Higher Diploma in Business in Project Management

Overview

The Higher Diploma in Business in Project Management provides the practical knowledge and skills in the area of project management for learners who wish to upskill or reskill in this area to avail of future employment or further education opportunities. Learners on this graduate conversion programme will benefit from foundational knowledge and skills fundamental to project management in developing projects, understanding the planning, execution, monitoring, control and closure of projects as well as gaining applied skills in IT and the collaborative online tools available to support project management. The programme engenders an awareness of the importance of transferable and cross-enterprise skills and graduates will be able to apply these skills to a range of contexts.

Programme Objectives

The specific programme objectives are to:

• Equip learners with an understanding of the theory and principles underlying the role and management of projects.

• Advance learners with sufficient expertise in the core aspects of project management, and an awareness of key issues.

• Enable learners to relate project management principles, concepts, and theories to a wide range of business and industry settings.

• Ensure learners have a solid understanding of the main frameworks, methodologies, tools and techniques of project management.

• Equip learners with an understanding of the various roles and functions of projects within the wider professional, social, economic and cultural environment.

• Develop learners’ capacity to initiate, plan, implement, monitor, control and close projects and understand the importance of knowledge transfer and legacy management strategies.

• Develop in learners a range of key interpersonal skills, characteristics and attitudes to learners to work professionally, individually and within a project team.

• Cultivate in learners a range of key skills, personal qualities and attitudes essential to support progression to a career in business and project management or to further academic study.

Delivery

All learners are expected to attend in person in class.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements for the Higher Diploma in Business in Project Management is aimed at learners with the following entry qualifications:

• A Level 8 honours bachelor’s degree in a non-cognate area with a minimum pass classification.

• A Level 7 ordinary bachelor’s degree in a cognate area (cognate areas include business, finance, management).

• Applicants who do not have a Level 8 qualification and who have at least 3 years’ work experience may also be considered through the College’s normal RPL procedures.  Relevant professional experience will  be taken into account and individuals will be assessed on a case-by-case basis through DBS RPL procedures. Relevant professional experience will be taken into account and individuals will be assessed on a case-by-case basis through DBS RPL procedures.

• Applicants whose first language is not English and who have not previously undertaken a degree taught in English, must provide evidence of proficiency in English language equivalent to B2+ or above on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL). This must be evidenced through a recognised English Language test such as IELTS, Cambridge Certificate or DBS English Assessment. Test certificates should be dated within the last two years to be considered valid.

Teaching and Assessment

The programme will be delivered in an innovative and flexible manner, consisting of lectures, workshops, group work, presentations, blended learning and guest speakers from industry and academia. The programme is aimed at learners who seek an underpinning in key project management theories and concepts as well as project management processes, tools, techniques and skills.

Learners will develop project acumen through formative and summative assessments, which capture the resilience and agility required of graduates in undertaking projects in contemporary and diverse environments. Assessment strategies include case studies, business reports, presentations, reflective journaling, IT simulations and practical lab exams.