Key information
Ranked 1st (Complete University Guide 2021) and 2nd (The Times / The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021) in the UK for Building.
- Level
- Postgraduate Taught
- Delivery type
- Full Time
- Degree qualification
- MSc
- Mode of delivery
- On-Campus
- Duration
- 1 year 9 months
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Start date
- September, January
- Next intake
- September
MSc Construction Project Management with Industry Placement gives you the vital skills, versatility, and work experience necessary to thrive in the increasingly dynamic built environment industry.
Our degree provides you with the knowledge, leadership, and management skills necessary for the effective delivery of construction projects from inception to occupation with the additional benefit of hands-on practical experience in the workplace. There is a strong emphasis on construction technology, but you can also learn about important factors such as valuation and procurement.
During the master’s programme, you’ll gain a solid understanding of project management principles and practices in construction and wider project environments, while developing key practitioner skills such as client management, procurement, organisational and people management, business operations, and the planning and programming of building projects within established frameworks.
Upon graduation, you’ll be able to fully manage the design, value, risk, operational, financial, and contractual aspects of the construction process. You’ll be able to fully contribute to the needs of an organisation as a confident construction professional.
This industry-focused master’s programme will ensure you have the skills necessary to make a positive and effective contribution to your future working environment.
The Future Shapers scholarship
The Future Shapers scholarship is looking for students who want to use research to create solutions to solve major global challenges. This has been established for 2026 by one of our generous donors and is a testament to the talent and world-shaping potential of our University's students and researchers. We are offering 12 scholarships across our 4 research areas, worth 50%, 75% and 100% of your tuition fee respectively.
Apply nowYour student experience
Your learning will be informed by the expertise of our research-active construction professionals, construction managers, chartered surveyors, industry-leaders, and academics. You’ll hear from several guest speakers from industry during the degree to engage further and build your professional network.
96% of Heriot-Watt University’s engineering research was classed as world-leading in the REF 2021 review, which ranked us 1st in Scotland and 3rd in the UK for engineering research through a joint submission with the University of Edinburgh.
Heriot-Watt University also achieved 2nd in Scotland for Construction, Surveying & Planning in the Guardian University Guide 2026.
Our MSc Construction Project Management with Industry Placement programme is directly informed by the world class research carried out by Heriot-Watt’s Institute of Sustainable Built Environment (ISBE) which sits within the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society (EGIS). EGIS is one of the United Kingdom’s leading institutions for multidisciplinary research and teaching in areas critical to economic development and societal equity. The institute’s academic team conduct high-value and high-impact research on fields covering sustainability, digital innovation, design, and management of the built environment. The research relevance of this postgraduate programme ensures your studies remain innovative and industry focused.
This School is also part of the Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Design, a leading body recognised by the Royal Academy of Engineering. The Centre is one of only four such centres established at United Kingdom universities that jointly form a national network to demonstrate and exchange best practice in teaching and research for the sustainable built environment.
Course content
September Intake - Edinburgh
Year 1
Mandatory September
- Project Management: Theory and Practice
- Strategic Commercial Management
- Value and Risk Management
Optional September
- Sustainability for Construction Professionals
- Environmental Geotechnics
- Urban Economy and Property Markets
- Advanced Construction Technology
Mandatory January
- Information and Innovation Technologies in Construction Practice
- Construction Financial Management
- People and Organisation Management in the Built Environment
- Project Management: Strategic Issues
Year 2
Optional May
- Research Dissertation (CPMQS)
- Integrated Project
Mandatory AY
- Industry Placement in Construction Management and Quantity Surveying
January Intake - Edinburgh
Year 1
Mandatory January
- Construction Financial Management
- Project Management: Strategic Issues
- People and Organisation Management in the Built Environment
- Information and Innovation Technologies in Construction Practice
Mandatory September
- Project Management: Theory and Practice
- Strategic Commercial Management
- Value and Risk Management
Optional September
- Urban Economy and Property Markets
- Advanced Construction Technology
- Environmental Geotechnics
- Sustainability for Construction Professionals
Year 2
Mandatory AY
- Industry Placement in Construction Management and Quantity Surveying
Optional May
- Research Dissertation (CPMQS)
- Integrated Project
Disclaimer
The courses mentioned above may change between now and the time that you study. For more information, please view our Terms and Conditions.
Programme Video
Construction Project Management - Tauhida Mazumdar
Civil Engineering graduate Tauhida Mazumdar talks about why she chose the MSc Construction Project Management at Heriot-Watt.
Student testimonials
Graduate testimonial
At Heriot-Watt, I gained a blend of managerial and interpersonal skills that have been directly applicable to my professional career. By participating in lectures, workshops, and tutorials, I developed a strong understanding of project planning, risk management, contract administration, sustainability and construction law. Industry guest lectures and insights from practitioners allowed me to grasp the existing challenges in the construction field, influencing my methods for problem-solving and managing stakeholders.
Fees and funding
| Status | Full Time |
|---|---|
| UK | £12,744 |
| International | £24,952 |
- Status: Your residency status is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course.
- International: 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above).
Additional information
Fees are payable for each year of this degree.
Year 2 (Industry placement)
| Status | Full Time |
|---|---|
| UK and International | £3,000 |
Scholarships and bursaries
Postgraduate scholarships and bursaries
We aim to encourage well-qualified, ambitious students to study with us and we offer a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries to achieve this. Over £6 million worth of opportunities are available in fee and stipend scholarships, and more than 400 students benefit from this support.
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
Year 1
A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree, or its non-UK equivalent, in a relevant or non-relevant subject provided that it includes evidence of essay writing and a personal statement demonstrating an interest in the subject. Applicants must have graduated within 6 years for the placement programme.
We welcome applications from international students and accept qualifications from around the world. Please refer to the entry requirements for your country for more details.
English language requirements
If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.
The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5.
If you do not have IELTS 6.0, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.
Please see our detailed English language requirements.
Why Heriot-Watt
We have been producing career-ready graduates since 1821. With our roots as the world’s first Mechanics Institute, Heriot-Watt is a pioneering university with a global reach.
At Heriot-Watt, learning goes beyond the lecture theatre. We tackle real world challenges through extraordinary research – from climate change to protecting our oceans, to advancing life-saving medical breakthroughs and shaping the next generation of AI. We are also committed to developing forward-thinking design and sustainable business practices that impact industries worldwide. On our campuses you’ll find some of the world’s most advanced facilities, while our strong industry links set you up for career success. This is why almost 90% of our graduates are in employment or further education (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024).
Employability
Here is a testimonial from one of our employers:
Our graduates now work at
Hear from our employers
See moreOur high-calibre graduates that we employ from Heriot-Watt are professional, self-motivated individuals who strive to deliver quality to our customers and are committed to continuing their learning journey to become chartered professionals within the built environment. Our partnership with Heriot-Watt continues to grow with our employees attending the MSc Construction Project Management course combined with our offering of placements and internships to their high-calibre talented students.
Student life
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