Course overview

MSc Project Management and Leadership is a part-time course designed for practising project managers or those in relevant employment in any industry or commercial sector, who lead or act as part of a team progressing project issues from initiation through to completion.

Project management has grown into more than just a specialist subject in the education of managers and engineers and its place as a mainstream management discipline is now widely recognised.

The course emphasises a practical managerial approach covering both the principles and techniques of project management. It covers the necessary systematic and strategic skills needed to achieve a competitive advantage – essential for your career development.

Designed specifically for the busy working professional it is delivered in three-day blocks (9am–5pm, usually Tuesday to Thursday). There are a total of 14 days' attendance in the first year and 12 in the second. The 14 days in the first year include a two-day induction programme.

Teaching is covered in two academic years (September–May) and the rest of the programme is given over to a research based dissertation with the support of a dissertation supervisor. The online library facilities and 24/7 IT support are both designed to facilitate distance learning for busy working professionals.

Professional accreditation

The course is fully accredited by the Association for Project Management.

Find out more

For further information, please contact our Admissions Team (details above). We also hold regular postgraduate and part-time open evenings at which you can see our facilities, enjoy a guest lecture and meet the academics and current students over drinks and canapés. Applicants will be interested to know that each year Portsmouth Business School offers a number of scholarships for self-funding students.

Course content

Credit is given for each unit achieved and a range of exit awards are available for those who do not complete the full programme:

• Postgraduate Certificate (PgC): attendance for an induction and two units (total: two units).
• Postgraduate Diploma (PgD): in addition to PgC units, attendance for a further two units (total: four units).
• Master of Science (MSc): Successful progression from PgD stage, a period of personal study and the submission of a dissertation will be required for the award of MSc.

Course structure

The course is structured as five units:

• Project Environment and Planning
• Financial and Commercial Management
• Project Leadership and Risk Management
• Methodologies for Projects and Research Investigations
• Dissertation

Outlines of the five units:

Project Environment and Planning introduces projects and project management and develops an understanding of the relationship between project and business management. The nature of projects and the strategic setting, the relationship between goals, tasks and resources whilst balancing time, cost and quality, and the need for communication, commitment and control are presented.

Financial and Commercial Management introduces you to the raising of project finance, building, monitoring and controlling project budgets and measuring earned value of project deliverables. Also covered are the commercial aspects of procurement including tendering, contracting and the skills and practice of contract and bid negotiation. You will examine key roles that project managers, budget managers and key project personnel play in managing project budgets.

Project Leadership and Risk Management develops a critical understanding of individual, team and organisational working in order to deliver project goals successfully. You will look at how individual characteristics such as personality, intelligence, ability and skills, motivation and attitudes affect individual performance. Empowering individuals and teams to achieve quality standards which enhance personal team and organisational performance together with the development of creative and credible project leadership is covered.

Methodologies for Projects and Research Investigations explores the investigation of project issues through the use of a structured research methodology and project management analysis tools to enhance the research process. Wider strategic issues are explored to place the research process into context to illustrate how appropriate research methods can be identified for specific types of research problems. Tools for the modelling and analysis of complex problem situations and how these can be used to diagnose problem situations to identify relevant areas for further investigation are presented. You will examine PRINCE2, Partnering and Programme Management as a wider context for project management research issues.

Dissertation: the overall aim is to enable you to demonstrate your ability to identify, design, plan and undertake research on a specific project management issue and to effectively communicate your findings. The ability to critically review and assess previous literature and research and to demonstrate sustained intellectual effort in analysis and decision making are key elements of the dissertation.

Teaching and assessment

The first four units are taught units. Each will take place in two blocks of three days, (9am–5pm, usually Tuesday to Thursday). The taught units will be assessed by a coursework assignment that follows each block. There are two taught units in the first year and two in the second. The dissertation is a research based, extended piece of work carried out during the final year.

Career prospects

Students will gain a broad understanding of project management, including its current tools and techniques, as well as an increased ability to contribute to project and business effectiveness through leadership of projects. You will also develop an understanding of implementing and leading the management of change through projects.

Benefits to your employer and organisation will be project managers with a thorough understanding of project management techniques and concepts; project leaders capable of managing change successfully; and project leaders with a proven ability to analyse project problems, assess needs and devise and implement solutions.

Our careers and recruitment team will support you in developing the skills needed to pursue employment opportunities in your chosen area.

Facilities and features

Our teaching rooms provide for stimulating and rewarding group-based learning. Close at hand are computer labs which are used for interactive sessions on project analysis tools.

Throughout the course practising project managers are invited along to speak about their experiences and give guidance on project management.

The online library facilities and 24/7 IT support are both designed to facilitate distance learning for busy working professionals.

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for MSc Project Management and Leadership are shown above, for more detailed information please contact:

Department: Portsmouth Business School
Tel: +44 (0)23 9284 8200
Email: pbs.postgradadmissions@port.ac.uk