Strategic Project Management
Entry requirements
A good Honours degree (first or second class), or its non-UK equivalent, in a relevant subject from a recognised British or overseas university.
Work or project experience in a related role will be of further advantage.
Global College - successful completion of our one-year Pre-Masters Graduate Diploma in Business Studies or the four-month Pre-Masters (Accelerated).
English language requirements
If your first language is not English, or your first degree was not taught in English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.
The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component lower than 6.0.
If you do not have IELTS 6.5, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies:
- 20 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with no skill lower than 4.5)
- 14 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with minimum of 5.0 in writing and no skill lower than 4.5)
- 10 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.0)
- 6 weeks English (for IELTS 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.5)
Months of entry
January, September
Course content
Overview
The MSc Strategic Project Management offers you the opportunity to develop subject knowledge and skills across strategic management to formulate and implement appropriate organisation strategy and project management for the successful delivery of complex and transformative business strategies. The programme introduces project management and strategic management to those who have not yet studied the subject in-depth and is therefore suitable, regardless of the discipline you studied at undergraduate level.
Our industry-focused masters will equip you with the best tools, techniques, and expertise to strengthen your practice of strategic project management across all industries. You’ll develop detailed knowledge of contemporary and pervasive issues in strategic project management, from both academic and professional perspectives. You’ll gain a critical understanding of emerging concepts within business strategy projects, including project portfolio management, programme management and project governance. You’ll examine sustainable competitive advantage and explore ways in which corporate vision is communicated and formulated into the business strategy. You’ll develop knowledge in establishing and monitoring quality within projects and gain the ability to apply leadership in strategy development and implantation. You’ll develop professional competence in project management and project programme management, which will make you highly sought after by employers upon graduation.
Beyond the taught skills and knowledge, you’ll gain key transferrable skills which will set you up for your professional career. You’ll gain crucial written and verbal communication, leadership, teamwork, negotiation, conflict resolution and presentation skills which will allow for your continued professional development and transition to the workplace. You’ll be equipped with the ability to think critically, identify problems, evaluate options, and communicate solutions which will enable you to effectively implement your specialist knowledge to any project management issues you may face in your career. Throughout your studies, you’ll gain familiarity with standard software such as MS Word, Excel, MS Project, PowerPoint, Visio and research databases and develop quantitative techniques in project management, quality management, procurement management and statistical analysis.
You’ll have the opportunity to specialise and choose four optional courses – from competitive strategy, strategic innovation management, operations management, strategic change, organisational behaviour, managing diversity in business, green and sustainable logistics, international marketing, quality management, systems thinking and analysis, finance, and business start-up – to customise your learning and develop your specific interest. Your strategic project management dissertation will allow you to further build on these subject interests, by presenting you the opportunity to carry out an original research project at the forefront of knowledge. The knowledge base, subject and transferable skills you will gain will prepare you for lifelong learning and personal development.
Our Expertise
Your learning will be informed by the expertise of our research-active academics whose work contributes to the Centre for Logistics and Sustainability which has fed into the UK Government’s carbon policy and the logistics operations of organisations such as:
- Tesco
- Coca-Cola
- John Lewis
- DHL
- Sainsbury’s
Heriot-Watt University stands at the forefront of logistics research and specialises in the study of management, integration, reform, impact, and modelling of logistics activity, particularly from an environmental and sustainability perspective.
You’ll learn from academics, whose work provides government, industry, commercial and other sectors with insight into logistical trends, transport benchmarking and road use throughout the UK and Europe. Much of our research output is transformed into practical management guides, tools, and techniques.
Your learning environment
The MSc Strategic Project Management programme is taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials and group work allowing you to get to know and build relationships with your peers, the teaching staff and academics.
Outside of the classroom, you can join Heriot-Watt’s Business Society which holds regular social events and provides networking opportunities and insights into relevant career prospects.
Customise your learning
You’ll learn from the core four courses, with the choice of four optional courses to explore the area of strategic project management that interests you the most. This gives you the opportunity to customise your degree to match your specific interests or career pathway by selecting a specialist course option.
In semester three, you’ll explore in-depth your chosen area of Strategic Project Management through your dissertation. You will be required to demonstrate your mastery of the subject area by developing new insight from the analysis of valuable primary research.
You can choose whether to study the programme full-time, part-time, or by course. This flexibility allows you to fit your postgraduate studies around your lifestyle. The full-time course will last 12 months full-time or 24 months part-time. If you decide to study part-time, you register for two courses per semester and progress to the dissertation at the end of your second year.
You may have the opportunity to Go Global on our Inter-Campus Transfer. Opportunities for postgraduate study abroad are assessed on a case-by-case basis and if you are interested in studying at our Dubai campus or Malaysia campus for a semester or longer, you should contact the Go Global Team.
Industry
We work closely with the industry to ensure our course content is up-to-date and reflects the current and emerging needs of the industry and employers. You’ll gain the right blend of knowledge, practical skills, and soft skills to set you up for life after graduation.
The Strategic Project Management master's degree will equip you with the mindset, knowledge and expertise to manage any project. The degree will provide you with the crucial blend of skills that employers so desperately seek. You’ll gain experience in online collaborative working, business communications, and synthesising diverse information sources, which is highly valued by employers worldwide.
As a student of our programme, you will have the opportunity to learn from, and interact with, senior members of staff such as directors and chief operating officers from leading organisations.
On Business Models your learning will be illuminated by industry with guest lectures from managing directors and CEOs, organisation case studies, and site visits to businesses such as Mackie's Engine Transmissions, Glenmorangie Whisky, and Leonardos Aerospace and Defence organisation.
You will also have opportunities to apply for internships, participate in industry projects and network with potential employers through social events and career-focused activities which are integrated into the programme throughout the year.
As a result of our industry-led approach and the opportunities our links to businesses offer, many students gain employment prior to graduation, and overall employability from the programme is very high.
Accreditation
The programme is accredited by the Project Management Institute (PMI) and the Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC), the world's leading specialised accrediting body for project management higher education degree programmes.
PMI has recognised the programme's commitment to educational excellence and continuous improvement in project management.
Fees and funding
Qualification, course duration and attendance options
- MSc
- full time12 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- part time24 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- PGDip
- full time9 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- part time21 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
Course contact details
- Name
- Admissions Office
- studywithus@hw.ac.uk