Master of Science/Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management

Faculty of Construction and Environment, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Programme Aims

This programme targets professionals who already have a Bachelor's degree and who work in construction or related disciplines in or around Hong Kong. Primarily, it offers opportunities for practising architects, construction managers, engineers, surveyors, technologists and related professionals to broaden and deepen their knowledge of project management.

Many businesses need professionals who are skillful in project management and who are capable of innovating and providing creative solutions to complex problems. We help students to develop an innovative approach to problem solving in general and to project management in particular. Over time, this should produce highly skilled management professionals to operate in the region, including Hong Kong. The Dissertation further allows MSc students to pursue a topic of their own choice in greater depth.

Characteristics

The philosophy of this programme is student-centred learning, or teaching students how to learn, which makes good use of the pool of knowledge and experience that is contained within each subject. Led by staff members who are leading researchers in their fields, and supplemented by professionals who share their knowledge of the industry, the programme encourages students to learn systematically from their own experience, and introduces them to the theories and good practices of managing projects from both the technological and business perspectives.

Recognition & Prospects

The MSc programme has been accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Hong Kong Institute of Project Management (HKIPM) as fulfilling their academic requirements leading to professional assessment for corporate membership. This recognition status is subject to regular reviews by the respective professional institutions.

Curriculum

Programme Structure

In the part-time mode, the first year emphasises project management processes and techniques, thus equipping students with contemporary and in-depth knowledge of project management. This is supplemented by insights into the major factors that influence real estate development. In the second year, elements such as value management, finance and international construction provide specific knowledge of construction project management at the macro level.

Part-time students may integrate the critical analysis, evaluation and application of the knowledge gained from the programme with their own experience to produce a research-based Dissertation after completing 7 subjects. They may also complete 3 additional subjects instead of the MSc Dissertation. Students who are enrolled in the full-time mode, however, are strongly recommended to complete the Dissertation. Switching between full-time and part-time studies requires prior approval from the programme administration and the Academic Secretariat.

Applicants whose educational background is not in a construction-related area are recommended to take CSE565 Construction Technology, or CSE566 Statutory Framework for Construction Practice, or its equivalent as designated by the Award Co-ordinator, as an Elective Subject (within the 30-credit graduation requirement for MSc) on weekday evenings for 13 weeks. Those subjects may be offered in alternate years.

To enhance self-study, the Department provides study guides and reading materials for Core Subjects.

For the MSc

Students must complete 10 subjects (including 5 Compulsory Core Subjects and at least 2 other Core Subjects) OR 7 subjects (including 5 Compulsory Core Subjects) and a Dissertation (9 credits).

For the PgD

Students must complete 7 subjects (including 5 Compulsory Core Subjects).