Senior Lecturer in Project Management
Faculty of Business and Law
level:PG;top_up:false;international:true;foundation:false;clearing:false;full_time:true;part_time:false;start_month:September, January, June;location:Waterside
Project Management MSc
Key Facts
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Level
Master'sPG MSc
-
Duration
Full Time: 1 Year
Full Time with Placement: 2 Years -
Starting
September, January, June
SEP, JAN, JUN
-
£8,500
Placement fee (Year Two): £1,000 * -
£17,495
Placement fee (Year Two): £1,000 * -
Waterside
Updated 04/11/2025
Updated 04/11/2025
Overview
In today’s fast-paced global environment, effective project management is essential across all industries. The MSc in Project Management is designed to prepare students from any academic or professional background for leadership roles in diverse project environments. Whether you’re currently working in a project-related role or transitioning into the field, this course offers a comprehensive foundation in project principles, methodologies, and tools.
Open to graduates from any discipline, it supports those with varied experience to step confidently into or advance within project management careers. Covering the full project lifecycle from planning and initiation to execution, and closure, the course addresses key areas such as stakeholder engagement, risk and change management, budgeting, forecasting, and the application of industry-standard tools and technologies.
You’ll learn how to lead geographically dispersed teams, navigate complex procurement strategies, and align project outcomes with business vision. Emphasising applied, research-informed learning, our course uses case studies, activities, and practical assignments to bridge theory and real-world. It prepares you to manage projects across sectors including IT, healthcare, finance, engineering, logistics, gas, events, and even public services. Specialist modules like “Advanced Project Management Methodologies” and “Emerging technologies” explore sought after frameworks and technological advancement.
Students can also undertake a placement or research project to gain practical experience or specialise in a key area of interest. Subsequently, graduates will develop a highly relevant skill set such as strategic thinking, critical analysis, leadership, planning, and technological proficiency in project environments, enabling them to thrive in today’s evolving project-driven world.
Professional Accreditation: Association for Project Management Academic Accreditation.
Highlights
- Open to All Disciplines: Welcomes students from any academic background, encouraging diverse perspectives and cross-industry insights.
- Career-Boosting Placement or Research Option: Apply your learning in a real-world setting through a work placement or a focused research project.
- Open to All Disciplines: Welcomes students from any academic background, encouraging diverse perspectives and cross-industry insights.
- Career-Boosting Placement or Research Option: Apply your learning in a real-world setting through a work placement or a focused research project.
- High Industry Demand: Aligns with global trends in project-oriented roles, supported by data from PMI and APM.
- Transferable Skills: Develop competencies applicable across IT, healthcare, engineering, logistics, the public sector, and more.
- Focus on Real-World Application: Engage with case studies, activities, and practical assessments that link theory to practical outcomes.
- Expert-Led Teaching: Learn from experienced faculty with deep industry connections and applied knowledge.
- Research-Informed and industry-aligned Curriculum: Stay current through academic rigor grounded in real-world challenges and evolving industry practices.
- Professional Certification Preparation: Course materials and assessments equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to apply fo certifications like APMQ, PRINCE2®, and AgilePM®.
- Hands-On Software Experience: Gain exposure to leading project management tools such as Primavera P6.
- Free Access to Supplementary Learning Resources: Benefit from access to supplementary content through platforms such as ILX, Oracle Academy, and LinkedIn Learning, enhancing your digital learning experience.
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Entry Requirements
If you hold a recognised first or second class honours degree (or equivalent), you will be eligible to apply for this Project Management Master’s Degree.
If you have relevant work experience in the Project Management field and related professional qualifications, you will also be considered on an individual basis.
If you would like to make an application as a Home or EU student, please visit our How to Apply page.
If you are an International student and would like more information on making an application, please visit our How to Apply page.
If English is not your first language, you must meet the following English language requirements:
- IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in all other skills
Equivalent qualifications are considered, for further information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our English Language Requirements page.
Course Content
The interdisciplinary entry point makes the course accessible. The curriculum is designed to bring all learners to a strong level of competency in project management. This inclusiveness opens doors for a wide demographic, matching the real-world diversity of project environments.
The demand for project professionals continues to rise. According to the Project Management Institute’s Job Growth and Talent Gap Report, employers will need nearly 2.3 million new project-oriented roles annually through 2030. Similarly, the Association for Project Management’s salary survey highlights that certified and experienced project professionals command high salaries and strong job security. Graduates of this MSc will be entering a robust and growing market.
What makes this course particularly valuable is its blend of theoretical grounding and practical application. Students don’t just learn concepts, they apply them. The course incorporates real-world case studies, group activities, and reflective learning tied to diverse range experiences. This applied approach ensures that graduates can demonstrate immediate value to employers and confidently lead projects in high-stakes environments.
Students benefit from training in advanced project management methodologies, emerging technologies, finance and procurement, organisational resilience and dynamic teams and change management. From understanding digital transformation in project settings to mastering leadership in change management and resilience development, the course prepares students for leadership in dynamic, global environment.
Finally, the course is forward-thinking. It doesn’t just equip you with current best practices, it challenges you to think critically about the future of the profession and to contribute through research, innovation, and strategic thinking. For those seeking a flexible, inclusive, and market-responsive pathway into project management or looking to elevate their impact as leaders, this MSc offers an optional placement period in the second year as well.
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.
Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme
MSc in 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.
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.
First year modules (Full time):
- BSOM071 – Fundamentals of Project Management (20 Credits)
- HRMM095 – Dynamic Teams and Change Leadership (20 Credits)
- HRMM072 – Career Future (Placement Only) (0 Credits)
- HRMM094 – Academic and Digital Skills (20 Credits)
- BSOM102 – Organisational Resilience (20 Credits)
- BSOM105 – Finance and Procurement Management (20 Credits)
- BSOM106 – Business Research (Non-Placement Only) (40 Credits)
- BSOM095 – Emerging Technologies (20 Credits)
- BSOM104 – Advance Project Management Methodologies (20 Credits)
- HRMM091 – Worked Based Project (Placement Only) (40 Credits)
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.
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 in 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 Postgraduate Degree?
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.
Fees and Funding
2025/26 Tuition Fees
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 2025/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
- UK: £8,500
- International: £17,495
- Year 2 Placement Fee: £1,000* (for placements starting in September 2026 or January 2027)
*The placement fee amount will only be charged to you after you secure a placement and are enrolled on the work based project in year 2 of your project management master’s course. You will not be charged this fee if you do not secure a work placement.
There are no additional costs for this Project Management MSc course for students beginning their studies in September 2025. Should this change, applicants and students will be contacted by the university with details of the costs.
For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.
For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 2024/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
- UK: £8,250
- International: £16,995
- Year 2 Placement Fee: £1,000* (for placements starting in September 2025 or January 2026)
*The placement fee amount will only be charged to you after you secure a placement and are enrolled on the work based project in year 2 of your project management master’s course. You will not be charged this fee if you do not secure a work placement.
Staff
Careers and Employability
This Project Management master’s course will support your career progression by developing your critical thinking and research skills to enhance your business knowledge and understanding. The master’s degree in Project Management will teach you the theory of effective practice and equip you with the essential skills, confidence and competence to assist you when you venture into your chosen industry.
You will learn to think laterally, challenge convention and offer knowledge-based solutions to business issues, which is an advantage that will set you apart from peers and colleagues in the business environment.
Campus Facilities
When you study our MSc Project Management postgraduate degree, you will have the opportunity to take advantage of the University of Northampton’s study areas, facilities, and services.
