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Are you interested in gaining a postgraduate qualification that is highly valued by employers and applicable to a range of industries? This distance learning course will give you expertise in project management that is widely transferable.

Project management offers excellent starting salaries for those entering the profession with prospects of enjoying salaries between £20,000 and £27,500 for those aged 24 and under. With career progression and experience this can rise up to and in excess of £70,000. The average (median) project management salary, as identified in a 2019 Salary and Market Trends Survey undertaken by the Association for Project Management (APM) is £47,500.

Northumbria University's postgraduate Project Management course covers topics such as how to assess project feasibility, how to manage risks in projects, how to keep people working together, and how to develop a portfolio of projects.

The distance learning mode of this course makes it very suitable for those who are already in employment as well as those looking to start a career in project management. There’s no need to have completed previous studies in project management and Northumbria University welcome applicants from a variety of academic backgrounds.

The postgraduate course is also available through full-time and January start modes, and with the option of an advanced practice element.

This MSc Project Management programme has successful attained academic accreditation by the Association for Project Management (APM). 

APM Academic Accreditation assesses programmes or modules to help students and professionals choose the best education in support of their project management careers. Academic Accreditation identifies courses and modules which are aligned to the APM Body of Knowledge, 7th edition. Working with other accreditation streams we offer clear, visible and joined-up career progression opportunities.

Course Information

Level of Study
Postgraduate

Mode of Study
3 years by distance learning
3 other options available

Department
Architecture and Built Environment

Location
City Campus, Northumbria University

City
Newcastle

Start
September 2023 or January 2024

Fee Information

Module Information

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Entry Requirements Modules Overview Fees, Funding  and Scholarships Study Options

Entry Requirements 2023/24

Standard Entry

Applicants should normally have:

A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree in any subject. Other subject qualifications, equivalent professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be considered on an individual basis.

International qualifications:

If you have studied a non UK qualification, you can see how your qualifications compare to the standard entry criteria, by selecting the country that you received the qualification in, from our country pages. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry

English language requirements:

International applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*).

 *The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS.  You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications

Fees and Funding 2023/24 Entry

Full UK Fee: £9,960

Full EU Fee: £9,960

Full International Fee: £9,960



Scholarships and Discounts

Click here for UK, EU and International scholarship, fees, and funding information.

ADDITIONAL COSTS

Whilst not a programme level cost, applicants should be aware that to undertake this programme all distance learning students (i.e. those who do not attend University for campus-based study) will require personal (i.e. non-University) access to the following minimum ICT equipment/facilities A Windows-based computer with a minimum specification of:Windows 10 Home 64-bit, Intel Pentium® Gold 4415U or equivalent processor (2 cores) or Core i5 2 GHz processor, 8Gb RAM , 128 GB SSD, 1280 x 1024 monitor with true colour, Sound card with speakers, Flash Player, Adobe Acrobat, Broadband connection. An example as of October 2019: desktop PCs of this specification at Curry's PC World start at approximately £600 with monitors starting at approximately £100.

If you’d like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.

* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here

Modules Overview 2023/24

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

Year one Year two Year three

Year one

KA7056 -

Academic Language Skills for Architecture and Built Environment (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home institution can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject area in the Department of Architecture and Built Environment. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’.
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Discussing ethical issues in research, and analysing results.
• Describing bias and limitations of research.
• Developing self-reflection skills.

More information

KA7059 -

Project Programme and Portfolio Management (Core,20 Credits)

You will develop conceptual understanding around, appreciate the characteristics of, and be able to evaluate, projects. You will also develop an understanding of the project management role, and the relevant approaches, skills, tools and techniques available to a practising project manager. You will be introduced to the dynamics associated with project teams and stakeholders. The module will consider projects within the wider context of programmes and portfolio management. This management of projects, programmes and portfolios are often referred to as P3 management; thus, you will have a basic understanding of complex scenarios of multiple and major projects environments. You will be able to evaluate project management knowledge critically and competencies, reflect on lessons from project case studies, as well as the processes, methods and technologies used by Project Managers and Project Management Offices (PMO’s) in P3 management. You will also embrace the necessary ethical and professional standards to attain competence in the future management of P3 projects.

More information

KA7064 -

People in Project Management (Core,20 Credits)

Group dynamics are the influential actions, processes and changes that occur within and between groups of people. Groups come in all shapes and sizes, and their functions are many and varied. To understand groups and their dynamics, you must understand how people interact and function while working together in formalised organisational contexts. The module aims to unite and contextualise selected key theories associated with team dynamics from psychology and the social sciences with selected key theories associated with groups, teams and management processes from management and organisation sciences. The overarching aim is to equip and empower you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to create, participate in and lead real and virtual project-orientated teams.

More information

KA7065 -

Project Feasibility and Economics (Core,20 Credits)

In this module, you will learn the various economic environments surrounding project organisations and project delivery, and examine the resources and constraints relating to financial decision-making for project formulation, initiation, delivery, and review. This module goes to assist in defining the levels of responsibility and directions of accountability required of a project manager. Themes that may be covered include the sponsor economic environment: general economic theory; financial reportage, ratio analysis, determinants for solvency, business case appraisals, sources of finance and funding, project portfolios, the professional economic environment; general economic theory; resourcing, scheduling, forecasting (risk and uncertainty), cash flow and professional services marketing, the contracting economic environment: general economic theory; budgeting and cost management, labour and earned value analysis, and social, economic environments: public and private sector distinctions.

More information

Year two

KA7058 -

Research Methods (Core,20 Credits)

Training in research methods provides researchers with an understanding of the “do’s” and “don'ts” that are associated with employing particular approaches to the collection and analysis of data. Awareness of research methodologies and methods will enable researchers to practise appropriate techniques and to implement methods accurately. The primary aim of the module is to inform and sensitise you to the choices that are available when planning to undertake a research project. This includes making you aware of a selected range of qualitative and quantitative research methods that can be employed to collect and analyse primary and secondary data arising from studies using these methodological paradigms. Such awareness will enable you to make appropriate choices when executing your research investigation. Of equal importance, the module will also introduce you to a range of academic skills that will support you during your programme of study in addition to the execution of your research project.

More information

KA7060 -

Project Organisations and Information Management (Core,20 Credits)

In Project Organisation and Information Management, you will explore leadership issues, critically reviewing a range of models and practices with particular emphasis on the leader as a communicator and negotiator. You will be introduced to a variety of approaches to organisational analysis; thus, enabling you to challenge and critique, both organisational practice, and the theories, models, and frameworks underpinning management, business, and organisation. Mainstream views of organisational methods and learning are introduced, with progression to exploring alternative ways of ‘seeing’ organisation and organising. This approach will enable you to develop your critical thinking and draws on contemporary research to explore alternative ways of organising. You will also explore the value of the information system within the organisations. Specifically, you will consider the evaluation and application of appropriate strategies for the management of information systems at intra- and inter-organisational levels, and how they might affect the use of Information Modelling applications. You will identify the various types of knowledge in organisations and analyse the management of that knowledge and information flows throughout the different project life-cycle stages. An important aspect of the module is the identification and evaluation of standards and procedures underlying the exchange of project information, including processes connected with supply chain integration, electronic commerce and mobile commerce on the project environment. You will also evaluate the beneficial and detrimental effects of using real-time network tools for project collaboration.

More information

KA7061 -

Project Change, Risk and Opportunities Management (Core,20 Credits)

You will learn about the theories and practices that inform the steering of projects for the delivery of benefits and how they enable you to respond to the challenges of managing organisational change initiatives. The module integrates several topics under each of the competencies within relevant Project Management Bodies of Knowledge: Contextual, Behavioural and Technical. Themes that may be covered include ensuring that benefits are understood and pursued through reliable decision-making, promoting effective identification of risks and opportunities throughout the life-cycle of projects, enabling processes that capture and assess potential changes to project scope, and identifying and customising governance frameworks that successfully integrate stakeholders behaviours and expectation.

More information

Year three

KA7068 -

Research Project (Core,60 Credits)

The module will build upon the concepts and theories presented to you during the research methods module. It will require you to develop, consolidate, and apply your independent research, academic study, and research project management skills to the investigation of a topic of your own choice (or a topic that has been pre-approved and recommended by a member of academic staff) that is relevant to your programme of study. You will undertake analytical and evaluative research that will result in the production of a dissertation.

More information

Modules Overview 2024/25

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

Year one Year two Year three

Year one

KA7056 -

Academic Language Skills for Architecture and Built Environment (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home institution can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject area in the Department of Architecture and Built Environment. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’.
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Discussing ethical issues in research, and analysing results.
• Describing bias and limitations of research.
• Developing self-reflection skills.

More information

KA7059 -

Project Programme and Portfolio Management (Core,20 Credits)

You will develop conceptual understanding around, appreciate the characteristics of, and be able to evaluate, projects. You will also develop an understanding of the project management role, and the relevant approaches, skills, tools and techniques available to a practising project manager. You will be introduced to the dynamics associated with project teams and stakeholders. The module will consider projects within the wider context of programmes and portfolio management. This management of projects, programmes and portfolios are often referred to as P3 management; thus, you will have a basic understanding of complex scenarios of multiple and major projects environments. You will be able to evaluate project management knowledge critically and competencies, reflect on lessons from project case studies, as well as the processes, methods and technologies used by Project Managers and Project Management Offices (PMO’s) in P3 management. You will also embrace the necessary ethical and professional standards to attain competence in the future management of P3 projects.

More information

KA7064 -

People in Project Management (Core,20 Credits)

Group dynamics are the influential actions, processes and changes that occur within and between groups of people. Groups come in all shapes and sizes, and their functions are many and varied. To understand groups and their dynamics, you must understand how people interact and function while working together in formalised organisational contexts. The module aims to unite and contextualise selected key theories associated with team dynamics from psychology and the social sciences with selected key theories associated with groups, teams and management processes from management and organisation sciences. The overarching aim is to equip and empower you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to create, participate in and lead real and virtual project-orientated teams.

More information

KA7065 -

Project Feasibility and Economics (Core,20 Credits)

In this module, you will learn the various economic environments surrounding project organisations and project delivery, and examine the resources and constraints relating to financial decision-making for project formulation, initiation, delivery, and review. This module goes to assist in defining the levels of responsibility and directions of accountability required of a project manager. Themes that may be covered include the sponsor economic environment: general economic theory; financial reportage, ratio analysis, determinants for solvency, business case appraisals, sources of finance and funding, project portfolios, the professional economic environment; general economic theory; resourcing, scheduling, forecasting (risk and uncertainty), cash flow and professional services marketing, the contracting economic environment: general economic theory; budgeting and cost management, labour and earned value analysis, and social, economic environments: public and private sector distinctions.

More information

Year two

KA7058 -

Research Methods (Core,20 Credits)

Training in research methods provides researchers with an understanding of the “do’s” and “don'ts” that are associated with employing particular approaches to the collection and analysis of data. Awareness of research methodologies and methods will enable researchers to practise appropriate techniques and to implement methods accurately. The primary aim of the module is to inform and sensitise you to the choices that are available when planning to undertake a research project. This includes making you aware of a selected range of qualitative and quantitative research methods that can be employed to collect and analyse primary and secondary data arising from studies using these methodological paradigms. Such awareness will enable you to make appropriate choices when executing your research investigation. Of equal importance, the module will also introduce you to a range of academic skills that will support you during your programme of study in addition to the execution of your research project.

More information

KA7060 -

Project Organisations and Information Management (Core,20 Credits)

In Project Organisation and Information Management, you will explore leadership issues, critically reviewing a range of models and practices with particular emphasis on the leader as a communicator and negotiator. You will be introduced to a variety of approaches to organisational analysis; thus, enabling you to challenge and critique, both organisational practice, and the theories, models, and frameworks underpinning management, business, and organisation. Mainstream views of organisational methods and learning are introduced, with progression to exploring alternative ways of ‘seeing’ organisation and organising. This approach will enable you to develop your critical thinking and draws on contemporary research to explore alternative ways of organising. You will also explore the value of the information system within the organisations. Specifically, you will consider the evaluation and application of appropriate strategies for the management of information systems at intra- and inter-organisational levels, and how they might affect the use of Information Modelling applications. You will identify the various types of knowledge in organisations and analyse the management of that knowledge and information flows throughout the different project life-cycle stages. An important aspect of the module is the identification and evaluation of standards and procedures underlying the exchange of project information, including processes connected with supply chain integration, electronic commerce and mobile commerce on the project environment. You will also evaluate the beneficial and detrimental effects of using real-time network tools for project collaboration.

More information

KA7061 -

Project Change, Risk and Opportunities Management (Core,20 Credits)

You will learn about the theories and practices that inform the steering of projects for the delivery of benefits and how they enable you to respond to the challenges of managing organisational change initiatives. The module integrates several topics under each of the competencies within relevant Project Management Bodies of Knowledge: Contextual, Behavioural and Technical. Themes that may be covered include ensuring that benefits are understood and pursued through reliable decision-making, promoting effective identification of risks and opportunities throughout the life-cycle of projects, enabling processes that capture and assess potential changes to project scope, and identifying and customising governance frameworks that successfully integrate stakeholders behaviours and expectation.

More information

Year three

KA7068 -

Research Project (Core,60 Credits)

The module will build upon the concepts and theories presented to you during the research methods module. It will require you to develop, consolidate, and apply your independent research, academic study, and research project management skills to the investigation of a topic of your own choice (or a topic that has been pre-approved and recommended by a member of academic staff) that is relevant to your programme of study. You will undertake analytical and evaluative research that will result in the production of a dissertation.

More information

Study Options

The following alternative study options are available for this course:

Any Questions?

Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help.  They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901 or by using our Contact Form.


All information is accurate at the time of sharing.

Full time Courses starting in 2023 are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but may include elements of online learning. We continue to monitor government and local authority guidance in relation to Covid-19 and we are ready and able to flex accordingly to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff.

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with additional restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors, potentially to a full online offer, should further restrictions be deemed necessary in future. Our online activity will be delivered through Blackboard Ultra, enabling collaboration, connection and engagement with materials and people.

 

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We continuously review and improve course content in consultation with our students and employers. To make sure we can inform you of any changes to your course register for updates on the course page.


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Find out about our distinctive approach at 
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