BSc Hons Construction Management

At the University of Portsmouth, we believe the best way to learn construction management is by managing real construction projects. That's why our course is packed with practical, hands-on experience that mirrors the industry, from using cutting-edge digital tools in our dedicated labs to solving real-world problems on live project briefs. You won't just learn the theory; you'll apply it using the same technology and methods you'll encounter in your career, ensuring you graduate ready to lead.

Here’s how you’ll gain your practical edge:

• BIM and Digital Construction Hub: You'll get hands-on with industry-standard software in our specialist facilities, learning to create and manage complex projects using Building Information Modelling (BIM) applications like Revit and Navisworks.

• The 'Construction Studio': Collaborate on immersive, real-world scenarios in our simulated professional environment. This is where you'll tackle compulsory group projects, such as planning a entire construction project from scratch, dealing with live briefs on cost, risk, and programme.

• Site Visits and Field Trips: Apply your learning directly on site through regular trips to live local and national construction projects, seeing management principles, health and safety protocols, and different construction technologies in action.

• Optional Placement Year: Gain a significant competitive advantage by applying for a salaried 48-week industrial placement, building your professional network and CV with companies like Morgan Sindall, Kier, or local authorities.

• Inter-professional Project: Work collaboratively with students from architecture, surveying, and engineering in your final year on a major project, mirroring the multi-disciplinary team environment you will experience in your professional career.

• Links with Industry Professionals: Learn directly from current managers through guest lectures from our extensive network of industry partners, who help shape our course content to ensure it remains relevant and forward-thinking.

Graduating with a Construction Management degree from Portsmouth opens the door to a dynamic career leading some of the UK's most exciting building and infrastructure projects. Your skill set will make you a highly sought-after professional, ready to manage teams, budgets, and timelines from the office to the construction site. You'll be equipped to ensure projects are delivered safely, on budget, and to the highest quality standards.

The diverse and rewarding career paths our graduates pursue include:

• Site Manager: Overseeing operations on a live construction site, coordinating trades, and ensuring health and safety compliance for contractors like Kier or Morgan Sindall.

• Project Manager: Planning and executing construction projects from conception to completion, managing resources and risk for consultancy firms.

• Commercial Manager: Focusing on the financial aspects of projects, including cost planning, procurement, and contract management.

• BIM Coordinator: Using your digital expertise to manage the Building Information Modelling process on complex projects.

Your journey to these roles is fully supported by our dedicated Careers and Employability Service, which offers construction-specific support including one-to-one advice, CV clinics tailored to the built environment sector, and an annual Property, Construction and Planning Fair where you can network with major national employers.

The course's strong reputation is reflected in our rankings; the University of Portsmouth is ranked in the top 25 in the UK for Building, Town and Country Planning (The Guardian University Guide 2024), a key indicator of strong graduate prospects.

Our excellent industry partnerships are a cornerstone of the course. We have strong links with leading contractors such as Kier, Morgan Sindall, and Portsmouth City Council, who provide live project briefs, guest lectures, and contribute to our curriculum design, ensuring your learning is aligned with current industry needs.

The professional accreditation from the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) is a significant advantage. This provides you with a direct pathway to professional membership (ICIOB and subsequently MCIOB) after gaining relevant experience, a credential that is highly valued by employers and can significantly enhance your long-term career progression and earning potential.

Further Academic Progression:

Your BSc (Hons) provides a robust platform for continued professional and academic development. Many graduates choose to pursue a Masters degree (MSc) to specialise further in areas like Project Management or Commercial Management. The university offers relevant courses such as the MSc Construction Project Management. For those aiming for the highest level of professional qualification, the degree provides the academic foundation required to progress towards the Chartered Builder status with the CIOB after gaining relevant industry experience.