MSc Project Management Practice

Overview & facilities

This newly launched masters offers a multidisciplinary introduction to the theory and practice of leading and managing projects. Students come from a variety of backgrounds and throughout the course will gain exposure to new perspectives, approaches, frameworks and ideas.  One of the features of the masters is that it encourages a high degree of peer learning and sharing of best practice. 

It has been designed for managers who are new to project management, or practioners with some years experience who will be moving into a leadership role.

Content & modules

The MSc offers a multidisciplinary introduction to the theory and practice of managing and leading projects. Students come from a variety of backgrounds and environments and throughout the course will gain exposure to new perspectives, approaches, frameworks and ideas.  The programme is constructed in block release format, combined with additional work and assessment, in order to allow students in full time employment to complete the course. There are no exams.

Module 1: Project Management

This 30 credit Level 6 module provides an understanding of the basic principles and approaches of project management. The content deals with the management of projects (rather than how to become a project manager) and will therefore appeal to any individual involved in the delivery of projects, whether as a participant in a team, a project leader, a manager or a project sponsor. The module emphasises the different stages in a project and focuses on the fact that projects involve many people working within organisations. The module will consolidate existing project management skills and give the student an introduction to the core underpinnings of project management including quality, time, cost, benefits and risks, whilst also providing an opportunity for reflection upon the dynamics and effectiveness of working in groups.

Module 2: Project Leadership

The ability to lead projects effectively is essential to the success of any project. Moreover, given the rise of the project workforce, the proliferation of social media and the need to operate in a flatter world, there is a growing demand for driving results through social networks thus requiring the skills of influencing, connecting and leading. This 30 credit Level 7 module aims to provide students with a clear understanding of the role of effective leadership in delivering successful project outcomes. Project leadership is studied within the context of the existing theories of leadership, and focuses on their application in actual situations. Students will understand the dynamics of human interaction during project implementation, and demonstrate the ability to lead project teams through reflection. They will be able correlate theoretical insights with practice and review leadership performance.
The module will develop the core leadership skills and competencies required to lead project teams effectively and enable students to conduct organisational problem solving and identify shortcomings in their work environment before proposing approaches for mitigating and addressing these.

Module 3: Managing Professional Development

This 30 credit Level 7 module focuses on the individual manager and the improvement of their capabilities and skills through continuous professional development. Learners will participate in a simulation, or a baseline assessment, that will provide a detailed profile identifying shortfalls and areas requiring further attention. Based on the profile and the learner’s early identification of gaps in their organisational context, an individual learning plan will be completed. 

Assessment focuses on the identification of new learning opportunities and includes an oral presentation, a justification and an annotated bibliography identifying new sources for insight and learning. An alternative route may enable learners to select one of a set of agreed electives offered by any of the schools at Middlesex University if it is shown to be addressing the gaps in their project competence profile.

Module 4: Project Enquiry

A 30 credit Level 7 module focused on recent advances in project management, which also integrates earlier learning and prepares learners for their individual work-based projects. The module addresses the multiple perspectives available in project environments and introduces the need to integrate views and make decisions that cut across the different perspectives. Moreover, organisational project management is used as an integrating and continuous basis for viewing organisations, action and implementation. As well as focusing on style and process in making decisions, the module also covers aspects of change and culture within organisations and the types of approaches to improvement that are most suitable and beneficial in different contexts. Exploring perspectives, viewpoints, contexts and boundaries leads to the adoption of a more critical stance that will enable learners to develop their own learning position and identify and refine, using the research methods materials and understanding of their perspective, an area for further investigation in their work environment.

Module 5: Work-based dissertation

A 60 credit Level 7 academic (work-based) module. The subject and the content of the dissertation will be negotiated between the learner and their advisor. Students will be required to demonstrate that the work-based dissertation leads to a product, or result, that has useful outcomes for specific project management related work-based activity or context.  All students will be required to maintain a personal learning log.

Entry & applying

Applicants should have a recognised second class honours degree in a relevant discipline. Alternatively you may have a professional qualification deemed to be of equivalent standard.

For a course brochure, an application form, or other enquiries, please contact:

National Centre for Project Management
Middlesex University
Bramley Road
Trent Park
London N14 4YZ

Tel: 0208 411 2299
Email: ncpm@mdx.ac.uk

Further information can be found on our website www.eis.mdx.ac.uk/ncpm

Qualifications accepted

For a comprehensive list of qualifications accepted by Middlesex, see further information under entry requirements

English language requirements

You must have competence in English language. The most common English Language requirements for international students are IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL (paper based) 575 or TOEFL (internet based) 90 with specified minimum scores for each component. For details of other equivalent English language requirements that Middlesex accepts see international entry requirements

Applying

Applicants should apply directly to the National Centre for Project Management.  Apply Now

Fees & funding

October 2013

UK/EU students: £7,500
International students: £10,600

Find out about our flexible payment plans for UK/EU students, and how they can help you spread the cost of your course.

Careers & placements

The masters is designed for graduates who are looking to move into project management, and for practitioners interested in deepening and widening their competency, expertise and professional practice. Students come from a variety of backgrounds and environments and throughout the course will gain exposure to new perspectives, approaches, frameworks and ideas.