The APM and PMI accredited Project Management degree at Robert Gordon University enables you to develop the competencies, skills and knowledge for all project management disciplines across the world. This course is suitable for those already in the profession or seeking to change direction as well as those at the start of their career.
The course is designed to meet the growing industry demand for project management professionals across a range of sectors including engineering, healthcare and energy and is developed in conjunction with diverse industry practitioners and professional bodies.
Our strong links with industry enable us to offer you practical and innovative learning experiences including the opportunity to work on real-life client based projects and case studies.
This course offers the opportunity to extend your study by a year to complete a 48 week work placement. Evidence suggests that graduates who can demonstrate relevant work experience have a better chance of securing a graduate level job.
In addition to our degree being accredited, the APM has also recognised Aberdeen Business School as an APM Assessment Centre for technical knowledge. This means upon completion of PgDip or MSc in Project Management, our students will no longer be required to sit the technical assessments to achieve the chartered status of the APM and will therefore only be assessed on the professional practice element. RGU is the first university in Scotland to achieve this status.
At Aberdeen Business School, we are in the business of changing your tomorrow.
If you are considering a postgraduate study option for an Aberdeen Business School course starting September 2024 or January 2025 then please be aware application deadlines are in place which may affect your first choice of start date or course selection.
Stages 1 & 2
You will develop the technical, commercial and business knowledge, skills and competencies in key areas of project management including management of strategy, processes, project life cycle management, maturity models and project management software. Transferable skills in communication, team working and leadership will be established.
Stage 3
The Capstone module is designed to provide you with an opportunity to integrate master's level knowledge and skills by independently working on a research focused project from a degree related discipline. Personal and professional skills such as research, communication and presentation skills will be developed.
Extended Master's
We offer an extended Master’s route, starting in September, on our traditional 1-year route which incorporates a 12 month placement. This route has a duration of 24 months, and will follow the same teaching programme as the 1 year course. You will receive training, guidance and support to support you through the recruitment and selection stages for the jobs on offer from our dedicated Employability and Enrichment Hub team.
Student stories
Hear from our students and graduates about their experiences studying this course:
Modules
Modules and delivery order may change for operational purposes. The University regularly reviews its courses. Course content and structure may change over time. See our course and module disclaimer for more information.
Detailed module informationOn Campus Study
You will learn through a combination of lectures, seminars and workshop sessions. These comprise of a mix of group study, discussion, simulation and presentations of findings by teams and individuals. You will work as an individual and also as part of a team on case studies, team activities, presentations and discussions.
Access to our virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle, is also provided giving you access from home to learning materials (including videos, e-books and journals).
On Campus Day Release Part-time courses are delivered in parallel with the On Campus Full-time cohort but you will only study 2 modules (30 credits) per term.
Part-time on-campus courses are delivered during the working week. Our part-time students attend classes at the same time as our full-time on campus students. This course delivery format then requires the part-time student to be released by their employers during the working day
Online Learning
Our virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle offers you flexibility of where and when you can study, offering full and open access to tutors and other class members. You have the benefit of being part of a group of learners with the invaluable opportunity to participate in active, group-related learning within a supportive online community setting. The online campus provides you with lectures and course materials, discussion forums and live chat.
Activity Summary
This summary represents full-time on-campus delivery. Online learning and part-time delivery may differ.
- Lectures - 10-30 students per group, 96 hours per term
- Tutorial - 10-30 students per group, 48 hours per term
- Project Supervision - 1-4 students per group, 12 hours per term
- Independent Study - 456 hours per term
How long is a Project Management course?
This Project Management course can be successfully completed within 1 - 3 years.
Independent Study
The course encourages you to work autonomously and to take responsibility for your own learning and professional development. The main vehicle for independent learning is the Capstone Project where you will develop your learning in many aspects: the nature of research, writing a proposal, sourcing relevant information, data collection and analysis, research ethics and presenting work.
Staff delivering on this course
Academic staff who teach on this course have worked in a range of professional backgrounds, are ‘business-connected’ and use professional networks and their academic research to ensure teaching is professionally relevant.
Our staff have either achieved Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy, or are working towards this. This is a professional recognition of lecturer practice, impact and leadership in teaching and learning. In addition, many have featured in the annual Support and Teaching staff with Appreciation and Recognition (STAR) awards voted by the students and organised by RGU:Union.
We have a proactive Industry Liaison Group who provide input to course redesign and may contribute to classes through guest lectures and masterclasses.
Assessment
Please note the below represent full-time on-campus delivery, online learning and part-time delivery will differ.
Typically students are assessed each year:
- 2 written assignments, including essays
- 2 reports
- 1 Capstone project
- 3 practical skills assessments
- 1 presentation
Feedback
We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.
Academic Support
The Inclusion Centre advises and supports students who disclose a sensory or mobility impairment, chronic medical condition, mental health issue, dyslexia and other specific learning differences. Applicants are encouraged to arrange a pre-entry visit to discuss any concerns and to view the facilities.
Online Learning & Support
All undergraduate and postgraduate students, whether you are learning on campus or by online learning, benefit from using our collaborative virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle. You will be provided with 24/7 online access to your learning material and resources, along with the ability to interact with your class members and tutors for discussion and support.
Study Skills Support
The Study Support Team provides training and support to all students in:
- Academic writing
- Study skills (note taking, exam techniques, time management, presentation)
- Maths and statistics
- English language
- Information technology support
Library Support
The Library offers support for your course, including the books, eBooks, and journals you will need. We also offer online reading lists for many modules, workshops and drop-ins on searching skills and referencing, and much more.
Job Prospects
You will have the opportunity to take up membership with the APM and PMI during your studies which will provide excellent networking and career opportunities.
Project Management is very flexible, with the project management process being able to be applied globally and cross sector. The subject are encompasses competencies, skills and knowledge required for most management roles and you can build on these to meet your own career aspirations.
Is Project Management a good career choice?
Previous graduates have gone on to successful careers in a variety of industry sector including:
- energy
- engineering
- built environment
- construction
- education
- film
- research and development
- local government
- financial services
Typical roles include project engineer, quality manager, finance manager, web design manager, contracting manager, procurement /purchasing manager and project/programme coordinator.
12 Month Placement
For those on our Extended Master’s route (24 months Full Time On Campus) you will have the opportunity to embark on a 12 month placement on completion of the teaching programme.
Placement opportunities are real jobs in an extensive range of organisations from small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to global multinationals, and is an excellent way to test your academic knowledge, develop transferable skills and develop your business networks. The employing organisation is likely to be a source of rich data for the Capstone module and you will be encouraged to research an organisational issue of your choosing – likely identified through discussion with the placement employer. You will also complete a reflective e-portfolio which captures the skills development through the placement period.
Throughout the placement you will be assigned both a workplace mentor and an academic mentor and will receive ongoing support to enhance your career development.
N.B. You are responsible for finding the placement, with support from the placement team, and as such the University cannot guarantee that all students will be successful in securing a placement. If unsuccessful, your course fee attached to the work experience element will be refunded.
What is needed for an MSc in Project Management?
- Applicants normally hold a 2:2 undergraduate honours degree or its equivalent in any subject discipline.
- Applicants with a lower degree classification and/or relevant work experience will be considered on a case by case basis.
English Language Requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English should have an IELTS of 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5, or an equivalent.
We accept a variety of in-country and secure English language tests, find out more:
Please note, some courses may require a higher standard of English than stated in this page. Contact admissions@rgu.ac.uk for further information.
International Students
International students who do not meet our direct entry requirements for this course can gain additional entry points through our International College at Robert Gordon University.
Tuition fees for this Project Management course are as follows:
For Academic Year 2024/2025
Full time on campus
- UK Students: £9,060 entire course
- EU Students: £9,060 entire course
- International Students: £18,500 entire course
Extended full time Masters with work placement
UK Students
- £9,060 Year 1
- £5,500 Year 2
EU Students
- £9,060 Year 1
- £5,500 Year 2
International Students
- £18,500 Year 1
- £6,000 Year 2
Part time on campus
UK Students
- £3,400 Year 1
- £3,400 Year 2
- £2,260 Year 3
EU Students
- £3,400 Year 1
- £3,400 Year 2
- £2,260 Year 3
International Students
- £6,940 Year 1
- £6,940 Year 2
- £4,620 Year 3
Online Learning
All Students - 13 Months Route
- £11,230 entire course
All Students - 2 Year Route
- £5,615 Year 1
- £5,615 Year 2
All Students - 3 Year Route
- £4,210 Stage 1
- £4,210 Stage 2
- £2,810 MSc Dissertation Stage
For Academic Year 2023/2024
Full time on campus
- UK Students: £9,060 entire course
- EU Students: £9,060 entire course
- International Students: £16,990 entire course
Extended full time Masters with work placement
UK Students
- £9,060 Year 1
- £5,500 Year 2
EU Students
- £9,060 Year 1
- £5,500 Year 2
International Students
- £16,990 Year 1
- £5,500 Year 2
Part time on campus
UK Students
- £3,400 Year 1
- £3,400 Year 2
- £2,600 Year 3
EU Students
- £3,400 Year 1
- £3,400 Year 2
- £2,600 Year 3
International Students
- £6,300 Year 1
- £6,300 Year 2
- £4,250 Year 3
Online Learning
All Students - 13 Months Route
- £10,800 entire course
All Students - 2 Year Route
- £5,400 Year 1
- £5,400 Year 2
All Students - 3 Year Route
- £4,050 Stage 1
- £4,050 Stage 2
- £2,700 MSc Dissertation Stage
Additional Costs
- You can join the PMI as a student member at a cost of approx £30
Some other costs are not included in the course fees:
- The cost of books that you may wish to purchase.
- Costs associated with any placement / study abroad
- Accommodation and Living Costs
- Printing
Alumni Discount
Robert Gordon University is delighted to offer a 20% discount on course fees for all alumni who have graduated from RGU.
Student Funding
Postgraduate students will normally make their own arrangements for payment of fees. However, there are a limited number of SAAS funded places on certain postgraduate courses.
Scholarships and Financial Awards
You may qualify for a scholarship or financial award:
Disclaimer
For new intakes, course fees are reviewed and published annually for each mode of delivery. Tuition fees are fixed for the duration of a course at the rate confirmed in the offer letter. For further information:
Student Story
Any questions?
Get in touch with our Student Admissions Service and we'll do our best to help.