Flexible modular study at postgraduate level - School of Construction Management and Engineering

All of our courses can be studied full-time course over either one or two years depending on if your course includes an industrial placement. The majority of courses, excluding those with a placement in industry, are also offered on flexible-modular basis over two years. We offer this flexibility in recognition that you may want to fit your studies around work and other commitments.

You will learn through intensive teaching blocks, taught on campus and supported through our online learning environment.

How block teaching works

Each teaching block lasts up to two weeks and deals exclusively with all of the teaching for one 20-credit module. Each 20-credit module runs in one semester. Full-time students and flexible-modular students are taught together.

Assessment methods vary; in some modules you may complete assessed classwork during the teaching block, and then submit your main assignment work at the end.

If you choose to study on the flexible-modular basis, our expectation is that you will complete the course within two to five years of study. Due to the modular structure, you will still be able to select your own modules and shape your course to suit your needs and interests.

Tailored course content

All of our MSc courses share a common structure. Each one has important modules at its centre: the integrating modules, and the dissertation and research skills modules.

The integrating modules deal with core topics specific to your course. They run across two years of study for students who are studying on a flexible-modular basis.
The dissertation involves a sustained piece of research, culminating in a significant piece of written work. It is supported through supervision and a module in research skills.

Outside of these key modules, you'll study a mixture of core and optional modules.

I started researching universities and it was the University of Reading that stood out. The umbrella course for both construction management and quantity surveying gave great flexibility to specialise in one subject in my final year. I wanted to gain experience in both specialisms before I chose.

Dr Dimitris Antoniadis

MSc Project Management graduate