Facilities & Workplace Management - Blended Learning

Course Details
Delivered through blended learning, you can work full-time and study this MSc in Facilities and Workplace Management. This MSc in Facilities Management builds upon your knowledge and experience from undergraduate studies/ experiential learning in the workplace and sets out to develop the critical and practical skills which can be applied in the practice of facilities and operational management in a highly competitive global market place.

Overview
The field of Facilities Management is fast becoming a source of strategic management for organisations as the sector grows rapidly in the global market. This MSc Facilities Management sets out to develop the critical and practical skills which can be applied in the practice of facilities and operational management in a highly competitive global market place. This Masters programme builds upon the knowledge gained from undergraduate studies and/or experiential learning in the workplace.

This Masters degree is designed to offer a level 9 qualification for those coming from a broad spectrum of degree programmes, such as business, finance and engineering. The blended learning delivery mode is a flexible study option for those seeking to fit learning around work and family. There is access to extensive learning resources and support materials through our virtual learning environment that enables students to choose the time and place most suited for them to study. Assignments are practical and work-based culminating in a research project in semester 3. This project provides an opportunity to explore a situation or issue highly relevant to your organisation's operational or future strategic needs.

Cultivating strategic thinking is a core theme and the programme is taught from this perspective. Tutors are experienced industry leaders, ensuring the relevance of the content to the FM sector. Graduates can immediately implement their learning and make a positive impact to the success of their working environment. This MSc programme will benefit your personal development as well as your professional career putting you in a strong position for career progression in this sector.

Why should I study this course?
This course has been specifically re-designed for delivery by online learning with live interactive webinar sessions. It is very suited to you if you have a busy work and home life and want to fit study around this. During the induction, you will be given your log-in details to the online portal, "ePortobello". Here you will find course notes, reading lists, articles of interest and assessment guidelines. The content is structured in an easy to "find and follow" format. You will need basic computer skills such as searching the internet and typing a word document.

There is one to one tutor support available to you during your learning journey. You can upload your assessments and your support tutor will give you feedback on whether you are on the right track. Online learning allows you to study at your time with support available when you need it. Integrated throughout the programme are webinars, designed to give you the connection between theory and practice in facilities management.

What will I study during this MSc in Facilities & Workplace Management – Starts October '22 course?
You will further develop skills such as critically analysing and problem solving in the context of strategic decision making. Practical industry insights and presentations ensure that students relate theory to real-life work scenarios. This MSc degree programme is designed to encourage student interaction and contribution by developing their ability to work independently, in proposing and developing solutions to problems in a systematic and effective manner, and in communicating confidently and clearly both in writing and verbally.

Course Structure
This programme has been specifically developed for professional facilities managers seeking to balance study with home life and a busy career. The modules and work load is designed to be achievable with considerable support available from expert industry experienced tutors.

Many senior FMs undertake this programme and it is the peer to peer learning and support they enjoy the most – this is actively promoted so you build your network as well as your knowledge during this programme.

Seven modules over 3 semesters
This is an online with webinars course delivered over 12 months with supported webinars held during scheduled Saturdays – schedule TBC. This level 9 Masters programme consists of seven modules delivered over three academic semesters.

Each semester is 4 months in duration. You will complete three modules in semester one, three in semester two and during your final semester you will complete your industry capstone project.

Interactive webinars
Each semester has 3 * 1 day webinars designed to support the student complete the module, assessments and engage in live case studies with our experienced industry professional tutors. Webinars are held on a Saturday from 10am to 4pm.
Attendance at webinars is not mandatory but is encouraged for optimal learning outcomes.

Induction webinar
There is an induction webinar held at the start of the course. This is usually held on an evening before the first module. The Induction webinar is delivered with the purpose of introducing the module tutor, setting out the learning outcomes, content, the assessment strategy and expectations for skills/knowledge development for the programme.

Elearning portal
All of the course material is held on an e-learning portal which is an easy to use online platform specifically designed for online learning programmes. During the induction, students will be introduced to the platform with practical demonstration of how to use the portal and access lessons quickly and easily. To complete this course, students must have a basic knowledge of using a computer and searching the internet for research purposes.

Expert tutor support
The tutorial webinars held at the start and throughout each module introduce you to your tutor who will guide and support you throughout the module. These seminars lay out the module for you and support you to learn and acquire the skills you will need. The assessment and expectations for successful completion are covered in detail.

One to one support
Many of our past graduates have found it is the opportunity to ask a simple question, seek direction and submit a draft of their assessment that supported them most to successful completion. You can email your tutor at any stage during the module to ask a simple query or submit a draft of your assessment. Our programme management team are always available to offer you telephone and email support and if you need to, you can arrange to meet them for further one to one guidance.

This level of one to one support is a particular benefit to choosing this mode of study. Portobello Institute has invested in a team of programme managers and tutors who are experienced in the field of facilities management as well as qualified and knowledgeable educators. They are available to assist you at every stage of this programme.

Broaden your professional network
Many graduates tell us they learn as much from each other as they do from tutors. Attending the webinars is key to meeting fellow students, engaging in discussion and exchanging ideas about facilities management. Meeting fellow students gives you the opportunity to create your study network for the duration of your learning journey. This network can prove extremely useful afterwards during your professional career.

Year 1
• Project Management in the Workplace
Current market dynamism and the companies that drive it give rise to an increasing need to manage multiple workplace projects. Facilities Management department are often appointed with the delivery of significant, upgrade and capital, projects for their organisations. Projects which range from commissioning, relocating staff to new premises, implementing new working methods or introducing CSR programmes. To achieve success the Facilities Management team needs to apply a structured approach appropriate to the scale of the task. As a result, at the Management level it is always crucial to know the status of a company's projects, the scope of the projects the company is considering carrying out and the results of the projects that have been completed. The core skills required include defining the project goals, setting the budget and schedule, scope, quality, identifying any risks associated with the project and responding to challenges which unfold throughout the duration of the project and ensuring timely completion. Increasingly managers at all levels of an organisation are required to manage projects, temporary endeavors undertaken to create a unique product or service.

• Strategic Facilities Management
Strategy is a crucial subject, concerned with the development, success and failure of all kinds of organisations, from multinationals to entrepreneurial start-ups, from charities to government agencies, and many others. Accordingly, strategy constitutes a key element of all professional business and management qualifications. This module develops conceptual skills through critical analysis of key theories, concepts, and frameworks of strategic management in the context of Facilities Management, aspiring managers and leaders with the knowledge, skills and techniques required to Emphasis is placed on critical discussion and analysis using contemporary organisations within changing environments nationally and globally. In addition, students will utilise award winning studies to formulate, evaluate strategic direction; and to plan for the effective implementation of the strategy selected.

• Fundamentals of CSR and Sustainability
The field of corporate social responsibility has practically transformed our world and reoriented the way organisations conduct and perceive their operational activities. Corporate managers, including facilities and those who represent organisations are always expected to behave ethically. Modern societies now expect that solutions to our social and environmental problems cannot only be the prerogative of nation governments, businesses of the 21st century have a lot to contribute when finding solutions to these problems.

The demands modern stakeholders put before organisations have continued to increase; tomorrow's managers need to know how to meet these demands. Some scholars have in fact argued that corporate social responsibility has drawn our attention to some of the excesses which globalisation has brought unto the corporate scene in the 21st century.

We have seen some unacceptable practices which have accompanied globalisation and consequently made the job of CSR and what it advocates much more difficult. Many things have been made a lot more challenging for everyone because of this. We cannot ignore the adverse impacts of these excesses. There are several unacceptable practices in the form of injustices and human rights abuses, extreme poverty in several nation states both emerging and even some advanced nations, environmental degradation, some irresponsible and reckless practices by some corporate leaders and terrorism on a very large scale. In recent years, several social, economic and environmental problems have continued to cause concern to us all, for example; climate change, waste management and irresponsible use of our depletable resources just to mention a few.

• Financial Management and Environmental Economics
In recent years facility managers have shown as increasing interest in 'Performance-Based Contracting' (PBC) and its related concepts 'Performance-Based Financing' (PBF) and 'Performance-Based Maintenance Contract (PBMC). Such concepts area form of contracting that explicitly includes a clear definition of a series of objectives and indicators by which to measure contractor performance, collection of data on the performance indicators, and consequences for the contractor based on performance such as provision of rewards (such as performance bonuses or public recognition) or imposition of sanctions (such as termination of the contract or public criticism).

With the role of the facility manager evolving over the past decade it has become increasingly important for all facilities mangers to have developed an in-depth knowledge, and advanced skills and competencies in the areas of economics, finance, and accounting to contribute to overall business performance.

• Management Learning and Research
An MSc in Facilities Management has a significant role to play in developing its learners as responsible and evidence informed management practitioners. This module challenges the criticism often levied at business research and the teaching of research methods by adopting a learning-centred, reflective and integrated approach. This will support each learners' understanding of research-informed practice and research methods. It will prepare them to undertake and to communicate a business research project which links context with management theory, evidence and practice. It will provide a firm foundation in the philosophical and practical factors that characterise business research, the opportunity to critically analyse and evaluate recent research studies and support the development of a research proposal. In this way it will support the development of the research-related management knowledge and skills necessary for professional development and the decision-making processes appropriate to management practitioners.

The Management Learning and Research module anticipates that responsible management learning for dynamic and complex environments involves the whole person in taking professional and personal responsibility for making and implementing justifiable decisions. By adopting a learning-centred approach, learners are introduced to the choices and judgments that have to be made in crafting, executing and evaluating research which provides the essential link between theory and business practice. The module is intended to prepare learners to critically read and evaluate research within their chosen field of study and then to design a research proposal for their business research project.

• Strategic Operations Management in Facilities Management
Organisations now recognise the importance of adequately managed building assets to enabling organisations to function efficiently and effectively, and to add value to the organisation's core business activities. Facilities Management has developed into a core discipline within the organisation and is a sector which continues to grow exponentially. The scope of services provided by the Facilities Management department has become more complex it is essential for management to acknowledge the role of Facilities Management in the organisation's strategic operations. The Facilities Management Strategic Operations module plays a significant role in ensuring learners are well informed and evidence-based facility management practitioners.

This module questions the many facility and operations management theories and practices in circulation while developing the learners understanding through interaction, research and study using a learning debate centred, reflective, integrated approach. The module will prepare learners for real world practice through case study theory and to undertake and to communicate tasks and assignments linking theory, research, analysis, evaluation, evidence and practice. It will provide a firm foundation in the philosophical and practical factors that characterise facilities and operations management research, fundamental concepts, ideas, practices and methodologies.

• Industry Capstone Project
This module is about taking an evidenced-based approach to solve Facilities Management problems. Learners will build upon and apply their business research skills and knowledge to analyse, formulate, and implement Facilities Management strategies. In addition, this module extends the student's experience in problem solving, communication, teamwork, project management and interaction with industry. This module provides learners with the opportunity to focus all of their learning into one bloc.

Entry is by direct application to Portobello Institute.
There are entry criteria available to students with differing qualifications/experience levels and these are detailed below.

Students seeking to enter using previous educational qualifications must hold one of the following qualifications:
• BSc (Hons) Facilities Management
• BIFM/IWFM Level 6
• Other Level 8 Degree holders with relevant experience in FM

Entry using Experiential Learning
Students may apply for entry to the MSc Facilities & Workplace Management using experience gained in the workplace in place of prior educational qualifications if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Applications are reviewed on a case by case basis with senior practical management knowledge a key criterion for entry via this route. Students will be advised of the best path of study for success, this may include an option of advanced entry on to the BSc (Hons) Facilities & Workplace Management

Our experienced course adviser team are available to support you with your programme choice. If you are unsure if this programme is right for you, please email your cv to brandon.mclean@portobelloinstitute.ie for further advice or call him on 01-8920035. We will support you to map your experience to date and any previous educational experience you may have to the FM programmes so that you can select the course best suited to your career ambition and educational experience.

Applicants who do not meet the criteria, maybe eligible for advanced entry into the BSc (Hons) Facilities & Workplace Management. This programme is available through Portobello Institute.

Students will be registered as an postgraduate degree student with London Metropolitan University.

Please note places on this course are only confirmed once tuition fees have been received. Early Application is advised.

https://portobelloinstitute.com/account-details/

Step 1
Complete the online booking form.

Apply Now
Step 2
Applicants will be contacted for confirmation/evidence of meeting the entry criteria and year of entry will be confirmed.

Step 3
Confirmation of a place will be given to applicants immediately meeting the criteria.

Applicants who do not meet the criteria, maybe eligible for advanced entry into the BSc (Hons) Facilities & Workplace Management. This programme is available through Portobello Institute.

Students will be registered as an postgraduate degree student with London Metropolitan University.

Please note places on this course are only confirmed once tuition fees have been received. Early Application is advised.

3 academic semesters.

Semester 1 runs from 01/10/22 – 21/01/23.

Semester 2 runs from 04/02/23 – 20/05/23.

Tutorial webinar/seminar held on allocated Saturdays, 10am – 4pm.

Webinars are recorded so you may review at a later stage if you are unable to attend the live sessions.

Dates are subject to change.

Semester 3 encompasses the Capstone Project and runs from 03/06/23 – 26/08/23

During this semester, you will work with your supervisor to complete a work-based project. Individual tutorials are generally held at times convenient to both.

Career prospects
MSc Degree holders in the Facilities Management sector are at the very top of the industry. They enjoy a greater work-life balance and are first in line for promotions and new opportunities ahead of those with less prestigious qualifications.

Our graduates are able to work more efficiently, which leads to becoming a more effective employee with more flexibility to enjoy life away from work.