Construction Project Management

Construction project management sits at the point where built-environment expertise meets the discipline of managing large, complex undertakings. The construction industry is one of the UK's most significant economic sectors, responsible for delivering infrastructure, housing, commercial buildings and public facilities on which individuals and organisations depend. Managing construction projects requires both technical knowledge of the built environment and the ability to coordinate teams, control costs, manage risk and ensure that complex sequences of work are completed safely, on time and within budget.

At the University of Plymouth you will develop expertise in the economic and financial analysis of projects, including cost planning and financial feasibility assessment, alongside the communication and team management skills needed to lead multidisciplinary project teams. You will study the principles of project planning, contract management, procurement, health and safety legislation and the regulatory frameworks that govern construction. The course includes a sandwich year and work-placement experience, which means the full programme runs over four years full time and gives you a significant period of professional practice alongside your academic studies.

This combination of academic and workplace learning is well established in construction education and provides the foundation for a professional career.

You will develop skills in problem-solving under constraints, risk analysis, stakeholder communication and the technical understanding of construction processes. The programme is designed to develop the rounded professional competence that the construction industry and its professional bodies expect from graduate project managers.

Graduates typically move into project management, quantity surveying, site management, contract management and commercial roles with contractors, developers, consultants and public-sector clients. The degree can serve as a foundation for professional membership of bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Building or the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Postgraduate study in project management or related fields is also an option for those seeking further specialisation.