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Project Planning and Management

MSc

Duration
Start date
Location

Suitable for applications.

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.

Placement Year

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.

Teaching, 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.

Fees, finance and scholarships

Tuition fee 2025

  • Home: £8,136
  • International: £21,490

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.

Postgraduate Master's Loan

If you live in England you may be able to apply for a special Government-funded Master's Loan to help pay your tuition fees and living costs.
You don't have to pay the loan back until you're earning a certain amount of money.

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.

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.

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.

Terms and conditions of study

The University has a set of terms and conditions for all students accepting an offer to study on a course here at Bradford. This is called The Student Contract. This document sets out the Terms and Conditions which apply when you accept an offer of a place on a programme of study at the University of Bradford.

View our Student Contract for further details.

Transparency statement

Information about this programme and its modules has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publication, but changes may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of teaching. Any change which impacts the terms and conditions of an applicant’s offer will be communicated to them.