Postgraduate Course
Project Management (Online) MSc, PG Dip, PG Cert
Study online for an MSc, Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma, delivered in partnership with 2020 Project Management.
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Develop the skills and knowledge to manage projects in a range of environments. Through this course you will learn about the principles and practice of project management, as we introduce you to the tools and techniques needed to succeed. This course is studied entirely online. You will also have the option to gain additional professional qualifications and receive guidance on working towards Chartership.
Delivered in partnership with 2020 Project Management
Online
- Duration – 1 year full time, 18 months part time
- Start date – January 2025, September 2024, September 2025
- School – York Business School
Minimum entry requirements
2:2 honours degree from a UK ENIC listed institution
Experience Evidence of relevant experience if your degree is in an unrelated subject
Tuition fees
UK 2024-25 £8,000 full time
International 2024-25 £8,000 full time
Course overview
This course has been designed for project professionals in partnership with 2020 Project Management, the largest independent provider of project management training in the UK. 2020 also work with companies and individuals internationally. Their clients include BP, EDF Energy and the Ministry of Defence.
This partnership between industry and education institutions offers a unique opportunity. You will study Project Management from an academic perspective, alongside exploring the innovative and effective project management solutions used by some of the largest companies in the UK.
You will examine issues which impact organisations and their projects, drawing on your experiences and those of your fellow learners. You will study and evaluate key theories and concepts, while investigating strategic and operational processes and techniques in project management.
Studying online allows for a flexible approach to learning, helping you balance your studies with work or other commitments. Through online lectures you will develop critical thinking and business skills which are valuable in any career, as well as specialist project management skills. You will benefit from working with experienced practitioners, and focusing on real case studies to help you apply your learning to authentic business contexts.
Course structure
How you will study
You can study this postgraduate course full time or part time. This allows you to fit your studies around other commitments. This course is completed via distance learning and all your seminars and lectures will be delivered online. You can start this course in September or January.
You will study 7 compulsory modules, including a final Capstone Project module. The full time course will take 1 year to complete, and the part time course will take 18 months to complete.
It is possible to study part of the full master's course to achieve either a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) or a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip). For these qualifications, you would need to:
- Complete 3 modules for the PGCert. The modules you study will depend on your start date.
- Complete 6 modules for the PGDip.
The modules you study for these qualifications will depend on your start date.
You can find out which modules are available in each term in the Course Specifications.
Modules
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
This module will provide you with an overview of the key concepts and strategies behind project management. We will introduce you to:
- The various methodologies and frameworks that can be adopted to suit a project
- The project environment and its impacts on success
- The processes involved in the definition and planning stages of a project
- Sustainability practices, and their interaction with the traditional triple constraints
- The role of professional associations
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
On this module you will explore the key theories and principles of strategic project management, as well as evaluating the importance of robust governance. You will:
- Evaluate change management theory and its relationship to delivering strategic projects
- Consider the importance of decision-making throughout the project lifecycle
- Consider how the selection of projects can ensure a balanced portfolio
- Examine the crucial role of the business case in providing the rationale for a project
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
On this module you will examine the process of risk management. This includes an exploration of the underlying psychology that impacts our approach to project risk. We will differentiate between risks and hazards, evaluating potential sources of risk with the various tools and techniques available. We will also cover probability theory, and consider how this is affected by multiple risk occurrence. You will consider the risk response mechanisms available to the project manager and the importance of contingency in this process.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
On this module you will explore leadership theories and relate them to effective project team development. You will:
- Use theories of social and organisation psychology to consider the challenges raised by individual and group behaviour
- Consider the principles of ethics in relation to the management of projects
- Analyse the role of conflict management and evaluate some of the management strategies often adopted
- Learn about the importance of appropriate project communication, both within the project team and with wider stakeholders
- Examine how effective engagement with all stakeholders can contribute to overall project success
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
An important aspect of any project is planning, and this module provides an overview of the key planning processes. We will focus on scheduling and network diagrams, as well as critical path analysis. We will address the important role of estimation in project planning, and the risks associated with it. You will also consider the challenges of effective resource allocation, including ongoing management through levelling and smoothing. Through this you will further examine the crucial role of monitoring and control throughout the project life cycle.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
This module will provide you with an overview of the commercial management of projects. Together we will evaluate financial appraisal techniques, and consider potential sources of funding which allow for effective project budgeting. You will analyse contract strategy and approaches to procurement, including tendering and provider selection. You will also consider the potential issues that may be faced and the legal recourse available to the project manager, including dispute resolution.
Credits: 60
Compulsory module
You will choose 1 of 2 routes to complete this module. Each route requires the collection and analysis of primary data to solve a problem. These routes are:
- An academic dissertation, which is a traditional research project
- A Business Consultancy Project. You will work to solve an identified issue within an existing organisation
This module is your opportunity to showcase everything that you have learned on the course and create written documents that provide a thoroughly developed business solution. You will demonstrate an understanding of different areas of business and project management, including:
- Negotiating a scope of work
- Developing a business proposal
- Preparing and presenting a consulting report
- Managing expectations
- Ethical and professional considerations
- Qualitative and quantitative research methods
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning
All of your modules will be delivered using a variety of different teaching sessions. This includes:
- Online lectures
- Discussion forums
- Tutorials
- Guest speakers
- Workshops
- Events
The style of learning on this course is participative and collaborative. We know that you are likely to bring valuable experience and knowledge to the group, and will benefit from sharing this with each other. We appreciate that everyone has their own learning style. You may learn best through energetic engagement in debate, or occasional contribution and personal reflection may be more suited to you. Everyone has their own learning style and it is one of the strengths of online provision that each person can learn in the way that is most appropriate for them.
Our teaching draws on both our research and professional experience. This means your learning is informed by the most current thinking in the subject area. You can find out more about our research and backgrounds by visiting our staff pages.
Assessment
Our assessment methods mirror organisational based activities. These methods include:
- Reports
- Critical essays
- Portfolios
- Recorded video presentations
You will receive feedback on your work throughout each module. This will help you to improve your work for your graded assessments. We will advise you on developing your skills, useful areas for research and how to extend your business knowledge further.
Entry requirements
Qualifications
Minimum entry requirements
2:2 honours degree from a UK ENIC listed institution
Experience Evidence of relevant experience if your degree is in an unrelated subject
If your degree is in an unrelated subject, but you can provide evidence of relevant professional experience, your application may still be considered.
International students
If you are an international student you will need to show that your qualifications match our entry requirements.
Information about international qualifications and entry requirements can be found on our International pages.
If English is not your first language you will need to show that you have English Language competence at IELTS level 6.0 (with no skill below 5.5) or equivalent.
International entry requirements
Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL)
If you do not have traditional qualifications, you might be able to provide evidence of professional experience in the subject as an alternative way to meet the entry requirements. This is called Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL). Appropriate references and records of employment would need to be presented to support your case for admission.
Terms and conditions
Our terms and conditions, policies and procedures contain important information about studying at York St John University. You can read them on our Admissions page.
Fees and funding
UK and EU 2024 - 2025 entry
The tuition fee for 2024 entry to this postgraduate course is £8,000 for both UK and international students.
Postgraduate loans are available to help you pay for your master’s course. Find out more about funding your postgraduate studies.
Tuition fees
UK 2024-25 £8,000 full time
International 2024-25 £8,000 full time
International applicants
Due to immigration laws, if you are an international student on a student visa, you must study full time. For more information about visa requirements and short-term study visas, please visit the International Visa and Immigration pages.
Find out more about funding your postgraduate studies.
International Fees and Funding
Additional costs and financial support
Course-related costs
While studying for your degree, there may be additional costs related to your course. This may include purchasing personal equipment and stationery, books and optional field trips.
Career outcomes
Where could Project Management take you?
With the skills you gain on this course you can go on to make valuable contributions to organisations of any size and in any sector. Project Management is an essential element of any industry. Some sectors where Project Management graduates may be especially in demand are:
- Construction
- Engineering
- Financial Services
- IT
The course could also lead you to undertake further postgraduate study through an MPhil or PhD.
If you are considering starting your own business, The Kickstart Programme is a wide-ranging offer of support to help you develop your entrepreneurial ideas and turn them into viable enterprises. Starting a business, becoming self-employed, freelancing or having a side-hustle: enterprise can come in many forms.
Stand out from the crowd with postgraduate study.
Far fewer people have postgraduate degrees than undergraduate qualifications. This gives you something extra to set yourself apart in a competitive graduate job market. Those with a postgraduate qualification will earn an average of £6,500 a year more than those with only an undergraduate degree. (Department For Education Graduate Labour Market Report 2022).
Our careers service, LaunchPad, provides career support tailored to your ambitions. Through this service you can access:
- Employer events
- LinkedIn, CV and cover letter sessions
- Workshops on application writing and interview skills
- Work experience and volunteering opportunities
- Personalised career advice
This support does not end when you graduate. You can access our expert career advice for the rest of your life. We will help you gain the experience and confidence you need to succeed.
Course highlights
Industry expertise
Experienced practitioners will give talks on their projects and discuss the challenges they face, giving you insight into solving problems in industry.
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Professional body qualifications
You will have access to learning materials for a range of project management certifications. You will need to pay the relevant examination fees for the qualifications you choose to take.
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Flexible learning
With full time and part time options available, and all course materials delivered online, this course is perfect for fitting your studies around your existing commitments.
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Phil Project Management
The course structure and content has been excellent. While challenging, it provides opportunities to compare and evaluate theory and the practice of strategic project management. The online delivery methods allow for a range of learning styles and maximise learning opportunities with excellent support from the lecturer when required.
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