Short course

MBA Essentials – Project Management

 




 

Start date
Friday 22 March 2024
Duration
Four days
Time commitment
100 hours total commitment
Mode
In person
Cost
£2,715
Subject
Project Management
Level
Postgraduate Microcredential
Credit
10 credits
Assessment
Individual assignment

Taught over four days, our MBA Essentials course is made up of 'unbundled' modules from our full Executive MBA degree. The MBA Essentials offers block-teaching modules that fits busy schedule and will support managers with their career prospects, either in their own organisation or moving elsewhere.

The main aim of the MBA Essentials – Project Management is to introduce participants to the key features of effective project management. The module will therefore develop an understanding of how effective project management contributes to organisational success and enable managers to implement a project management approach. This will comprise both the techniques of project management (planning, scheduling, control and evaluation) and the organisational, team and leadership aspects of managing projects. There will be an emphasis on large scale projects and consideration of international projects and alternative approaches to project management. Overall, the emphasis will be on critical reflection of assumptions, techniques and procedures and a development of managerial thinking within a project environment.

The major topics are:

  • Project Strategy
  • Project Selection
  • Organisation: Structure and Culture
  • Project Definition and Design
  • Project Finance
  • Scheduling and Resource Management
  • Risk and Uncertainty in Projects
  • Leadership: Being an Effective Project Manager
  • Managing Project Teams
  • Suppliers and Partnering
  • Performance Measurement and Evaluation
  • Project Closure
  • International Projects
  • Alternative Approaches to Project Management

By the end of the module, you should be able to:

  • Demonstrate understanding of the key features of effective project management
  • Critically examine the different approaches that may be adopted in design and implementation of projects
  • Demonstrate how projects interact with the wider managerial environment.
  • Critically examine how organisations manage risk and uncertainty in projects.
  • Show competency in applying techniques and tools to the management of their own projects.

Why study at University of Birmingham?

  • The module will equip you to move into more senior management positions, either in your own organisation or moving elsewhere
  • We are ranked number one for being targeted by the top UK employers (High Fliers Research 2021)
  • Modular delivery over long weekends (Friday to Monday) limits the impact of study on your work commitments.
  • Birmingham Business School holds triple-crown accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS).
  • Birmingham Business School is the UK’s oldest business school, bringing more than 100 years of innovative teaching and research.
  • The University of Birmingham is a member of the Russell Group, an organisation of the UK’s top 24 research-led universities.
  • The University of Birmingham is also a member of Universitas 21, the leading global network of research-intensive universities.

What is a microcredential?

Microcredentials are designed to upskill you for work in rapidly growing industries, without the time and cost commitment of a full degree. Your microcredential can stand alone as an independent credential, and some also offer academic credit to use towards a degree.

  • Learn with expert instructors: Complete courses led by experts with a dedicated group of professionals.
  • Earn a professional credential: Finish your learning and pass your assessments to gain an accredited credential.
  • Advance further in your career: Use your microcredential as evidence of your specialised skills and progress further in your industry.

How to apply?

When clicking on the Apply Now button you will be directed to an application specifically designed for the module you wish to apply for where you will create an account with the University application system and submit your application and supporting documents online. 

To be eligible for assessment, your application must be complete and submitted before: Friday 9 February 2024 for Overseas/International students and Friday 23 February 2024 for Home/UK based-students (23h59 - UK time). Before submitting your application, please make sure it is complete. Otherwise, your application will not be reviewed. 

Find out more

Register your interest for this short course to request more information about the course and for scholarship information.

In order to be accepted onto the MBA Essentials – Project Management , you must possess:

  • A good Honours degree (or equivalent), or equivalent professional qualification
  • Five years work experience with evidence of extensive managerial experience or professional responsibility. Three years exceptional work experience meeting this criteria will also be considered

International Students

IELTS 6.5 (with no less than 6.0 in any band).

IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band is equivalent to:

  • TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 in Listening, 22 in Speaking and 21 in Writing
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE): PTE Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
  • Cambridge English (exams taken from 2015): Advanced – minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component

 If you are currently studying at a Chinese university, please view our specific entry requirements including our list of acceptable universities for further study at Birmingham.

Please note we will also consider candidates without a first degree or professional qualification but with at least ten years’ work experience including significant managerial responsibility.

To be eligible for assessment, your application must be complete and submitted before: Friday 9 February 2024 for Overseas/International students and Friday 23 February 2024 for Home/UK based-students (23h59 - UK time). Before submitting your application, please make sure it is complete. Otherwise, your application will not be reviewed. 

What will you receive?

Our MBA Essentials – Project Management will allow you to focus on specific areas in order for you to develop your career in the way that you want to. Each course is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge of entrepreneurship and innovation which will meet the needs of a wide range of learners and organisations.

  • 10 UK Credits at Postgraduate level from University of Birmingham
  • A Postgraduate Microcredential certificate from University of Birmingham

Certification of UoB academic credit for PG microcredential courses is through production of an official University of Birmingham Microcredential certificate and transcript managed by UoB Student Records.

The skills you will gain

Demonstrate understanding of the key features of effective project management

Critically examine the different approaches that may be adopted in design and implementation of projects

Demonstrate how projects interact with the wider managerial environment

Critically examine how organisations manage risk and uncertainty in projects

Show competency in applying techniques and tools to the management of their own projects

Meet your instructors

Dr Mark Hall

Dr Mark Hall, Senior Lecturer in Project and Operations Management

Mark is a senior lecturer in project and operations management. Previously, he worked at the University of Bristol and University of Bath. Apart from operations and project management, he has also taught change and innovation management, organizational theory and research methods, both at undergraduate and postgraduate level. His current area of research is in behaviours in response to risk in projects. He is also interested in public sector projects, public-private partnerships and sustainability.

At Bristol, he was a member of the Action Research and Critical Inquiry in Organisations Research Centre (ARCIO) and remains an external member of this Centre.

Instructor Profile