Programme and Project Management (with optional Placement/Project year) MSc

Accreditations

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Course Summary
We have designed our course to produce ‘hands-on’ professionals who have access to a broad range of career possibilities in project management, either as project managers in their own right or as members of a Programme, Portfolio or Project Office.
For people new to project management, this course will give you a thorough grounding in the discipline, enabling you to start in this field with confidence. For existing Project Managers, we can develop and enhance your core skills, as well as provide you with the opportunity to learn new, related techniques.
If you wish to pursue further research into programme and project management issues, you will be encouraged to do so, while being supported by our expert tutor team.
The University of Chester is an Accredited Training Organisation for PRINCE2®. The optional PRINCE2® 6th Edition training and exam involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees.
There is an option to choose a Project/Placement year for this course, at an additional cost.
Optional 2-year Master's To Suit Your Needs
Choosing a Professional Placement MSc is a win-win for your career, giving you the chance to get real experience, apply your cutting-edge skills in the workplace and stand out to future employers.
In the first year you will have help from the University to find a placement, whilst developing your expertise. You will then spend your second year out in industry on placement, getting the chance to work with industry professionals and grow your network of industry contacts. Bringing your university-acquired knowledge and insights to industry, you will get to make a difference to the workplace and make lasting links with your employer.
Students need to find and secure their own placement, supported by the University. A preparation module will also help you to get ready for your placement.
Please note, this course is available as a one-year master degree course, or as a Two-Year Master's Course with a Professional Placement or Project. Please carefully consider your options when applying for our one year or Two-year routes as successful international applicants will not be able to change between courses after a Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) letter has been issued or after arriving in the UK.
What You'll Study
You will gain practical skills and undertake research tasks, while being supported by our expert tutor team. Critical thinking, analysis and reflection, as well as research and academic writing, are developed throughout the entire course. Modules are based upon methodologies and modern techniques for programme and project management.
If you choose a placement or project year, the Research Dissertation module will be replaced by a placement or project module.
The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.
If chosen, your second year of study will consist of your Project or Professional Placement
MODULES
- Professional Placement Option
- Professional Project Option
The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.
Lectures and workshops are delivered in a hybrid form; each module leader adapts their methods to suit the topic being addressed on a given occasion.
Guided independent study and literature review form important aspects of our research methods and dissertation modules as well as being incorporated into the independent study component of our subject-specific delivery.
Coursework assignments are used throughout the curriculum. The exact form of assignment reflects the subject matter. Portfolios are used where the attainment of a subject-specific practical skill is relevant. Essays, literature reviews and technical reports are used to develop a critical appreciation of the wider subject area and to encourage core research and dissemination skills. Coursework may constitute the only or the major form of assessment in some modules and can be conducted on an individual or group basis.
Formative assessments will take the form of diagnostic tests, in-class tests and on-line tests during lectures. They do not contribute to the final marks achieved for each module but provide an opportunity for students to monitor their own academic progress and for lecturers to provide feedback and help improve the students’ learning experience.
Dissertation work with individual supervision is a vital aspect of our programme.
Entry Requirements
2:2 honours degree
Applicants will normally be expected to have a first degree (2:2 honours minimum).
2:2 honours degree
Applicants will normally be expected to have a first degree (2:2 honours minimum).
English Language Requirements
For more information on our English Language requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements.
Fees and Funding
Guides to the fees for students who wish to commence postgraduate courses are available to view on our Postgraduate Taught Programmes Fees page. Here you will also find information about part-time fees and project/placement year fees.
The full-time course fee for Home Students is £8,775 (2025/26). The professional placement/project year will cost an additional £2,750 (due at the start of the second year of the course), totalling £11,525 for the full course fee 2025/26.
£15,000for the full course (2025/26)
The tuition fees for international students studying Postgraduate programmes in 2025/26 are £15,000.
For MSc programmes where a placement or project year is undertaken there will be an additional charge of £2,750 for the placement/project year (due at the start of the second year of the course), totalling £17,750 for the full course fee.
The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships for postgraduate study, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when your application is reviewed, and any award given will be stated on your offer letter.
For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.
Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes.
Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees.
The University of Chester supports fair access for students who may need additional support through a range of bursaries and scholarships.
Full details, as well as terms and conditions for all bursaries and scholarships can be found on the Fees and Finance section of our website.
Your future Career
Job prospects
Project Management is a key skill that has been witnessing growing demand due to the increasing scale and complexity of projects being undertaken across all industries. Demand over the next 10 years for project managers is growing faster than demand for workers in other occupations. Organisations, however, face risks from this talent gap.
The latest PMI-commissioned talent gap analysis by Anderson Economic Group (AEG) points to outstanding opportunities in jobs and career growth for project managers within the 11 countries studied. Through 2027, the project management-oriented labour force in seven project-oriented sectors is expected to grow by 33%, or nearly 22 million new jobs.
By 2027, employers will need nearly 88 million individuals in project management-oriented roles. Talent shortages in the profession can potentially create risks of nearly US$208 billion in GDP over the 10-year period in the 11 countries examined.
Careers service
The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.
Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.
We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs .