Construction and Civil Engineering Management MSc

Construction and civil engineering managers are responsible for the practical management and planning of every stage of a construction project. They ensure building projects are completed safely, within budget, and on time. Our CIOB accredited Construction and Civil Engineering Management Master’s degree will develop your understanding of the role of a construction manager, giving you the confidence and encouragement to develop your own management style.

This course has been designed to help you reach your career aspirations; it is perfect for those looking for a formal management qualification to support your career progression or those seeking to advance into leadership roles in the construction and civil engineering sector. This MSc in civil engineering management will provide you with the expert theory and knowledge needed to gain a complete understanding of the role of a construction manager throughout the entire construction process.

Our master’s in construction management is broken down into eight key modules and a major project, and the modules cover key topics such as management theory; project planning and control; management practice; and procurement and supply chain management. This postgraduate degree will also give you a greater understanding of the economic, political, and legal framework; sustainability and environmental management; and structural adaption and reuse of buildings. There is also a research design and methods module which will help to prepare and support you while planning and conducting your major project. This major project will give you the opportunity to carry out your own research or work-based project in an area that most interests you and aligns with your future career plans, in order to demonstrate your learning from the course.

Successful completion of this course will enhance your employability as a manager in a wide range of roles within the built environment sector. You’ll have the expert knowledge, skills, and the confidence needed to apply your own management style to lead teams and identify and put into practice innovative solutions to construction-related problems. Once you have completed 3 years on the job experience, you’ll be eligible to apply for Chartered Status with The Chartered Institute of Building.

Modules

Due to the structure of this course, there will be instances where you will study two modules simultaneously during a trimester. You will be supported by your tutors to help manage your workload and assessment deadlines.

Please contact one of our advisers to discuss the pacing of this course and the options available to match your circumstances.

Management Theory
This module is designed to focus on building your knowledge of leadership theories, as well as helping you to construct your own unique approach to management. You will learn about the key principles and practices of management, including organisational structures and leadership. You will also explore the principles and practice that are involved in management and organisational success.

Management Practice
Organisational performance is largely dependent on the performance of people, which in turn is determined by the quality and effectiveness of their management. Therefore, it is crucial that managers can effectively lead the people that are under them in the organisational hierarchy, and aid and inspire their teams to produce the best results they can. In this module, you will learn about people management, HR policy and practices, and how to manage performance, empower motivation, and development commitment.

Project Planning and Control
You'll develop a systematic understanding of the principles, practices and systems used to plan and control projects. You'll gain a critical insight into integrated planning and programming software and information systems and the potential of Project Management Information Systems [PMIS] to provide effective management of all aspects of a project, especially resources, time, and cost.

Research Design and Methods

This module is designed to equip you with an in-depth understanding of the theories and methods of research and research design. You'll develop a theoretical and practical foundation from which to embark on your master’s level Major Project/Dissertation. 

Economic, Legal and Political Framework
Firms in the construction and civil engineering sector are very dependent on the external environment and this module will enable you to understand and analyse these complex relationships. You’ll develop your understanding of the economic, political, and legal influences on firms in the industry and apply your learning to current events through your own research and debates.

Sustainability and Environmental Management

Here, you will look at wider developments in environmental protection, how they influence construction, and how construction affects them. You will also examine the demands that greater environmental awareness places on the built environment.

Procurement and Supply Chain Management

This module will aim to give you an in-depth understanding of the principles and practices of procurement across a wide range of different approaches and situations. This includes direct and integrated approaches such as supply chain management and partnering in order to ensure that you’re fully prepared for the responsibilities that are involved in construction management.

Structural Adaptation and Re-use of Buildings

Structural Adaptation and Re-use of Buildings will help you to develop a detailed understanding of the engineering aspects of building adaptation and re-use. These include, but are not limited to, a consideration of the benefits that the approach can deliver in terms of reductions in energy and resource consumption. You’ll also consider a range of structural implications including the assessment of existing buildings; changes in loading requirements and related structural calculations; durability, degradation, and testing of construction materials and structural adaptations; strengthening methods; and temporary works.

Major Project/Dissertation
You'll chose an independent research topic from an area of expertise within our department (subject to availability of suitable supervision) and will conduct a significant research project in that area which may involve a literature review, data collection, analysis, and a write-up. The final piece of work should be equivalent to a maximum of 12,000 words.

Assessment

We’ll assess you through a combination of assignments, case studies, examinations, group work and presentations.

Our Construction and Civil Engineering MSc is studied 100% online.

You’ll study through Canvas, our world-class online Learning Management System (LMS), which can be accessed from your phone, PC, or tablet, both at home or on the move. Canvas provides instant access to study materials, forums, and support from tutors and classmates, as well as enabling easy submission of your assignments.

On successful completion of your studies, you’ll be invited to attend a graduation ceremony on campus. If attending the ceremony in person is not possible then we’ll arrange to have your certificate sent to you.

To help you land your dream job, our Employability Service will work with you throughout your time at ARU and after you graduate.

We offer:

• careers advice, including one-to-one online and telephone appointments with our experienced advisers
• help with your CV, job searches, applications, and interview preparation
• an online portal packed with useful careers resources
• our Employability Programme, which helps you hone the skills employers say they want in graduates.

Important additional notes

Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.

Fees

The full tuition fee for this course is £7,250.

The tuition fees you pay each year for the full Construction and Civil Engineering Management MSc will be either £2,416 or £2,417. The course is studied over 2 years 4 months if you start in September or 2 years 9 months if you start in January.

Accredited Prior Learning may reduce the tuition fees. This will be confirmed once your application has been submitted.

Funding

We offer payment by instalments, so you can spread the cost of studying with us.

For military students: You can use your ELCs towards this course. ARU is a recognised ELCAS provider (number 1007). Please contact your Learning Centre for details of ELC, eligibility and how to apply.

For more information on how you fund your studies please see our funding page.

Our MSc in Construction and Civil Engineering Management will help you to master your understanding of the construction industry and build your knowledge of a range of topics. This course will introduce you to management theory and practice, as well as project planning management, to ensure that you are fully equipped to lead a team and successfully plan and manage complex construction projects. 

This postgraduate degree will also build your knowledge of the economic, legal, and political frameworks that surround construction management. This valuable new knowledge will ensure that you understand the complex way that these factors may impact your current and future role in construction and civil engineering, the activities of firms in the industry, and the influence they may have on managerial practice and decision-making in the sector. 

The modules will develop your understanding of contemporary issues such as sustainability in construction and the way in which environmental protections influence and impact civil engineering projects. This knowledge will prepare you for the evolution of the industry and inspire you to drive positive change in the field of construction.

This online construction management course is ideal if you already work in the fields of construction and civil engineering, as our degree programme will teach you how to lead dynamic teams. Through the modules on this degree programme, we seek to develop your understanding of the demands on leadership professionals in the industry and hierarchical structures within construction firms, as well as the vital role played by Human Resources in supporting management and staff.

Our MSc in civil engineering will prepare you to enter new management roles that will aid in the construction of your career path. Our modules have been designed to equip you with a full understanding of the complexities of project management and prepare you for the responsibilities of procuring supplies and managing the supply chain in effective ways which maximise efficiency, respond to challenges and solve problems.

As with any industry, it will be your responsibility as a manager to ensure that tasks are completed by you team on time and under budget. Our construction management course will give you the skills you need to manage resources and other restraints whilst leading your team effectively, empowering their progress, and inspiring them to achieve the best results.

One of the most interesting modules you will study on this civil engineering course is Structural Adaptation and Re-use of Buildings. Structural adaptation and building re-use are the processes of repurposing disused or abandoned buildings. In an era in which major concerns about climate change see a greater emphasis placed on sustainability across industries, it’s one the most environmentally friendly ways that civil engineering firms can achieve project goals and help demonstrate the incredible possibilities that the industry has to offer.

With calls to reduce carbon footprints on the rise, the reuse of buildings is the way forwards for construction and civil engineering firms. Our degree programme can introduce you to the exciting and essential world of adaptive re-use, equipping you to project manage the structural adaptation of a building for a firm that specialises in this area of construction and civil engineering.

When you study civil engineering through distance learning at ARU, you’ll be able to fit your education around your other commitment needs. Our programme is perfect for anyone in the construction industry that wants to progress their career on to management roles. As this master’s programme is completely online, you’ll still be able to work throughout your studies, enabling you to earn while you learn, and apply your new knowledge to your career from day one. 

Our tutors are experts in construction and civil engineering management, and with their guidance, you’ll discover how to navigate the intricacies of both people and project leadership. Under their tutelage, you’ll learn how to inspire commitment and dedication from your team of engineers and construction professionals. Our Master’s programme will help you in gaining insight into more sustainable avenues of civil engineering –  to not only help futureproof your new role and position you as a leader in an ever changing industry, but to help you become part of a new generation of environmentally conscious construction professionals.

Just because you study our construction management course online, it doesn’t mean you’ll be left without support. As with the traditional university setting, our distance learning tutors at ARU are on hand to ensure that you’re able to keep on track with your assignments and projects. 

You will complete your studies through our learning management system, Canvas, which is designed to let you work anywhere in the world across all of your devices. Canvas allows you to keep in contact with your tutors and peers, as well as submit your assignments and receive feedback. 

The progression of your career is important to us at ARU – that’s why we’ve developed an employability service to help advise you on your prospects and set you up to achieve your dreams, goals, and future plans. You’ll have the opportunity to engage in one-to-one careers advice sessions with experts that will offer you aid in everything from CV writing to interview preparation, ensuring that you’re fully prepared to embark on the next stage of your career. 

Find out more about distance learning on our blog: 

• 5 Reasons to Study Construction and Civil Engineering
• Retro Future – How Adaptive Reuse Revives Awesome Architecture
• 5 Reasons Career Progression is Crucial for Personal Development