Project Management MSc

Course Content

• Course Details

  The University of Northampton’s Project Management Master’s Degree is designed to address the growing complexity of projects and incorporates key tools and techniques. You’ll gain an understanding of the core competencies required to drive a successful conclusion, as well as an appreciation of using a more holistic, international and ethical stakeholder project management approach.

  When you choose to study MSc Project Management at the University of Northampton, you will benefit from the teaching of supportive and dedicated teaching staff with real industry experience. You will receive support and be prepared for highly-regarded professional project management qualifications in PRINCE2 Foundation, PRINCE2 Practitioner and Agile Project Management Foundation.

  This course explores project management through a series of progressive modules, developing your knowledge from the fundamentals, through to modules addressing risk, resilience and contingency planning. You will also explore key issues facing project managers such as project finance and procurement, managing project teams, critical perspectives and social impact and responsibility.

  The final stage of the course will include a Project Management consultancy project or Project Management Dissertation. The consultancy project will allow you to undertake a project in one of a number of different industries and will address the varied aspects of project or programme management. You can choose to complete the Project Management Dissertation instead of the consultancy project, which will allow you to explore and critically review literature about issues related to a particular aspect of project management in your chosen area.

  Industry Placement Year

  This Master’s in Project Management course also has the option of a 12-month industry placement. A project management industrial placement will give you the opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills in a real-world environment, while completing an applied research project. This will give you an advantage over the competition for jobs and scholarships after you graduate and could be a good starting point for setting up your own consultancy business.

  Securing a placement

  Your placement will need to be appropriate to your level of study and you should be paid for this work. It is important to note that we will support you in securing a suitable placement opportunity, however, it must be noted that placements are highly competitive and there’s no guarantee of a placement offer being made.

  The finding and securing of a work placement is the responsibility of the student and while the University cannot offer you a guaranteed placement, our dedicated Student Futures team are on hand to offer help and support to maximise the chances of you finding and securing a work placement.

  If you’re unable or unwilling to progress with an industry placement, you will have the option to transfer onto our Dissertation and Research Methods module to gain the required credits to complete your programme of study. See FAQs section for further information on the support we offer.

  Modules

  The modules below are for the MSc Project Management Non-placement route. To view the modules for the Placement route, please see the MSc Project Management (Placement route) Award Map.

  Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 24/25. The modules relating to the academic year 25/26 will be available from June 2025.

  • Stage 1
    • Fundamentals of Project Management (20 Credits)
      Module code: BSOM071

      Status: Compulsory
      Fast moving dynamic development within organisations means that having a basic `toolkit? of modern and de facto project management techniques, with an emphasis on applying these is a vital requirement for project management students. This module develops students? understanding of theoretical practices, practical tools and techniques, and equips them to face the challenges facing project managers today.
    • Risk and Resilience in Holistic Value Chain Management (20 Credits)
      Module code: BSOM072

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to provide future business managers with an introduction to risk and resilience. It also enables the students to understand the workings of holistic supply chains and the required managerial decisions and how these intercede with risk mitigation strategies and resilience planning.
    • Finance and Procurement Management (20 Credits)
      Module code: BSOM073

      Status: Compulsory
      This module evaluates finance and procurement governance in a business context providing the learners with the knowledge, understanding and skills of financial and procurement planning using a variety of techniques.
    • Critical Issues in Project Management (20 Credits)
      Module code: BSOM074

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of the module to provide a critical discussion and reflection of the contemporary and emerging issues in project management. Moreover, the students will have the opportunity to evaluate related theories and techniques in project management.
    • Business Research Project (60 Credits)
      Module code: BSOM077

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to offer the opportunity to the learners to develop skills in completing an investigative research project. The students will use their project management skills, their specialist skills gained in other modules and they will work towards successfully completing the capstone project of their masters degree.
    • Managing Project Teams (20 Credits)
      Module code: HRMM068

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to equip learners with critical awareness of practical and theoretical concepts associated with managing high performing project teams by examining the management and leadership of teams working in complex organizational contexts. The module will examine the leadership skills and competencies required to create confident and accomplished project leaders.
    • Social Responsibility and Impact (20 Credits)
      Module code: STRM075

      Status: Compulsory
      This module introduces students to the key issues and debates on Social Responsibility and Impact, providing them with the knowledge, tools and skills to critically evaluate the range of complex ethical and/or sustainability issues that businesses may encounter, and to develop sustainable strategies and/or approaches to project development and management.

  Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme

  MSc Project Management Degree is part of the Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme (ELCS). The ELCS is an opportunity for members of the Armed Forces to further or expand on their education. The scheme offers support financially in a maximum of three separate financial years for higher level learning of a nationally recognised qualification at a Level three or above.

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• Accreditation

  MSc Project Management has an Academic Accreditation from the Association of Project Management.

  Academic Accreditation is designed to help students choose project management education to support their professional project management career. It recognises universities (HEIs) that engage with the project management profession and who offer modules/courses/programme frameworks to students which demonstrate alignment to the APM Body of Knowledge. Academic Accreditation assesses relevant degree-based modules, courses and programme frameworks.

  Students on accredited academic courses are eligible for free APM Student Membership, offering access to APM events.

  

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• FAQs

  What is Project Management?

  Project management refers to the application of certain knowledge, skills, methods, tools and techniques with the aim to meet specific project requirements and objectives. These deliverables need to be met within agreed parameters, including set budgets and timescales.

  The set deliverables makes these projects temporary, which is a key distinguishing factor between project management and management in general. Due to this, project management roles require a wide range of business, technical and people management skills.

  How much does a Project Manager earn?

  Project management jobs can be found throughout nearly every business sector and across various different projects, meaning these skills are widely in demand. As a result, high pay levels are available, with an average earning of around £62,000 per annum in the UK.

  There is a wide variety when it comes to project management careers, with some positions paying lucrative bonuses worth up to £10,000. Additionally, a minority of those working in this role may also be entitled to receive earnings from profit sharings, which can add up to around £4,000.

  How will I learn on the Master of Science Project Management Degree?

  You will be taught by experienced academic staff with specialist knowledge of their subject areas. The taught modules on the MSc Project Management are delivered using a combination of lectures and workshop sessions, with an emphasis on participation and discussion.

  If you are wishing to take up the option of a 12 month placement, your course will be 24 months. If you do not take the placement year, then your course will be completed in 12 months.

  You will complete two semesters of 14 weeks, spending 12-15 hours per week in the classroom with your tutors and fellow students. You will be expected to engage in significant additional study, around 20-25 hours per week in self-directed study as well as attending additional workshops to support your achievement of the professional body memberships and awards.

  How will I be assessed on the Project Management master’s course?

  You will experience a variety of assessment styles including business reports, essays, research papers, oral presentations, practical work, examinations, case study and context analysis, as well as the dissertation.

  There is an opportunity to take a placement year which will allow you to develop and hone your skills through complex business projects and reflect on your experiences.

  How will I be supported for the Project Management placement route?

  The University provides a placement preparation module (Career Future) to assist you in creating and optimising your CV, understanding your skills and how best to align these to job opportunities. The Student Futures Hub on the Learning Hub ground floor provides information, advice and guidance on searching for and securing a work placement. Further information is available on the placement portal.

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