Course Overview

Are you interested in gaining a Master's qualification that develops your professionalism in effectively managing construction projects? This two-year MA will give you transferable skills in project management and specialist knowledge about construction projects.

The course covers how to plan construction projects, how to manage supply chains, how to keep people working together, and how to use Building Information Modelling (BIM) for a more efficient construction process.

Strong demand for construction project managers means there will be significant opportunities for you to take up a well-paid, challenging and international career. The course is aligned with the academic requirements of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

In you second year, for one semester you will have the chance to undertake study in another country or join a research group. This valuable experience will enhance your employability and further develop your theoretical and practical skills.

Graduates of this qualification will have full CIOB academic exemption. Once they have gained three to five years’ relevant work experience may enter CIOB membership as an applicant to progress towards Chartered Membership without the requirement for an Individual Assessment.

Research

If you take this option, you will be assigned to our Architecture and Built Environment Research Group. There is every possibility that you may contribute to published research and therefore you may be named as part of the research team, which would be a great start to a research career.

Study Abroad

We have exchange agreements with universities all over the world, including partners in Europe, Asia, the Americas and Oceania. If you take the Study Abroad option you will spend a semester at one of these partners, continuing your studies in English but in a new cultural and learning environment. Please note that this option may require you to obtain a visa for study in the other country.

The course is particularly aimed at people with at least some background in the construction industry. If you have a different background you may wish to consider our MSc Project Management.

Your Future

This course will open up opportunities in management roles in construction-related organisations, particularly internationally-driven contracting companies. Past graduates have gone on to work for companies such as Arup, Arcadis, BAM Construct UK, BDP, Bouygues Construction, Carillion, Kier Group, Laing O’Rourke, Mace, Mott MacDonald, Ryder Architecture, Sir Robert McAlpine, Skanska and Turner & Townsend. Job roles have included BIM coordinators, design managers, digital engineers, directors, management consultants, project managers and technical specialists.

The course could also lead you to a postgraduate research degree such as an MPhil, PhD or Professional Doctorate. If you decide to start up your own business, it’s good to know that the combined turnover of our graduates’ start-up companies is higher than that of any other UK university.

Whatever you decide to do, you will have the transferable skills that employers expect from a Masters graduate from Northumbria University. These include the ability to tackle complex issues through conceptualisation and undertaking research, the ability to contribute to new processes and knowledge, and the ability to formulate balanced judgements when considering incomplete or ambiguous data.