Project Management Masters - MSc

Our MSc Project Management programme is unique and distinctive. It is designed and developed in alignment to key professional bodies in Project Management, APM (Association of Project Management) and PMI (Project Management Institute) knowledge areas and their competencies development frameworks which applies for any projects, programs and portfolios domains, nature, culture, size and context. Students will have an ability to transfer and apply the knowledge, skills and competencies acquired from the MSc Project Management into wider context and various project, program and portfolio environment.

This MSc Project Management builds theoretical and contextual knowledge but more eminently prepares students a career in a collaborative world. Students will have to study and complete the seven core modules below plus one of the two optional modules in order to achieve the full MSc Project Management award (180 Credits, 8 Modules).

However, there are two exit points within this Programme should students only want to complete either the Postgraduate Certificate in Project Management (60 Credits, 3 Modules) and Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management (120 Credits, 6 Modules) and they can return and complete their next stage of this Programme anytime and start from the point that they have left subject to there is no major and significant changes to this Programme. This will be evaluated on case by case basis and subject to our admissions procedure and academic regulations.

Core Modules:

• Project Management Theory and Practice (20 Credits)
• Project Leadership (20 Credits)
• Strategic Project Management (20 Credits)
• Project Risk Management (20 Credits)
• Project Commercial Management (20 Credits)
• Management of Mega and Complex Projects (20 Credits)
• Capstone Project (40 Credits)

Optional Modules*:

• Project Management Innovations (20 Credits)
  
• Project Finance 20 Credits)
  
• Project Data Analytics (20 credits)​
  

*Please note that optional modules run subject to demand and availability.

The MSc Project Management will be delivered through a mixture of lectures, seminars, team work, workshops, forums on-line, practical guest lecture sessions, site visits and resources through the Moodle, Cardiff Met's Virtual Learning Environment.

In the past day long site visits have been organised for students. Some of these companies are Jaguar, Costain, Infineon Technologies, WNO (Welsh National Opera) and SENEDD (Welsh National Assembly). There have been association with Cardiff Met's Business Improvement Service (BIS) team to develop projects with them e.g., Benefits Realisation Management in their projects.

Postgraduate programmes within the School operate on a semesterised basis with 180 credits of taught modules being delivered over three teaching semesters.

Modules are led by experienced members of staff and, in some instances, professional practitioners from industry and for each 20 credit module students will normally have:
48 hours of face to face contact and 152 hours of self –managed (tutor directed) learning.

We also work closely with APM (Association of Project Management), PMI (Project Management Institute), APMG International (PM4SD – Project Management for Sustainable Development and AGILEPM), AXELOS (PRINCE2 – Projects in Control Environment), Agile South Wales who encourage professional contact at events, seamless networking and have input to course teaching.

Advice and guidance is available via the programme director, tutors or through the extensive personal tutoring service available in the school should students are keen to pursue their professional development and affiliation with e.g., PMI and APM or keen to take up membership and steps involved in successfully completing PRINCE2, AGILEPM or PM4SD. Please note these professional membership, affiliations and qualifications requires additional payments and subject to these institutions current procedures, processes and regulations.

The MSc Project Management is assessed using written courseworks and presentations. This programme's portfolio of assessment includes individual coursework e.g., client-based reports and reflective logs, production of Project Charter, team presentations, group practical formative assessments and debates.  Extensive project management resources are available in the library and via the electronic catalogue/databases as well as guided by individual tutors and made available through Moodle (e.g., Essential and Supplementary Readings), the university's virtual learning environment. There are plenty of resources in Project Management, Program Management and Portfolio Management.

Projects are key to the successful implementation of organisational strategy and those people with the right skills to work in projects, programmes and portfolios are increasingly seen as vital to delivery success. Global demand for project managers and project-based roles are increasing to such an extent that demand is seriously outstripping supply and this trend also applies when managing projects in a programme and portfolio way.

On successful completion of the MSc Project Management you will be equipped to take on a challenging career in project management across a range of sectors from Engineering, Construction, Built Environment, Surveying, Manufacturing and Production, Energy/Renewable/Clean Energy, Oil and Gas/Hydrocarbons, Information Technology, Information Systems, Banking, Finance, Retail, Media and Creative Industries, Third Sector, Charity (Non-Governmental Organisation), Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Military, Health, Social Care, Legal and range of sectors/disciplines/domains.  You will also be able to develop your current project management skills and experience to be able to specialise in such areas as risk management, finance and contract management or to take on more of a leadership role of your organisation's portfolio of projects and programmes.

Upon completion of the MSc you can undertake further study at doctoral level via research or professional routes.

Prospective students should hold an undergraduate degree (normally of classification 2:2 or above), or:

A Higher Apprenticeship in Project Management with two years relevant work experience in a project team role, or:

Five years relevant work experience in a project team role or two years related work experience in a programme and portfolio roles and responsibilities. However, if you have sufficient work experience in project, programme and portfolio environment and could evidence this through your CV please contact the Programme Director, Langes Supramaniam on lsupramaniam@cardiffmet.ac.uk for information and details on how to progress with your application for this MSc. There may be an expectation to produce relevant documentary-based evidences to fulfil our Recognition of Prior Learning regulations and procedures.

In some instances those with higher level professional qualifications and experience may be exempt from certain taught modules. Such exemptions would be discussed on a case by case basis with the Program Director and will be subject to the University's academic regulations.

International Applicants
Students whose first language is not English will need to provide evidence of fluency to at least an IELTS 6.0 standard or equivalent. For full details about how to apply and English Language qualifications please visit the International pages on the website.

Selection Procedure:
Application form/personal statement and if necessary an interview.

How to Apply:

Applications for this course should be made direct to the university via our self-service facility. For further information please visit our How to Apply pages at www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/howtoapply.

If you are interested in using credit from another institution, or have obtained qualifications and/or experience to study for a course at Cardiff Met,  you can find further information on this as well as information on how to apply on the RPL page.

Tuition Fees and Financial Support:

For up to date information on tuition fees and the financial support that may be available. Please refer to www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/fees.

Part-time fees:
Charges are per Single Module unless specified:
Undergraduate = 10 Credits; Postgraduate = 20 Credits

Generally we find most students will complete 60 credits per year for both Undergraduate and Postgraduate study; to obtain a true costing please clarify this by contacting the Programme Director directly.

Langes Supramaniam  

Field Group Chair for Strategy, Project and Operations Management Programme Director TNE (Trans-National Education) Programme Director MSc Project Management Cohort Leader MBA

BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering, MSc Civil Engineering, PgCert HELT, SFHEA, C Build E FCABE (Chartered Fellow Building Engineer), MRICS (Chartered Surveyor), CQP MCQI (Chartered Quality Professional), CITP MBCS (Chartered IT Professional), MCILT (Chartered Logistician), APMP, APMG's PM4SD Practitioner (Project Management for Sustainable Development), AXELOS's Prince 2 Practitioner and Accredited Trainer, PMP

I started my career in mega projects, super structures, construction projects and contract management before moving to oil and gas projects and operations, procurement, contract, supply chain management and quality management. My portfolio of super structure and mega construction projects includes the PETRONAS Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, PUTRAJAYA (New Super Administrative City for Malaysia, tallest twin towers in the world) and Universities (Energy Company - Tenaga National Berhad in Malaysia). 

I have been involved in the concept, design and project management of various Mega Turnkey EPC, EPIC, FIDIC, EPCC, EPCM, EPCIC projects and programmes. I then moved into academia having trained and delivered successful MSc, MA and MBA Programmes in 32 countries worldwide. I have trained and delivered advanced business and management courses for wide range of professionals from organisations such as BJ Services, Baker Hughes, Total, Oman Oil Company, NNPC, Sonatrach, ADCO, Sonangol, Marafiq, Qatar Petroleum, KNPC, and Kuwait Oil Company. 

Career highlights:

• GAC Director for PMI (Project Management Institute) GAC (Global Accreditation Council), policy-making body globally and internationally in all matters related to GAC Accreditation of academic programs in the field of Project, Program and Portfolio management .
• Project Management Standards Development with PMI (Project Management Institute). Appointed by PMI, US Standards to serve as a Core Committee member on the PMCDF- 3rd Ed (Project Management Competency Development Framework). This committee has been commissioned to develop and write content for Project Management Institute (PMI) Global Standard entitled Project Manager Competency Development Framework – Third Edition, published in March 2016.
• Served as Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the PMI's Construction Extension to PMBOK Guide update, published in Sept 2016
• Served as Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the PMI's PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge) Guide 6th Edition, published in Sept 2017
• Served as Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the PMI's Benefits Realization: A Practice Guide, 1st Edition, Due to be published in 3rd Quarter 2018
• Served as Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the PMI's Practice Standard for Work Breakdown Structures, 3rd Edition, Due to be published in 3rd Quarter 2019
• Served as Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the PMI's Practice Standard for Earned Value Management, 3rd Edition, Due to be published in 3rd Quarter 2019
• Project Management Institute (PMI) OSV (Onsite Team Member/Team Lead) to accredit and validate GAC's (Global Accreditation Centre) Project Management Education and Curriculum at various Universities world-wide
• External Examiner with various Universities (Russell Group and Post-92 Universities) and their partner institutions spanned globally in the past and currently
• Russell Group and Post-92 Universities Quality Assurance, Due Diligence and Compliance roles
• Internal and External Quality Assurance and Compliance events experience with various Universities and their TNE (Transnational Education) partners in UK (HE in FE), East Europe, Caribbean, North Africa, West Africa, South Africa, South America, Middle East, China, South Asia, South East Asia and Far East
• External Panel Member (Validation and Re-Validation QA (Quality Assurance)/Compliance Events, Curriculum Development, Programmes/Courses Modification Critical Review, Engagement and Consultations and Partnership Review experience including for WBL and Apprenticeship Provisions
• Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body QA/Compliance Events experience as Onsite Chair and Team Member
• Subject Matter Expert and Content Developer for Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body
• Teaching and Student's Learning Experience Awards:
  I have been nominated continuously for 'I Love My Lecturer Award' in acknowledgement for my outstanding contribution to excellence in teaching and student's learning experience at Robert Gordon University. This award is a student led teaching award recognising good teaching practices for 2011, 2012 and 2013. For 2013, I was awarded Certificate of Recognition for outstanding contribution to excellence in teaching and student's learning experience at Robert Gordon University. For 2021, I was nominated for Students Led Teaching Award for Personal Tutor and Students Experience.
  

Julia Fallon

PhD

I teach Project Leadership and Project Innovations on the MSc Project Management.

I am currently working with the University's Business Improvement Services (BIS) Unit to give students the opportunity to contribute to 'live' projects in Higher Education. Recent connections I have made with Welsh National Opera and Infineon Technologies are further opportunities for students to engage in project management activity outside of the classroom.

These connections with business build upon the work in developing Project Management study in Cardiff School of Management (CSM). Working closely with Mike Snelgrove and Eric Deeben (PMI), the Project Management Summer School was developed and in my role as Head of the MBA I was able to form partnerships with Hochschule Merseburg, Polytechnika Gdansk, Siberian Federal University and the University of Nicosia. These links have led to successful Project Management summer schools also running overseas where there have been close links with industry partners. Visits overseas on student field trips and attending the PMI exhibition at EDEXcel in London have been rewarding experiences offering insights into project management and access to information on project management developments worldwide.

My work overseas both for Cardiff Met and externally informs international examples in my teaching. I have worked in curriculum development and in the assessing of quality in Ireland, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam. I am currently a Visiting Professor at Assumption University, Bangkok, Thailand where I instruct doctoral students and supervise PhDs.

My research interests currently address governance in Project Management and a study is taking place in the Ionian Islands, Greece. I have recently led a short course in lean leadership for a collaborative partner college in Oman and engage in other CSM enterprise activities.

Mike Snelgrove

PRINCE2 Practitioner

I have spent 16 years in the software and computer services industries working in a range of project roles including product and project management. My project management contexts included banking, government and public utilities, delivering and maintaining a range of departmental, audit and back office systems. I have been teaching in higher education since 1997, focusing on strategic management, leadership and project management. I currently lead Cardiff Met's Project Management pathway on the highly successful and internationally franchised MBA programme and lead the Risk Management and 'Capstone' modules on the MSc Project Management.  I also lead the delivery of the Higher Apprenticeship in Project Management – the first in Wales.

I am co-Director of the International Network for Project Management – an association of Universities across Europe with the aim of developing project management benchmarks and standards and delivering high quality project management education in a truly international classroom. To this end, the network runs a successful annual International Project Management Summer School hosted at a different international partner institution each year and attracting postgraduate students from across the world.

I have a particular interest in engaging with industry to develop project and strategic management expertise and to better inform the student experience, and have worked with companies on consultancy and Knowledge Transfer projects; including Atkins, Cardiff Airport and Compass. My research interests currently focus on Project Management Governance and I am currently working on papers in collaboration with Atkins and with colleagues on the governance of tourism development projects in Corfu.

Mike has developed strong links with the PMI – the world's largest project management professional organisation – and led the successful bid for Cardiff Met to become a Registered Education Provider – Global Provider.

For general enquiries please contact the Admissions Team on 029 2041 6044 or email directapplications@cardiffmet.ac.uk

For course specific enquiries, please contact the Programme Director, Langes Supramaniam:
Email: lsupramaniam@cardiffmet.ac.uk