Construction Management and Engineering

Course overview

Taking a project life-cycle view from design to construction and asset management, this course covers the fundamental and contemporary issues in construction management and engineering outlined by key professional bodies (e.g. Joint Board of Moderators (JBM), Association of Project Managers (APM), Royal Institute of Charted Surveyors (RICS) and Charted Institute of Building (CIOB)) and from different construction sectors’ (e.g. buildings, infrastructure) perspectives.

The learning experience will be supported with frequent touchpoints with the industry. The aim is to equip practitioners with cutting-edge knowledge, and necessary management and problem-solving skills

The course is specifically designed to create reflective professionals who may want to deepen their knowledge or change careers into the construction industry with advanced construction management and engineering knowledge and skills.

“All of the lecturers were outstanding, they became like friends with great support on the topics studied. The culture and diversity of Aston plays a huge part too. Teamwork is a great way to learn and with such a varied student background you learn a lot off each other.”

John O Sullivan

Design and Development Engineer

Why Construction Management and Engineering at Aston University?

Cutting-edge research

Opportunities to get involved in nationally important and cutting-edge research and development projects.

Facilities

Access to our state-of-art laboratory facilities in highway engineering, material and structures, and the latest industry-standard engineering software packages.

Industry experts

Benefit from guest lecturers from industry experts and on-site visits to high-profile development projects.

Why Study a Postgraduate Degree at Aston University?

Course description

Our MSc programme is designed for engineers and graduates, equipping you with specialised skills, practical knowledge and industry partnerships.

What we will provide
We provide world-class teaching and comprehensive support to all our students. Our access to state-of-the-art labs, encouraging free membership with professional bodies and subscription to various online resources ensure your success in the dynamic engineering landscape.

What you will provide
For this course we are looking for dedicated graduates who have a willingness to engage with problem solving and an inquisitive mind. You must be able to think outside of the box and autonomously, applying the skills you have learnt to take on challenges.

What skills we teach
The course will equip construction professionals with the necessary analytical tools and skills that will enable you to tackle the complex local and global challenges in Construction Engineering and Management.

Professional Practice Year
If you meet satisfactory academic performance and have secured a suitable professional experience, you will have the option to be transferred onto our MSc Construction Management and Engineering including Professional Practice programme. Taking the Professional Practice route allows you to extend the duration of your Masters to 22 months and gain valuable working experience to support your career aspirations. The placement commences after the completion of your MSc dissertation and can be paid work, study abroad exchanges or unpaid research projects or even a mix of these options. You will return to Aston the following May for an intensive period on campus to draw all your learning together and finalise the assessments.

Career prospects
This course is specifically designed to create reflective professionals who may want to deepen their knowledge to upskill or change careers into the construction industry, as you will learn advanced construction management and engineering theories and skills

Discover What's Possible with Careers and Placements

You'll find support from our award-winning Careers and Placements Team as you seek your placement. They assist with CVs, applications, and mock interviews. You will be able to engage in industry seminars and networking alongside one to one coaching.

How you will learn

The aim of the course is to provide a detailed and advanced grounding in the fundamental principles, critical skills and applicable practices required by the Construction Engineering and Management professionals. This will enable construction professionals to develop their knowledge of the project and business environment, key functions and processes and their ability to apply knowledge to solve complex project and organisational issues.

You will develop the ability to manage complex construction projects, make operational, strategic and financial decisions under conditions of risk, and contribute to the performance of projects and organisations.

The course will equip construction professionals with the necessary analytical tools and skills that will enable you to tackle the complex local and global challenges in Construction Engineering and Management.

Extra curricula activities

There are many extra curricula activities you can partake in by becoming a student at Aston University, key to this course is a Building Environment Student Society where you can mix with other likeminded students from your area of discipline, as well as over 130 other clubs and societies across the university!

There are also different events that are co-organised by the department which helps you gain key contacts within industry, attend events to network and grow your ties with key business professionals as well as seek important placement opportunities.

What you will learn

Our MSc Construction Management and Engineering programme delivers a robust academic foundation, covering modules such as Project Management, Digital Engineering and Smart Construction and Project Planning and Control..

Although you are responsible for finding your placement, you will have access to the support of our award-winning Careers and Placements Team, who have helped so many of our students to secure placement and work opportunities, including by providing CV and application preparation, and practice interviews. In addition, you will participate in a programme of activities within the school designed to develop your personal and professional skills such as industry seminars and networking activities. Opportunities for one-to-one coaching and mentoring will also support your learning journey and help you become more work-ready.

Facilities

The newly refurbished civil engineering labs have been equipped with state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities, ready for learners to undertake practical experiments and research projects. The laboratories house facilities for highway engineering, material and structures.

Students will have access to these laboratory facilities and 24/7 access to a fully equipped computer lab. Where the latest industry standard engineering software packages are also available.

Students will also have access to extensive library facilities with access to key specialist sources such as academic databases(e.g. Scopus and Web of Science), Building Cost Information Services (BCIS) and Construction Information Services (CIS).

Watch our Civil Engineering facilities tour

Discover our state-of-art laboratory facilities in highway engineering, material and structures.

Course objectives

Provides a detailed and advanced grounding in the fundamental principles, critical skills and applicable practices required by the Construction Engineering and Management professionals.
Enable construction professionals to develop their knowledge of the project and business environment, key functions and processes and their ability to apply knowledge to solve complex project and organisational issues.
Develops the ability to manage complex construction projects, to make operational, strategic and financial decisions under conditions of risk and to contribute to the performance of projects and organisations.
Equips construction professionals with the necessary analytical tools and skills that will enable them to tackle the complex local and global challenges in Construction Engineering and Management.
Develop the transferrable and professional skillset of future construction professionals with critical thinking, effective communication and team-work, leadership and management, and innovative problem solving that are necessary to meet evolving challenges in Construction Engineering and Management.

Modules

Modules and learning outcomes

Taught stage modules

In the taught stage, you will study the following core module:

Module Title	Credits
Project Management	15
Digital Engineering and Smart Construction	15
Monitoring and Management of Civil Infrastructure	15
Infrastructure Engineering and Inter-disciplinary Design	15
Project Planning and Control	15
Construction Procurement and Contracts	15
Strategic Financial Management in Construction	15
Research Methods	15
Total	120

Dissertation stage modules

Module Title	Credits
Dissertation	60
Total	60

Programme outcomes

On successful completion of both the taught and dissertation stage, you will be able to:

Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the contemporary issues and a critical reflection of the contemporary professional practices and challenges in construction management and engineering.
Showcase a critical awareness of the procurement, contractual, project management, digital and financial frameworks and standards that govern contemporary construction practice, and evidence the ability to apply appropriate techniques to assess and evaluate risks to commercial operations.
Evaluate the engineering properties and performance of the components and the systems of a variety of built assets and civil infrastructures, including the implementation of the infrastructure design, selection, construction and maintenance.
Critique the engineering principles and techniques underpinning the solutions to engineering problems and processes within construction engineering.
Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of approaches to decision making under conditions of uncertainty and to be able to independently identify, analyse and address relevant risks in construction engineering and management.
Propose solutions to key local and global challenges in construction engineering and management by evaluating multi-faceted issues such as sustainability, value, ethics and professionalism.
Formulate a competent, original and independent approach to project and organisational management within construction engineering and management through application of appropriate tools, techniques and methodologies, and demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate the proposed solutions to a wider range of stakeholders.
Design and produce research into complex project /organisational /operational/strategic issues in construction engineering and management using appropriate methodologies and evaluate findings from a range of sources to derive relevant conclusions.

Entry requirements

A 2.2 in a first degree (BEng/BSc) in a construction-related discipline or equivalent international qualification.
OR a 2.1 degree in a non-cognate discipline (or equivalent international qualification in a non-cognate discipline) but with experience in the construction industry

As well as:

One professional reference
A completed application form.

See international student information below for international equivalent information.

International students

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our undergraduate programmes. Students from over 120 countries choose to study with us every year. Based in the centre of Birmingham, Aston is not only a great place to study, it’s also a great place to live.

Qualifications in your country

For details of equivalent qualifications in your country, use our area pages below:

English language requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification.

English language requirements

How to apply

Aston University provides a range of opportunities for international students to join our community and study on our campus. A key part of our strategy is our relationships with teaching partners, providing multiple pathways to Aston.

Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and, as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career. One of the great things about Aston is our focus on employability. Our close links with businesses, industries and professions make this possible.

Find out more about applying

Post-study work visa

Aston University welcomed the creation of a new Graduate Immigration Route which enables international students to remain in the UK for two years after you complete your studies to find work. This new post-study work visa applies to international students completing full-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Graduate Immigration Route

Pathway Programmes

If you don’t meet our entry requirements, we have a range of pathway programmes offered by our partner, ONCAMPUS Aston, which you can complete to progress onto one of our degrees.

Masters Foundation programmes

If you don’t meet our entry requirements, we have a range of pathway programmes offered by our partner, ONCAMPUS Aston, which you can complete to progress onto one of our degrees.

Speak to our Admissions Team

If you have any questions about the application process please get in touch with our postgraduate admissions team:

Email: pgadmissions@aston.ac.uk

Call: 0121 204 3200 (Please note this line is open Monday-Friday between 09.30am-4.30pm)

Read our guide to applying

Fees and scholarships

Course fees

UK students
(2024/25)

Annual tuition fees:

£11,150

International students
(2024/25)

Annual tuition fees:

£21,500

More information on fees

The United Kingdom government has confirmed that European Union (EU), other European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals commencing academic courses in England from August 2021 will no longer be charged the same tuition rates as UK students.

Tuition fees for students are reviewed annually and may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering the Programme. Any such increase shall always be in accordance with the law. When undertaking a placement year, a placement year fee applies.

More information on fees

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs.

Explore scholarships for UK students

Explore scholarships for international students

Assessment

You will be assessed through various methods such as exams, both closed and open book to assess theoretical understanding. Coursework includes individual and group assignments, projects and case studies. This varied approach is to ensure a well-rounded assessment, measuring theoretical knowledge, practical skills and effective teamwork.

Career prospects

This course is specifically designed to create reflective professionals who may want to deepen their knowledge to upskill or change careers into the construction industry, as you will learn advanced construction management and engineering theories and skills.

The course aims to develop the transferrable and professional skillset of future construction professionals with critical thinking, effective communication and teamwork, leadership and management, and innovative problem solving that are necessary to meet evolving challenges in Construction Engineering and Management.

Be part of our community

Once you have joined us at Aston University, you’ll always be part of our community, even beyond graduation.

Alumni services

Frequently asked questions

Why should international students choose Aston University?

Study at Aston University and you will be part of a multi-cultural community located at the heart of the dynamic city of Birmingham. Our courses are practical, inspired by industry and many have internationally recognised accreditations. Renowned for our employability prospects and connections to business and industry, we provide outstanding career support, advice and placement opportunities.

For those interested in working in the UK after they have graduated, the UK Government has created a new post-study work visa.

Is Birmingham a good place to study?

Our campus is based in the centre of Birmingham, the youngest major city in Europe and a great place to live, work and study.

Great music and entertainment with a vibrant nightlife. Bars, clubs, pubs, live music, festivals, concerts. Whatever your tastes, there's something here for everyone.
Fantastic food. Birmingham's diverse community means you can try anything from the famous Balti triangle, the Chinese Quarter, high street chains, halal and vegan food, and Michelin-star dining.
World-class shopping. The Bullring and Grand Central is a shopper's paradise. From the world's biggest Primark to luxury brands at the Mailbox.
Arts and culture. Museums, galleries, theatres, concerts and Birmingham's art collection is as wide as it is impressive - not to be missed.
Green, open spaces. One of the greenest cities in Europe, Birmingham has hundreds of publicly accessible parks and green spaces across the city.
Sporting action. Birmingham has some of the most exciting venues for watching or participating in sport in the UK.

Discover Birmingham