Project Management

• For the MSc: You complete ten compulsory modules (15 credits each) and one compulsory Project (30 credits).
• For the PGDip: You choose eight optional modules (15 credits each) excluding the Project [MSc only]
• For the PGCert: You complete one core module (15 credits) and choose three optional modules (15 credits each) excluding the Project [Msc only].

Individual modules:
Study a selection of our modules individually to update your knowledge or sample the programme.

Individual modules will be available from the April 2022 intake, subject to programme module availability.

View Modules

• Download the Programme Specification
• View the Programme Regulations
• Module release schedule MSc Project Management

Specialist or Generalist? Be Both. For April 2023, we are hoping to run two specialisms on this degree, so you can focus your knowledge of the core principles of project management while specialising in an area that interests you.

Please contact us if it is your intention to register for one of these specialisms so that we can monitor interest.

MSc Project Management (Software Development)

The Software Development specialism is applicable to any sector, from private banking to government, for anything from launching new products, implementing change, and developing effective customer experiences in the digital space. You’ll learn the skills you need so you can work in teams alongside creatives, software developers and engineers.  

View MSc Project Management (Software Development) modules.

MSc Project Management (Sustainability)  

The Sustainability specialism focuses on environmental and social sustainability, climate changed, ethics and the economy. You’ll gain the skills and confident to manage projects and use this knowledge to improve the sustainability of company projects. 

View MSc Project Management (Sustainability) modules.

This programme has two intake dates per year: April and October.

The MSc Project Management is offered fully online and allows you the opportunity to flexibly fit your studies around your schedule.

You can choose to study individual modules on a pay-as-you-go basis and build up your qualification at your own pace.

By studying this programme, you will develop a critical, selective and confident approach to the integration of knowledge domains and practical skills to finance, manage and execute processes and projects successfully.

You will also enhance your awareness of the specific requirements of each project, spot the potential issues in implementation and plan preventive strategies to overcome them.

Each module is run over a 10-week block followed by an assessment submission point, with the exception of the Project module which is run over two 10-week blocks

The programme is offered online and is fully supported by a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). You study at a time and pace that suits you (subject to course-specific deadlines) and use the study materials provided, with support available from academic staff.

Study materials

All essential resources, activities, videos, discussions and support are provided through the VLE. This allows you to fit your studies around your work commitments. There is no need to purchase additional textbooks.

Online support

The programme is delivered online and there is no requirement to come to the UK as part of your studies. Our flexible online programme allows you to work around your own schedule and leads to a globally-recognised qualification.

When you register, we will give you access to your Student Portal. You can then access your University of London email account and other key resources including:

• The Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) which offers online learning support, access to the student café and discussion areas, and other study materials.
• The Student Guide provides information which is common to all students and gives guidance on a range of issues relating to your study experience.
• The Online Library provides access to over 100 million academic electronic items comprising E-books, E-journals, conference proceedings, etc. In addition, students can request items which are not held in the library via the library's Inter-Library loans service with the British Library.
• Senate House Library provides free reference access for all registered distance and flexible learning students.

Student Support

We are committed to delivering an exceptional student experience for all our students, regardless of which of our programmes you are studying. You will have access to support through:

• The Student Advice Centre – provides support for application and Student Portal queries.
• TalkCampus – a peer support service that offers a safe and confidential way to talk about whatever is on your mind at any time of day or night, access the Student Portal.

Tutor support

All students receive online tutor support while studying this programme. Tutors introduce the modules, respond to queries, monitor discussions and provide guidance on assessments.

Time commitment

The flexible approach to learning allows students to complete the MSc in a minimum of two years (subject to module availability) to a maximum of five years. You can study at your own pace, adjusting the intensity of learning to suit your needs.

Assessment

The programme is assessed by a mixture of coursework and examinations, and are all submitted online. More detail can be found in the Programme Regulations.

What qualifications do you need?

Entry route 1: Direct entry

To qualify to register for the MSc, PGDip or PGCert you will need a bachelor’s degree which is considered at least comparable to a UK second-class honours degree from an institution acceptable to the University.

If you don't have an acceptable bachelor degree but have work experience in a managerial position for at least three years, or with three years project work as junior project manager / coordinator, we will consider your application on an individual basis.

Applicants with an appropriate professional qualification from a recognised professional body will be considered on an individual basis.

Entry route 2: Performance based admissions (PBA)

If you don't meet the requirements for direct entry you can apply for the MSc via the performance based admissions route.

To qualify for entrance via the PBA route you will need:

• a bachelor’s degree from an acceptable institution
• an appropriate professional experience qualification from a recognised professional body
• an aegrotat (certificate).

If you are on the PBA route you may transfer to the MSc on successful completion of two 15-credit modules.

To qualify to register for an individual module you will need a third class bachelor’s degree or aegrotat.

English language requirements

You need a high standard of English to study this programme. You will meet our language requirements if you have achieved one of the following within the past three years:

• IELTS: at least 6.5 overall with 6.0 in the written test
• Pearson Test (Academic): at least 59 overall, with 59+ in reading and writing and 54+ in speaking and listening
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English
• Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (grade C or above)
• TOEFL iBT: at least 92 overall, with 22+ in reading and writing and 20+ in speaking and listening
• Duolingo: must achieve an overall score of at least 120.

If you do not meet the English language proficiency requirements but believe that you can demonstrate the requisite proficiency, the University may, at its discretion, consider your application.

Computer requirements

The University of London sets minimum basic computer requirements because your study resources are accessed via the Student Portal and it is vital that you can access this regularly.

For this programme, you will need regular access to a computer with an internet connection. For more information about specific software requirements, please see more about computer requirements.

You will also need to have access to a mobile telephone to enable multi-factor authentication, which is used to access the online software required by the programme.

If you have studied material as part of a previous qualification that is comparable in content and standard to our Project Management modules, you might be exempted from the equivalent course of our degree. This process is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Exemption. You will not need to study or be assessed in the module(s) to complete your award.

To be considered for RPL you should make a formal request within your application when applying online. Alternatively, this can be done through an online enquiry, once you have submitted your application.

If you are registering on the MSc Project Management you may apply for RPL for up to 45 credits (three 15-credit modules).

If you are registering on the PGDip Project Management you may apply for RPL for up to 15 credits (one 15-credit module).

Applications for RPL for the Project module or for the PGCert Project Management or Individual modules will not be considered.

We will not recognise or accredit prior learning for a module later than 14 days after the module start date. You will be deemed to have started a module once you have been given access to the learning materials on the VLE.

Discretionary

All qualifications will need to be assessed by specialist academics on a case by case basis, before we can approve RPL. This is called discretionary RPL and involves a non-refundable application fee.
You will need to be eligible to study the programme and will need to provide the following for your RPL application to be considered: a completed RPL request form, the supporting documentary evidence (a transcript and syllabus of your previous studies) and the fee payable.

Note: All discretionary recognition of prior learning requests must be submitted by the dates specified for the April or October intake in the year that you apply. Once submitted, we must receive all required supporting evidence by the deadline stated.

Please note: if you submit your application but are too late to be considered for RPL then we will still process your application to study the programme.

If you receive an offer, you can still register. You will be asked to contact us at a later date to be considered for RPL in the study session. So don't register on the modules you wish to be considered for RPL in the current study session.

Further information on rules regarding RPL is covered in the Recognition of Prior Learning section of the appropriate Programme Regulations and Section 3 of the General Regulations.

RPL and Performance based admission 

If you wish to enter the programme via the Performance Based Admissions (PBA) route, you may apply for recognition of prior learning at the point of application. Any approved RPL will be formally applied to your record once you have been successfully admitted onto the full MSc programme. 

To enter the MSc via the Performance based admission (PBA) route, you must first register for and pass two of the 15-credit modules.  

You may not register for a module which we have recognised and accredited as prior learning unless you withdraw your request for recognition of prior learning. 

If you do not successfully pass two of the 15 credit modules and therefore are not admitted onto the full MSc programme, any application fees paid for discretionary RPL are non-refundable. 

The programme fees below are effective from 26 June 2023 and refer to the October 2023, January 2024, April 2024 and July 2024 sessions.

The fees depend on whether you live in a developing (Band A) or developed (Band B) nation - see Countries and Regions list [PDF]

Important: the table below does not include fees payable to a third party, such as tuition costs payable to a Recognised Teaching Centre or fees charged by your local examination centre, or local VAT, Goods and Services Tax (GST) or sales tax.

Disclaimer: Currency conversion tool.

More about programme fees.

Some fees are non-refundable. Please see the refund and compensation policy for further details.

*The full MSc programme fee is payable when you first register on the programme and includes access to study materials and your first entry into the assessments. It does not include resit fees, the module fee when repeating a module, applications for recognition of prior learning and fees payable to a University of London Recognised Teaching Centres, if applicable. By paying in full at the beginning of your programme, you avoid any annual fee increases to module fees. With pay per module, you pay for each module as you register for it.

**The indicative totals given represent the amount you would expect to pay if you commence study in October 2021 and then complete the MSc degree in the minimum period of time (as per when modules become available), without resits, and paying per module with a year-on-year increase of 5%. These totals do not reflect the cost of any additional tuition support you may choose to take, resit fees or the fee when repeating a module, or applications for recognition of prior learning.

How to pay your fees.

Please note: all student fees shown are net of any local VAT, Goods and Services Tax (GST) or any other sales tax payable by the student in their country of residence. Where the University is required to add VAT, GST or any other sales tax at the local statutory rate, this will be added to the fees shown during the payment process. For students resident in the UK, our fees are exempt from VAT.

Further information on Sales Tax.

Your payment provider may apply additional transaction fees. (If in doubt, please check with them before making a payment.)

Further information about fee payment options can be found in the “How to pay your fees” link above.

This MSc is suitable for people who want to move into a career in the world of project management, and for those seeking to enhance their current project management careers.

This degree is also for those wanting to transition into a different sector or professionals in management positions who will be responsible for overseeing a range of projects in their careers. This may include self-employed professionals seeking to set up a career or freelance projects.

You will gain intellectual and transferable skills that will help you evaluate and reflect critically on project management decisions.

You’ll also have the option to refine your knowledge and skills by specialising in either software development or sustainability. These specialisms are highly sought-after by employers across the globe. 

This degree is ideal if you are interested in developing the skills and knowledge required to manage large scale and complex projects. It provides valuable skills and approaches used in project management across all sectors. The career opportunities are limitless.

In some countries, qualifications earned by distance and flexible learning may not be recognised by certain authorities or regulators for the purposes of public sector employment or further study. We advise you to explore the local recognition status before you register, even if you plan to receive support from a local teaching institution.

You’ll learn from highly experienced practitioners and senior executives with portfolios covering both complex, multi-disciplinary projects and small, bespoke interventions in niche sectors, combining academic excellence with industry related knowledge and expertise.

Programme director

Dr Andreas Hadjixenophontos is Senior Lecturer in Project Management at Royal Holloway University of London. He has a PhD from the London School of Economics. In 2017, he joined Royal Holloway as senior academic advisor and senior teaching fellow, and taught on the MSc Project Management and MSc Engineering Management.

Previously he trained with Price Waterhouse in London and was accepted as a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. During his early professional life, Andreas worked as an auditor for several UK public companies. He then became the CEO of a semi-government audit organization in Cyprus and later, was hired to set up an investment banking group. After being the CEO, he left to set up his consultancy firm and return to academia.

Andreas has managed projects in the finance, construction, and retail sectors, and served as Board Member in these sectors for companies. While managing audit and investment banking organisations, he acquired unique knowledge and experience about real-life business and project management challenges which he shares with students today.

He has published and presented on subjects relevant to Project Management like the attempts by banks to reduce non-performing loans and factors affecting their capital adequacy following banking crises. He is currently researching the Greek government’s tax transformation attempts.

Without the cost of moving to London, studying for your University of London degree anywhere in the world represents excellent value for money. However, there are additional sources of support depending on where you live and how you choose to study.

More on funding your study

Alumni

All Royal Holloway alumni can receive a bursary to study any of the University of London online programmes including the MSc Project Management. More details about the Alumni bursary.

Scholarships are available for Refugee and Displace Persons to study this programme.

Can I get sponsored?

If you are employed, your employer may be willing to cover part/all of the programme fee if you can make a compelling case as to how this programme will boost your contribution to the workplace.

Our courses are ideal for employers because they get to retain you as an employee and benefit from your learning from the moment you begin.

How can I get sponsored by my employer?