Managing international projects presents unique challenges. This Masters programme addresses the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to successfully manage projects that span organisations, national boundaries and cultural differences.
In this programme, you will explore the impact on project management of culture, language variations, religious, contractual, regulatory and legal practices, technology penetration, temporal orientation, gender issues, corruption, ethics, personal liberty and political contexts. We learn how to meet international project challenges through efficient use of practices and technology. The programme will utilise available case studies and examples from global companies to help you sharpen the skills needed to recognise and foster a successful international project environment.
You will learn how culture affects how teams perceive each other, lead, solve problems and execute tasks. Although the world is increasingly connected, the people behind the projects have biases, expectations and a perception of life that impacts all decisions. You will also learn how to effectively manage international teams including how to build trust and collaboration across various cultures, time zones and technological settings. Importantly in an international project management environment, you will learn how to design communication channels and project structures effectively.
You will become familiar with the issues underlying the problem of corruption, which is the abuse of trusted power for private gain. Reducing the risk of corruption strengthens a company’s reputation, builds the respect of employees and raises credibility with key stakeholders. Finally, you will learn how the adoption of collaboration tools can enhance the international project experience. The programme is designed to teach you how to successfully deliver projects in an international environment.
To accelerate your learning, you will be exposed to theories and principles relating to financial and contractual management, leading teams including those that are geographically diverse, strategic leadership and the management of change, risk and opportunities. You will also be exposed to the fundamental concepts, principles of leadership theory, contractual arrangements, budgeting and forecasting and business case analysis.
This course will open up opportunities in project management roles in many industries. Past Northumbria University graduates have gone on to work for multinational companies such as BAE Systems, Volvo Car Group, NHS, Siemens, IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Shell and Virgin Money. Job roles have included project managers, programme managers, project portfolio managers, management consultants, business developers, entrepreneurs, quality managers and directors.
The Advanced Practice version of this course offers you a valuable opportunity to deepen your knowledge and enhance employability in your specialist field. This will be through completing additional 60 credit Advanced Practice module after when you have completed 120 credits of taught modules. This module will provide experiential learning opportunities.
These can either be a 12-week work placement, group consultancy project, research group project, 12-week Professional Skills Practice, 12-week Enterprise Start Up or 12-week Multidisciplinary Innovation project. This experience gives you the opportunity to apply skills and knowledge acquired during the taught part of your programme and to acquire new skills and knowledge in an alternative learning environment. Specific learning will be defined in a personal learning contract.
The Advanced Practice programmes are structured as below:
| Sept-Jan | Jan-May | May-Sept | Sept-Jan | Jan-May | May-Sept | Sept-Jan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September starts | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Summer break | Semester 3 | Advanced Practice stage | ||
| Professional Practice Project with Academic, Employability Skills and Research Methods Development (Sem 1, 2 & 3) | |||||||
| January starts | Semester 1 | Summer break | Semester 2 | Semester 3 | Summer break | Advanced Practice stage | |
| Professional Practice Project with Academic, Employability Skills and Research Methods Development (Sem 1, 2 & 3) | |||||||
| May starts |
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 3 | Advanced Practice stage | |||
| Professional Practice Project with Academic, Employability Skills and Research Methods Development (Sem 1, 2 & 3) | |||||||
Upon successfully completing your course, you may undertake further professional development and training through Professional Pathways programmes. These are offered to our graduates for free, from our partner, QA. Find out more about Professional Pathways and your eligibility.
Applicants who do not meet the academic requirements but who do have substantial experience of working in a business organisation and/or possess a relevant professional qualification will also be considered. If you are unsure if you meet the entry criteria, please contact us and our team will be able to advise you.
International entry equivalencies
We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Please visit our entry requirements page for country-specific qualifications.
Please note that if your qualifications are not in English, we might need certified translations in order to proceed with your application.
Masters Foundation programme
Alternatively, you may also be eligible for one of our Pre-Masters courses. These are pathway programmes designed specifically for students who require additional support to meet the entry requirements of their chosen Masters degree.
Pre-Sessional English and Study Skills
If you have IELTS 5.5 – 6.0, you may be eligible to join our Pre-Sessional English before starting this programme. This programme will help you develop language skills in a content-based approach to learning involving critical thinking, questioning, discussion, reflection and analysis.
All modules on this course are core and 20 credits unless otherwise stated.
It is very important for future Project and Programme Managers to understand Strategic Management and how projects deliver the strategy of an organisation.
The business world today is considerably different and more complex than it was in the previous years. Both the challenges and opportunities facing organizations of all sizes today are greater than ever. Organizations are required to continuously find better ways to compete in the rapidly changing global business environment. Survival and competition have become imperative for organizations in the current global scenario.
In this context, the module develops the strategic thinking and decision-making abilities of students, for you to effectively deliver strategic programmes and projects in different cultural and country situations.
It is very important for International Project Managers to possess the knowledge and understanding as to how projects are successfully delivered in an international context.
The international business world today is considerably different and more complex than it was in previous years with many global multi-national organisations delivering projects in up to 150 different countries. The challenges and opportunities facing global organizations to deliver successful projects in order to deliver their strategy require project managers with a knowledge and understanding of the key issues when working in an international environment. Organisations are required to continuously find better ways to compete in the rapidly changing global business environment. Survival and competition have become imperative for organizations in the current global scenario.
In this context, the module develops the thinking and decision making abilities of students, especially in relation to understanding the employability of various Strategic and Project Management strategies in different cultural and country situations.
This module will provide a general introduction to the subject matter of international project feasibility and economics as located within the project, programme and portfolio environments of global organisations including the relevant financial drivers affecting option selection and project selection, procurement and contract strategies in international markets. It will also explore the key features of contracting, performance monitoring and the management of claims and disputes.
You will achieve an understanding of
This knowledge and understanding are essential for future employment working on international programmes and projects. Employers are looking for graduates with project feasibility and economics skills who can work individually and as members of a team in tackling problems and at the same time being able to make difficult decisions relating to projects.
The module has been designed to satisfy several of the programme learning outcomes related to technical knowledge, employability, critical thinking and problem-solving innovation.
A ‘project’ is a temporary undertaking of some uniqueness, whose likelihood of success is enhanced if carried out using Project Management knowledge, methods, and processes, to accomplish planned objectives, such as outputs, outcomes or benefits. Programmes are collections of such projects which are also targeted at higher-level deliverables that will often require greater levels of coordination and present different types of opportunities and risks.
This module explores aspects of ‘P3 management’, the management of projects, programmes and portfolios, in this wider context. Taught content is constructed around a research-led curriculum (i.e. current knowledge in the field), and through its study, you will gain knowledge and develop a conceptual understanding around P3 Management, including the relevant approaches available to a project manager and the project team as a whole.
You will also critically evaluate project management knowledge and competencies, reflect on lessons from project case studies, and embrace the relevant ethical and professional standards associated with competent P3 management.
Recognising the important role technology and IT plays in project management this module will develop your knowledge and skills of a range of emerging technologies and essential IT skills required for effective project management in contemporary organizational environments.
It also provides you with practical knowledge and hands-on experience in utilizing various computing technologies, including data analysis, artificial intelligence (AI), and collaboration tools, to enhance project planning, execution, and monitoring.
The impact of the people element of a project is often overlooked. It is this element that is the main focus of this module, which will include theories and concepts suggested by key academics as means of improving the management of international project teams. Based on a fundamental understanding of self and the impact of the individual on others it will include aspects and influences of international social, cultural and organisational psychology and international human resource management (IHRM). It will also have a very practical basis with examples from a range of industries, countries and cultures. The overarching objective is to develop effective team working and enhance skills required to understand and participate in leading real and virtual international project teams.
This module is a 60-credit module which will be delivered across your programme (3 semesters) and is designed to build your confidence and capabilities as a postgraduate student, researcher and have the graduate skills to progress into high skilled employment or doctoral study. You will complete three strands.
Semester 1 and 2: Academic and Employability Skills
The main purpose of this strand is to develop your academic confidence including using the wide range of learning resources available to you, academic reading, writing and study effectiveness. You will also develop your ability to analyse and use the source material and develop your language and communication skills to a higher level. In addition, through the learning tasks, a number of employability skills are developed, including life-long learning, professional and career development, communication skills, intercultural competence, collaboration, teamworking, digital and information literacy, critical thinking, ethical practice, reflection, self-management, decision-making, problem-solving, planning and organising. You will also develop employability skills (based on 7i graduate outcomes) and be encouraged to attend additional careers and employability workshops organised by our Careers Team.
Semester 2: Research Methods
The research methods strand will develop your knowledge and understanding of learning about identifying a project management problem, undertaking a critical literature review, designing appropriate research methodology and developing a research proposal that will lead into the dissertation stage.
Semester 3
This will be a culmination of your knowledge and understanding of your Master’s degree in your chosen discipline. Specifically, you will work alongside an academic tutor to complete a major research project. This will include attending individual and group project supervision and guidance sessions in which you will develop further the skill required to complete a project management-related research enquiry. This strand provides a process which will enable you to use and extend the knowledge and skills you have acquired during your programme of study. Using appropriate research methodologies and data collection methods, you will critically synthesise a body of knowledge relevant to the taught programme and apply this to an area relevant to your continued career development in the area of project management.
The course information displayed on this page is correct for the academic year 2024/25. We aim to run the course as advertised however, changes may be necessary due to updates to the curriculum (due to academic or industry developments), student demand or UK compliance reasons.
Please note that your tuition fees do not include the cost of course books that you may choose to purchase, stationery, printing and photocopying, accommodation, living expenses, travel or any other extracurricular activities. As a Northumbria University London Campus student, you will have full access to our online digital library with over 400,000 e-books and 50,000 electronic journals.
The modules you will study do not require you to purchase additional textbooks although we recommend you allow an additional £120 for the duration of your studies should you choose to purchase any additional reading materials.
Information for international students
Northumbria University is committed to providing the best possible experience to all our students. To ensure you secure your place with us, we require our international students to pay a deposit towards their fees. More information can be found here.
Your tuition fees cover far more than your time in class with our expert academics, it covers the cost of providing you with excellent services and student experience.
Depending on the country you are from, you may be eligible for a country bursary and/or scholarship when studying the MSc International Project Management programme.
All of our scholarships and bursaries are automatically applied when we process your application and one of our team will be able to confirm your eligibility.
London Cost of Living Bursary
Eligible international students will receive an automatic bursary for £1,334, covering one month’s living costs in London*, applied at the Conditional Offer as a fee discount. This bursary is effective for intakes in January 2025 and May 2025. This offer excludes Pre-sessional English, standalone Graduate Certificate programmes and sponsored applicants.
If you receive this bursary, you may still be eligible for additional bursaries and scholarships, these will be confirmed at the Unconditional Offer stage. Full maintenance costs still need to be evidenced when applying for your visa.
This bursary is only available for international students from specific countries. Please visit our Scholarships page for more information.
*As defined by UKVI
If you need support to spread the cost of your tuition, you may be eligible for our payment plan.
If you are a UK or Home student, you may be eligible for a postgraduate loan of up to £10,000+ from the UK Government. Click here to find out more about the loan and whether you are eligible to receive it.
Enquire now to find out more information about the course, studying with us, the application process, and to ask any other questions you may have.
Students can apply online for the 1 year MSc International Project Management course by clicking the button below.
Please note: For 2025 applications you will be redirected to the Northumbria website to select which intake you would like to apply for.
| Apply for 2025 |
|---|
| Apply for the 1 year MSc |
| Apply for Pre-Masters + 1 year MSc |
We strongly recommend that you submit your application as early as possible to allow you to complete all of the preparations needed to study your programme. Please refer to the Dates and Fees page.
You can check more information on how to apply here, including guidelines for the application forms.
At Northumbria University London we welcome applications from disabled students and are committed to ensuring an equal and accessible application journey. Your application will be considered on an equal basis to all other applications. Please contact us if you require any assistance. This website is continually optimised to adhere to accessibility best practice guidelines; tools to assist users with specific accessibility requirements have also been provided. More information is available in our accessibility statement.
Postgraduate
UK/Home Fee: £10,460
International Fee: £19,750
Minimum 2:2 honours degree, or equivalent
IELTS 6.5, with no single element below 5.5, or equivalent
Full-time classroom
1 year (up to 2 years with advanced practice)
Coursework
Available
Available
Available
January, May, September
Postgraduate
UK/Home Fee: £13,460
International Fee: £22,750
Minimum 2:2 honours degree, or equivalent
IELTS 6.5, with no single element below 5.5, or equivalent
Advanced practice
16 - 24 months
Coursework
Not available
Available
Available
January, May, September