Ivelina Nikolova, Bulgaria – MSc Project Management

'I wanted to further expand my managerial skills and interpersonal qualities and chose Portsmouth over other institutions because of its reputation for excellent teaching.

The Master’s degree in Project Management has increased my understanding of a project lifecycle and my knowledge of the business environment. I learned how to successfully manage intensive projects in a competitive atmosphere and deliver outcomes within a set timeframe and budget.

Lectures were accompanied by diverse seminars and workshops which gave me the chance to develop valuable qualities such as working in a group setting and improving my ability to speak confidently in front of people. The constant interaction with tutors and guest speakers was a real source of inspiration, which enriched my personality and also brought a variety of networking opportunities.

The University facilities and team of professional librarians definitely improved my student experience by providing me with day to day support and assistance. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the University of Portsmouth to anyone motivated academically to expand his or her potential.

Steve Lawrenson - MSc Project Management

'As a mature student with 25 years of industry experience I found the theoretical and analytical aspects of the MSc Project Management course particularly interesting. It is a very 'hands-on' experience with many opportunities to contribute to discussion and presentations on specific topics.

The course provided a clear and structured picture of project management theory and practice that can be readily applied to the student’s own area of work and I feel that it is also an excellent springboard for a career in generic project management.

The syllabus is comprehensive, covering both technical and human elements of managing projects and programmes. The material was, without exception, extremely well presented in a superb learning environment.

The facilities offered by the University are superb and the support given by both the academic staff and the administration made my whole experience very positive.

I would not hesitate to recommend the Business School and the course to colleagues and indeed anyone considering undertaking a Masters degree in this field.'

Jieya Lin - MSc Project Management

'Having graduated from my BA (Hons) International Trade and English course at the University of Portsmouth, I decided to continue my studies with a Masters in Project Management.

Working for the local government over the summer months showed me that I could further my interest in the subject and achieve more within the workplace with a postgraduate degree.

In my first year I studied many aspects of how to manage and control projects; understanding what makes a project successful, how to evaluate risk and quality, manage budgets and the external environment and lastly problem solving. The course also uses real life examples to help us understand how to make the right choices and implement them successfully.

Portsmouth Business School has excellent facilities. When I am not in class I spend my time in the open access computer rooms to research information and work on my assignments. There are also many available spaces to have discussions and debates with my classmates; this all helps my learning process.

In the future, I will return to work for the local government using what I have learned in MSc Project Management to help me develop my career.'