Queen's University Belfast

Construction & Project Management with Industrial Internship

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; eg construction economics and finance, strategic management, information systems, construction law, international construction markets and competitive advantage.

Develop critical and analytical problem-solving skills across a broad range of subjects and transferable skills that relate to literacy, numeracy, computing, teamwork, group work, and personal presentations and interactions to prepare graduates for more general employment.

Construction and Project Management with Industrial Internship highlights
Please note: Applications for this course, received after 30th June may not be accepted. A deposit will be required to secure a place.

Professional Accreditations
•MSc (Technical and non-technical) This degree is accredited as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired a partial CEng accredited undergraduate first degree. See www.jbm.org.uk for further information. The degree has been accredited by the following: The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).

Entry requirements

Entrance requirements
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.

International Students
For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements
Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years.

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.
•Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
•Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

Duration

2 years full-time.

Teaching Times
Semesters 1-2: Mon and Tues, 12 weeks/semester, lectures 1.00-7.30pm. Will include team-working for coursework preparation outside of lecture times; and may involve optional self-funded UK/International Study Tours.

Careers or further progression

Career Prospects
Introduction
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.

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.
http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/

Further enquiries

Mr Ron Coates 
Senior Lecturer (Education)
SNBE
Email: r.coates@qub.ac.uk

Subjects taught

Course Details
Construction Economics and Facilities Management
Construction Law: Contract Law, Tort and Evidence, Dispute Resolution
Design Co-ordination
Procurement and Contract Administration
Project Management, Planning and Control
Research Methods for Managers
Strategic Management and International Construction
Individual Research Project (Dissertation)

For full-time students the final four months of the programme (Semester 3) will be dedicated to an individual research project. Part-time students may arrange their programme, subject to timetabling and arrangement with the Programme Co-ordinator. Students matriculating from the joint programme with other universities will be granted programme credit for four modules taken at that university.

MSc with Industrial Internship
Students on the Construction and Project Management with Industrial Internship programme will undertake a second year of study on an Industrial Internship with a construction employer.

The University does not organise or provide Industrial Internships. It is the student's responsibility to arrange their own Industrial Internship (anywhere internationally) that can be approved by the University in line with agreed Health, Safety and Welfare requirements and with specifically approved induction criteria.

See also the University requirements for supervisors/mentors (Details in Assessment, below). Please note that only those who achieve an average of 55 per cent in Year 1/Semester 1 taught modules will be allowed to progress into the Year 2 Internship. Students who do not meet this criterion will complete the one-year MSc in Construction and Project Management.

Assessment method

Assessment is carried out in January (CIV 7069, Research Methods for Managers) and in May (all other taught modules).

Overall ratio of coursework to unseen examinations is 50:50

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

PG Diploma students who achieve, at the first attempt, an MSc standard of performance in coursework and examinations, will be invited by the Board of Examiners to transfer to the MSc pathway.

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.

MSc with Industrial Internship students will maintain regular monthly contact with their University academic supervisor. Students will also have a supervisor/mentor appointed by their Internship provider and approved by the University. Progress milestones will be agreed ahead of the Internship with supervisors/mentors who will send regular progress reports to the University academic supervisor. Students submit an interim report half-way through and then a final report at the end of the Internship. They also prepare and deliver a 30-minute presentation, which will include a question and answer session. Where students successfully complete their Industrial Internship, having met the assessment requirements, they will be entitled to graduate with the MSc in Construction and Project Management with Industrial Internship.

Where students fail to meet the assessment criteria for their Internship, but have otherwise fulfilled all other requirements for the one-year MSc programme, they may still graduate with the MSc.