, materials, budgets and timelines.

A complex and often high-pressure role, requiring a methodical mind and excellent coordination skills, it's also one that can be hugely satisfying.

You'll graduate ready to take on major ventures, and be able to co-ordinate them efficiently and effectively.

You will gain an industry-recognised qualification as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Typical entry points to this course are in January and September. Please enquire for more information. 

Tartan print projection on Craiglockhart's egg

Mode of Study:

Part-time (available as Full-time)

(available as Online-learning)

Duration:

2-3 years

Start date:

JanSep

Built Environment Exchange

Join beX, our Built Environment Exchange programme that provides employability projects, internship opportunities and scholarships.

Course details

You will study six taught modules. A standard module is equivalent to 200 hours of learning and on successful completion of each module, you will achieve 20 credits towards your chosen award. 

You will also undertake personal research and complete a dissertation to gain 60 credits towards your masters degree.


  • calendar

    How you’ll be taught

    The core material is delivered through lectures and tutorials taught by professionally qualified academic staff and industrial specialists. Independent study is required for each of the modules.

    Students will undertake two taught modules in each of Trimesters 1 and 2 of the first academic year and one taught module in each of the Trimesters 1 and 2 of the second academic year. You will start your dissertation in the second year and submit this one trimester after you have completed the taught modules.

    Students can start the course in September or January (January starts will complete in 2.25 years rather than one year due to the summer break between the teaching trimesters for the course). You will generally attend the university one day a week.

      

    Term dates are available through the website. This course can also be studied Full-time and by Online learning.


  • note and pen

    Assessments

    Assessments

    Assessments are by a mixture of coursework, case study assignments, projects and exams. This can consist of a variety of tasks including report writing, essays, research briefs and posters. You will be provided with formative feedback throughout the modules. This will enable you to assess your progress and level of understanding. Full details of the assessment strategy for each module can be found in the module catalogue by clicking on ‘further information’ for modules listed and then click on the down arrow beside the delivery date of the module.


  • briefcase

    Work placement

    There is no credit bearing Work Placement element, however students are encouraged to seek work placements and there is a School Unit available to assist the student
  • study abroad

    Study abroad


  • library

    Facilities

    All teaching will take place at the Merchiston Campus of Edinburgh Napier University. This is situated at the heart of the beautiful city of Edinburgh allowing the student easy access to one of the most desirable cities in the world.

    The campus is a modern and vibrant facility with state of the art teaching and student support facilities.

Modules

Modules that you will study* as part of this course

Dissertation ( BSV11120 )

Research methodology, developing a proposal, designing a research strategy, literature reviews, data gathering, analysis, presentation, writing up and presentation.

Further information

Project Appraisal and Finance ( BSV11102 )

Project life cycle. Feasibility Studies. Techniques of Economic Project Appraisal. Required Rates of Return on Project Investments. The Capital Asset Pricing Model. Identifying and Valuing Options. Cost Benefit Analysis of Public Sector Projects. Multi-criteria Analysis. International Capital Budgeting. Projects and Environmental Effects.

Project Finance. Domestic and International Financial Institutions. Multilateral Agencies. Financial Instruments. Syndicated Lending. Bonds. Financial Engineering. Derivative Products. Financial Options, futures and swaps. Costs of Raising Project Finance. Financing Infrastructure in Emerging Markets. Financing PFI/PPP Projects. Case Studies.



Further information

Project Risk Management ( BSV11105 )

Philosophy of risk. Risk Management Methodology. Risk Identification. Risk Analysis. Management Response to Risk. Major Sources of Risk and Uncertainty. Expected Monetary Value, Decision Tree Analysis. Sensitivity Analysis. Value of Perfect Information. Elicitation of Probabilistic Information. Utility Theory. Multi-attribute Utility Theory. Risk In Bidding Decisions. Reverse auctions. Risk and Property Auction Design. Risk Analysis Software. Monte Carlo Simulation. Human Aspects in Risk Analysis.Risk Allocation in Contracts. Insurance and Bonds. Risk in PFI/PPP Projects. Risk in International Project Investments. Portfolio Theory and Practice. Firm-wide Risk Management. Role of a risk Manager. Case Studies.

Further information

* These are indicative only and reflect the course structure in the current academic year. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

RECOGNISED BY

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

What are the entry requirements for Construction Project Management?

The entry requirement for this course is a Bachelor (Honours) Degree at 2:2 or above. We look for applicants to have a background in any discipline in order to be eligible for the programme.

We may also consider applicants who have completed a Bachelor (Ordinary) degree if they have sufficient relevant work experience within the industry. There may also be an additional essay requirement if they apply with less than an Honours degree, this would be confirmed on submission of the application to the Admissions Team.

As this course is accredited by Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the minimum level of qualification to be considered will be at Bachelor (Ordinary) degree level. To check the equivalence of your qualification or experience, please contact the Postgraduate Admissions team.

The University does not sponsor students to study on part-time programmes in the UK under the Student Visa route. International Applicants must therefore have other valid immigration leave to study on this programme.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the postgraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English, or your undergraduate degree was taught and examined in English (within two years of starting your postgraduate course). Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2024/25 2025/26
Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland-Taught modules *£1,105 *£1,160
Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland-60credit Dissertation module £650 £690
Overseas and EU-Taught modules £3,050 £3,205
Overseas and EU-Dissertation module £2,095 £2,200
Fees for modules are calculated according to the number of credits (multiples of 20). The rate shown in the table is for 20 credits*. The total fee you will pay is dependant upon the exit award you wish to achieve.
Please note tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other Tuition Fee matters please see Frequently Asked Questions about Fees Click this link for Information of Bursaries and Scholarships
The University offers a 20% discount on Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes to its alumni. The discount applies to all full-time, part-time and online programmes. The discount can only be applied to year one of a full-time Postgraduate degree, any additional years are exempt from the discount. For part time Postgraduate degrees the discount will apply to years one, two and three only and any additional years will be exempt from the discount.
Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Please note:

The discount for Edinburgh Napier alumni can only be applied to year one of a full-time Postgraduate degree, any additional years are exempt from the discount.

For part time Postgraduate degrees the discount will apply to years one, two and three only and any additional years will be exempt from the discount.

Please read our full T&C here

Careers

What can you do with a MSc Construction Project Management degree?

The MSc Construction Project Management course at Edinburgh Napier University provides a comprehensive understanding of the construction industry and equips students with a range of skills that are highly valuable in building a successful career in construction project management. You'll learn the fundamental principles and techniques of project management tailored specifically to the construction industry, including project planning, scheduling, budgeting, risk management, and quality management.

Construction projects are inherently risky, and managing risks effectively is crucial for project success. You'll learn how to identify, assess, and mitigate risks throughout the project lifecycle.

By acquiring these skills through the MSc Construction Project Management course, you'll be well-equipped to pursue a successful career in various roles within the construction industry, such as:

  • Project manager
  • Construction manager
  • Site manager
  • Quantity surveyor
  • Contracts manager

What does an Construction Project Manager do?

As a construction project manager, your daily life can be quite varied and dynamic, involving a mix of office work, site visits, meetings, and communication with various stakeholders.

You may start your day by reviewing your schedule, emails, and any updates or issues that need immediate attention. Plan out your day and prioritize tasks accordingly. You will spend time in the office working on project planning, scheduling, and coordination activities.

Then depending on the stage of a project, you might visit construction sites to oversee progress, address any issues or concerns, and ensure that work is being carried out according to the plans, specifications, and quality standards. You also have to attend meetings with project team members, clients, contractors, subcontractors, and other stakeholders.

You have to constantly monitor project costs and expenditures, review invoices and change orders, and ensure that the project is staying within budget. You will also have to monitor the quality of workmanship and materials on the construction site, conduct quality inspections, and address any deficiencies or non-conformities.

Two Engineers working in front of a whiteboard in a warehouse