MSC PROJECT
MANAGEMENT
Course Brochure
ABOUT THE MSC PROJECT MANAGEMENT
The Details
Indicative duration: 2 years
Qualification: MSc
Entry Requirements
In order to satisfy the academic entry route, you must hold an undergraduate degree from an ap-
proved institution, equivalent to a UK honours degree, or a relevant professional qualification. To
satisfy the work experience entry route, you must have at least three years’ relevant work experience.
Accelerate your organisational, critical evaluation and time management skills with our MSc Project
Management.
Explore a range of topics including project management frameworks and methodologies, effective
leadership and management, and the analytical tools available to manage a portfolio of projects. You’ll
gain a thorough understanding of the complexities of modern business, as well as the tools to
effectively manage resources to thrive in a constantly changing environment.
You could also choose to study the shorter, 16-month PG Dip Project Management (120 credits) or the
eight-month PG Cert Project Management (60 credits).
Teaching and Assessment
Teaching methods and style
Unlike a traditional university environment, our online degrees utilise a Virtual Learning Environment
(VLE), providing you with immediate access to learning materials, wherever you are.
Student support
You’ll be supported throughout your studies by a dedicated Student Adviser and regularly interact with
fellow students and your tutor.
Methods of assessment
Instead of exams, we adopt an assignment-based approach to assessment, which are based on real-life
work experience and carried out by tutors on an ongoing basis.
SYLLABUS
The MSc Project Management is made up of the following modules and equal to a total of 180 credits.
Level 7 modules
MODULE MSc PGDip PGCert
Management: Principles and Practices (20 credits) * * *
Financial Decision Making (20 credits) * *
Project Management Techniques (20 credits) * * *
Management of Projects (20 credits) * * *
Project Analytics (20 credits) * *
Leading and Managing Project Teams (20 credits) * *
Research Methods (20 credits) ▲
Business and Management Research Report (40 credits) ▲
* Compulsory module
▲ Core module (must be passed in order to achieve the award)
LEVEL 7
MODULES
MANAGEMENT: PRINCIPLES
AND PRACTICES
Module code: MGPP NQF level: 7
Credit value: 20 Study duration: 12 weeks
About the module
In this module, you’ll study the foundations of contemporary management and organisational behaviour. Dive into the wider
external factors affecting business and management, and learn about issues facing managers today. You’ll also engage with
peers through lectures and group discussions, as well as exploring real-life case studies.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, you’ll be able to:
• understand the nature of organisations and the process of management
• explain and critically analyse a range of contemporary managerial concerns
• evaluate different approaches to the practice and analysis of management
• analyse a case study
Syllabus
• Managing individuals
• Managing teams and groups
• Managing and leading
• Managing cultures
• Management, power, politics and decision making
• Managing and structure
• Re-thinking management
• Organisational design after bureaucracy
Learning and teaching methods
The learning and teaching methods for the module follow the intended online delivery strategy for the programme as a whole.
The module will be delivered through reading materials on the VLE and supported by lecturecasts, r Q&A sessions, group
and individual tasks, and directed independent study. You’ll also be encouraged to identify and share relevant web-based
resources, and are expected to extend and enhance the knowledge and understanding you acquire by regularly consulting
relevant elibrary materials.
Description of unit Duration Submission date Weighting
assessment
Four assessed discussion
2 weeks Every two weeks 20%
activities
Mid-module assignment 2,500 words Mid-module 35%
End of module project 2,500 words End of module 35%
Journal entries 300 – 500 words Every two weeks 10%
FINANCIAL DECISION MAKING
Module code: MFDM NQF level: 7
Credit value: 20 Study duration: 12 weeks
About the module
Learn how to interpret financial documents and decision-making models with this informative module. You’ll gain a global
understanding of management accounting and control across different contexts. Touch on a range of accounting principles
for decision making, including break-even analysis, investment, budgeting statements and cost volume profit analysis.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, you’ll be able to:
• develop a critical understanding on short term and long-term decision-making principles and techniques
• critically analyse and evaluate the role of budgeting, management control and the conflicting implications of budgeting
decisions
• demonstrate a critical understanding of the implications of maximising organisational profitability and owners’ wealth
• reflect on and synthesise the various financial and managerial decision-making models and apply these in your own
organisation
Syllabus
• Introduction to financial decision making
• Incremental costing and short-term decision making
• Cost volume profit analysis and financial decision making
• Budgeting and management control decisions: techniques and behavioural issues
• Activity-based costing and financial decisions
• Capital structures and long-term financing decisions
• Capital investment appraisal: theory and techniques
• Investment decision making under uncertain and risk environment
• Financial analysis and interpretation of commercial projects
• Global Issues in accounting and managerial decision making
Learning and teaching methods
The learning and teaching methods for the module follow the intended online delivery strategy for the programme as a whole.
The module will be delivered via reading materials on the VLE and supported by lecturecasts, Q&A sessions, group and
individual tasks, and directed independent study. You’ll be encouraged to identify and share relevant web-based
resources, and are expected to extend and enhance the knowledge and understanding you acquire by regularly consulting
elibrary materials.
Description of unit Duration Submission date Weighting
assessment
Four assessed discussion
2 weeks Every two weeks 20%
activities
Mid-module assignment 2,000 - 2,500 words Unit 6 35%
End of module assignment 2,000 - 2,500 words End of unit 12 35%
Journal entries 300 – 500 words Every two weeks 10%
PROJECT MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES
Module code: PMT NQF level: 7
Credit value: 20 Study duration: 12 weeks
About the module
In this introductory module, you’ll explore common project management techniques such as PRINCE2 and AGILE thinking.
By delving into contemporary frameworks and methodologies, you’ll gain a solid overview of the main principles, processes
and concepts of project management.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, you’ll be able to:
• explain and evaluate different approaches to the practice and analysis of project management planning, reporting and
resources allocation (PRINCE2/Agile)
• analyse a project life cycle from business case formulation to benefits realisation in a large organisation
• critically analyse risk, change and governance arrangements within PRINCE2 and PRINCE2 Agile
• critically analyse governance arrangements and identify the facets of a project manager’s responsibilities
Syllabus
• Introduction to project management
• What is project management?
• Project initiation
• Different types of projects
• Methodologies
• Adapting methodologies
• Developing project plans
• Project planning tools
• Project implementation strategy
• Project procurement
• Project closure and lessons learned
• Project manager role and responsibilities
Learning and teaching methods
The learning and teaching methods for the module follow the intended online delivery strategy for the programme as a
whole. The module will be delivered through reading materials on the VLE and supported by lecturecasts, Q&A sessions,
group and individual tasks, and directed independent study. You’ll be encouraged to identify and share relevant web-based
resources, and are expected to extend and enhance the knowledge and understanding you acquire by regularly consulting
elibrary materials. Lecturers are also available outside the classroom through online office hours, appointments and email.
Description of unit Duration Submission date Weighting
assessment
Four assessed discussion
2 weeks Every two weeks 20%
activities
Mid-module assignment 2,500 words Unit 6 35%
End of module assignment 2,500 words End of unit 12 35%
Journal entries 300 – 500 words Every two weeks 10%
MANAGEMENT OF PROJECTS
Module code: MMOP NQF level: 7
Credit value: 20 Study duration: 12 weeks
About the module
Further develop your understanding of project management frameworks and methodologies with this module. You’ll critically
analyse project management in action and gain a solid understanding of key issues facing managers today – as well as how
they can be resolved.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, you’ll be able to:
• understand the role of scheduling and planning tools in developing work activities within projects
• explain and evaluate different approaches to resource allocation and budget control in project management to meet
quality standards
• explain a range of contemporary project managerial concerns in the contemporary global and national business
environment
• analyse approaches to managing multiple projects or programmes
Syllabus
• Projects in contemporary organisations
• Activity planning – traditional and agile approaches
• The project in the organisational structure
• Project co-ordination and integration
• Strategic management and project selection
• Monitoring and information systems
• Budgeting and risk management
• Project control
• Project auditing
• Project closure
• Benefits and value
• Conclusions and afterword
Learning and teaching methods
The learning and teaching methods for the module follow the intended online delivery strategy for the programme as a
whole. The module will be delivered through reading materials on the VLE and supported by lecturecasts, Q&A sessions,
group and individual tasks, and directed independent study. You’ll be encouraged to identify and share relevant web-based
resources, and are expected to extend and enhance the knowledge and understanding you acquire by regularly consulting
elibrary materials. Lecturers are also available outside the classroom through online office hours, appointments and email.
Description of unit Duration Submission date Weighting
assessment
Four assessed discussion
2 weeks Every two weeks 20%
activities
Mid-module assignment 2,500 words Unit 6 35%
End of module assignment 2,500 words End of unit 12 35%
Journal entries 300 – 500 words Every two weeks 10%
PROJECT ANALYTICS
Module code: MPA NQF level: 7
Credit value: 20 Study duration: 12 weeks
About the module
Discover how analytics assist in the deployment of projects, as well as the role of the Project Management Office (PMO).
You’ll explore how contemporary data-rich projects draw upon several real-time data sources to inform the decision-making
process. By the end of the module, you’ll be able to evaluate data sources in relation to analytics in the context of project
management.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, you’ll be able to:
• define analytics, and their purpose and use in PMO activity
• distinguish between evaluation; performance management; risk and change management; and forensic analysis
• explain and evaluate different sources of data for use in applications of analytics in project management to meet
monitoring and quality
• review management projects using qualitative and quantitative data project management analytics
• explore the software available for project management and evaluate a projects need for web-based, cloud-hosted
solution or software installed on your servers
Syllabus
• An introduction to project analytics
• Autonomous analytics
• Decision making
• The project management office and the role of data scientists
• Descriptive analytics part 1: an introduction to statistics
• Descriptive analytics part 2: data visualisation
• Descriptive analytics part 3: statistical measures
• Predictive analytics
• Data mining
• Prescriptive analytics for decision-making and the analytic hierarchy process
• Using data to monitor performance, risks and quality
• The ethical implications of data analytics
Learning and teaching methods
The learning and teaching methods for the module follow the intended online delivery strategy for the programme as a
whole. The module will be delivered through reading materials on the VLE and supported by lecturecasts, Q&A sessions,
group and individual tasks, and directed independent study. You’ll be encouraged to identify and share relevant web-based
resources, and are expected to extend and enhance the knowledge and understanding you acquire by regularly consulting
elibrary materials. Lecturers are also available outside the classroom through online office hours, appointments and email.
Description of unit Duration Submission date Weighting
assessment
Four assessed discussion
2 weeks Every two weeks 20%
activities
Mid-module assignment 2,500 words Unit 6 35%
End of module assignment 2,500 words End of unit 12 35%
Journal entries 300 – 500 words Every two weeks 10%
LEADING AND MANAGING PROJECT TEAMS
Module code: MLMPT NQF level: 7
Credit value: 20 Study duration: 12 weeks
About the module
In this module, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how effective team management facilitates project success. You’ll also
discover how leadership and management utilise specific qualities, while exploring how team dynamics, conflict and
performance all play a part in project management.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, you’ll be able to:
• understand the nature of leadership in the context of project management
• explain and critically analyse a range of contemporary managerial concerns relating to teams, conflict resolution and
management
• evaluate different approaches to the practice and analysis of project management to deliver efficient and effective
project outcomes
• analyse a case study relating to the implications of leadership on project management and organisational governance
and ethics
Syllabus
• Project leadership
• Leading teams with emotional intelligence (EI)
• Using cultural intelligence to lead the project team
• Project team life cycle
• People and resources, project stakeholders and the communication strategy
• Resolving conflict through influence
• Project leadership and the professional role
• The critical path of project ethics
• Building organisational capability
• Project benefits realisation
• Project closure
Learning and teaching methods
The learning and teaching methods for the module follow the intended online delivery strategy for the programme as a
whole. The module will be delivered through reading materials on the VLE and supported by lecturecasts, Q&A sessions,
group and individual tasks, and directed independent study. You’ll be encouraged to identify and share relevant web-based
resources, and are expected to extend and enhance the knowledge and understanding you acquire by regularly consulting
elibrary materials. Lecturers are available through online office hours, appointments and email communication.
Description of unit Duration Submission date Weighting
assessment
Four assessed discussion
2 weeks Every two weeks 20%
activities
Mid-module assignment 2,500 words Unit 6 35%
End of module assignment 2,500 words End of unit 12 35%
Journal entries 300 – 500 words Every two weeks 10%
RESEARCH METHODS
Module code: MRM NQF level: 7
Credit value: 20 Study duration: 12 weeks
About the module
This module provides you with the foundations to conduct high-level research. You’ll become capable of thinking
independently, and articulating information and knowledge gained from the programme. Upon completion, you’ll be able to
demonstrate the skills needed to collect, organise and present data efficiently, as well as taking a critical approach to
different data sources.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, you’ll be able to:
• critically appraise and evaluate research undertaken by others
• propose and justify a report for a research project in business management
• critically examine the contribution primary and secondary data sources can make to research studies
• synthesise research findings to improve the quality of decision making in management
• collect and analyse primary data
• manipulate numerical data and apply appropriate statistical techniques using data analysis packages such as Excel or
SPSS
• take a reflective and independent approach to the learning process
Syllabus
• Research philosophies, methodologies and strategies • Creation of research questions and objectives
• Primary and secondary data • Content analysis and construction of a literature review
• Primary data collection methods and tools • Debate of a research methodological strategy
• Secondary data collection sources • Analysis of data collection methods in terms of
• Sampling techniques and analysis processing and presenting
• Issues of validity and reliability • Practical data analysis using Excel, SPSS or similar
• Bias, error and accuracy in the research process computer software packages
• Ethical considerations and issues
Learning and teaching methods
The learning and teaching methods for the module follow the intended online delivery strategy for the programme as a
whole. The module will be delivered through specified reading materials on the VLE and supported by discussion forums
and lecturecasts. Tutor support will also be available via phone, email and a fortnightly Q&A session.
Description of unit Duration Submission date Weighting
assessment
Four assessed discussion
2 weeks Every two weeks 20%
activities
Mid-module assignment 2,500 words Unit 6 35%
End of module project 2,500 words End of module 35%
Journal entries 300 – 500 words Every two weeks 10%
BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT RESEARCH
REPORT
Module code: MBMRP NQF level: 7
Credit value: 40 Study duration: 20 weeks
About the module
The pinnacle of the Master of Business Management (MBM) is an extensive business and management research report.
You’ll pinpoint an area of business which lacks specific research and conduct your own report into a relevant managerial or
organisational topic of interests. Upon successful completion of this module, you’ll have an advanced level understanding
and be able to apply management theory to an independent piece of research.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, you’ll be able to:
• successfully complete an independent but guided piece of research into your specialist subject area
• demonstrate understanding of approaches to researching management and organisational dynamics through the design,
execution and writing up of this project
• critically evaluate a set of approaches to a specific management issue or topic
• demonstrate analytical and synthetic thinking skills in relation to management theories
Syllabus
• Minimum of four supervisory meetings
Learning and teaching methods
The learning and teaching methods for the module follow the intended online delivery strategy for the programme as a
whole. The module will be guided by the taught content delivered in the Research Methods module and primarily directed
through independent study.
Description of unit Duration Submission date Weighting
assessment
Management report 10,000 words End of module 100%
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