Masters in Construction Management in UK – Universities & Fees

Updated on 25 September, 2024

The United Kingdom (UK) has established its strong presence in the list of top study destinations worldwide. Four UK universities hold positions in the QS World University Rankings 2023. Apart from cultural diversity, there are numerous attractions in the country. One of them is the flexible education system that offers a wide range of specializations. This blog covers one such domain, MS in Construction Management in the UK. To begin with, let’s learn about the top five universities for the same.

Best UK Universities for Construction Management

The below table shows the five most prominent universities in the UK for Construction Management;

University  Program  Annual Tuition fee 
University of Manchester MSc Construction Project Management £28,000
University of Salford MSc Construction Management  £15,300
University of  Reading MSc Construction Cost Management  As per the university’s discretion
Northumbria University MSc Construction Management  £19,500
Queen’s University MSc Construction and Project Management £18,200

Source: University’s official website 

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Course Highlights of the M.Sc. in Construction Management

The basic eligibility for getting into the top universities for master’s in Construction Management in UK is completing a minimum of 3-year bachelor’s in architecture or civil engineering with an aggregate of 55-60%. The construction management courses in UK may have classroom and online sessions. The course is Level 5 and is worth 240 credits. 

Some of the major highlights are as follows:

Course duration 1-2 years.
Industry of work Construction industry
Exams Required GRE, PTE, TOEFL, and IELTS.
TOEFL Score 90 on an average
IELTS Score 6.5 overall
GPA Score 7.5 out of 10
Course fee ranges per academic year INR 15.3 to 26. Lakhs /15,000 GBP to 27,000 GBP
Score in bachelors to apply for Master’s 55-60%.
Deadline September

Course Structure of M.Sc. in project management:

Number of modules 5 compulsory modules and 3 optional.
Total points achieved 180
Compulsory modules of level M and credit score is 15 (except business simulation) are:
  • Project and Portfolio Management in Organisations (first semester)
  • Planning for Risk, Uncertainty and Complexity (first semester)
  • Strategic Purchasing Management (second semester)
  • Leading and Managing Project Teams (second semester)
  • Executing, Controlling and Closing Projects (second semester)
  • Business Simulation and Analysis (whole session; credit of 60)
Optional modules of level M and credit score 15 are:
  • Logistics and Physical Distribution (second semester)
  • Service Operations Management (first semester)
  • Operations Modelling and Simulation (first semester)
  • Big Data Analytics for Business (second semester)
  • Enterprise Systems With Sap (second semester)
  • Sustainable Supply Chain Management (second semester)

Reasons for Pursuing Construction Management in the UK

Some of the top reasons for pursuing MS in Construction Management in the UK are;

1. High in demand: 

Being one of the most popular disciplines in the UK, Construction Management is widely preferred by students with an engineering background.  As per the statistics, the demand for Construction Management graduates is further expected to grow by 11% in the coming years. 

2. Globally recognized universities: 

By offering a flexible education system focused on practical learning, UK universities are known for their diverse academic curriculum that prepares students for their careers. Some top universities in the UK for Construction Management are the University of Manchester, Imperial College London, and the University of Salford. 

3. Job prospects: 

This is probably one of the most compelling reasons for considering a career in construction management in the UK. Graduates of this discipline can explore numerous jobs such as Construction manager, Quantity surveyor, Building control surveyor, Building services engineer, etc. 

Intakes in the UK 

There are two primary intakes in the UK, namely Autumn and Spring intake, and international students widely prefer these. However, some universities also offer a Summer intake. The below table shows the application deadlines for each. 

Intake  Application deadline  
Autumn intake: September to January June 
Spring intake: January to June November 
Summer intake: April to May  December 

Source: University’s official website 

Cost of Studying MS in Construction Management in the UK

The cost of pursuing a master’s in construction management in the UK is high compared to other courses. But, as per some studies and statistics, the construction and building industry is set to increase in reputation and job availability. The average cost of a postgraduate degree in construction management is £15000-30000 (INR 15,00,00-30,00,000), with most universities offering it as a one or two-year course. The cost may vary with the course and type of university chosen by the student. 

However, international students have to incur other expenses like accommodation and living. They must also take into account pre-arrival and post-arrival costs as well. The student would also have to incur costs related to entrance exams, application fees, visa application fee, and airfare before arriving at the university. The total accommodation and tuition fees for an Indian student studying M.Sc. in Construction Management in the UK is approximately £41,100 (INR 40,000,00) to study.

The average tuition fees at top universities is:

University Tuition Fees (approx.)
University of Manchester £27,000 (INR 27.2 Lakh )
University of Birmingham £24,480 (INR 24.7 Lakh )
Queen’s University £17,700 (INR 17.8 Lakh)
University of Reading £20,600 (INR 20.8 Lakh )
Loughborough University £25,450 (INR 25.7 Lakh )

Admission Requirements

The admission process is mostly similar for all the universities, with some minor differences. One must check the respective university’s official website for clarity over the same. Here are some standard admission requirements to study in the UK.

Application form: You can easily apply for it or download the admission applications from the official universities’ websites. You could also apply with the help of consultation and counseling agencies that support international students getting into colleges overseas.

Cost of the application form: A single application to a UK university can cost £50 to 100 (INR 5,000 to 10,000 ). 

The documents required by the student to seek admission into M.Sc. in Construction Management in the UK are as follows:

  • Completed and filled application form.
  • Copy of your passport.
  • 2 passport-sized photographs.
  • Proof of language proficiency certificates like scores for TOEFL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System).
  • Relevant academic certificates, modules, and grades.
  • Copy of your high school diploma or secondary education.
  • Scores of all the tests in eligibility criteria for MS like the GRE. Though, GRE scores are particularly not required to get admission to top universities in the UK for master’s in construction management. 
  • Recommendation letters have to be submitted.
  • Resume/ Curriculum Vitae.
  • Personal identification proof.
  • Statement of Purpose.

Other optional documents that may be required include a cover letter, work/ experience certificate, and additional proofs. Do not submit the original manuscripts, especially for your degrees. Get attestation from the required authorities on the duplicate. You can also check the official portal of the university if you want to apply for all the extra information and requirements particular to the institution.

Eligibility for MS in Construction Management in the UK

  • A bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline such as engineering, science, or management
  • English language proficiency test scores 
  • Updated resume

Note: Some universities may ask for additional documents

Visa Process

On average, visa filling and submission take about three months. The process is easy and convenient. While filling out the visa application, the student must carry the required documents. The documents include:

  • Identity proof: Voter ID/ Aadhar card/ Driving License
  • Confirmation of Acceptance of Study from the university
  • Application form
  • Finance proofs
  • Health Insurance
  • Passport
  • Recent Photograph

Therefore, to get in before your program begins, make sure to get your visa, other documents, and air tickets on time. Plan everything and follow the deadlines for all the processes. 

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Job Prospects after Construction Management

Some of the primary job opportunities that Construction Management graduates can explore are; 

Job title  Average Annual Salary 
Construction manager £45,226
Estate manager £31,563
Sustainability consultant £30,348
Arbitrator £33,810
Building surveyor £33,810

Source: PayScale 

Top Recruiters

The top recruiters for construction managers in the UK are:

  • Kier Group plc.
  • Bovis Lend Lease Pte Ltd.
  • Costain Ltd.
  • Mace
  • Skanska

Scholarships Offered

Scholarships can help reduce the financial cost of pursuing a Master’s from any top UK university. A good academic score and an excellent record on all qualifying exams can help you attain scholarships. Some of the more common scholarships offered in the United Kingdom are:

  • Hornby Scholarships
  • Residential Construction Management Scholarship 
  • TOEFL Scholarships
  • International Postgraduate Abertay Scholarships
  • Thomas And Margaret Roddan Scholarships
  • International Excellence Scholarships
  • International Merit Scholarships
  • British Chevening Scholarships
  • Early Bird Reward
  • GREAT Scholarship
  • UK University Of Reading M.Sc. Scholarship In Construction Management And Engineering
  • Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Program Scholarship
  • Commonwealth Scholarship
  • Strathclyde Business School Masters Scholarship For International Students

Scholarships may cover full or partial tuition fees and, in some cases, living expenses too. You must check the eligibility, application process, and waiver the scholarship offers before applying for it.

Difference Between Project Management And Construction Management

The scope of both profiles defines the difference between project management and construction management. A project manager has bigger responsibilities and scope than a construction manager. The project manager manages the analytics, budget, sites, and hiring. While the construction manager manages the construction, quality, and deadlines.

The duties of the project manager include:

  • Site selection
  • Land procurement
  • Marketing
  • Budgets
  • Analytics
  • Timeline management
  • Hiring and staffing

The responsibilities of the construction manager include:

  • Supervising day-to-day work
  • Supervising constructors
  • Managing operations
  • Keeping quality control
  • Ordering materials
  • Maintaining pieces of equipment and tools
  • Check for construction regulations

The project manager deals with the client while the construction manager deals with the workers. Hence, the degree of work differs for both of them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Construction Management in demand in the UK?

Yes, a master’s in construction management in the UK is very much in demand. According to the Construction Skills Network report, the UK construction industry is predicted to grow at a rate of 4.4% from 2021- 2025, translating to more job opportunities for skilled professionals.

Is it worth getting a Construction Management degree in the UK?

Pursuing a master’s in construction management in the UK is worth it. It allows you to learn from the best minds and work on real-life projects as the education there focuses on hands-on training. Not to mention that a UK degree is globally recognized and reputed, making seeking jobs in any country convenient. You graduate as a creative and specialized construction executive whose responsibility is ensuring that the buildings will be safer, comfortable, and sustainable for the future.

What is the Scope of Construction Management in the UK?

Construction managers plan and coordinate a project from start to finish, including organising the work schedule, cost, and budget and overseeing all construction project parts. A degree in construction management equips graduates to handle these tasks efficiently. Courses like construction management, building infrastructure, and more are ideal for international students to pursue in the UK. As far as the scope is concerned, real estate and construction are booming sectors that will always offer plenty of job opportunities to skilled graduates. They can earn a basic salary of INR 37,40,000 by gaining contract and commercial manager jobs.

What is the current situation of jobs in Construction Project Management (MS) in the UK for international students?

Various career options are available for students after post-graduation in construction management. Skilled professionals are in high demand and salaries are competitive. Some of the jobs in this field are as follows:

  • Construction professionals
  • Project managers
  • Technical staff
  • Project engineers
  • Construction inspector
  • Field engineer
  • Estimate manager
  • Construction contract manager

Disclaimer! All course fees and salaries are approximate amounts subject to change depending on various conditions.

Which are some of the best universities for a master’s in Construction Management in the UK?

Some of the most prominent UK universities you should consider for studying master’s in Construction Management are the University of Manchester, University of Salford, Lancaster University, Imperial College London, etc.

What is the average salary after a master’s in construction management?

The average salary of Construction Management graduates ranges from £30,348 to £45,226.

Did you find this article helpful?

Jyotsna Singh

With over a decade of expertise in international education, Jyotsna has held impactful roles at the British Council, Unilodgers, a prominent UK university, and IDP Education, empowering countless students by not only enhancing their educational experiences but also by offering them guidance in securing essential scholarships and financial aid. She is dedicated to helping students achieve their academic goals through tailored guidance and financial support.

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