Strategic Project Management MSc / Diploma

Programme information

Strategic Project Management at Heriot-Watt University differentiates itself from other project management programmes by providing greater emphasis on the strategic requirement in managing a portfolio of projects to deliver organisational goals.

In this way, Strategic Project Management encompasses both project management as a process to deliver end products and change management as a process of capturing the rational and emotional buy-in of the people affected by change to ensure its success.

A postgraduate qualification in Strategic Project Management would benefit those whether in business, engineering, IT or science whose job involves managing or directing work that has a strategic focus and a defined end goal.

This programme reflects the content of both:

  • The Project Management Institute’s Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge
  • The Association of Project Management’s Project Management Body of Knowledge

Programme content

Full-time students will study four key themes, which are:

  • Strategy and Governance
  • Project Control Systems
  • Commercial Project Management
  • Integrated Project Management and Meta-Skills

Students undertake four courses in semester one and a further four courses in semester two. Taught courses include:

  • Strategic Project Management
  • Competitive Strategy
  • Strategic Change
  • Business Research Methods
  • Project Management
  • Project Procurement and Contract Management
  • Business Models: Themes and Issues
  • Project Finance, Accounting and Control

In addition to these taught courses, students pursuing the Masters qualification undertake a dissertation/research project.

Entry requirements

Postgraduate Masters level

  • Bachelors Honours degree A good first or second class Honours degree in a cognate or semicognate discipline.
  • Postgraduate Diploma Attainment of 50% pass level in the MSc Strategic Project Management course examinations or the successful completion of cognate Postgraduate Certificate.
  • Professional/corporate membership Membership of a professional institution in a cognate discipline that normally requires an Honours degree for entry.

Postgraduate Diploma level

  • Bachelors degree An Ordinary degreein a cognate or semicognate discipline.
  • Higher National Diploma HND or equivalent qualification deemed suitable to third year entry of a cognate Bachelors degree, plus four years' relevant post-qualification work experience.
  • Higher National Certificate HNC or equivalent qualification deemed suitable to second year entry of a cognate Bachelors degree, plus six years' relevant post-qualification work experience.
  • Work experience Eight or more years' relevant work experience at a suitable level.

English language requirements 

  • Where English was not the medium of instruction at secondary school, applicants must demonstrate English Language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 580 (paper-based exam); 213 (computer-based exam); 80 (internet-based exam).