MSc International Project Management with Advanced Practice

Managing international projects presents unique challenges. This Masters programme addresses the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to successfully manage projects that span organisations, national boundaries and cultural differences.

In this programme, you will explore the impact on project management of culture, language variations, religious, contractual, regulatory and legal practices, technology penetration, temporal orientation, gender issues, corruption, ethics, personal liberty and political contexts. We learn how to meet international project challenges through efficient use of practices and technology. The programme will utilise available case studies and examples from global companies to help you sharpen the skills needed to recognise and foster a successful international project environment.

The Advanced Practice option integrates an Internship, Consultancy Project or Research Project into the Masters programme, offering the opportunity to spend three months gaining all-important work experience and employability skills in a professional work setting.

Key facts

• Learn how to lead international projects and teams on budget and to a high standard
• Develop your cultural awareness skills and understanding of different legal, social and political norms
• Gain real-world experience through an internship or project through the Advanced Practice option

You will learn how culture affects how teams perceive each other, lead, solve problems and execute tasks. Although the world is increasingly connected, the people behind the projects have biases, expectations and a perception of life that impacts all decisions. You will also learn how to effectively manage international teams including how to build trust and collaboration across various cultures, time zones and technological settings. You will learn how to design communication channels and project structures effectively in an international project environment.

This programme is also available as MSc International Project Management which lasts for one year.

You will become familiar with the issues underlying the problem of corruption, which is the abuse of trusted power for private gain. Reducing the risk of corruption strengthens a company’s reputation, builds the respect of employees and raises credibility with key stakeholders. Finally you will learn how the adoption of collaboration tools can enhance the international project experience. The programme is designed to teach you how to successfully deliver projects in an international environment.

To accelerate your learning, you will be exposed to theories and principles relating to financial and contractual management, leading teams including those that are geographically diverse, strategic leadership and the management of change, risk and opportunities. You will also be exposed to the fundamental concepts, principles of leadership theory, contractual arrangements, budgeting and forecasting and business case analysis.

Advanced Practice stage

The Advanced Practice version of this course offers you a valuable opportunity to secure a work placement or complete an individual research activity, giving you the experience of the workplace environment or being part of an academic research team, and an excellent way to put your learning into practice or developing your research career potential.

This stage of the programme will take place between your second and final semester, and is a semester-long (15 weeks) in duration. Internships as part of the Advanced Practice stage may be paid or unpaid.

The alternative to the Internship, the Research Project or Consulting Project, will successfully develop your business skills and further enhance your employability.

Career and further study

This course will open up opportunities in project management roles in many industries. Past Northumbria University graduates have gone on to work for multinational companies such as BAE Systems, Volvo Car Group, NHS, Siemens, IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Shell and Virgin Money. Job roles have included project managers, programme managers, project portfolio managers, management consultants, business developers, entrepreneurs, quality managers and directors.

Entry requirements