Masters in Construction Management in UK – Universities & Fees

The United Kingdom (UK) has established its strong presence in the list of top study destinations worldwide. Four UK universities hold positions in the QS World University Rankings 2023. Apart from cultural diversity, there are numerous attractions in the country. One of them is the flexible education system that offers a wide range of specializations. This blog covers one such domain, MS in Construction Management in the UK. To begin with, let’s learn about the top five universities for the same.

Best UK Universities for Construction Management

The below table shows the five most prominent universities in the UK for Construction Management;

Source: University’s official website 

Course Highlights of the M.Sc. in Construction Management

The basic eligibility for getting into the top universities for master’s in Construction Management in UK is completing a minimum of 3-year bachelor’s in architecture or civil engineering with an aggregate of 55-60%. The construction management courses in UK may have classroom and online sessions. The course is Level 5 and is worth 240 credits. 

Some of the major highlights are as follows:

Course Structure of M.Sc. in project management:

Reasons for Pursuing Construction Management in the UK

Some of the top reasons for pursuing MS in Construction Management in the UK are;

1. High in demand: 

Being one of the most popular disciplines in the UK, Construction Management is widely preferred by students with an engineering background.  As per the statistics, the demand for Construction Management graduates is further expected to grow by 11% in the coming years. 

2. Globally recognized universities: 

By offering a flexible education system focused on practical learning, UK universities are known for their diverse academic curriculum that prepares students for their careers. Some top universities in the UK for Construction Management are the University of Manchester, Imperial College London, and the University of Salford. 

3. Job prospects: 

This is probably one of the most compelling reasons for considering a career in construction management in the UK. Graduates of this discipline can explore numerous jobs such as Construction manager, Quantity surveyor, Building control surveyor, Building services engineer, etc. 

Intakes in the UK 

There are two primary intakes in the UK, namely Autumn and Spring intake, and international students widely prefer these. However, some universities also offer a Summer intake. The below table shows the application deadlines for each. 

Source: University’s official website 

Cost of Studying MS in Construction Management in the UK

The cost of pursuing a master’s in construction management in the UK is high compared to other courses. But, as per some studies and statistics, the construction and building industry is set to increase in reputation and job availability. The average cost of a postgraduate degree in construction management is £15000-30000 (INR 15,00,00-30,00,000), with most universities offering it as a one or two-year course. The cost may vary with the course and type of university chosen by the student. 

However, international students have to incur other expenses like accommodation and living. They must also take into account pre-arrival and post-arrival costs as well. The student would also have to incur costs related to entrance exams, application fees, visa application fee, and airfare before arriving at the university. The total accommodation and tuition fees for an Indian student studying M.Sc. in Construction Management in the UK is approximately £41,100 (INR 40,000,00) to study.

The average tuition fees at top universities is:

Admission Requirements

The admission process is mostly similar for all the universities, with some minor differences. One must check the respective university’s official website for clarity over the same. Here are some standard admission requirements to study in the UK.

Application form: You can easily apply for it or download the admission applications from the official universities’ websites. You could also apply with the help of consultation and counseling agencies that support international students getting into colleges overseas.

Cost of the application form: A single application to a UK university can cost £50 to 100 (INR 5,000 to 10,000 ). 

The documents required by the student to seek admission into M.Sc. in Construction Management in the UK are as follows:

• Completed and filled application form.
• Copy of your passport.
• 2 passport-sized photographs.
• Proof of language proficiency certificates like scores for TOEFL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System).
• Relevant academic certificates, modules, and grades.
• Copy of your high school diploma or secondary education.
• Scores of all the tests in eligibility criteria for MS like the GRE. Though, GRE scores are particularly not required to get admission to top universities in the UK for master’s in construction management. 
• Recommendation letters have to be submitted.
• Resume/ Curriculum Vitae.
• Personal identification proof.
• Statement of Purpose.

Other optional documents that may be required include a cover letter, work/ experience certificate, and additional proofs. Do not submit the original manuscripts, especially for your degrees. Get attestation from the required authorities on the duplicate. You can also check the official portal of the university if you want to apply for all the extra information and requirements particular to the institution.

Eligibility for MS in Construction Management in the UK

• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline such as engineering, science, or management
• English language proficiency test scores 
• Updated resume

Note: Some universities may ask for additional documents

Visa Process

On average, visa filling and submission take about three months. The process is easy and convenient. While filling out the visa application, the student must carry the required documents. The documents include:

• Identity proof: Voter ID/ Aadhar card/ Driving License
• Confirmation of Acceptance of Study from the university
• Application form
• Finance proofs
• Health Insurance
• Passport
• Recent Photograph

Therefore, to get in before your program begins, make sure to get your visa, other documents, and air tickets on time. Plan everything and follow the deadlines for all the processes. 

Job Prospects after Construction Management

Some of the primary job opportunities that Construction Management graduates can explore are; 

Source: PayScale 

Top Recruiters

The top recruiters for construction managers in the UK are:

• Kier Group plc.
• Bovis Lend Lease Pte Ltd.
• Costain Ltd.
• Mace
• Skanska

Scholarships Offered

Scholarships can help reduce the financial cost of pursuing a Master’s from any top UK university. A good academic score and an excellent record on all qualifying exams can help you attain scholarships. Some of the more common scholarships offered in the United Kingdom are:

• Hornby Scholarships
• Residential Construction Management Scholarship 
• TOEFL Scholarships
• International Postgraduate Abertay Scholarships
• Thomas And Margaret Roddan Scholarships
• International Excellence Scholarships
• International Merit Scholarships
• British Chevening Scholarships
• Early Bird Reward
• GREAT Scholarship
• UK University Of Reading M.Sc. Scholarship In Construction Management And Engineering
• Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Program Scholarship
• Commonwealth Scholarship
• Strathclyde Business School Masters Scholarship For International Students

Scholarships may cover full or partial tuition fees and, in some cases, living expenses too. You must check the eligibility, application process, and waiver the scholarship offers before applying for it.

Difference Between Project Management And Construction Management

The scope of both profiles defines the difference between project management and construction management. A project manager has bigger responsibilities and scope than a construction manager. The project manager manages the analytics, budget, sites, and hiring. While the construction manager manages the construction, quality, and deadlines.

The duties of the project manager include:

• Site selection
• Land procurement
• Marketing
• Budgets
• Analytics
• Timeline management
• Hiring and staffing

The responsibilities of the construction manager include:

• Supervising day-to-day work
• Supervising constructors
• Managing operations
• Keeping quality control
• Ordering materials
• Maintaining pieces of equipment and tools
• Check for construction regulations

The project manager deals with the client while the construction manager deals with the workers. Hence, the degree of work differs for both of them.