A complete guide to project management degrees

Are you a natural leader who enjoys the hustle and bustle of starting a new project? Do you want to be responsible for the planning and execution of exciting projects such as product launches, construction projects and large-scale events?

Well then, project management could be the perfect career for you. A blend of specialised skills, practical experience, and proven methodology, this career will see you working on a range of projects, utilising many skills and managing various teams. 

A project management degree will prepare you for senior positions in project management, meaning you can bag the most well-paid roles and oversee projects from start to finish. So, keep reading to learn all about your project management degree options, including how to apply and what you’ll learn.

What is project management?

There’s a lot that goes into the execution of a new project. You’ve got to think about timelines, total budget, materials needed, who’s doing what, and how to create the best possible result. This is the case no matter what industry you work in, though of course, there will be specificities depending on the project.

So, project management is a mixture of planning,executing and reviewing projects, including the management of teams and resources. Project managers are the middle point between senior management and the project team — ensuring that the project is kept on track, and updating senior management on its progress.

As you can imagine, this requires excellent organisational and time management skills, but also very strong interpersonal skills, as project managers have to be able to wrangle teams and confidently report on progress.

What does a project management degree involve?

On a project management degree, you’ll learn the practical and theoretical aspects of project management, to prepare you for a career in the field. A master’s degree will tend to get more theoretical, really digging into the best project management approaches. 

Exactly what you’ll learn, however, depends on the specific program — while some degrees are pretty generalist, others focus on certain industries, like construction, game development and supply chain.

Example modules

Below, we’ve got some example modules you can expect to study on a project management degree — keep in mind, these are more generalist modules rather than subject-specific.

• Introduction to Project Management
• Project Schedule and Cost Management
• Leadership and Team Building
• Quality Control
• Managing Stakeholders
• Governance and Risk Management
• Financial Analysis and Strategic Decision Making.

Skills you’ll learn on a project management degree

You’ll pick up a wealth of hard and soft skills on a project management degree. While some of them will be transferable, interpersonal skills, others are more specialised and specific to the type of projects you’re working on.

Hard skills:

• Project management types
• Project management tools and software
• Project forecasting and reporting
• Financial and cost management
• Risk management.

Soft skills:

• Communication 
• Problem-solving
• Leadership and team management
• Flexibility
• Emotional intelligence
• Negotiation
• Delegation.

Types of project management degree

It’s worth noting that many project management degree options are combined courses, such as Business and Project Management or Construction Project Management. It’s also common for degrees in marketing, finance and other business management subjects to have modules in project management. 

While associate and bachelor’s degrees are available for those starting out in their professional lives, there are also plenty of master’s programs in project management. These are designed for people who may already have some experience in the field but want to be at the top of their game. Below, we go over the most common degree types in more detail.

• Associate’s Degree in Project Management. This is a two-year degree offering introductory-level courses for those who want to learn the basics of project management before committing to further study.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Project Management. This undergraduate program covers all of the fundamentals of project management, for newbies who want to get a full degree.
• Master’s Degree in Project Management. Postgraduate courses offer more advanced knowledge and specialised skills for those aiming for higher managerial roles.
• Diploma and Certificate Programs. These are shorter courses designed for professionals seeking to enhance their skills or transition into project management. You might want to look into the highly reputable PRINCE2 or CSM professional certifications.

How long does it take to get a project management degree?

Everyone has different amounts of time they can commit to university study — perhaps you’re already working for a business, and need to keep working while you earn your degree. That’s where an online degree can be a saving grace, allowing you to study in the evenings from home while you earn your salary and gain valuable experience in the day. 

Below we’ve listed the average lengths of time it takes to get a project management degree, depending on whether you study full or part-time.

• Bachelor’s degree: 3-4 years
• Master’s degree: 1-2 years 

Entry requirements for a project management degree

Wondering whether you meet the requirements for a project management degree? Luckily for you, there are no strict grade requirements for this subject, and it doesn’t usually matter whether you did A-levels, BTEC, a diploma, or another level 3 qualification. Most programs, however, do want you to have gained at least a grade 4/C in English and Maths at GCSE.

To get onto a master’s program, you’ll usually need an undergraduate degree under your belt already (at 2:2 or above), in a relevant subject like business management, but exceptions might be made if you have relevant work experience in project management already.

Below, we dive into some must-haves and good-to-haves when it comes to applying for a project management degree.

Must-haves 

• Some academic qualifications
• Leadership abilities
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work under pressure.

Good-to-haves 

• Management internship
• Work experience in a business 
• Ability to multitask
• Project management software skills.

How much does a project management degree cost?

If you’re worried about degree costs, don’t give up just yet. In the UK, students receive a student loan that covers their tuition fees and helps with living costs, and you only have to start paying it back once you reach a certain income.

The average cost of an undergraduate degree in the UK is £9,250 per year, but this is less in Northern Ireland, and free in Scotland. As you probably expect, you’ll pay much higher fees as an international student. Master’s degrees cost anywhere between £12,000 and £25,000, but will depend on whether you study full-time or part-time. 

Funding options for project management degrees

Degrees don’t come cheap, but fortunately there are various funding options available to you as a project management student. Undergraduate degrees (and normally one year of a master’s degree) are covered by Student Finance in the UK. This means that you get a loan to fund your degree, and sometimes also a grant for living costs. 

Besides student loans, there are scholarships and grants out there for postgraduate courses, and some institutions even offer financial aid packages or payment plans. 

Where to look

• Check out Prospect’s postgraduate funding page
• Use the Turn2Us grants search tool
• Take a look at The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding
• If you’re Scottish, check out Student Awards Agency Scotland
• If you’re an international student hoping to come to the UK, check out GREAT Scholarships by the British Council.

How to get into a degree in project management

So what are the practical steps you need to take? To apply for a project management degree in the UK, you’ll need to submit an application through UCAS for undergraduate programs, or apply directly to your chosen university for postgraduate degrees. 

One essential aspect of your degree application is writing a personal statement, as this is your chance to sell yourself as an ideal candidate for a project management degree. You’ll need to include details about your qualifications, motivations, experience and aspirations, and we have even more tips for you below.

Personal statement tips

• Explain why you want to study project management. Talk about your specific interests in the field, why you think you’ll be a great project manager, and make sure your passion comes across.
• Highlight your relevant experience. Give details about any work experience, school projects or events you’ve been a part of, or management positions you’ve held.
• Be honest. Show off your accomplishments and qualifications but don’t over-embellish, and remember to be yourself.
• Offer personal insights and learnings. Demonstrate that you’re up-to-date with current project management techniques, and show that you’ve gained new skills or knowledge from your past experiences working or managing projects.

How will you be assessed on a project management degree?

When you’re working on projects, you won’t usually be writing essays or completing exams, so your degree will reflect the different realities you’ll face. 

Most project management degrees assess you through practical assignments, presentations and group projects as well as exams and written work. So, whatever your strengths and weaknesses are, you’ll be able to prove your aptitude for project management.

How difficult is a degree in project management?

How difficult your project management degree is will depend on the kind of person you are. Do you enjoy leading projects and managing people? Are you highly organised and responsible? Are you interested in the practicalities of cost estimation and health and safety?

If so, you will probably enjoy your project management degree. The difficulty of a project management degree can vary depending on an individual’s personality and aptitude in related subjects like business. It also requires a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application, making it challenging and rewarding at the same time.

Job satisfaction and prospects for project managers

Project management is booming in the UK — and there are no surprises why. What business doesn’t want to lower costs, improve productivity levels and save time? These are all things that project managers are able to help with, which is increasingly important in this era of rapid growth and technological development. 

It’s estimated that by 2027, employers will require 87.7 million employees working in project management roles, and currently, demand is not being met. That means you’ll be very much in demand if you qualify with a project management degree.

Regarding job satisfaction, while some people could find working as a project manager stressful, there’s a lot to like about this career path. As you’ll soon discover, salaries are good, and no day is the same. 

Sometimes you’ll be planning and scoping new projects in the office, sometimes you’ll be at meetings with various stakeholders, and other times you’ll be in the middle of the action. Such a diverse role means that you won’t be easily bored, and you’ll get to dip your toes into lots of different specialist areas.

What can you do with a project management degree?

We’re guessing you already know that you can become a project manager with this degree. But did you know that’s not your only option?

There are other careers across various industries that make use of these specialised skills, management experience and business know-how. So, let’s explore your options.

• Construction manager
• Operations manager
• Logistician
• Head of delivery
• IT project manager
• Project officer
• Management analyst
• Business Developer
• Account Manager.

Salary prospects: How much do project management graduates earn?

Starting salaries for project managers in the UK typically range from £20,000 to £35,000, with higher wages often found in the construction and IT industries. However, as a project management degree graduate, your initial salary is likely to be around £29,752, according to Glassdoor data.

However, that isn’t where it ends. Project management is actually one of the highest paid careers in the UK, with the Association for Project Management (APM) listing the average salary as £56,666 per year.

Additionally, your earning potential as you gain more years of experience is pretty great — senior project managers earn an average of £63,408 annually. So, salaries are definitely one of the alluring features of a career in project management.

Why choose a degree in project management?

Have we convinced you to go after a project management degree yet? Let’s summarise the benefits and perks that come with this career, so you can be sure of yourself before taking the leap and applying for a degree.

• High salaries
• Networking opportunities
• Excellent career advancement 
• Diverse workload day-to-day
• Highly transferable skills and experience
• Work with lots of different people and stakeholders.

Get an online project management degree with FutureLearn

Ready to take control of your future and maximise your chances at securing senior project manager positions? Becoming a project management graduate is easier than ever with our flexible online degrees on FutureLearn. 

Studying online makes it significantly easier to balance all of your life commitments and work towards your dream career without putting everything else on pause. Take a look at some of our online project management degrees below, and get ready to study anywhere, anytime. 

• BSc (Hons) Project Management by Arden University
• MSc Project Management by the University of Roehampton
• Master of Business Administration (Leadership) by Central Queensland University
• MSc Construction Project and Cost Management by Coventry University
• MSc Construction Management with BIM (Building Information Modelling) by Coventry University.