Program Overview

Construction Law and Practice

Overview

The MSc Construction Law and Practice degree is designed to provide formal qualifications for and develop a skill set to succeed in a construction law career. This postgraduate qualification is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and is delivered exclusively online.

Introduction

Construction law and practice affects stakeholders working across the international construction sector. Gain the necessary legal knowledge and commercial awareness to perform your current role more effectively, or make the career move into this field, with our MSc Construction Law and Practice degree.

Course Details

• Attendance: Distance Learning
• Course: Two years
• Next enrolment: September 2025

Course Accreditations

• Accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

Course Team

• Course leader: Dr. Paul Tracey

Modules

• Fundamentals of Construction Law
  • Common law underpinning construction contracts
  • Source, rationale and nature of key terms (Scope, cost, quality, time, variation)
  • Contract formation
  • Implication of terms
  • Mistake, frustration, breach, causation and loss
• Construction Contracts – Operation and Administration
  • Operation and administration of Standard Form Contracts (SFCs)
  • Comparison between SFCs
  • Consideration of key terms in SFCs
  • Role of the Contract Administrator
  • Impact of the industry specific legislation on construction contracts
• Liability and Complexity in Construction Law
  • Legal complexities and commercial risks
  • Design liability
  • Limitation
  • Sub-contracting
  • Contribution and contributory negligence
  • Insurance
  • Insolvency
• Dispute Resolution – Law and Practice
  • Dispute resolution procedures
  • Management of dispute resolution procedures
  • Statutory adjudication in the UK
  • Arbitration
  • Decision drafting
• Dissertation
  • Develop a research proposal with clear aims and objectives related to your study
  • Undertake critical analysis of existing research and engage in various forms of recognised research
  • Produce a sustained, sophisticated, and logical argument in the form of a written dissertation

Learning Experience

• Teaching and learning: Delivered remotely online using Collaborate Ultra virtual learning environment
• Assessment: Written coursework and continuous informal assessment by tutors
• Dissertation modules: Receive extensive tutor support

Employment and Stats

• Employment: Typical career roles include claims consultant, commercial manager, dispute resolution specialist, or solicitor
• Further Study: Opportunities for postgraduate research in the Centre for Urban Processes, Resilient Infrastructure and Sustainable Environments

Requirements

• Applicant Profile: Existing academic and/or professional background in the legal or built environment professions
• English Language Requirements: IELTS score of 6.0 (no element below 5.5)
• Course Accreditation: Accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
• Standard Entry Requirements:
  • Second class undergraduate honours degree in a relevant discipline
  • Second class undergraduate honours degree in an unrelated discipline and significant relevant work experience within the built environment
  • Recognised appropriate professional qualification such as RICS or CIOB
• Alternative Entry Requirements: Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process

Fees

• Type of study: Distance learning
• Year: 2025/26
• Fees: MSc is £1,635 per 30 credits. PgCert and PgDip is calculated on a pro rata basis

Additional Costs

• Books, stationery, printing, binding, and general subsistence on trips and visits

International Student Scholarships

• Available for high-achieving international students