Construction & Project Management Higher Level Apprenticeship

Overview
These programmes have been designed to:
- Develop the intellectual, practical and professional skills of the learner in the critical acquisition, analysis, interpretation and understanding of the management of construction projects and organisations.

- Apply appropriate theoretical and practical management methods in the analysis and solution of design, engineering and construction problems.

- Develop a holistic approach to the planning, monitoring and control of construction projects by integrating the technical knowledge of design, engineering and construction with financial, legal, IT, commercial leadership and managerial skills of business administration in the management of simple to complex projects through their various stages from inception, feasibility, strategy, design, construction, commissioning and into maintenance; and in construction organisations; e.g. construction economics and finance, strategic management, information systems, construction law, international construction markets and competitive advantage.

The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2023/24). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.

Year 1
Core Modules
Project Planning for Sustainability (20 credits)
Procurement, Contract Administration and Law (20 credits)
Research Methods for Managers (10 credits)
Organisations, People and Leadership (10 credits)
Project Management, Planning and Control (20 credits)
Construction Economics and Construction Finance (20 credits)
Dissertation (60 credits)

Optional Modules
Building Information Modelling in Practice (10 credits)
Construction Law 2 (10 credits)
Facilities Management / Asset Management (10 credits)
Emerging Digital Technology 1 (10 credits)

Graduate
Normally a 2.2 Honours degree or above in a relevant Science, Engineering, Architecture, Management or Social Science discipline, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.

Applicants who do not meet the above academic requirements but hold a relevant professional qualification and can demonstrate appropriate experience, will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The University's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy provides guidance on the assessment of experiential learning (RPEL). Please visit http://go.qub.ac.uk/RPLpolicy for more information.

Students wishing to apply for this Higher-Level Apprenticeship should also upload their CV and a letter of support from their employer (combined in one file). The employer’s letter of support must state that the employer supports their application, that they are prepared to release them from work for one day per week to attend the course, and that, if they are an existing employee, they need this qualification for a new role. The new role can be a change of title/role within the company.

This Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) is fully funded by the DfE therefore it is not open to international applicants. Further information on eligibility criteria for Higher Level Apprenticeships can be found at https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/higher-level-apprenticeships

The deadline for applications is normally 30th June 2024. However, we encourage applicants to apply as early as possible. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal earlier than 30th June deadline. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.

Please note this course is subject to renewal of funding by the Department for the Economy and applicants must be working for a company with a base in Northern Ireland.

Assessment

Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:

Assessment for module CIV7069 is carried out in January with all remaining taught modules assessed in May.

All taught modules are assessed on submitted individual written coursework and in some instances on group written coursework. Group coursework will also include group presentations to a judging panel. Individual coursework may, where required, be further presented at a panel Q&A session.

Written dissertation/thesis is submitted and assessed at the end of September for all full-time MSc Students.

MSc students who have achieved a minimum of 50 per cent in the compulsory modules and an average of 50 per cent or above overall in the taught programme, are required to undertake an individual research project and submit a dissertation in September. This dissertation must be passed at 50 per cent for the award of the MSc.

Students who achieve an overall average for their taught modules and dissertation in the range 60 per cent to 69 per cent will be awarded a Commendation. Students who achieve an average of 65 per cent or above in the taught programme and 70 per cent or more for the dissertation, with an overall average of 70 per cent or more, will be awarded a Distinction.

3 years (Part Time)

Entry Year: 2024/25

Career Prospects
There are excellent career opportunities for our graduates as project managers, contract managers, design managers, project architects, project engineers, planners, etc., within project management consultants, construction companies, property developers and government agencies, amongst others.
Graduates are also well prepared for PhD research, which may lead to careers in research establishments and universities.

Many Higher Level Apprentices take this course to aid their career progression. This course will equip you with the management skills you will need to advance your career to the next level.

Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes alongside sterling integration with business experts helps our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally.

Employment after the Course
Where could you be in five years time?
You could be anywhere in the world as a project manager with any of the major design, project management or construction consultants.

Countries such as India, China, Canada and the GCC countries are investing heavily in their infrastructure – with trillions of dollars of investment planned over the next few years - and they need project managers like you to make it happen. http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/