The MSc - what you really need to know.
The MSc in Project Management offers an outstanding opportunity for up to 80 of the brightest people. If you’ve achieved a minimum 2.2 and have the unrestricted right to work in the UK post graduation, you could have the opportunity to work on some of the most pioneering and enduring projects in the UK.
The MSc programme lasts for one year.
We’ll pay all tuition fees and provide student accommodation where it is required. All students attending Warwick University will live in single accommodation in the post graduate village on campus and in London people will be housed together in a top quality accommodation block, which is privately run, close to UCL.
For those already having their own accommodation in London and who want to travel into the university as required we will provide a yearly Oyster season ticket as an alternative. Please note that there is no cash alternative to any of these options.
On top of all this you’ll even receive a £5,000 bursary, paid at the start of each term, to help you with living expenses during the course. What makes this programme so special is that we guarantee you a job upon successful completion, involving some of the largest and most complex projects being undertaken in the UK.
You will need to decide which university course and location you have a preference for carefully as your choice will influence where you might be working at the end of the MSc. The syllabi are different for one thing - UCL offers a more construction-based emphasis to its modules whilst Warwick offers a more business-focused emphasis in its curriculum.
We would expect all of the UCL students to be found jobs in the London area on completion of their studies although you can opt for other locations.
If you are more technically inclined and would prefer your job to be in our Information Management (IT) area then you should opt for the course at the University of Warwick.
All of the IM jobs will be London based. IM are looking to host 10 out of the 80 places available.
If you do not want to work in London -and we do have offices all over the country - it is likely that jobs for these locations will be sourced from the Warwick course.
A key element at both institutions is the support we will give all of our students with mentors from within Network Rail. We will also provide a list of potential research projects for students to choose from. You will work closely with Network Rail people throughout the year at university making sure that your transition to your first job will be as smooth as possible. The identification of a suitable role for you will be part of this process.
At the point of application it will be difficult to predict exactly what role you might be playing but this will be clarified as the year progresses as we get to know you.
What do we expect in return?
As you would expect with such a generous study package we want you to remain working for us some time after graduation.
Therefore, if you join the scheme but then leave the company within 1 year of completion we will expect you to pay back all of the money we have invested in you, this reduces to 50% in year 2, and 25% in year 3.
Combining lectures, case studies, group exercises, industrial visits, course work and assignments, the MSc in Programme and Project Management ensures you have the know-how and confidence to contribute effectively to the development and management of both small and large scale projects and programmes.
Alongside your core and elective modules, you’ll undertake a final project that’s worth 50% of the overall MSc. Typical projects for students on this course have included: human resource management and organisational behaviour; group theory – team working; the impact of change on product development; and the effects of organisational culture.
Typically you would attend six core modules: Project Planning; Management & Control; Managing the Multi-project/Programme Environment; Joint Ventures; Management of Change; Organisations, People and Performance; and Financial Analysis & Control Systems plus an additional three modules selected by Network Rail. All modules are designed to ensure you’re equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to progress your career, and the projects you’ll work on. The final MSc project provides the opportunity for you to apply the knowledge gained from the modules in a “real-world” environment.
For in-depth information on this particular programme, click here.
You’ll be equipped with all the social science and management skills needed to analyse the issues that confront senior managers, policy advisers and decision makers in any branch of the construction and project-based industries. You’ll be taught the concepts, tools and techniques employed in managing projects from the earliest stages of development through to operations and maintenance.
Those who successfully complete the course will leave with the ability to think from first principles about how construction and other projects can be best managed, particularly as new practices, technologies, opportunities and competitive pressures continue to develop in the future. Our aim is to prepare and equip you for the transition into your managerial career whilst developing the managerial competence of professionals moving into their first management position.
The course is divided into four parts: 4 core subject modules (60 credits); 4 specialist modules (60 credits); 5 non-assessed specialist modules and the research report or thesis (60 credits). The core subjects cover the basic knowledge areas, and develop the fundamental approach that characterises the course. The specialist modules provide knowledge and a range of techniques based upon your requirements as a project manager with Network Rail.
You will take a highly regarded MSc programme delivered by leading academics and highly experienced practitioners in the field of project management.
For in-depth information on this particular programme, click here.