How to apply

Overview

The details

Course: Global Project Management

Start date: January 2025

Study mode: Full-time

Duration: 1 year

Location: Southend Campus

Based in: Essex Business School

Managing global projects in fields as diverse as marketing, operations and supply chains requires a variety of high-level management skills in order to manage projects effectively and efficiently across different cultures and societies.

MSc Global Project Management is aimed at students who may not have studied business at undergraduate level.

Project management is the discipline of organising resources to complete projects within defined time, cost and quality constraints, with acceptable levels of risk. Major global projects require professionals with integrated skills, who can operate in a variety of cultural and socio-economic settings around the world.

You explore topics including:

project management
programme management
supply chain management
operations management
management of international marketing projects
product development

This course uses innovative teaching methods, such as group work and applied projects, to develop the leadership, communication and problem solving skills necessary to successfully manage international projects. You also have the option to complete a comprehensive business plan instead of a dissertation.

You study at Essex Business School, at our Southend Campus. Students and staff come to us from all over the world, creating a classroom experience rich in diversity and working together to build a global understanding. After learning in this environment you should feel prepared to take on global projects alongside an equally global workforce in the future.

You can study this course starting in either October or January. Please note that the January entry point is only available on a full-time basis and cannot be studied part-time.

Why we're great.

You'll be taught by academics with a detailed understanding of how to make teaching in the classroom relevant to the workplace.
This course is perfect if you have not studied business or management before.
Our students and staff join us from across the world, offering the ideal context for studying global management practices.

Our expert staff

Based in Southend-on-Sea, members of the Strategy, Operations and Entrepreneurship Group have well-established reputations for research in:

entrepreneurship and innovation, with a special focus on under-represented groups
global sustainable supply chains
international business, particularly with reference to emerging markets
research and development management
data analytics
corporate social responsibility activities

During your course, you'll have the opportunity to learn from Dr. Juan Carlos Fernandez de Arroyabe Reader at Essex Business School.

Juan Carlos is an expert in innovation management, with a particular interest in research and development projects and networks, as well as eco-innovation, the circular economy and cyber security. Alongside his academic research, he has significant professional experience in engineering management with a range of multi-nationals organisations so he has a detailed understanding of how to ensure teaching in the classroom is relevant to the workplace.

Academic members of staff from our Strategy, Operations and Entrepreneurship Group are supported in their research activities by our flourishing Centre for Research on Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Management and Internationalisation (REIMI).

The Centre is well known for international business research on emerging-market multinational enterprises (MNEs); technology management; novel research in migrant entrepreneurship and firm internationalisation.

Specialist facilities

MSc Global Project Management is taught at our Southend Campus, just 40 minutes fromLondon and in the heart of the Thames Gateway - one of the Government's priority areas for economic growth, offering fantastic internship and networking opportunities.

Choose our Southend Campus for your studies, you'll have access to a superb learning environment with state-of-the-art facilities, including:

our award-winning The Forum building, with an extensive public and academic library and café
24-hour learning hub, with group-study spaces, PC access and places for quiet study
Essex Business School Student Services team to support your time at EBS
masters study suite for EBS postgraduate students
modern lecture theatres and seminar rooms
careers support, events and initiatives
study skills support provided by the Essex Business School Learning Team
our cosy SU Lounge, with pool tables and large-screen TV for socialising and relaxation

Southend-on-Sea combines the charms of a traditional seaside resort with the attractions of a vibrant, modern town and our campus sits right at the centre. With seven miles of coastline, a thriving arts and cultural scene and a wide variety of restaurants and nightlife all on your doorstep, it's the perfect place to live and study. Our town centre location has excellent transport links and London Southend Airport is just five minutes away by train, offering flights to over 50 destinations across Europe.

Your future

A Master's degree in Global Project Management will provide you with the essential skills and knowledge necessary to manage projects effectively and efficiently in an international business environment.

As well as equipping you with skills in creativity, innovation and ethical awareness to help you excel in the modern workplace, you will develop the leadership, communication and problem solving skills necessary to successfully manage international projects.

Project management spans a wide range of sectors including construction, education and research, consulting groups and public sector services. Our graduates enjoy roles in financial analysis, management, public administration and accountancy. Many have progressed to work in academia or for global organisations and SMEs, such as:

Groupon
KPMG
HP
Grant Thornton LLP
European Central Bank
fast-growing digital agency, Footprint Digital
Capital Markets Intelligence, a financial publisher
EY (Ernst & Young)

Read our graduate profiles to find out the types of organisations our Masters students go on to work for.

Our Student Support team work closely with the University's Employability and Careers service to help you with careers information and advice and CV support. They will help you find work experience, internships, placements and voluntary opportunities and provide access to employer talks on campus. We also work closely with the Essex Startups team to support our budding entrepreneurs get their business ideas off the ground.

“I am really putting my experience of working relationships and cultural sensitivity gained through my Master’s and PhD into practice.”

Hiva Rafiei, Msc Global Project Management and PhD in Management Studies

Entry requirements

UK entry requirements

A 2:2 degree or international equivalent, in any discipline.

We will also consider applicants who hold a professional qualification such as a CIM, CIPD or CMI and two years' relevant Professional or Managerial experience.

You may also be considered with a lower class degree, where you have at least three year’s relevant work experience (please provide your CV in your application).

International & EU entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Graduate Admissions team at pgquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum score of 5.5 in all components.

If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.

Additional Notes

The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.

Structure

Course structure

We offer a flexible course structure with a mixture of core/compulsory modules, and optional modules chosen from lists. Please be aware that we are planning changes to our first year to make it more relevant to your chosen course.

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption such as COVID-19, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Components and modules explained

Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.

Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

100

The department or school the module will be taught by.

In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.

The module number.

The UK academic level of the module.

A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course.

A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules.

A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.

The term the module will be taught in.

AU: Autumn term
SP: Spring term
SU: Summer term
FY: Full year
AP: Autumn and Spring terms
PS: Spring and Summer terms
AS: Autumn and Summer terms

COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY

International Marketing Strategy and Planning

(15 CREDITS)

Develop your critical understanding of the strategic and functional aspects of international marketing activities of firms of varying sizes and industries. You explore the roles of external and internal environments against key international marketing decisions such as modes of foreign market entry and market selection, or the design and implementation of marketing mix approaches at the international level.

View International Marketing Strategy and Planning on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY

Research Methods

(15 CREDITS)

Gain the key skills and competencies to carry out management research or prepare a comprehensive business plan, suitable for the completion of a Masters level programme. You address the philosophical issues underlying management research, and discover how to select methods and judge the quality and value of research outcomes.

View Research Methods on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: OPTIONAL

(30 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 04: CORE

Dissertation

(0 CREDITS)

This module will develop your skills for successfully conducting independent research practice using a range of research methodologies for data collection and analysis. More specifically, this module is designed to develop an essential understanding and ability in planning, carrying out and managing independent and original research, and improve skills in clearly communicating a research output through a dissertation project.

View Dissertation on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 01: CORE

Dissertation

(60 CREDITS)

Your dissertation is the culmination of your Masters programme, where you apply the knowledge gained on your course to produce a 12,000 word independent piece of work. You generate an original idea, analyse literature and current knowledge and produce a coherent argument that shows your ability to relate theory to practice. Your dissertation will help you develop vital skills for the workplace, as well as the ability to analyse real problems through an academic lens. You are assigned a supervisor for the duration of your project.

View Dissertation on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY

Global Project Management

(15 CREDITS)

Develop the skills and knowledge necessary to manage product development projects in an international business environment, with particular focus on product design methodologies and project management techniques. You explore the hard side of managing global product development projects and the soft issues such as idea generation/selection and teamwork that must be dealt with in order to ensure success of the product development projects.

View Global Project Management on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY

Managerial Economics

(15 CREDITS)

Managerial Economics applies economic theory to business management, decision making and forward planning. This module explores how economic concepts, such as profit, demand, cost, pricing production, competition and business cycles, can be used to solve business problems.

View Managerial Economics on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY

Global Supply Chain and Operations Management

(15 CREDITS)

Matching the ability to supply a product or service with customer demand is vital for any organisation. Excess supply can lead to wastage and increased costs, but too little can irritate customers and result in lost revenue. Supply chain management is a complex and challenging task, but, done right, it can create significant competitive advantage. This module explores how organisations manage their product range and operations to best align supply with demand in a global environment, categorised by expanding product variety, increasing outsourcing, and continuous advances in business analytics. You explore areas such as industry competition, resource allocation, organisational learning and competitive dynamics.

View Global Supply Chain and Operations Management on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 05: OPTIONAL

(15 CREDITS)

Teaching

We develop your leadership, communication and problem-solving skills to make you more employable:

shape your own degree by choosing from a selection of optional modules
learn through group working and applied projects
take part in the Essex Business School open seminar series and hear from world-respected lecturers
research takes centre stage in our curriculum, so you graduate ready to tackle current entrepreneurial issues

Assessment

Regular assessment is by coursework, presentations, case studies, group work, tests and examinations

Dissertation

You submit a 15,000 word dissertation or a comprehensive business plan

Fees and funding

Home/UK fee

£14,300

International fee

£22,400

Masters fees and funding information

Research (e.g. PhD) fees and funding information

What's next

We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Southend Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:

tour our campus and accommodation
find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
meet our students and staff

If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing southend@essex.ac.uk and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.

You can apply for this postgraduate course online. Before you apply, please check our information about necessary documents that we'll ask you to provide as part of your application.

We aim to respond to applications within two weeks. If we are able to offer you a place, you will be contacted via email.

For information on our deadline to apply for this course, please see our ‘how to apply' information.

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The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.

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