• Postgraduate

Applied Project Management MSc

Overview

Overview

In recent years there has been a growing awareness and appreciation of the benefits of using project management techniques across a wide range of business settings.

On this practical course, you will examine the role of applied project management in specific sectors and discover how to plan, control, monitor and deliver successful projects.

The course will help you gain the generic skills and understanding that you need to fulfil your particular business and organisational needs.

In addition, you will gain experience with supporting software such as Microsoft Project Management.

Extended Masters and Enhanced Extended Masters options

If you have an undergraduate degree but do not meet the entry criteria for this course, you may qualify for our Extended Masters or Enhanced Extended Masters courses.

These courses feature four specially designed modules which will improve your academic and English skills. Once completed you can progress directly onto the regular Masters course. See below for more information.

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Select your desired study option, then pick a start date to see relevant course information:

Study options:
We support flexible study by offering some of our courses part-time or via distance learning. To give you real world experience before you graduate, we also offer some courses with a placement or internship. All available options are listed here. Your choices may affect some details of your course, such as the duration and cost per year. Please re-check the details on this page if you change your selection.

Start date:

If your desired start date is not available, try selecting a different study option.

Why study Applied Project Management with us?

Why study Applied Project Management with us?

What our students say…

A very insightful programme. Definitely set me up for a successful project management role.

Ishanka Ranasinghe
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Course detail & modules

Course detail & modules

On this career-oriented applied project management course, you will learn how to use structured concepts and frameworks to tackle unstructured, complex real-world scenarios. You can expect to see core theories reflected and tested in your case studies and in-course assessments.

The course is divided into three parts. This will help to develop your skills in general project management as well as more subject-specific practice areas.

The three parts are:

1. Four core modules covering contemporary project management and its relation to other areas of a business or organisation:

  • Principles of Project Management
  • Strategic Portfolio Management
  • Team Dynamics and Leadership
  • Project Finance and Marketing.

2. A choice of one specialist module to focus on either Computing (Consultancy and Technical Innovation module) OR Enterprise Management (Managing Innovation and Change).

3. The Research Methods module and Dissertation OR, if you are doing an internship, you will take the Employability Skills and Employment module and its related dissertation.

If you are an international student you also will need to take the Learning and Professional Development module, which focuses on transferable skills including presentation and problem-solving.

Extended Masters and Enhanced Extended Masters options

Our Extended Masters and Enhanced Extended Masters courses are intended for students who already have an undergraduate degree but don't meet the entry requirements to study for a Masters degree.

Over a full-time semester, you will study four modules specially designed to improve your academic and English language skills:

  • Advanced Study Skills
  • Critical Thinking, Analysis and Evaluation
  • Statistics
  • English (Business English on the Enhanced course)

Once completed, you will progress directly onto the core Masters course.

What's the difference between an Extended Masters and an Enhanced Extended Masters? The Enhanced Extended Masters is similar to the Extended Masters but with a greater focus on improving your English skills. It also includes a Business English module which will allow you to gain a full understanding of this critical subject area.

For more information on our Extended Masters and Enhanced Extended Masters, please visit our Extended Masters courses page.

Internship*

You can also take this course with a six-month internship in the UK. This option will add a practical dimension to your studies and help you to understand the demands of workplace supervision and management.

You will be assigned a personal tutor for this period. Your dissertation subject will be related to your internship.

*As we are in unprecedented and unpredictable times, there is no guarantee that you will be successful in securing a placement in the UK in the future.

If you choose a course with placement/internship route we would like to advise you that if a placement/internship opportunity does not arise when you are expected to undertake the placement then the University will automatically transfer you to the non-internship route. This is to ensure you are still successful in being awarded a degree.

The internship route for this course is open to UK students only.

For the Computing route you will take the Consultancy and Technological Innovation optional module OR for the Enterprise Management route you will take the Managing Innovation and Change optional module. 

Internship students must take the Employability Skills and Employment module.

International students must take the Learning and Professional Development module.


Compulsory modules

  • Principles of Project Management

    During this module you will be introduced to the concepts, principles and techniques needed for effective project management. The module covers the roles, responsibilities and skills required to work in ever-changing project environments and how these relate to effective project management.

  • Strategic Portfolio Management

    During this module you will examine the different ways in which businesses and organisations make use of projects. It will consider the strategic role of projects in a variety of organisational contexts and analyse methods for project selection and project portfolio management.

  • Team Dynamics and Leadership

    This module will cover the structure, development, leadership and management of teams that plan and deliver projects. It will deal with relations, interactions and communications within and beyond the team, as well as considering high performance, self-directed, dispersed and virtual teams.

  • Project Finance and Marketing

    You will assess the ways in which organisations raise finance for projects, the financial viability of projects and how to control spend during project implementation. The module will also look at best practice in bidding, tendering, procuring and negotiating in project management.

  • Research Methods

  • Project Dissertation

  • Employability Skills and Employment

    This module will give you an opportunity to prepare for employment. In addition to learning about the industry requirements for a professional career, you will develop study skills at postgraduate level to prepare you for the rest of your course.

  • Learning and Professional Development

    This preparatory module is for all students enrolling on master's courses. On it, you will study Learning and Professional Development (LPD), which is designed to orientate new master's students, and especially international students, to master's-level study.

  • Internship - Industry Experience

    This 30 week internship module is part of the MA Luxury Hospitality Management with Internship route that involves you working with one of a range of luxury and lifestyle hospitality companies.

    The internship allows for the application of theoretical knowledge to a practical work-based situation. It will allow you to improve existing skills and acquire new ones, explore various career opportunities, network and be part of a team.

Optional modules

  • Consultancy and Technological Innovation

    On this module you will explore the skills needed to understand, and work in, the complex multi-sourced environment that supports business change. Focusing on the strategic management of leading-edge technology, you will examine the organisational structure of IT, including systems integrators and consultancy, and gain an overview of the IT consulting world, its principles and practice.

  • Managing Innovation and Change

    On this module you will explore the nature of innovation and the need for it in the management of a modern organisation. You will examine the complex process of organisational change as it occurs in specific organisational contexts. Furthermore, you will learn how to introduce innovation best practice within an organisation according to its particular context.

All students:

Choose Consultancy and Technological Innovation if you want to pursue the Computing route.

Choose Managing Innovation and Change if you want to pursue the Enterprise Management route.

Internship students:

You must take Employability Skills and Employment.

International students:

You must take Learning and Professional Development.


Compulsory modules

  • Critical Thinking, Analysis and Evaluation

  • Advanced Study Skills

  • Principles of Project Management

    During this module you will be introduced to the concepts, principles and techniques needed for effective project management. The module covers the roles, responsibilities and skills required to work in ever-changing project environments and how these relate to effective project management.

  • Strategic Portfolio Management

    During this module you will examine the different ways in which businesses and organisations make use of projects. It will consider the strategic role of projects in a variety of organisational contexts and analyse methods for project selection and project portfolio management.

  • Team Dynamics and Leadership

    This module will cover the structure, development, leadership and management of teams that plan and deliver projects. It will deal with relations, interactions and communications within and beyond the team, as well as considering high performance, self-directed, dispersed and virtual teams.

  • Project Finance and Marketing

    You will assess the ways in which organisations raise finance for projects, the financial viability of projects and how to control spend during project implementation. The module will also look at best practice in bidding, tendering, procuring and negotiating in project management.

  • Research Methods

  • Project Dissertation

  • Employability Skills and Employment

    This module will give you an opportunity to prepare for employment. In addition to learning about the industry requirements for a professional career, you will develop study skills at postgraduate level to prepare you for the rest of your course.

  • Learning and Professional Development

    This preparatory module is for all students enrolling on master's courses. On it, you will study Learning and Professional Development (LPD), which is designed to orientate new master's students, and especially international students, to master's-level study.

Optional modules

  • Consultancy and Technological Innovation

    On this module you will explore the skills needed to understand, and work in, the complex multi-sourced environment that supports business change. Focusing on the strategic management of leading-edge technology, you will examine the organisational structure of IT, including systems integrators and consultancy, and gain an overview of the IT consulting world, its principles and practice.

  • Managing Innovation and Change

    On this module you will explore the nature of innovation and the need for it in the management of a modern organisation. You will examine the complex process of organisational change as it occurs in specific organisational contexts. Furthermore, you will learn how to introduce innovation best practice within an organisation according to its particular context.

All students:

Choose Consultancy and Technological Innovation if you want to pursue the Computing route.

Choose Managing Innovation and Change if you want to pursue the Enterprise Management route.

Internship students:

You must take Employability Skills and Employment.

International students:

You must take Learning and Professional Development.


Compulsory modules

  • Critical Thinking, Analysis and Evaluation

  • Advanced Study Skills

  • Principles of Project Management

    During this module you will be introduced to the concepts, principles and techniques needed for effective project management. The module covers the roles, responsibilities and skills required to work in ever-changing project environments and how these relate to effective project management.

  • Strategic Portfolio Management

    During this module you will examine the different ways in which businesses and organisations make use of projects. It will consider the strategic role of projects in a variety of organisational contexts and analyse methods for project selection and project portfolio management.

  • Team Dynamics and Leadership

    This module will cover the structure, development, leadership and management of teams that plan and deliver projects. It will deal with relations, interactions and communications within and beyond the team, as well as considering high performance, self-directed, dispersed and virtual teams.

  • Project Finance and Marketing

    You will assess the ways in which organisations raise finance for projects, the financial viability of projects and how to control spend during project implementation. The module will also look at best practice in bidding, tendering, procuring and negotiating in project management.

  • Research Methods

  • Project Dissertation

  • Employability Skills and Employment

    This module will give you an opportunity to prepare for employment. In addition to learning about the industry requirements for a professional career, you will develop study skills at postgraduate level to prepare you for the rest of your course.

  • Learning and Professional Development

    This preparatory module is for all students enrolling on master's courses. On it, you will study Learning and Professional Development (LPD), which is designed to orientate new master's students, and especially international students, to master's-level study.

Optional modules

  • Consultancy and Technological Innovation

    On this module you will explore the skills needed to understand, and work in, the complex multi-sourced environment that supports business change. Focusing on the strategic management of leading-edge technology, you will examine the organisational structure of IT, including systems integrators and consultancy, and gain an overview of the IT consulting world, its principles and practice.

  • Managing Innovation and Change

    On this module you will explore the nature of innovation and the need for it in the management of a modern organisation. You will examine the complex process of organisational change as it occurs in specific organisational contexts. Furthermore, you will learn how to introduce innovation best practice within an organisation according to its particular context.

All students:

Choose Consultancy and Technological Innovation if you want to pursue the Computing route.

Choose Managing Innovation and Change if you want to pursue the Enterprise Management route.

Internship students:

You must take Employability Skills and Employment.

International students:

You must take Learning and Professional Development.


Compulsory modules

  • Critical Thinking, Analysis and Evaluation

  • Advanced Study Skills

  • Principles of Project Management

    During this module you will be introduced to the concepts, principles and techniques needed for effective project management. The module covers the roles, responsibilities and skills required to work in ever-changing project environments and how these relate to effective project management.

  • Strategic Portfolio Management

    During this module you will examine the different ways in which businesses and organisations make use of projects. It will consider the strategic role of projects in a variety of organisational contexts and analyse methods for project selection and project portfolio management.

  • Team Dynamics and Leadership

    This module will cover the structure, development, leadership and management of teams that plan and deliver projects. It will deal with relations, interactions and communications within and beyond the team, as well as considering high performance, self-directed, dispersed and virtual teams.

  • Project Finance and Marketing

    You will assess the ways in which organisations raise finance for projects, the financial viability of projects and how to control spend during project implementation. The module will also look at best practice in bidding, tendering, procuring and negotiating in project management.

  • Research Methods

  • Project Dissertation

  • Employability Skills and Employment

    This module will give you an opportunity to prepare for employment. In addition to learning about the industry requirements for a professional career, you will develop study skills at postgraduate level to prepare you for the rest of your course.

  • Learning and Professional Development

    This preparatory module is for all students enrolling on master's courses. On it, you will study Learning and Professional Development (LPD), which is designed to orientate new master's students, and especially international students, to master's-level study.

Optional modules

  • Consultancy and Technological Innovation

    On this module you will explore the skills needed to understand, and work in, the complex multi-sourced environment that supports business change. Focusing on the strategic management of leading-edge technology, you will examine the organisational structure of IT, including systems integrators and consultancy, and gain an overview of the IT consulting world, its principles and practice.

  • Managing Innovation and Change

    On this module you will explore the nature of innovation and the need for it in the management of a modern organisation. You will examine the complex process of organisational change as it occurs in specific organisational contexts. Furthermore, you will learn how to introduce innovation best practice within an organisation according to its particular context.

For the Computing route you will take the Consultancy and Technological Innovation optional module OR for the Enterprise Management route you will take the Managing Innovation and Change optional module. 

Internship students must take the Employability Skills and Employment module.

International students must take the Learning and Professional Development module.

Supporting modules

Employability Skills and Employment (for Internship students only)

Learning and Professional Development (for International students only)


Compulsory modules

  • Principles of Project Management

    During this module you will be introduced to the concepts, principles and techniques needed for effective project management. The module covers the roles, responsibilities and skills required to work in ever-changing project environments and how these relate to effective project management.

  • Strategic Portfolio Management

    During this module you will examine the different ways in which businesses and organisations make use of projects. It will consider the strategic role of projects in a variety of organisational contexts and analyse methods for project selection and project portfolio management.

  • Team Dynamics and Leadership

    This module will cover the structure, development, leadership and management of teams that plan and deliver projects. It will deal with relations, interactions and communications within and beyond the team, as well as considering high performance, self-directed, dispersed and virtual teams.

  • Project Finance and Marketing

    You will assess the ways in which organisations raise finance for projects, the financial viability of projects and how to control spend during project implementation. The module will also look at best practice in bidding, tendering, procuring and negotiating in project management.

  • Research Methods

  • Dissertation

Optional modules

  • Consultancy and Technological Innovation

    On this module you will explore the skills needed to understand, and work in, the complex multi-sourced environment that supports business change. Focusing on the strategic management of leading-edge technology, you will examine the organisational structure of IT, including systems integrators and consultancy, and gain an overview of the IT consulting world, its principles and practice.

  • Managing Innovation and Change

    On this module you will explore the nature of innovation and the need for it in the management of a modern organisation. You will examine the complex process of organisational change as it occurs in specific organisational contexts. Furthermore, you will learn how to introduce innovation best practice within an organisation according to its particular context.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

You should have an honours degree (2:2 or above) from a UK university or equivalent. We may also offer you a place based on relevant experience or training, normally from within the work environment.

All applications are considered individually.

Find out more about our processes for recognising previous experience.

Extended Masters Degree

To study the Extended Masters programme you will need:

  • a Bachelor's degree
  • international students need to meet our English language requirements of IELTS 6.5 or above and a minimum of 5.5 for each of the individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening).
Enhanced Extended Masters Degree

To study the Enhanced Extended Masters programme you will need:

  • a Bachelor's degree
  • international students must meet our English language requirements at IELTS 6.0 or above, and a minimum of 5.5 for each of the individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening).

Please note: If you qualify for a regular Masters, you will not be accepted on the Extended Masters or Enhanced Extended Masters course.

6.5 IELTS or above

You need to meet our English language requirement of 6.5 overall score for IELTS, with a minimum of 5.5 for each of the 4 individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening). Visit our English language requirements page for information on other English language tests we accept.

You also need academic qualifications at the same level as UK applicants. In some countries where teaching is in English, we may accept local qualifications. Check for local equivalents.

We offer pre-sessional English language courses if you do not meet these requirements. Find out more about our English Language courses.

Extended Masters Degree

To study the Extended Masters programme you will need:

  • a Bachelor's degree
  • international students need to meet our English language requirements of IELTS 6.5 or above and a minimum of 5.5 for each of the individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening).
Enhanced Extended Masters Degree

To study the Enhanced Extended Masters programme you will need:

  • a Bachelor's degree
  • international students must meet our English language requirements at IELTS 6.0 or above, and a minimum of 5.5 for each of the individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening).

Please note: If you qualify for a regular Masters, you will not be accepted on the Extended Masters or Enhanced Extended Masters course.

Fees & funding

Fees & funding

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The fee above is the cost per year of your course.

If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year. If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.

Government regulation does affect tuition fees and the fees listed for courses starting in the 2025/26 academic year are subject to change.

If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

Funding your studies

If you are studying a Masters course you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan, this may help contribute towards your course fees and living costs.

Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as disabled students or those with dependants.

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries, including awards for specific subjects.

Awards for computing and engineering students are also on offer.

{{ formatCurrencyValue(currentVariantData.field_p_cv_int_main_fee.name) }} per year

The fee above is the cost per year of your course.

If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year. If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.

Government regulation does affect tuition fees and the fees listed for courses starting in the 2025/26 academic year are subject to change.

If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

International students - funding your studies

We offer scholarships for international students including International Ambassador Scholarships. 

Further information about funding and financial support for international students is available from the UK Council for International Student Affairs.

 

Teaching staff

Teaching staff

Parisa Saadati

Parisa Saadati

Parisa Saadati (BSc, MSc, PhD Candidate, PGCE, FHEA) is an IT lecturer and the MSc Applied Project Management course leader at the University of West London. She has over two decades of experience in academia and industry. Certified as a practitioner in PRINCE2 and Agile methodologies, her career spans roles at Roehampton University and Ulster University (London campus), blending teaching expertise with practical project management. Further, her commitment to professional development is evidenced by numerous certifications in Agile Project Management, Design Thinking, User Experience, and more.

Parisa's work as an entrepreneur and consultant complements her academic contributions, enriching her supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate dissertations. Her leadership in curriculum development and research in digital transformation and innovation showcases her commitment to preparing students for the challenges of the digital age. Parisa's dynamic approach to education bridges theoretical knowledge with real-world application, marking her as a pivotal figure in IT and project management education.

Teaching philosophy and impact:

Her approach to education is rooted in the belief that learning should be interactive, relevant, and continuously aligned with industry trends. By integrating her research insights into the curriculum, Parisa ensures that her students are not just passive recipients of information but active participants in their learning journey. Whether it's through leading modules on Digital Transformation, Managing Innovation and Change, or supervising dissertations, she strives to instil curiosity, critical thinking, and practical skills in her students. Parisa's dedication to teaching excellence is evident in her development of innovative course content, her role as a mentor, and her ability to inspire students to pursue their passions within the IT and project management fields.

Parisa Saadati (BSc, MSc, PhD Candidate, PGCE, FHEA) is an IT lecturer and the MSc Applied Project Management course leader at the University of West London. She has over two decades of experience in academia and industry. Certified as a practitioner in PRINCE2 and Agile methodologies, her career spans roles at Roehampton University and Ulster University (London campus), blending teaching expertise with practical project management. Further, her commitment to professional development is evidenced by numerous certifications in Agile Project Management, Design Thinking, User Experience, and more.

Parisa's work as an entrepreneur and consultant complements her academic contributions, enriching her supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate dissertations. Her leadership in curriculum development and research in digital transformation and innovation showcases her commitment to preparing students for the challenges of the digital age. Parisa's dynamic approach to education bridges theoretical knowledge with real-world application, marking her as a pivotal figure in IT and project management education.

Teaching philosophy and impact:

Her approach to education is rooted in the belief that learning should be interactive, relevant, and continuously aligned with industry trends. By integrating her research insights into the curriculum, Parisa ensures that her students are not just passive recipients of information but active participants in their learning journey. Whether it's through leading modules on Digital Transformation, Managing Innovation and Change, or supervising dissertations, she strives to instil curiosity, critical thinking, and practical skills in her students. Parisa's dedication to teaching excellence is evident in her development of innovative course content, her role as a mentor, and her ability to inspire students to pursue their passions within the IT and project management fields.

Study & career progression

Study & career progression

A female professional giving a presentation during a meeting

Graduates will be ready to join the project management team in many different organisations – from SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) to the largest global corporations.

Alternatively, you may want to explore a related area of study. Please see our full list of courses.

How to apply

How to apply

Important notes for applicants

Disclaimer

*Modern universities - defined as higher education institutions that were granted university status in, and subsequent to, 1992.

**The National Student Survey 2022 and 2023 - Based on an average of all 27 questions. Excludes specialist institutions.

Testimonials - our students or former students provided all of our testimonials - often a student from the course but sometimes another student. For example, the testimonial often comes from another UWL student when the course is new.

Optional modules - where optional modules are offered they will run subject to staff availability and viable student numbers opting to take the module.

Videos - all videos on our course pages were accurate at the time of filming. In some cases a new Course Leader has joined the University since the video was filmed.

Availability of placements - if you choose a course with placement/internship route we would like to advise you that if a placement/internship opportunity does not arise when you are expected to undertake the placement then the University will automatically transfer you to the non-internship route, this is to ensure you are still successful in being awarded a degree.