Construction Management

​The construction industry is evolving dramatically in terms of how complex projects are planned, procured, financed and delivered. Competent construction managers are in high demand and must be at the forefront of this change. This course will develop the core competencies required for you to take a lead in the delivery of built assets that will help shape future resilient, healthy and sustainable communities. You will explore a range of topical issues centred around the core themes of project, financial and dispute management; construction procurement; organisation and leadership; legal studies; and built asset management.



Ranked 5th in the UK for courses related to ‘Building’ (The Sunday Times, 2019; Complete University Guide 2020) and with 100% of our built environment-linked impact and research ranked as world leading and internationally excellent (REF 2014), Ulster University is one of the top choices for studying construction management. Your studies will be centred around challenging real-life case studies and delivered by academic staff with considerable hands on experience and prominent guest lectures from industry. The course is practically focussed, overseen by a panel of experts from leading construction companies and is aimed wholly at boosting your managerial-level career prospects.



This course is suitable for both recent graduates and working professionals from a range of fields including architecture, building, engineering, quantity surveying, structural engineering, facilities maintenance and town planning.



In conventional part-time study mode (i.e. commencing in September), you will complete all modules within three academic years to graduate with an MSc degree. This will include:



Years 1 and 2: Two taught modules in both Semesters 1 (Sep-Jan) and 2 (Jan-May)

Year 3: Dissertation module in Semesters 1-2 (Sep-May).

Alternatively, you can graduate with a Postgraduate Diploma (eight taught modules across both Years 1 and 2) or a Postgraduate Certificate (four taught modules in Year 1).



In Years 1 and 2, attendance in semesters 1 and 2 will be predominantly classroom-based, with teaching for each module being delivered on a weekly basis.



In addition to timetabled classroom sessions, sufficient time will be provided each week for self-directed study and to undertake assignments and coursework.



In Year 3, attendance will be more flexible, typically involving regular scheduled meetings with your assigned supervisor to discuss progress with your individual dissertation project.



Work placement / study abroad

There is no formal opportunity for work placement or study abroad when studying in full-time mode.



If more appropriate, you can complete the course in part-time study mode over a three-year period; an approach enabling a more flexible combination of work and study.



Professional recognition

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

Accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) for the purpose of graduate membership.

Year one

• Built Asset Management

• Infrastructure finance and investment

• Organisation and Management: Thinking Differently

• Procurement of Infrastructure and Major Projects

• Construction Legal Studies

• Project Management

• Project Leadership for Construction Professionals

• Research Design and Dissertation

• Contract Communication and Dispute Management

Applicants must hold a degree or equivalent, or demonstrate their ability to undertake the course through the accreditation of prior experiential learning. The specific requirements for admission are detailed below:



Applicants should normally possess:

An Honours or non-Honours degree in an appropriate science, engineering or built environment discipline from a recognised educational institution from a University of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, from the Council for National Academic Awards, the National Council for Educational Awards, the Higher Education and Training Awards Council, or from an institution of another country which is recognised as being of an equivalent standard.



or



an equivalent standard in a Postgraduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate in an appropriate science, engineering or built environment discipline from a recognised educational institution or an approved alternative qualification



and



satisfy the University’s general entry requirements including evidence of the required level of numeracy (GCSE grade C or equivalent);



Please note that for purposes of entry to this course the Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills - Application of Number is NOT regarded as an acceptable alternative to GCSE Maths.



Exceptionally, we will admit students with non-construction related qualifications provided they have significant industry / professional experience.



In exceptional circumstances, where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of the graduate qualities (including subject-specific outcomes, specified by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route. Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for an exemption against modules within the programme.



English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.



Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

Start dates:

September 2025

January 2026

Career options

Our graduates find employment locally, nationally and internationally with construction, consulting and client organisations.



In addition to the UK and Ireland, alumini of the course are working as far afield as Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, China, Australia, New Zealand, Butan, Nepal, India, Pakistan, the Caribbean, Mexico, Guatemala, Venezuela, Peru, Israel, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Nigeria, Botswana, Kenya, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Estonia, Azerbaijan, Canada and the United States of America.



Others have opted to pursue a research path and have successfully obtained doctorates before embarking on an academic career.