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  4. Project Planning and Management MSc

Project Planning and Management

MSc



2023 - 2024

Duration

Start date

Location

Suitable for applications.

Book a place on our Open Day

The September 2023 intake of this course is now closed to international applicants. Home applicants can still apply. January 2024 remains open for international and home applicants.

Overview

This course builds knowledge and skills in the planning and management of development projects and programmes. It is designed to deepen critical understanding of the strategies, processes, techniques and issues involved in taking ideas for development and turning them into practical realities with identifiable outcomes and benefits.

The degree provides an excellent basis for career enhancement or conversion for those with interest and experience in projects for development. The focus of the course is on development projects in the public or third (voluntary or community) sectors, but the underlying principles are applicable to all types of project, including those for commercial benefit.

On completion of your course, you will be able to understand and examine critically:

  • The discipline of project and programme management, within an overall appreciation of the nature and purpose of projects
  • The principles and practice of project planning, design, preparation, and appraisal techniques for projects in a development context
  • The theory and practice of management skills for project and programme management, focusing particularly on 'hard' and 'soft' skills for successful project implementation

Professional bodies relations

Once registered on the MSc in Project Planning and Management, you will be eligible for the student membership on Association of Project Management. You will be supported to create links to professional bodies in project management as well as the industry experts through industry related events, guest speakers, panel discussions, and residential days.

The project management academic team in Bradford consists of full members of professional bodies, elected members of SIG committees, as well as accreditation assessors and provide academic support throughout your study.

Entry requirements

A typical application would include a minimum 2:2 Honours degree or equivalent. However the University welcomes applications from all potential students regardless of their previous academic experience; offers are made following detailed consideration of each individual application.

English language requirements

IELTS at 6.0 or the equivalent.

If you do not meet the IELTS requirement, you can take a University of Bradford pre-sessional English course. See the Language Centre for more details. For further information on English Language requirements please see the dedicated international entry requirements page.

What you will study

All module information is for 2022 entry, and is subject to change.

Placement

You can choose to include an internship as part of your course, in which case you will study over 15 months rather than a year. To do this, you should initially register for the one-year programme and then transfer to the 15 month programme when you have secured a placement, any time up until the middle of Semester 2.

The internship / placement further enhances the development of professional experience and practical skills during your Masters programme, integrating practitioner community engagement with your academic studies.

This element is student-centred and student-led, and therefore the initiative for identifying and applying for internships is driven by you. Academic staff can facilitate and support the identification of suitable opportunities with leads and suggestions, help with the writing of applications, and provide supporting letters of reference. They provide customised preparatory training before, and mentoring support during, the placement or internship.

The internship / placement can be taken with an organisation anywhere in the world. You'll need to detail your proposed activities and receive approval before the opportunity is finalised.

Once the internship / placement is complete you'll return to the programme, submit a completion report summarising key learning points, and then undertake your Masters dissertation. Students often use their placement period and experience to inform and shape their dissertation.

Learning and assessment

The course will introduce you to various approaches to project management methodologies such as Waterfall, PRINCE2 (TM), Agile, etc. We also provide familiarisation with Microsoft Project software for project management.

This MSc provides you with knowledge and skills for successful project design, implementation and management. It provides you with the knowledge base on which to develop your professional skills and recognition in the field of project management.

All BCID students are able to choose an optional placement module, and will be supported by Division staff to find an appropriate placement.

Official programme specification

Fees, finance and scholarships

Tuition fee 2023

  • Home (UK): £7,744 per year
  • International: £19,494 per year

Additional costs

There may be additional costs that you may incur as a student. Though these are not essential to your programme of study you need to be aware of them as a student of the University. A list of the sort of costs you might expect can be found on our fees and finance section.

Financial support

See our fees and financial support section.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our scholarships section.

Peace Studies and International Development Scholarship

In the run up to celebrating in 2023, the Golden Jubilee of the founding of the UK's first Peace Studies Department at the University of Bradford, we are offering scholarships that will benefit both international and home postgraduate applicants that enrol on our Peace Studies and International Development programmes.

  • All international students will be awarded a £5000 scholarship as a fee reduction
  • All home students will be awarded a £2000 scholarship as a fee reduction

These scholarships are automatically processed and no separate application is required.

Peace Studies and International Development Scholarship

Career support

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.

Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programmes there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.

Career prospects

Many BCID postgraduates have experience in development and related areas of the public, private and voluntary sectors. This degree course provides the skills and knowledge required to become a development professional.

This is the current course information. Modules and course details may change, subject to the University's programme approval, monitoring and review procedures. The University reserves the right to alter or withdraw courses, services and facilities as described on our website without notice and to amend Ordinances, Regulations, fees and charges at any time. Students should enquire as to the up-to-date position when applying for their course of study.