MSc Applied Project Management

Program Overview

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Applied Project Management MSc

Overview

This MSc Project Management course is designed to teach people from any discipline or degree background, unlike other project management courses. Whether you are from a business, arts or technical background this course is for you.

The course has been designed in line with the requirements of both the Project Management Institute (PMI) and the Association for Project Management (APM).

The taught modules ensure you develop a well-rounded set of project and general management skills. In addition, you will have the opportunity to undertake a professional placement (subject to availability), to develop a professional practice project, working alongside industry. This will allow you to put your skills into practice, enhancing your employability.

Why us?

• Innovative teaching designed to ensure you finish your course with the skills needed to work in real-world project management
• We have over two decades of experience teaching Project Management at MSc level here at the University of Sunderland
• The course provides the opportunity to undertake professional practice through a placement in an industry organisation (subject to availability) or professional practice work relevant to the course
• Teaching is up to date and based around recent research in the various course subjects
• Masterclasses from various speakers from organisations, government and industry
• All MSc Project Management students get a free copy of the latest Microsoft Project Professional

Course structure

Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, class discussions, case studies, a project management business game, group work, presentations and applied study. You'll also have the opportunity to undertake a placement and develop your professional skills, working on a real-world project or in a commercial, professional or industrial environment.

Your progress will be assessed with individual written reports and research papers, practical assignments and finally your masters dissertation. The course has no assessment by examination. The professional practice/placement element will be assessed by a portfolio of evidence gathered during your work, regular logs of your progress and a final presentation or video.

Compared to an undergraduate course, you will find that this Masters course requires a higher level of independent reading and research.

Course modules

Core modules:

• Project Management and Control (30 credits) Develop the building blocks of successful project management. Study topics such as project selection, feasibility, whole life costing and sustainability; the impact of risk, quality and people; effective monitoring and control to ensure successful delivery; and the use of project management software. Undertake an extensive case study/business game to develop your skills in team working and decision making.
• Project Delivery and International Project Management (30 credits) Consider some of the issues facing project managers who must efficiently and effectively oversee the delivery of projects, to include consideration of a range of international contexts.
• Commercial and Contractual Issues in Project Management (15 credits) Learn about the importance of commercial and contractual issues in projects. Cover the role of Strategy and Strategic Management, Business Plans, Legal Issues, Commercial Relationships and Financial Management and Tendering.
• Leaderships and Management of Project Risk, Quality and People (30 credits) Explore the role of leadership and people management in ensuring a successful outcome to a project. Investigate the issues and strategies in managing risk and quality and how these can be deployed to provide a successful project outcome.
• Understanding Organisations and Systems (15 credits) Explore how organisation and systems can be understood to help facilitate their design, change and management. Investigate various methods of organisational analysis and modelling, including both hard and soft-system modelling.
• Project/Dissertation (60 credits) Using your research and critical analysis skills, draw on the knowledge you have gained during the course to address a real engineering problem or research question at the forefront of the discipline.

Facilities

You’ll be based at The David Goldman Technology Centre, on the Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter’s. The David Goldman Technology Centre is an impressive, modern, purpose built University building with views of the River Wear, and just a short walk to both Sunderland town centre and Roker beach and the sea.

On the Sir Tom Cowie Campus, you will find all you need for your studies including:

• A range of teaching rooms and spaces that cover all your course needs
• Numerous open access computers
• Free Wi-Fi
• IT help desk
• A comprehensive library
• Various catering options

Entry requirements

Our typical offer is:

• Qualification | Minimum grade
  • a bachelor's degree (3 years) | 2:2 classification

If you already hold a postgraduate qualification, please see our Applying for additional postgraduate degrees Help and Advice article.

If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland. Find out more information and whether your course is eligible on our ONCAMPUS page.

If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at for further advice.

We usually require applicants to hold at least a 2:2 honours degree in any subject. We will also consider applicants who have other qualifications and substantial work experience.

Applicants will need to secure a placement that will be supported by the School of Engineering, Employability and Enterprise Hub, and placement support colleagues. Where placements cannot be sourced you will either undertake a professional practice placement or transfer to MSc Project Management.

If English is not your first language, please see our English language requirements.

Fees and finance

Fees are:

• £9,250 if you are from the UK/Europe
• £19,000 if you are an international student

See the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.

This information was correct at the time of publication.

Career ready

A masters degree in project management will open up a wide range of employment opportunities for you. Project Managers can be found in most sectors of industry, governments, consulting, non-profit organisations, the arts and many other sectors. Past graduates of our MSc in Project Management can be found in all of these sectors developing successful and dynamic careers.

Project managers have skills that are relevant to most industries and it is one of the fastest growing professions worldwide.

Guest speakers

We invite experienced project professionals and project managers into the University to share their experiences with students. Past speakers have included the Chief Information Officer of BT, a senior NHS project manager and senior project management consultants.

We also have close links with the PMI and APM in the North East England and the events organised by them provide students with excellent networking opportunities.

Professional practice placement

By studying MSc Applied Project Management you will benefit from undertaking a professional practice placement. This opportunity will provide you with experience of working in a real-world context where you can apply the academic knowledge and skills you have acquired on the course and develop the abilities, skills and behaviours associated with work at this level.

You'll be supported to secure a placement by the School of Engineering, Sunderland Futures and Placement Support colleagues, subject to availability. If a placement cannot be sourced, you'll have the option to transfer to MSc Project Management or to develop professional practice projects, working alongside our industry links.

Program Outline

MSc Applied Project Management

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Degree Overview:

This MSc Project Management course aims to prepare individuals from any background for roles in project management. The course aligns with the requirements of both the Project Management Institute (PMI) and the Association for Project Management (APM). The program focuses on developing well-rounded project and general management skills. Additionally, students have the opportunity to undertake a professional placement (subject to availability) to apply their skills practically and enhance their employability.

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Outline:

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Modules:

• Project Management and Control (30 credits): This module forms the building blocks of successful project management.
It covers topics such as project selection, feasibility, whole life costing and sustainability; the impact of risk, quality and people; and effective monitoring and control.
• Project Delivery and International Project Management (30 credits): This module explores the challenges faced by project managers in ensuring efficient and effective project delivery, particularly within international contexts.
• Commercial and Contractual Issues in Project Management (15 credits): This module covers the importance of commercial and contractual issues in projects.
It explores the role of Strategy and Strategic Management, Business Plans, Legal Issues, Commercial Relationships and Financial Management and Tendering.
• Leaderships and Management of Project Risk, Quality and People (30 credits): This module delves into the role of leadership and people management in ensuring successful project outcomes.
Risk and quality management strategies are also explored.
• Understanding Organisations and Systems (15 credits): This module provides methods for understanding organizations and systems to facilitate their design, change, and management.
Students will investigate various methods of organizational analysis and modelling.
• Project/Dissertation (60 credits): Students will draw on their research and analytical skills to address a real-world engineering problem or research question in this capstone project.

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Teaching:

Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, class discussions, case studies, simulations, group work, presentations and applied study. The program also offers a professional placement opportunity for students to work on a real-world project in a commercial, professional, or industrial environment. This allows them to apply their skills and gain practical experience.

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Assessment:

The program utilizes a variety of assessment methods:

• Individual written reports and research papers
• Practical assignments
• Presentations
• Master's dissertation
• Professional practice/placement assessment: This involves a portfolio of evidence gathered during the placement, regular logs of progress, and a final presentation or video.

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Other:

• The course runs for two years and is offered full-time.
• The tuition fee for UK/EU students is £9,250, while international student fees are £17,400.
• The course is based at the David Goldman Technology Centre, offering modern facilities and convenient access to the university library and other campus resources.

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Careers:

An MSc in Project Management opens doors to various career opportunities in industries like:

• Government
• Consulting
• Non-profit organizations
• Arts
Graduates from this program can pursue roles such as:
• Project Manager
• Project Engineer
• Programme Manager
• Project Coordinator

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Guest Speakers:

Experienced project professionals and project managers are regularly invited to share their expertise with students in the program.

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Professional Practice Placement:

Students have the chance to gain valuable work experience through a professional practice placement. This placement is supported by the School of Engineering and placement support colleagues.

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Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

• £9,250 if you are from the UK/Europe
• £17,400 if you are an international student
• European Union (EU), EEA (European Economic Area), and Swiss nationals who do not qualify for the EU Settlement Scheme are classed as international, however, for 24/25 admission you will receive a European student fee scholarship and will pay the home tuition fee rate for the duration of your studies.
The discounted fee will be reflected in your offer letter. Learn more in our Help and Advice article.