Management - Project Management

Overview
Project Management is one of the most sought-after skillsets across all business areas, industries and organisations worldwide as most types of change are accomplished through projects.

The MSc in Project Management is custom-designed to foster well-rounded, skilled graduates with the ability to think critically, plan strategically and implement projects effectively. The programme provides students with the knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to plan, develop and execute projects to achieve specific objectives within given time and cost constraints, and will make you highly attractive in the global market.

This programme advances key qualities such as leadership, negotiation, decision-making and stakeholder management. Students develop cutting-edge, practical skills through two company projects in the for-profit and non-profit sectors and learn about the latest developments in project management, such as AGILE, sustainability, and project finance. Use of artificial intelligence tools is actively explored, taught and encouraged in this programme, supported by the Programme Director who has authored 2 books on AI in Education.

This Full-Time Masters is suitable for students from all academic backgrounds, so is ideal for those new to project management.

This Masters is also offered in a 2-year part-time online format and is intended for professionals with relevant work experience wishing to progress in their career.

What will I learn?
The MSc in Project Management develops students’ practical and conceptual knowledge of the activities and techniques required for the management of projects and project-based organizations. During the programme students apply these in both commercial and non-profit projects giving them real experience to bring to the market after college. Application and practice of skills is a key element of this programme. You gain:

1. An understanding of the activities, skills, techniques, and best practices required for the effective planning, organisation, and execution of projects in a wide range of organisations and industries.

2. Consolidation of any prior project management knowledge and skills and valuable, market-relevant experience via two company projects in the profit and non-profit sectors.

3. The ability to manage the environmental, sustainable and social aspects of the life cycle of a project's resources, processes, and objectives in addition to economic aspects.

How will I benefit?
1. A balance of practice and theory within the MSc in Project Management makes it a highly attractive option for students looking to boost their recruitment opportunities after graduation.

2. The programme delivers cutting-edge knowledge facilitated by globally experienced project managers, leading academics as well as external industry speakers. You will also experience the reality of the management of projects in a broad range of organisational and industry contexts.

3. You develop the ability to make effective decisions in project planning, organising, executing, and reporting using a broad and flexible toolkit of up-to-date techniques.

4. You apply this knowledge, mastering the strategic, organisational, and human issues involved in managing projects before the completion of the course via two applied projects working with real company and charity issues.

5. Graduates secure sought-after job opportunities as project managers and business consultants in a range of prestigious companies, including Accenture, Bank of Ireland, Deloitte, PwC and Salesforce.

Curriculum
The curriculum is built around a theoretical and practical grounding in management of projects and is taught via a cluster of core modules and a Capstone project.

Autumn Trimester:
Management of Projects & Change
Strategic Management of Projects
Leading Project Teams

Spring Trimester
Company Project
Governance and Stakeholder Management
Decision Making & Negotiations in Projects

Summer Trimester
Hot Topics in Project Management
Capstone Project

Please be advised that the above reflects the 2023/2024 curriculum structure and is subject to change each year. Option modules listed are indicative of what has been delivered in previous years and are also subject to change.

Please review the entry requirements below. The UCD Smurfit Admissions Office staff have expertise in reviewing international qualifications from around the world and will be able to assess your application's comparability to the Irish entry requirement.

Entry Requirements
A minimum second-class honours degree (or equivalent) in in Business / Commerce, Computer Science, Engineering, Social Science, Economics, Science, Physics, Architecture or a related discipline

or

A primary degree (or equivalent) with a minimum of three years’ relevant business work experience.

English Language requirement
If English is not your first language, an english language qualification is required for admission to all of our programmes. the exception to this rule is if you have completed your primary degree or an entire third level qualification through english, in an english speaking country.

Visa Requirements
Some students might have to get a student visa in order to come and study in Ireland. Please check the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Services website to see if you require a visa.

The Smurfit Admissions Department comprises a dedicated team who are available to answer any questions you might have in relation to the wide range of Business Masters programmes. If you would like to find out more about our programmes or the application process, then please don't hesitate to contact us.

How To Apply
STEP 1: Collating Documentation
The first step is to collate the required documentation needed to assess your application. Please ensure that you have clearly scanned, titled and collated your documents in numerical order.

These can include but are not limited to:
TRANSCRIPTS
CV
ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEST
REFERENCES
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION

Step 2: The Application Process
Once you have collated the required documentation and reviewed the entry requirements for your programme of interest, you can now apply online.

Apply Online
You must apply online using our dedicated student information portal. You will be required to enter contact details, upload your documents and answer two essay questions (each approximately 300 words). We would ask that you seriously consider both essays and answer these in the context of the programme you are applying to. Try to not replicate your CV and demonstrate what makes you different from other applicants. There are no right or wrong ways to complete these essays.

Application Deadlines:
Applications are assessed on a rolling basis and courses will close once they are filled. We advise you to apply as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Please note certain scholarships may require you to apply before a certain date – please refer to our scholarship page here. If you have any questions in relation to deadlines or availability please email smurfit.admissions@ucd.ie.

Application Fee
You will then be asked to submit your application and pay the €60 application fee. No application can be assessed until the fee has been paid. You can apply for multiple programmes with the one application fee, but please be sure to mark your preferred course.

Application Review
Once submitted, it usually takes 2-3 weeks before a decision is made on fully completed applications. This time period can sometimes be longer and can vary at different times in the year and in different regions. We may offer you a conditional place based on the completion of a number of criteria, such as degree, English test, or another qualification. This reserves you a place on the course and once you have fulfilled this criteria we will issue you a full offer.

Deposit
Acceptance is completed by paying a non-refundable deposit (varies from either €500 or €1000 depending on the programme. Most of our programmes require a €500 deposit). Your offer email will detail the exact deposit amount required. Once you have accepted you will then be supported by the Programme Office who will contact you with further course and start details.

12 months full-time or 24 months part-time.

Fees Full-Time EU:

Fees Full-Time EU:
€14,460 (academic year 2020/2021)

Full-Time Non-EU:
€19,900 (academic year 2020/2021)

Important Note: Tuition fees and other charges are subject to change each year.

NEXT INTAKE: September 2024.

Career opportunities
As a graduate of the MSc in Project Management, you will be equipped to manage projects in a variety of areas, such as business change, as well as new products, facilities, and technology.

93% of our graduates from this programme were employed after 6 months across a range of industry sectors. Source: Latest Graduate Outcomes Survey, published December 2022.

Potential careers for our graduates include:
Project Manager
Business Consultant
Project Engineer
Client & Industries Analyst
PMO Lead