Programme and Project Management (MSc) (2023 Entry)
Explore our Programme and Project Management taught Master's degree.
Programme and Project Management MSc is designed for graduates who want to move into project management, either in their current technical and business field, or into a new field of expertise. The interdisciplinary WMG department offers you the unique opportunity to gain a management education with real business and industry application.
This course is accredited by the Association for Project Management (APM).
Course overview
Companies are often strategically organised through a series of projects, programmes and portfolios, which enables them to focus clearly on specific objectives and manage resources effectively to achieve them.
This course will provide you with a broad set of skills which have wide application. You will learn the methodologies, tools, principles, and philosophies to effectively contribute to the development and management of small- and large-scale projects, multiple projects, and programmes. Alongside this, you will gain practical experience through applied syndicate activities and current case studies.
You will develop a methodical approach to the management of financial aspects of projects and programmes and will learn about the strategic management of people in organisations and how this relates to the wider business strategy.
General entry requirements
Minimum requirements
2:i undergraduate degree (or equivalent).
Candidates with a UK 2:ii (or equivalent) may be accepted upon demonstration of relevant professional experience.
English language requirements
You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:
- Band A
- IELTS overall score of 6.5, minimum component scores not below 6.0
International qualifications
We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.
For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.
Additional requirements
Candidates with professional experience should include their CV with their application.
Core modules
Core modules are required modules that all students will complete whilst on this programme. For PPM, your core modules are:
- Project Planning, Management and Control
- Programme and Project Strategy
- Managing the Multi-Project Environment
- Project Financial Management
- Management of Change
- Study, Professional and Analytical Skills
Optional modules
Two additional elective modules should be chosen from a wide list of options provided to you at the start of the academic year, allowing you the flexibility to tailor the course in line with your specific interests. Indicative electives module for PPM include:
- Project Management in Practice: Applications and Implementation
- Collaborative Project Working
- Organisations, People and Performance
- Leadership
- International Business Development
- Service Design and Delivery
- Technology Management
Read the module descriptions for this course on WMG's website.Link opens in a new window
Teaching
This course has two components – a taught component accounting for two thirds of your time and effort, and a research component each accounting for one third.
For the taught component, we blend lectures with seminars, syndicate exercises, simulations, and case studies. The majority of modules are taught in small classes to facilitate and encourage interaction. Others practice large-scale lectures, which are then backed up by seminar and syndicate activities.
Our module leaders have extensive industry experience. Guest speakers from industry also contribute regularly, bringing real-world insight into your learning experience.
In addition to your taught modules, you will undertake a major project as part of your Masters’ degree, which will develop your research and analytical skills and enable you to specialise. This is nominally 600 hours (60 CATS points) of learning, mainly taking place during the Spring and Summer terms. You will be expected to engage regularly with your Project Supervisor or Coach and to provide progress updates and drafts of your work to an agreed schedule.
Class sizes
Overall this course can accommodate up to 180 students, with several modules being delivered in smaller classes of 30-35.
Typical contact hours
Module delivery patterns vary, but most will be delivered in a short learning block of up to 4 weeks, allowing your focus to be on one module at a time. Each module nominally accounts for 150 hours, which includes scheduled classroom time and online sessions as well as your independent study and assessments.
The Study, Professional and Analytical Skills (SPA) Module also consists of 150 hours of learning and is purposefully designed to meet the complex learning and professional needs of postgraduate students. The module is taught across the year, and is composed of three interlinked yet distinctive learning strands: Study Skills, Professional Skills, and Analytical Skills. SPA is a blended module, which runs asynchronously and synchronously with the student learning journey, providing a programme of carefully designed learning activities, materials, and resources.
Assessment
Modules are predominantly assessed by way of written Post Module Assignments (PMA), but assessment can also be in other formats. Most modules will also have a degree of In-Module Assessment (IMA), which will vary by module and may take the form of presentations, on-line tests, self-reflection or a range of other methods.
For the research component, you will undertake a major project. Project submission is likely to include both a written and a presentation element, accounting for 33% of your overall academic grade.
Reading lists
Most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library. If you would like to view reading lists for the current cohort of students you can visit our Warwick Library web pageLink opens in a new window.
Your timetable
Core modules will be allocated to students at the end of the first week of term - you will then be able to view your individual module schedule for the rest of the year via the WMG module selection system.
Elective modules will be bookable through the same system later in the term.
Modules will include scheduled classroom time and online sessions as well as your independent study and assessments, and will usually be delivered within a 4 week timeframe. Occasional classes and study skills sessions may be held at weekends or in the evenings.
As a Masters student, you are expected to manage your own time appropriately. On average, you are expected to commit 38-40 hours of study each week, in order to successfully achieve your Master’s degree.
This is a full-time postgraduate course - undergraduate term dates do not apply. Whilst there are no holidays as such, there will be no teaching scheduled when the University is officially closed, during the two weeks over Christmas and New Year.
Your career
As a graduate of the MSc in Programme and Project Management, you will be highly employable. A lot of companies look for candidates with excellent project management skills and many organisations have specific roles in Project Management, Project Planning, Programme Planning and Management, or as a Project Lead, Project Engineer, or Project Officer.
Of course, the industry you go on to work in will often depend on your background studies or experience before your Master’s, and your own individual interests. We have seen our Warwick PPM graduates move into a range of project management roles within very diverse sectors from architecture or construction, through to finance, IT, Healthcare, and NGOs.
Helping you find the right career
Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:
- Warwick careers fairs throughout the year
- WMG Future Fest
- Options in Engineering sector event
- Careers for experienced hires
- Careers in Cyber Security
- Careers in healthcare
- Careers in project management
WMG at Warwick
Having forged strong links with global companies through 42 years of collaborative research and development, we really understand the global market you’ll be operating in, and have designed our programmes to match.
Find out more about us on our websiteLink opens in a new window
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Our Postgraduate Research degrees
Visiting WMG
There are a number of different ways to visit the University of Warwick throughout the year. We host bespoke PG visits, where you can talk directly with your chosen department and explore our campus through a personalised tour. WMG also organises events for prospective students including a weekly Live Chat so you can connect directly with the department to speak with staff and students from WMG. For more about university wide open days and tours, visit our Postgraduate Visits page.
Scholarships and bursaries
Scholarships and financial support
Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.
WMG funding opportunities
WMG will be awarding over £1million in scholarships and bursaries to students commencing study on our full-time MSc programmes
Living costs
Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.
Additional funding information
We have a number of research projects available which are fully or partially funded. The majority of these are for UK/EU applicants, though occasionally we advertise positions that are also open to overseas applicants. Please refer to specific project descriptions for details. See our Research Degree opportunities here.
Find out how to apply to us, ask your questions, and find out more.
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