Management in Construction MSc

If you would like to gain an in-depth understanding of construction management issues to help you operate more effectively in realising construction projects in the 21st century, this course is ideal.

With the construction industry becoming increasingly fragmented and operating within inter-company contractual relationships, this course covers the legal obligations and conditions of contract under which construction companies operate. As construction is also a highly competitive industry, with price still a major deciding factor in awarding contracts, the course also covers the science of procurement and the estimating process.

Further Learning Programme – MSc (non-technical)

This degree is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators, which includes the Institution of Civil Engineers and the Institution of Structural Engineers, under licence from the Engineering Council, 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.

Accreditation is a mark of assurance that the degree meets the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC). Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degrees, and an accredited degree is likely to be recognised by other countries that are signatories to international accords.

Please check the Engineering Council course search for more information.

Studying this course will allow you to:

• gain an extensive knowledge of the legal and contractual systems relevant to the construction industry;
• study how design and construction work is priced, and how these prices are used to control the costs for the firms involved;
• undertake an analysis of the systems that control the quality and safety of construction projects; and
• gain a greater understanding of the relationship between the various parties contributing to construction.

Emphasis is placed on the use of case studies and teamworking. The MSc research thesis enables you to conduct a sustained, in-depth, original research related to complex theoretical arguments within the field of the construction industry.

Studying this course means you'll have opportunities to be involved with organisations outside the University. Our excellent industrial links have developed over many years and throughout many countries.
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Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list.

Core modules

• Accounting Systems

• Accounting Systems

  This module provides an overview of financial accounting systems within business and public sector organisations.

  It also covers:

  • the needs of first-level managers for financial information;
  • their role in supplying information for the system;
  • accounting concepts and conventions; and
  • ways of measuring income and valuing assets.
  
   
• Conditions of Contract

• Conditions of Contract

  In this module you will:

  • gain confidence in making judgements on matters concerning the standard forms of contract used in the construction industry;
  • demonstrate a depth of knowledge across the specialised area of construction standard forms; and
  • independently evaluate problems that can arise and deal with the complexity of the conditions of contract.
  
   
• Construction Organisation

• Construction Organisation

  This module prepares you for the varying and changing environment of construction. It covers:

  • the economic goals of individuals and commercial organisations:
  • economic efficiency;
  • analysis of the role of the client and how construction is instigated; and
  • recognising efficiency problems in allocating risk in construction contracts.

  You will learn to be able to advise on managing risk in internal organisation.

  
   
• Estimating, Purchasing and Cost Control

• Estimating, Purchasing and Cost Control

  In this module you will:

  • learn how design and construction work is priced;
  • gain in-depth knowledge of how these prices are used to control the costs for the firms involved; and
  • gain an appreciation of the role of the client, the contractor, the quantity surveyor, the estimator, and the techniques used to estimate and price construction works.
  
   
• Information Systems

• Information Systems

  This module examines the role of financial accounting within organisations. It provides an overview of financial accounting systems in business and public sector organisations.

  It also covers:

  • the needs of first level managers for financial information and their role in supplying information;
  • accounting concepts and conventions; and
  • ways of measuring income and valuing assets.
  
   
• Legal Obligations

• Legal Obligations

  In this module you will:

  • acquire an understanding of the legal rules governing the law of contract, the law of tort and the administration of the English legal system;
  • apply the tort of negligence, duty of care, breach of duty and remoteness of damage; and
  • evaluate and critically analyse how a contract is discharged and identify how a contract is performed and breached.
  
   
• Project and Risk Management

• Project and Risk Management

  In this module you will:

  • gain an understanding of management of projects, and then go very deeply into the technical aspects of Project Network Techniques;
  • use modern project management software for various types of analyses such as resource analysis, costing and earned value analysis; and
  • carry out risk analysis and assess effects of risk on a project.
  
   
• Quality and Safety Management

• Quality and Safety Management

  In this module you will:

  • gain an appreciation of the advantages and disadvantages of evolving approaches to product quality; and
  • gain in-depth knowledge of all aspects of safety as required in law for both design and construction.
  
   
• Research Thesis

The Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing teaches this course.

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Learn more about the facilities available to you as a student of this course.

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The range of events and lectures in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing enhances your studies and adds an extra perspective to your learning.

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