SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT
MSc International Project Management
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
GLASGOW CALEDONIAN UNIVERSITY
PS1
Programme Specification Pro-forma
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
1. Programme Title: MSc International Project Management
2. Final Award: MSc
3. Exit Awards: PgC, PgD
4. Awarding Body: Glasgow Caledonian University 5. Approval Date: April 2005
6. School: Engineering and Built Environment 7. Host Division: Division of Construction and Surveying 8. UCAS Code: Not applicable
9. PSB Involvement: RICS
10. Place of Delivery: Glasgow Caledonian University and GCU London 11. Subject Benchmark Statement: Not applicable
12. Dates of PS Preparation/Revision: October 2015 Academic Rationale
The MSc International Project Management is targeted through its marketing on the development of distance and part-time student numbers. Its primary selling point in this respect is the fact that its distribution channel via the internet using the Blackboard virtual learning environment. This has been shown in the past to be a valuable selling point for our existing distance learning students and this will remain the case for the foreseeable future. Over the course of the last three years, EBE has developed substantial proven expertise in the delivery of Blackboard modules for the programme which in turn has informed and improved teaching elsewhere in the school.
The main deficit in construction management education identified is the lack of understanding internationally for construction management as a ‘stand alone’ discipline. This has been traced to the civil engineering background of many potential students and their associated interest in project management rather than construction management. The MSc International Project Management fills this gap in understanding and provides a mix of easy accessibility and relevant expertise for businesses to train and educate their staff. The programme has proven to be popular with international students and the intake has been on a par with the well established Construction Management
programme in recent years. It is further anticipated that the enhanced construction project management skills on offer from the suite of proposed new and more integrated modules will prove popular with industry as CPD. These core skills remain significant components with the professional membership criteria of the programme’s accreditation bodies, namely CIOB, RICS, APM and PMI.
The programme equips construction professionals with the skills necessary to manage construction projects both in the UK and overseas. This in turn means that Scottish (and other EU and worldwide) students will have the
opportunity to develop the abilities, frame of reference and – critically – a common understanding of construction project management ‘language’ to work more effectively with international clients and construction companies. The programme continues to operate in the well tried and tested format that it showcases the competencies of EBE to a significantly wider audience, both in the UK and overseas. This enhances the opportunities already available to offer CPD and consultancy to industrial organisations and, in turn, further expands the potential capacity of EBE (ergo GCU) to commercialise its research and academic output.
Programme Content
This programme has successfully built on the established MSc Construction Management programme and shares a significant proportion of the staff expertise and modules offered. The programme also offers several internationalised modules that further develop the utility, opportunity and synergy with existing offerings. These modules emphasise the project management skills and international perspective visualized for a graduate from the programme. They introduce a range of subjects pertinent to international construction and project management such as International Construction Project Finance.
The programme has at its core the following modules:
• Project Management – will provide a deeper understanding of project management in relation to both the principles of project management and the planning of projects using appropriate industry standard software and concepts.
• Construction Management, which will provide a full conceptual understanding of the construction industry from a senior management perspective. The module will also integrate some elements of the APM competencies in integration and scope management – an essential aspect of APM accreditation. • International Project Finance, designed to provide the student with an understanding of financial
management within the wider construction industry and how this can be affected through cyclical trends. • Construction Economics and Procurement takes a macro overview of the structure of the construction sector
including materials supply and relationships with the economy as a whole.
• Development and Project Economics involves the valuation of land and property including the preparation of a developer’s budget and an introduction to the principles of lifecycle costing. • Risk and Value Management examines methodologies for risk identification, analysis, acceptance and
transfer are vital elements to the success of a project as well as value management techniques
Over and above these core modules listed above, the programme embodies a range of potential electives/options that reinforce the professional requirements of the modern construction industry. These modules emphasise a range of skills including The Management of Health and Safety and the Environment, Construction Contracts and Disputes, Construction Financial Management, Strategic Management in Construction and Property
Patterns of Delivery FULL TIME
This mode serves the needs of fresh graduates from a range of relevant undergraduate programmes wishing to further their studies at advanced level, mature students undertaking a career change, and international students who wish to pursue further studies in Scotland. It is envisaged that students are drawn from predominantly construction related (cognate) backgrounds, with scope for accepting non-cognate first degree holders who wish to broaden their career options into the construction arena. Full-time students would normally complete the programme in one year. PART TIME
This mode of study can be carried out whilst employed in the industry. All modules attached to the programme are delivered via the ‘Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment’ to provide a flexible learning means with contact time oriented around face to face ‘enhancement sessions’ designed to embed deep learning in the students. However, the proven value of the web-based delivery mode via Blackboard in providing a flexible learning means that less formal contact time is required. In accordance with current practice, it is anticipated that a total of no more than 1 day per week would be required for part-time students to be in contact with module delivery staff, but this may vary depending upon the modules selected. Part-time students would normally complete the programme in two years. DISTANCE LEARNING
This mode of study is fully compliant with the standards laid down in the 2002 Glasgow Caledonian University Policy on the Quality Assurance of Distance Learning. All of the modules forming the programme are web-delivered. This facilitates the ability of distance learners to shape their study time around the thematic elements of the delivered modules. Since web-based is the preferred mode for module delivery, full-time, part-time and distance learners all have a similar experience of the learning process. Although most of the distance learners do not wish to regularly attend the University for a variety of reasons, they are entitled to attend the scheduled enhancement activities on a voluntary basis. Experience of the distance learning mode shows that the peripatetic nature of the construction industry around the world is leveraging an ever-increasing demand for the distance learning mode. It is anticipated that the distance learning mode of study will constitute the highest demand of all of the offered modes of study. GCU LONDON
This mode of study is similar to the full time mode. Students will be based on a full time basis at our London campus.
MODE OF STUDY TIME (MONTHS)
3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33 36 39 42 45 48 51 54 57 60
FULL TIME PART-TIME DISTANCE
Key: Minimum period of study
Maximum period of study
2. EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME
The general educational aims of the programme include the following:
• Be provided with the knowledge and skills to equip them for a career as a project manager within the construction industry in the UK and internationally
• Develop competence in a range of appropriate specialist areas
• Develop the critical and analytical powers of the student in relation to the analysis of differing views on emerging concepts and to enable them to evaluate these against a background of a constantly changing industry
• Gain the skills to adapt and respond positively to change
• Develop critical, analytical problem-based learning skills and the transferable skills to prepare them for employment as a project manager within construction
• Enhance the development of their communication skills • Further develop the skills required for his/her employment
• Receive a learning experience that promotes and encourages a culture of lifelong learning students for further study in the context of his/her continuing professional development
4. PROGRAMME STRUCTURES AND REQUIREMENTS, LEVELS, MODULES,
CREDITS AND AWARDS
Preamble
The structure of the programme is consistent with most other equivalent postgraduate degrees offered at GCU. The first part of the degree is comprised of taught modules set at the Masters (SHEM) level and allocated 15 credit points each and the latter part of the degree is comprised of a Masters dissertation worth 60 credit points. There are criteria governing which combinations of taught modules are acceptable. Given that these criteria are followed, awards may be made as follows:
• University Postgraduate Certificate (PgC) for passes in 4 taught modules. Any modules (excluding the dissertation) attached to the programme may be selected. 60 SHEM Level credits
• Postgraduate Diploma (PgD) in International Project Management for passes in 8 taught modules. Module selection criteria must be followed (see below). 120 SHEM Level credits
• MSc in International Project Management for passes in 8 taught modules and a pass in the Dissertation module. Module selection criteria must be followed (see below). 180 SHEM Level credits
Selection of Taught Modules (Table on the following page)
As part of the requirement for the award of PgD in International Project Management, students must achieve passes in 8 taught modules. The 8 taught modules must be selected from the modules listed in The Module Table (next page) according to the following selection criteria:
• 6 core modules must be selected • 2 elective modules must be selected
As part of the requirement for the award of MSc in International Project Management, students must achieve passes in 8 taught modules plus the Masters Dissertation module.
When students have registered onto the programme, the Programme Leader will help them compile a study path through the programme, including within this the agreed study pattern for each module. The aim will be to match the learning requirements specific to the individual with the portfolio of modules on offer.
Masters Dissertation
All students are required to complete the 60 credit Masters Dissertation/Project module, which is based on a significant piece of individual research. The subject of the research will be an area of special interest to the student, and will be based on a proposal written by the student and submitted to the Dissertation/Project Co-ordinator. The area of research chosen should be of the required subject and intellectual depth and should provide a suitable match with previous study. This may require increased technical depth or greater breadth of subject matter relating to previous projects, case studies or dissertation undertaken by the student.
The research methods module (which was previously available to all students as an option/core module) and the material contained within will be made available to all students entering the programme. This additional resource based module available through the VLE provides the student with a significant amount of material on ‘research methods’ which will aid their understanding of research methods and help to inform their approach to their dissertation.
Students are also required to attend the Dissertation Away event, which is held annually. It gives everyone currently enrolled on the dissertation module an opportunity to get away from the University and spend some time without the various distractions of the city and a busy university to consider some of the bigger issues of conducting a
dissertation at the Masters level. The event is run over the course of two days with a series of presentations given by staff on research matters along with discussions which will be encouraged throughout informally.
The Module Table (SHEM Level)
Module
Module
Code Credits Trimester Module Leader
MSc IPM
Construction Economics and Procurement MMK221197 15 A Dr John Lowe Core Construction Management MMK221199 15 A Dr Michael Tong Core Development and Project Economics MMK221219 15 A Dr John Lowe
Core
Sustainable Design and Construction MMK222309 20 A Dr Craig Thomson Option The Management of Health and Safety and
the Environment MMK221205 15 A Dr Billy Hare Option Construction Contracts and Disputes MMK221900 15 A Mr Tim Whitworth Option Construction Financial Management MMN321240 15 B Dr John Lowe
Option Building Information Modelling for
Management of Construction MMK222415 20 B Prof Bimal Kumar Option International Construction Project Finance MMN322308 20 B Dr John Lowe Core
Risk and Value Management MMN221951 15 B Dr David Manase Core
Project Management MMN221207 15 B Dr Michael Tong Core Strategic Management in Construction and
Property MMK221247 15 B
Ms Valentah
Manase Option Masters' Dissertation/project MMK221254 60 A&B&C Prof Bimal Kumar Core
** Some modules may not run for a particular Trimester, or alternatively some new modules may be introduced. Guidelines on modules that will run will be provided at the beginning of each Trimester.
Exit Award – Post Graduate Certificate (PgC) International Project Management
(Any modules but excluding the dissertation module may be selected). 60
Exit Award – Post Graduate Diploma (PgD) International Project Management
(Module selection criteria must be followed, six (6) core and two (2) electives/options) 120
Exit Award – Masters (MSc) International Project Management
8. ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS
Assessment rules:
The University Assessment Regulations apply to the Programme of studies in all respects. The MSc International Project Management does not have any programme specific regulations that deviate from the standard University Assessment Regulations. The Programme’s structure, progression and credit award framework is wholly consistent with the GCU Qualifications Framework.
An overview of assessment details are provided in the Student Handbook and the full assessment regulations are available from the Assessment Regulations section of the Glasgow Caledonian University web-site.
Awards:
For the awards of Postgraduate Certificate (PgC), Postgraduate Diploma (PgD) and Masters Degree: • Minimum pass mark is 50% – for each taught module
• Minimum pass mark is 50% for the Masters Dissertation module
• To qualify for an award of Postgraduate Certificate students must complete all the programme requirements according to the programme structure and obtain a minimum of 60 SHEM credits
• To qualify for an award of Postgraduate Diploma students must complete all the programme requirements according to the programme structure and obtain a minimum of 120 SHEM credits
• To qualify for an award of Masters degree, students must complete all the programme requirements according to the programme structure and obtain a minimum of 180 SHEM credits
Regulations for Distinction:
The programme complies with the University Assessment Regulations in respect of the award of distinction. To be awarded a PgD with Distinction, students must obtain an overall average of 70% or more across the PgD stage modules with no individual module mark below 55% at the first attempt.
To be awarded a Masters degree with Distinction, students must obtain a mark of 70% or more in the dissertation at the first attempt. ADDITIONALLY, they must have an overall average mark of 70% or higher in the eight level M modules with no individual module mark below 55% at the first attempt.
Role of External Assessor:
External Assessors are appointed to the Assessment Board (AB) by Senate on the basis of nominations from Schools.
The duties of an External Assessor will include the following:
• To moderate the work of the Internal Assessors in respect of the assessments under his/her jurisdiction • To attend Assessment Boards at which the results of a final stage assessment will be determined
• To satisfy himself/herself that the work and decisions of the Assessment Board(s) are consistent with the policies and regulations of the University and best practice in higher education
• To ensure that students are assessed within the regulations approved by the University for the programme and to inform the University on any matter which, in his/her view, militates against the maintenance of proper academic standards
• To report annually to the Clerk of Senate on the standards attained by students on the programme and on any other matters which may seem appropriate for report
