CMNR7003
10 credits
This module provides you with the fundamentals of research design highlighting the difference between qualitative and quantitative research paradigms and...
MSc Industrialised Construction and Design Management
Examine industrialised approaches to construction and design, developing specialist insight into project delivery and management.
Key facts
- Duration
- Full time: 12 months (Sept start), 17 months (Jan start - including summer break)
- Part time: Part time/distance learning: 24 months (Sept start), 29 months (Jan start - including summer break)
- Starts
- January 2027, September 2027
- Level
- Master's and postgraduate
- Course code
- MSC-ICD
- Location
- Headington
- School
- School of the Built Environment
About this course
The MSc Industrialised Construction and Design Management programme embraces environmentally sustainable and efficient construction practices to solve the most pertinent problems faced by the construction industry.
The construction industry is rapidly changing; new technologies, innovative methods, global challenges and increased demand have accelerated a new era of construction. By developing expertise in prefabrication, offsite construction methods (OSM), and design management, you will be at the forefront of the industry.
You’ll be equipped with highly sought after skills in current and future models of construction and their associated project commissioning, design processes, procurement, supply chain integration, and manufacturing concerns, transforming your ability to innovatively tackle the problems of the future.
We have strong links with prominent companies in the sector, and we consult with these to ensure that course content remains relevant and up to date.
Industry-Relevant Curriculum
You’ll benefit from the deep knowledge of academics and experienced practitioners.
Flexible study
You can study full-time on campus for one year or part-time as a distance learner over two years starting in September or January.
Problem-based learning
Working on real-life problems and case studies you’ll learn the challenges of design and construction management in an engaging and effective way.
Networking Opportunities
Benefit from extensive alumni and industry networking opportunities with real-world exposure through site visits and field trips.
Research expertise
Many members of staff are part of the Oxford Institute of Sustainable Development (OISD). OISD is noted for its work on sustainable technology in buildings and sustainable urban form among many on-going projects.
Areas of interest include:
- sustainability, adaptation and resilience to climate change
- Building Information Modelling (BIM)
- collaborative supply networks for procurement and delivery of project
- building economics
- forecasting techniques
- risk management
- social networks in project environments
- managing complex projects
- management of knowledge and innovation as a source of competitive advantage
- adaptive re-use of existing buildings
- facilities management
- health and safety.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
| Qualification | Typical offer |
|---|---|
| IELTS | IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in all skills. For more information, please see our English language requirements. |
The course is open to applicants who hold a 2.2 undergraduate honours degree (or international equivalent) in a construction-related discipline.
We will actively consider applications from candidates with lower degrees, who can evidence substantiated & relevant experience in construction.
Industry professionals with suitable practice qualifications (e.g MRICS, MCIOB) - demonstrating ability to study at master's level, are also encouraged to apply.
For Distance-Learning study, it is recommended that applicants are working in construction and have at least six months work experience in the built environment sector.
We offer a range of courses to help you meet the entry requirements for your postgraduate course and also familiarise you with university life in the UK.
Take a Pre-Master's course to develop your subject knowledge, study skills and academic language level in preparation for your master's course.
If you need to improve your English language, we offer pre-sessional English language courses to help you meet the English language requirements of your chosen master’s course.
Fees and funding
Fees
Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year, your fees will increase each year.
The following factors will be taken into account by the University when it is setting the annual fees: inflationary measures such as the retail price indices, projected increases in University costs, changes in the level of funding received from Government sources, admissions statistics and access considerations including the availability of student support.
How and when to pay
Tuition fee instalments for the semester are due by the Monday of week 1 of each semester. Students are not liable for full fees for that semester if they leave before week 4. If the leaving date is after week 4, full fees for the semester are payable.
- For information on payment methods please see our Make a Payment page.
- For information about refunds please visit our Refund policy page.
Learning and assessment
There are three modes of delivery for this course:
- full-time on campus
- part-time on campus or
- part-time distance learning.
Please note, PG Certificate and PG Diploma qualifications are offered as exit awards only and are not accredited by RICS or CIOB. Applicants interested in these should apply for the MSc in the first instance.
For full-time students lectures are held on two set days every week.
For part-time on-campus students, lectures are held on one set day every week.
For distance learners, the virtual learning environment (VLE) is the primary mode of delivery. Students are supported by email, Zoom, Google Meet, on-line lectures and telephone, and are welcome to attend all lectures on campus. Distance learners are advised to spend two evenings per week and one whole day per weekend on their studies.
There are also intensive on-campus study periods and a field trip, when students from all modes of study come together (attendance is optional).
In response to industry feedback we have made our courses more practical by using an 'applied' approach to learning. This is sometimes called 'problem-based learning' or PBL. You learn by working through problems that are adapted from complex, real situations. We use our links with industry to help devise the problems we use in class, leading to a more exciting and relevant student experience.
Full-time and part-time on-campus modes
You will receive new material weekly with intermediate tutorials or seminars. There are also intensive study weeks and field trips where you will learn with students from all modes of study.
Distance learning mode
The virtual learning environment (VLE) is the primary mode of delivery. You will also be invited to attend on-campus intensive study periods and field trips where you will learn with students from all modes of study. You will be able to contact the Programme Team by email, telephone and through online meetings/tutorials.
Assessment
Your assessments will be diverse, and will support different learning styles - you’ll have a real opportunity to showcase your strengths. Your learning may be assessed by a combination of individual or group coursework, examinations, and presentations. The assessment methods chosen will be based on your learning needs, individual aims and the academic standards expected for the course.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
PMAN7007
30 credits
Sustainable Construction, Off-Site Construction and Smart Technologies are some of the methods being developed to deliver a high-quality, productive and more...
LOCAL-G32619
This module formalises some of the processes currently being adopted in the industry to improve the quality of building outcomes. Design Managers bring together...
LOCAL-G32618
Topics included in this module are Industrialised Construction (4th Industrial Revolution), Prototyping, Materials and Systems, Modular, Supplier-Led...
PMAN7001
30 credits
This module aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of how behavioural and organisational issues influence project performance and how they can be...
Field trips
Optional field trips are part of the course and include daytrips and overnight stays.
The field trips allow you to experience project management practices in the following ways:
- consolidate the knowledge gained in the early part of the course
- develop team and other relationships
- assess your ability to observe and report on the different approaches to project management in the UK
- explore different work practices and potential sources of employment and research.
The trips visit prominent construction/engineering projects and sites, plus local places of interest relevant to UK culture and the built environment.
Part of the costs are subsidised by the School but there are some additional costs. Please see the Additional costs section of this page for details.
Careers
Graduates of our postgraduate construction programmes have an outstanding employment record. Our graduates are recognised as having excellent levels of communication, presentation and problem-solving skills. Consequently, our students go on to be project managers right across the broad spectrum of the construction industries both locally and internationally.
Many of these companies visit the department annually to meet students for graduate positions as assistant project managers whilst many of our distance learning students are employed full time by prominent companies in the sector.
Many graduates are employed globally - including in:
- India
- Pakistan
- Africa
- Canada
- Australia
- Peru
- The Middle East
- China
- The Americas.
How to apply
We advise applying in advance to secure places, and allow sufficient time for applications to be reviewed.
Applicants should also factor any time needed to meet offer conditions, arrange accommodation, and obtain a UK Student visa (if applicable). Applications for overseas students to study in the UK normally close 2 months before the start of course.
Our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, so module availability and course structures may vary from what is listed here. On rare occasions, we may also need to make updates to our course programmes after publication; for full details, please visit our changes to programmes page (opens in a new tab)