Partner Details

Unicaf

Awards

Target Award

Award Description:Master of Science - MS

Alternative Exit

Alternative Exit

Programme Offerings

Part-Time

DL-UIC-APR

DL-UIC-AUG

DL-UIC-DEC

DL-UIC-FEB

DL-UIC-JAN

DL-UIC-JUL

DL-UIC-JUN

DL-UIC-MAR

DL-UIC-MAY

DL-UIC-NOV

DL-UIC-OCT

DL-UIC-SEP

Educational Aims of the Course

The overall aim of the programme is to develop knowledge, understanding and intellectual and practical skills
appropriate to a wide range of project management roles in the global marketplace.
The intention is to provide a stimulating and challenging programme of study resulting in the development of
self-reliant, versatile, enterprising and competent project managers.
The programme will offer the appropriate type and level of support as students build their knowledge,
understanding and skills to become independent learners for the future.
The specific aims of the programme are to:
1. Develop and/or extend students' exposure to the current and emerging theories and practice of project
management
2. Encourage a risk management approach to problem solving
3. Provide opportunities for individual student-centred study in order to develop analytical, critical, problem
solving and research skills appropriate to the role of project manager
4. Provide clear career development opportunities to aspiring project managers
5. Provide a dynamic learning environment to facilitate an appreciation of multi-cultural and interdisciplinary
project teams
6. Provide a focused understanding of the application of project management theories and strategies to
organisations and projects in a global market place.

Learning Outcomes

1.
Demonstrate an appreciation of the roles and responsibilities of the project manager and appropriate means of ensuring successful project delivery.
2.
Have a comprehensive understanding of the strategic aspects of project management through all the project phases: definition, planning, execution, control and closure.
3.
Demonstrate a critical awareness of the project process and the development of appropriate strategies in the context of the internal and external project environment.
4.
Have a comprehensive understanding of the concepts, tools and techniques of project management together with the confidence to apply them in a practical and testing environment.
5.
Demonstrate an in-depth appreciation of strategic project organisation management, including: organisational theory and design; culture; change management; management of dynamic project organisations and people.
6.
Conduct a major piece of independent research, establishing the fundamental issues and displaying well developed research methodology skills.
7.
Undertake the critical evaluation of a project strategy and synthesise or model appropriate responses in the context of the project environment including sustainable aspects.
8.
Articulate and demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the empirical and qualitative aspects of the theories of risk and their implications for the management of projects.
9.
Understand and apply the tools to critically analyse the organisations involved in projects with a view to improving individual and collective performance in executing the project.
10.
Synthesize information from various sources in order to acquire a coherent understanding of project management theory and professional practice.
11.
Analyse, evaluate and interpret current project management professional practice applied to various industry sectors and in a global context.
12.
Critically reflect upon their own problem-solving performance in order to evaluate and adopt appropriate approaches to new scenarios.
13.
Use appropriate data capture techniques to investigate a constrained research proposition or hypothesis.
14.
Demonstrate the applicability of particular methods and methodologies to individual circumstances during the project phases.
15.
Conduct organisational reviews and explore the strengths and weaknesses of existing business processes.
16.
Undertake skilled, competent, evaluative and reflective project management practice.
17.
Formulate and solve management problems within and across the functional areas of project-based organizations.
18.
Propose, design and execute a substantive piece of research using appropriate research methodologies and data analysis techniques.
19.
Identify the objectives and overall business case for a project and prepare a cogent strategy and project management plan identifying how these may be achieved.
20.
Exercise initiative and personal responsibility.
21.
Develop personal competencies to the good of the project including the ability to reflect on decisions and outcomes and take positive decisions to effect change.
22.
Solve problems in creative and innovative ways.
23.
Make decisions in challenging and unpredictable situations.
24.
Use Information technology and quantitative methods for numerical data analysis and reporting.

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

The methods used to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated are as follows:
Core knowledge and understanding will be acquired through conventional approaches to module delivery and
these will be employed throughout the programme. This will include formal keynote lectures, coursework tasks
and guided independent study.
Additionally, a variety of learning strategies and interventions will be employed which will require students to
take an active role in their learning. This will include critical analysis of research literature and dissemination of
ideas through seminars, debates and student presentations within timetabled sessions.
Knowledge and understanding of the research process will be developed in a specific taught Research Methods module in which students will be inculcated with the fundamentals of a variety of research methodologies and strategies. The module culminates in a research proposal referenced to journal publications and development of a data collection instrument development identifying data analysis strategies. In all modules, students will be given written and verbal feedback on their work.
Details concerning assessment arrangements and the testing of specific learning outcomes are included in the
module pro-formas. Modules are examined by a variety of methods including reports, tests, group presentations and which can include evidence of peer assessment, individual presentations/discussions. This is shown on the module pro-forma as a Portfolio.
Practical case studies will be used in order to develop relevant skills and the confidence to use them. These will be carried out in small groups or individually in a workshop/seminar environment.
The dissertation is a self-managed project with the support of academic staff acting as supervisors. The only
formal teaching sessions will be introduction to the module, structure and format of a research thesis and
support classes on data analysis.
Assessment of a student's intellectual skills will be undertaken by a variety of means. This will include informal
assessment of the ability to critically analyse relevant research literature and debate issues within confined peer groups together with the formal assessment of the dissertation submitted at the end of the programme.
The acquisition of practical skills will be encouraged and developed within individual modules via workshops using relevant case studies from industry as the teaching vehicle. Modules will utilise scenario projects to allow students to use practical skills and extend their ability to apply relevant project management tools and techniques.
These practical skills will be taught and developed within the Research Methods module and applied within the
Dissertation through supervision from a selected member of the academic staff of the School.
Students' practical skills will be assessed within discrete modules via formal coursework assignments linked to a variety of case study material.
Key skills are developed throughout the programme which aims to provide students with an appropriate environment in which to acquire and develop the necessary attributes of a project manager and the confidence to apply them in a challenging but protective environment.
Group project presentations will allow students to be interviewed and questioned on their submission and their ability to 'think on their feet' will be tested in conjunction with the project management skills acquired during the programme of study.

Opportunities for work related learning

To put the students' learning into appropriate vocational contexts project modules are based on real projects.

Programme Structure

Programme Structure Description

Students will register for one module at a time and must complete the whole programme within 5 years.The Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate are alternative exit awards. A total of 60 credits isrequired for a PG Certificate and 120 credits for a PG Diploma (excluding the dissertation).For all Masters students … For more content click the Read More button below.

Entry Requirements

Alternative qualifications considered

Relevant work experience

Undergraduate degree

HECoS Code(s)

(CAH17-01) business and management