MSc International Construction Management by distance learning
Postgraduate Diploma
The Postgraduate Diploma covers the same taught elements as the MSc programme but does not require a dissertation to be submitted.
The MSc International Construction Management (ICM) is a flexible programme for construction professionals.
A key element of the programme is learning through reflection on your practice. Emphasis is placed on applying what you learn to the industry and on comparing and contrasting issues with your peers from around the world. This approach is reinforced by the opportunity to attend residentials at the University of Bath, University of Hong Kong or the British Columbia Institute of Technology, Vancouver.
Is this programme for you?
The programme has been designed for mid-career professionals from any background in the construction industry, located anywhere in the world, and is especially relevant for:
- Managers needing a more formal training to enhance their effectiveness
- Individuals who have a significant management focus in their work, but little or no training
- Those moving from specialist or technical roles into management
- Those wishing to develop their career potential by moving into management
- Those seeking to move from management in a domestic to an international arena.
Further details
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Studying this programme offers a number of excellent benefits:
- Enhanced career opportunities through an internationally recognised postgraduate qualification
- Practical knowledge that is immediately applicable in your workplace
- Increased expertise in the strategic management of construction in both a domestic and international arena
- Flexibility allowing you to join at any time, control your pace of study and spread costs through instalments
- Membership of an international group of career professionals
- Access to the University's online library facilities, email and internet
- Access to the programme Virtual Learning Environment (Moodle).
It also offers many benefits for employers:
- Cost-effective training of managers leading to increased competitiveness and operational efficiency
- Students are engaged in active learning which is relevant and immediately used in their work
- Project work can be of direct relevance to your employer
- Minimal time off work for attendance at residentials and examinations
- Costs can be spread over two or more financial years.
Accreditation and professional membership
The programme is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Graduates are eligible to apply to become corporate members of the Hong Kong Institute of Construction Managers (HKICM) and the Australian Institute of Building (AIB). In addition, graduates with suitable experience may be exempt from all examinations for the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) corporate membership.
This degree is accredited as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired an accredited CEng (Partial) BEng (Hons) undergraduate first degree. See www.jbm.org.uk for further information.
Structure
The full MSc programme comprises six core units, two option units an integrative unit and a dissertation. The Postgraduate Diploma covers the same taught elements as the MSC course, but does not require a dissertation to be submitted. Both of these study options have compulsory residential days built into the course.
Assessment
Assessment is by means of tutor-marked assignments, examinations and, for the MSc, a dissertation. Examinations are held at the University of Bath although, for students based overseas, a local venue can be arranged.
How long will it take to complete?
The MSc has been designed to be studied over a period of 3 years but the study duration may be contracted down to a minimum period of 15 months and extended to a maximum period of five years. The standard three-year schedule is based on around 7 hours of study per week, and each unit is equivalent to 100 hours of study time.
Accelerated study route
You may apply for the accelerated study route to enable you to complete the MSc programme in 15 months. This is an ideal study mode for those wanting to take a sabbatical from work or who currently find themselves without employment. Your studies are conducted at a distance and so you are able to remain in your home country. You will attend two 7 day residential schools at one of our study centres during the programme.
Units available for study are as follows:
Compulsory units
- Management in Construction
- Economics in Construction
- Construction Law
- Managing Human Resources
- Procuring Construction
- Strategy in Construction
- Consolidating Theory and Practice.
Option units
- Construction Project Management
- Communication and Information Management
- Facility Management
- Social Responsibility: Business and Society
- Sustainable Business Practices.
Download full unit descriptions [pdf].
For detailed information on units offered, visit our programme catalogue.
Residential schools form a compulsory part of the MSc/PGDip programme and take place at the University of Bath, Canada and Tanzania. They provide an excellent opportunity to meet fellow students and staff as well as to participate in skills development exercises, workshops and lectures based on the material within the units. The schools are taught by unit tutors, University staff and industry professionals and form an integral part of the MSc/PGDip programme.
You are expected to attend 14 days as part of the MSc/PGDip programme, consisting of the Introductory Workshop, Summer School 1 & 2, Dissertation Workshop.
Attendance at the introductory workshop is compulsory at the start of the programme. If you are unable to attend this session at the start of your registration, you will be deferred to the next cohort.
University of Bath, UK (June and November)
Our residential schools in June comprise of the following:
- Introductory workshop and Summer school 1 - 7 days
- Summer school 2 and Dissertation workshop - 7 days
Details for November residential schools are as follows:
- Introductory workshop - 2 days
- Dissertation workshop - 2 days
BCIT, Canada (November)
- Introductory workshop and residential school 1 - 7 days
If you are based in Canada, you are currently expected to attend the Summer school 2 and Dissertation workshops in Bath.
Dar Es Salaam,Tanzania (October)
- Introductory workshop and Residential school 1 - 6 days
- Residential school 2 and Dissertation workshop - 6 days
Residential Dates for 2013/4
- 7-12 October 2013: Introductory workshop and Summer school 1 & 2 in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
- 7-12 October 2013: Summer school 2 & Dissertation workshop in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
- 11-12 November 2013: Introductory and Dissertation workshops in Bath, UK
- 17-23 November 2013: Introductory workshop and Summer school 1 BCIT Vancouver, Canada
- 23-24 June 2014: Introductory and Dissertation workshops in Bath, UK
- 25-29 June 2014: Summer school 1 and Summer school 2 in Bath, UK
If you wish to attend any of these sessions, please contact the Graduate School.
The MSc programme is open to quantity surveyors, engineers, architects and suitably qualified candidates from other fields, including those engaged in all aspects of the construction industry.
Applicants must have a first degree from a recognised University or hold a professional qualification such as MCIOB, MRICS, RIBA, MICE. For non-graduate applicants the Access route is available.
Access route
The Access route comprises the first two units of the full MSc programme and is aimed at candidates who have substantial industry experience within construction but do not necessarily have the academic experience to go directly into the MSc. Entrants achieving the required standard in these two units, who wish to continue with their studies can apply to transfer to the MSc programme.
English language requirements
The language of study for the course is English. The University's minimum requirement for non-native English speakers is 6.5 in the IELTS test, or TOEFL (internet): 92 overall, Writing 21, Listening 21, Reading 22, Speaking 23, or PTE Academic 62 with no less than 59 in any component.
APL or APEL
Where applicants can demonstrate evidence of prior learning achievement which is relevant in terms of this programme, credit may be awarded in part fulfilment of the programme’s credit requirement. Credit will be granted for whole units up to a maximum of 50% of the taught element of the programme.
Graduates of the Engineering Management Programme (EMP) PGCert are granted 30 credits exemption from the ICM programme.
Scholarships
We are no longer accepting any candidates for 2013 Commonwealth Scholarships.
- 1 December (deadline for applications 15 October)
- 1 June (deadline for applications 30 March)
Apply online
To apply, visit the University's online application system
Choose the programme you wish to apply for from the list. This will depend on the start dates you require.
Complete the online application form and upload the relevant supporting documents.
All applications are assessed by the Director of Studies.
Fees are due upon acceptance of a place on the programme.
