What you will study
You will gain an extensive knowledge of the legal and contractual systems relevant to the construction industry. You will also study how design and construction work is priced and how these prices are used to control the costs for the firms involved. You will analyse the systems that control the quality and safety of construction projects, and will gain a greater understanding of the relationships between the various contributing parties. This course provides a strategic overview of construction management issues as well as a deep and broad knowledge of advanced project management techniques.
Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list.
For a student to go on placement they are required to pass every module first time with no reassessments. It is the responsibility of individual students to find a suitable paid placement. Students will be supported by our dedicated placement team in securing this opportunity.
Modules
Core modules
Management of Project Risk, Quality and Safety
30 credits
The module starts with a general introduction into the management of projects, and then goes more deeply into the technical aspects of project management techniques and project risk analysis.
It also covers many aspects of health and safety legislation and practice, starting from the history of health and safety in the UK, the Health and Safety at Work Act, risk assessment, and covers major sets of regulations that impact on construction work. The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations are dealt with in depth, as this is a key piece of statutory legislation that relates to the construction industry. Good practice and the importance of advice and guidance are emphasised.
Quality management is dealt with in relation to the requirements of the latest edition of ISO9000, and the process leading to registration under this standard. Modern practices in quality and the use of various quality management techniques are covered.
Business in Practice
30 credits
This postgraduate module covers the theory and practice of the business and management needs of students from different academic contexts such as, but not limited to Science, Engineering, Computing and Health Services who are aspiring team leaders, managers, and entrepreneurs in business within the context of the commercial, public, voluntary, or academic sector.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
- Investigate business topics ranging from finance, accounting, budgeting, and marketing, to organisational management by developing the leadership skills to meet business challenges and to cope with their complexity.
- Explain and put into context business concepts to graduates from a variety of sectors including those encompassed by Science, Engineering, Computing and Health Services.
Estimating, Tendering and Procurement
30 credits
This module concentrates on the way the construction product is priced and paid for and aims to give an in-depth understanding of the roles that the client/employer, the main contractor, and the professional service consultants have in relation to the procurement of construction works.
It also examines the processes that need to be undertaken at senior management level in terms of the estimating and tendering decisions by contactors' during the bidding process. It analyses in detail the strategic decision making rationale that needs to be put in place when making a decision to tender a bid and the process of turning an estimate into a tender submission.
Legal Obligations and Conditions of Contract
credits
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.
Dissertation
60 credits
The overall aim of the module is to allow you to develop research skills and gain an appreciation of a subject area of the your own choosing. In undertaking the work that is required you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and competence in reviewing existing published literature and data and through the use of your own efforts apply one or more of a range of research methods to collect and analyse data and draw well-founded conclusions as a result of your research.
The module allows you to study an area of interest in significant depth and allows you to demonstrate a clear understanding of what has been learnt through a variety of means; a literature review, a research proposal, an oral presentation and a substantial dissertation.
Professional Placement
120 credits
The Professional Placement module is a core module for those students following a masters programme that incorporates an extended professional placement. It provides students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in an appropriate working environment, and develops and enhances key employability and subject specific skills in their chosen discipline. Students may wish to use the placement experience as a platform for the major project or future career.
It is the responsibility of individual students to find and secure a suitable placement opportunity; this should not normally involve more than two placements which must be completed over a minimum period of 10 months and within a maximum of 12 months. The placement must be approved by the Course Leader, prior to commencement to ensure its suitability. Students seeking placements will have access to the standard placement preparation activities offered by Student Engagement and Enhancement (SEE) group.
