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BSc (Hons) - Project Management (top-up)

The BSc (Hons) Project Management (Top-up) is a one-year programme that consolidates and further develops students’ knowledge, skills and experience of the project, programme and portfolio environment.

As a student on this programme, you will enhance your knowledge of the governance, management and control of projects, exploring topics such as risk and management and project leadership.

Delivered over one-year full time, the programme will allow you to enhance your knowledge of the project environment and equip you with the skills to become practising project professionals.

Accredited by the Association of Project Management (APM) and aligned to their 8th Body of Knowledge, you will study the place of projects within the broader context of programmes and portfolios and the governance structures that facilitate project delivery. You will also look at the tools and techniques for managing and controlling projects, exploring the processes for identifying and responding to risks and opportunities, and using models and theories of leadership to create collaborative and high-performing project teams.

Students will apply their learning to the completion of a dissertation or case study analysis project.

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Association for Project Management

Course Overview

Delivered over one-year full time, the programme will allow you to enhance your knowledge of the project environment and equip you with the skills to become practising project professionals.

Accredited by the Association of Project Management (APM) and aligned to their 8th Body of Knowledge, you will study the place of projects within the broader context of programmes and portfolios and the governance structures that facilitate project delivery. You will also look at the tools and techniques for managing and controlling projects, exploring the processes for identifying and responding to risks and opportunities, and using models and theories of leadership to create collaborative and high-performing project teams.

Students will apply their learning to the completion of a dissertation or case study analysis project.

On this course you will...

Differentiate the role of projects, programmes, portfolios and how they relate to business-as-usual activities.
Define and model appropriate project governance structures for a project.
Understand the difference between project management and project leadership and model behaviours applicable to the situation at hand.

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Key Details

Recruiting toUK / RoI / Settled in UK
EU / EEA / International
Course LocationDistance Learning
Institute Institute of Business, Industry and Leadership
UCAS CodeN215
Mode of DeliveryBlended learning, distance learning
Course DurationFull-time: 1 Year
Part-time: 2 Years
Course Start PointSeptember
AwardBSc (Hons)
More informationProgramme Specification
Prospectus
Open DaysAll

Minimum entry requirements

Foundation degree or HND

Honours degree

See specific entry requirements listed below.

UK Tuition fees

£9,535

Entry in academic year 2025/26

£9,790

Entry in academic year 2026/27

International Tuition fees

£14,900

Entry in academic year 2025/26

£16,000

Entry in academic year 2026/27

Tuition Fees Policy

Working with

Course Structure

What you will learn

As a student on this course, you will study four 20-credit taught modules and complete a 40-credit dissertation.

This programme provides an ideal progression route for applicants who have previously completed a Foundation Degree or a Higher National Diploma who now want to gain a full undergraduate award in Project Management.

Year one

Project Management Fundamentals
Develop your knowledge and understanding of the core principles of project management. This module will provide a solid foundation for the remainder of the programme. The content is aligned with the current version of the Association for Project Management Body of Knowledge.
Project. Programme and Portfolio Management
Develop your ability to critically evaluate organisational approaches to the formation, management and control of programs and portfolios and their relationship and interdependencies with projects.
Management and Control of Projects
Develop your understanding of different methods for managing activities and measuring and reporting progress on projects. This module also explores various ‘life-cycle’ approaches to setting up and delivering projects.
People and Projects
Develop your ability to identify, evaluate and apply leadership styles, taking into account aspects such as teams, project complexity, roles, organisational structure and internal and external stakeholders.
Dissertation / Project Case Study Analysis
Initiate, plan, research, sustain and evaluate an extended piece of independent intellectual work.

Teaching & Assessment

How you will learn

This programme has been designed with employers in mind and the majority of students on the course will be working in a project-related role. Students who are not currently working will get the benefit of studying alongside practising project professionals as well as having the flexibility in their weekly calendar to seek employment or to fully dedicate their time to their studies.

To enable employed people to study the course successfully alongside their jobs, the delivery of lectures and learning material is typically scheduled in a day-release model, with a single day of intensive engagement each week supported with additional learning materials. Delivery is online, part of the study day each week is live with a tutor and part of the day is guided independent study (individual and group work). As the course is delivered online a stable connection to the Internet is required as well as access to a reasonably up to date laptop or computer. Being online means that geography need not be a barrier to studying and as a student you are able to study from anywhere that has a stable connection to the internet, be that home, work, a café or outside via a mobile phone hotspot. This programme uses an extended academic year to enable the taught modules and dissertation to be completed on a 1-day per week study basis, delivery typically begins at the end of September and your final dissertation is submitted at the end of the following July.

Our online learning sessions are delivered live by our expert tutors, and you are encouraged to contribute your thoughts, knowledge and experience to all the information that is being presented. Interaction continues after the scheduled live sessions with tools embedded into Blackboard, our Virtual learning Environment.  Between taught sessions you can upload your work, observations and critical reflections to an online journal which your tutor can then read and provide feedback on, allowing you to progress at your own pace and pull out and focus on the aspects of learning that are most appropriate for your context and situation.  Additional discussions can also take place with the teaching team utilising online tools such as Blackboard Collaborate or MS Teams. 
Where possible, students will be able to supplement their learning with scheduled face-to-face sessions on campus using our blended delivery model, maximising opportunities for networking and collaboration. These sessions will be limited in number in order to accommodate and make most effective use of any travel and accommodation requirements. If you are unable to physically attend any such sessions that have been scheduled on campus then you won’t be disadvantaged as all of our learning materials are available via our online platforms.

As a student on this programme, you will have access to a vast range of informative and interactive online resources as well as full use of the facilities at our University campuses. Our library resources are all accessible online and we have thousands of electronic books that are relevant to your studies as well as access to an incredible range of peer-reviewed journals and professional publications.

How you will be assessed

The programme uses a variety of assessment methods including written assignments, presentations and examinations. Each module involves one piece of assessment. Further details can be found in the programme specification.

Overview

A foundation degree or HND in a relevant subject.

Applicants from courses based at institutions other than University of Cumbria will be assessed on their suitability depending upon the modules they have studied.

Fair Admissions

When you apply, our Admissions specialists will review your whole application. We are looking for your potential to succeed so will assess your qualifications, any relevant work experience, your personal statement, and references.

Where you have received a conditional offer subject to achieving particular grades/UCAS tariff scores, and do not quite meet these scores, please try not to worry, where vacancies exist our Admissions specialists will review your whole application again and take account of any mitigating circumstances and reassess your suitability for the course.

Selection Criteria

As part of the application and selection process, we are looking for your commitment to this course. In your personal statement, you should demonstrate your motivation for choosing this course and reflect upon any experience you have gained.

Contextual Admissions

Going to higher education can transform a person’s life. We use contextual admissions to make sure that we are accessible to everyone who has the potential to succeed. Qualifications and grades are important, but they are considered alongside other information that helps universities to identify potential and widen access to university level study. For some individuals, the disadvantages they have experienced in their life mean that they have not been able to demonstrate their full academic potential. Where a person lives and their personal circumstances can all affect their educational attainment.

We take this context into account and look for an applicant’s potential when making admission decisions. The University of Cumbria will make offers to applicants that live in postal code regions with the lowest participation in Higher Education (Polar 4 quintile 1 – you can check your postcode here) and care leavers, offers will be made at the bottom of any UCAS Tariff range. Attendance at our Masterclasses and Summer Schools will also allow applicants to receive an offer lower within the tariff range. (T&Cs apply)

Contact ugadmissions@cumbria.ac.uk for more information.

For 2023 entry, our contextual data and information we use in our offer making will be broadened to include applicants that are estranged from their parents, have caring responsibilities or are in receipt of or received free school meals during their secondary education. Successful participation and completion of our Future Teachers Scheme will also receive an offer lower within the tariff range.

Returning to Education

If you are over 21 and returning to study after being in relevant employment for a minimum of 3 years and do not meet the published entry requirements for Year 1 of our degree courses, please do not assume you are not qualified to join us. Our experienced Admissions and Academic staff will review your prior qualifications and professional experience to support your application.

Language requirements

Maths and English at GCSE C/4 or above.

Please follow the link to check language requirements for this programme .

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

UK Tuition fees

£9,535
Entry in academic year 2025/26

£9,790
Entry in academic year 2026/27

International Tuition fees

£14,900
Entry in academic year 2025/26

£16,000
Entry in academic year 2026/27

The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs.

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.

International Finance

At the University of Cumbria, we offer affordable tuition fees for international and EU students looking to study at one of our main four campuses. No matter your choice of course or career path, our International Team is here to support you.

More Information

We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us. This includes the Cumbria Bursary - a non-repayable bursary designed to support first year students with a household income of less than £25,000..

Student Finance

Additional Costs

Stationery, printing and digital storage

Approximately £30 to £40 per year

RequiredPer yearStationery

You should budget for stationery and consumables for personal use. These may include notebooks, pens and pencils, digital storage devices, printing and photocopying. The amount you spend will depend on your study preferences.

Books and journals

Approximately £50 to £300 over the course of your studies

OptionalThroughout the courseBooks and journals

Most core textbooks and journals are available through the University library. You may choose to purchase personal copies of books or other resources used to support your studies.

Some courses recommend particular books or provide an estimated annual budget for purchasing personal copies. Search for your course below for details.

Technology requirements

Cost depends on the equipment and internet service you choose

RequiredThroughout the courseDigital learning and IT

You will need regular access to a laptop or computer capable of accessing the internet and running software such as a word processor and Microsoft Teams. Microsoft 365 is provided as part of your studies. You will also need a reliable internet connection. The amount you spend will depend on the equipment and internet service you choose.

Information on borrowing university laptops

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Location
Distance Learning
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BSc (Hons) - Project Management (top-up)