Course Overview
In today’s rapidly evolving business environment, globalisation, customer demands, and increasing market competition have made effective project management essential for organisational success. To seize new opportunities, businesses need skilled individuals who not only understand project management best practices but can also adapt to the ever-changing landscape of the field. The MSc in Project Management from the University of Bolton is designed to equip you with the knowledge and expertise needed to lead successful projects, enhancing the productivity and competitiveness of your organisation.
Delivered through blended learning, this course offers the flexibility to balance your studies with work commitments while being guided by an expert teaching team. You will gain a deep understanding of the principles and practices of project management, focusing on the entire project lifecycle, from initiation to completion. Topics covered include scope definition, work breakdown structure, project planning, budgeting, resource allocation, project development, risk management, and procurement processes.
You will learn how to specify the quality of project deliverables, estimate resource needs, and identify timelines, while also developing your skills in monitoring and managing the project as it progresses. This includes adjusting to changes, mitigating risks, and ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required standard.
People management is a key aspect of project management, and the course will help you develop essential leadership and communication skills for managing stakeholder expectations and leading project teams effectively. Additionally, the programme incorporates research, critical thinking, and analytical skills, ensuring you are well-prepared for strategic decision-making and problem-solving in complex project environments.
Please note: The language of instruction is English.
Highlights
- Established Partnership: The University of Bolton has a long-standing partnership with MIM, spanning over 10 years.
- Professional Accreditation: The University of Bolton is a corporate partner of the Association for Project Management (APM), the UK’s leading chartered professional body for project management.
- Comprehensive Learning: The course covers a full range of methods, techniques, and tools for contemporary project management, with a focus on critical analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.
- Case Studies and Practical Application: Each module incorporates real-world case studies to help you apply theoretical concepts and explore different approaches to solving complex project challenges.
- Industry-Relevant Knowledge: By completing the programme, you will gain up-to-date knowledge of current business trends, management practices, and emerging issues in project management.
- Career Preparation: The course will help build your self-confidence, critical self-reflection, and creativity, ensuring you are prepared for the next step in your career.
Key Features
- Blended Learning: Access to the University’s e-learning resources, extensive e-library, and virtual learning environment enables flexible study, combining online learning with in-person sessions.
- APM Digital Resources: As a student of a corporate partner of APM, you will have access to their digital resources and journals, enhancing your learning experience.
- Expert Support: Receive guidance and support from both the University of Bolton and MIM’s academic and administrative staff, ensuring you have the resources and assistance needed to succeed.
- Off-Campus Support: Dedicated support from the Off-Campus team ensures you feel fully integrated into the University community, even if you are studying remotely.
- Innovative Problem Solving: The course will foster systematic and innovative thinking, equipping you to approach problem-solving and decision-making with confidence in a project management context.
- Practical Application: Learn how to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, using analytical skills and data gathering to resolve complex operational challenges.
By completing the MSc in Project Management, you’ll be prepared to lead projects in diverse industries, with a strong understanding of both the technical and human elements involved in successful project execution.
Entry Requirements
To be eligible for the MSc in Project Management, you should normally have an honours degree (or equivalent) in a business-related subject. However, if your degree is in a different field, you may still qualify if you have at least one year of professional experience working on projects. This experience should be evidenced through your CV and a summary of your role in the project(s).
We’re happy to have an informal discussion with you about the course, either over the phone or in person. If you’d like to meet in person, please contact MIM to arrange a convenient time. While interviews are not typically required for this course, we reserve the right to request one if needed.
In addition, we consider applications from candidates with significant relevant work experience that may complement or substitute the formal academic qualifications. This will be assessed in line with the University’s Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) policy.
If there are any changes to key information about the course or if a decision is made to suspend the programme between the offer of admission and enrolment, we will notify applicants as soon as possible and outline the available options.
Career Opportunities
Project management is a globally sought-after profession, offering dynamic and rewarding career opportunities across a wide range of industries. Whether in project administration, coordination, planning, programming, consultancy, or as a Project Management Office (PMO) manager, professionals in this field are in high demand. The scope for career growth continues to expand, with employers increasingly seeking graduates who combine practical vocational experience with academic learning—giving University of Bolton graduates a distinct advantage in the competitive job market.
As a project manager, you will play a central role in leading and delivering successful projects. You’ll be responsible for coordinating diverse resources—such as personnel, materials, finances, and external consultants—to meet the organisation’s objectives, ensuring projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. Graduates of this programme will be equipped with the management, leadership, and problem-solving skills needed to thrive in this varied, challenging, and rewarding field.
What Can I Do with This Qualification?
The MSc in Project Management from the University of Bolton is designed to help you build a successful managerial career in project management. As a graduate, you will be well-prepared to take on a wide range of project management roles in different business environments, both operationally and strategically.
You may be involved from the earliest stages of projects, assisting in the development of project briefs and designs for clients. Alternatively, you could oversee the execution of projects, managing key resources such as budgets, teams, and timelines. Some graduates may even choose to work as independent consultants, building their own project management practices.
The MSc Project Management programme also provides excellent preparation for those interested in pursuing doctoral-level study, research, or a career in academia.
Alternative Career Options
While this MSc is tailored for a career in project management, it also opens doors to a variety of other managerial roles. Some of these positions may require additional experience or further study. Possible career paths include:
- Operations Management
- General Management
- Product Management
- Product Development
- Business Analysis
- Business Development
- Marketing
- Sales
- Quality Assurance and Control
- Event Planning
- Logistics
- Research and Development
- Teaching and Education
- Consultancy
The skills and knowledge gained through the MSc in Project Management can be applied across a range of sectors, giving you the flexibility to pursue a broad array of career options, depending on your interests and aspirations.
Modules
The modules listed below comprise a mix of compulsory and optional units. Depending on your specific pathway and the course structure for your intake, you may not have the opportunity to study all the modules listed here.
- Study Skills for Master’s Programmes
Develop essential academic skills for postgraduate study, including critical thinking, research techniques, and effective academic writing. - Project Management Principles and Practice
Gain an in-depth understanding of the core principles and practices of project management, including planning, execution, and monitoring project progress. - Managing Risks and Solving Problems
Learn strategies for identifying, assessing, and managing risks in projects, along with problem-solving techniques to overcome challenges during project delivery. - Research Methods
Explore various research methodologies and techniques, preparing you for the research requirements of your dissertation and professional practice. - Finance and Decision Making for Projects
Develop financial management skills for project settings, including budgeting, cost estimation, and financial decision-making to ensure projects are completed within budget. - Project Dissertation
Conduct independent research to address a significant project management issue or challenge, culminating in a detailed dissertation that showcases your research and analytical skills. - Project Leadership
Understand the key leadership theories and practices relevant to project management, and develop the skills necessary to lead project teams effectively. - IT for Supply Chain and Project Management
Study the role of information technology in project management, focusing on the tools and systems that support project planning, execution, and supply chain integration. - Sustainability in Project Operations
Examine sustainable practices in project management, and learn how to integrate environmental, social, and economic sustainability considerations into project delivery. - Enterprise Management for Project Leaders
Focus on the management of business operations and strategic decision-making, with an emphasis on the skills needed for leading projects within a broader organisational context. - Managing Projects Across International Borders
Gain an understanding of the challenges and complexities involved in managing projects in a global environment, including cultural, legal, and logistical considerations. - Strategies for Quality Management in Projects
Learn how to implement quality management strategies in projects, focusing on quality assurance, control processes, and continuous improvement. - Procurement and Operations Management
Study procurement processes and operational management within the context of project management, including supply chain management, contract negotiations, and vendor management.
These modules are designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of project management from both a theoretical and practical perspective, preparing you for leadership roles in diverse industries.
