Project Management

Develop practical, in-demand project management skills to work and thrive in any industry.

Key facts

  • Module codeBUSP012
  • Start date 10 Jun 2024
  • Duration12 weeks
  • Credit value SCQF 10
  • SCQF level Level 11
  • Fees £583
  • Mode of study part time
  • Delivery online

Applications for this course are now closed. 

Overview

Project Management is vital to all organisations. Launching a new product, constructing a new aircraft or building, developing an information system or implementing a new training programme - all are examples of projects.

This online short course examines a variety of case studies from commercial and public sector organisations to illustrate the wide range of challenges facing project managers and why project management failure happens. You will develop the key skills needed to deliver projects successfully and gain knowledge of the basic concepts, techniques and their applications, using a series of exercises to develop the key skills of project management.

You will learn the importance of planning in advance while being prepared for the unexpected.

This short course covers the following main strands:

Project lifecycle: the characteristics and key challenges of project management are discussed; brief case studies are used to illustrate the range of project management application; the lifecycle from concept to implementation and operation is described.

Project scheduling: the concept of the project network; exercises are deployed to develop skills in translating text description into network models; activity-duration estimating techniques are reviewed; the role of the network, e.g., in estimating the overall project duration, milestone dates and identifying the critical path.

Financial appraisal and modelling: the principles of financial modelling and its role; financial measures (e.g. ROI, NPV, IRR)

  • Managing multiple objectives and trade-offs
  • Project resourcing – management of teams and relations with contractors
  • Change management in projects
  • Evaluating project success and failure
  • Deploying MS Project as a project scheduling tool

Entrance requirements

English language requirements

If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:

  • IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) 56 overall with a minimum of 51 in each sub-skill.
  • IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.

See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.

Objectives

Managing just one part of the project is not enough: project management requires a systemic view, balancing multiple objectives and the needs of different stakeholders.  The module develops various individual skills, but it emphasises the need for a systemic approach and as such will develop the following:

  • an understanding of the major issues in project management from planning to implementation
  • an appreciation of complex multiple objectives found in many projects
  • the variety of activity that can benefit from project management
  • the specialised skills required by project managers

The individual skills which will be developed throughout this short course include:

  • project scheduling with MS Project
  • financial modelling with Excel
  • introductory principles of project risk analysis
  • coping with multiple objectives
  • project success/ failure analysis
  • report writing

Structure and content

The module is delivered entirely online through our intuitive learning platform iStirling which is accessed through the University Portal. You’ll have access to a wide range of resources, including: 

  • video lectures
  • day-to-day support from online tutors
  • core module materials, documentation and reading lists
  • journals, ebooks and software

Delivery and assessment

The module will be assessed by means of a 100% individual assignment:

You will be asked to assess a proposed large-scale project to produce a report using the tools and techniques from the short course to determine the viability (or otherwise) of the project.

Module coordinator

Please direct enquiries to Dr Peter Flett.

Employability

The module is specifically designed to simulate real life experience by undertaking a major project and analysis exercise which will enhance employability and career management skills.

What next?

Contact us

If you have any questions about entry requirements for our continuing professional development and short courses, contact our Admissions team.

For all other questions, please use our enquiry form.