13
13th for Business and Management in the UK
QS World University Rankings by Subject (2025)
99
99th for Business and Management in the world
QS World University Rankings by Subject (2025)
LUMS is ranked 1st for Research Power in REF 2021 (Business and Management Studies)
The Project Management Practice MSc is an advanced programme tailored for professionals seeking to deepen their project management skills and theoretical knowledge. This programme is ideal for current project managers aiming to enhance their capabilities, experienced professionals transitioning into project management roles, and graduates eager to enter this dynamic field. It encompasses a comprehensive curriculum that covers the latest advancements in project management theory and practice, focusing on both technical skills and behavioural competencies.
Enrolling in this programme will equip you with a robust set of skills essential for effectively leading strategically important projects in your organisation. You will develop:
Upon completing the master's programme, you will be well-prepared to advance your career in various project management roles such as project manager, programme manager, project director, or project consultant. The skills and knowledge acquired will open doors to leadership positions. They can also serve as a stepping stone towards further academic pursuits, such as a Professional Doctorate in Project Management.
The MSc Project Management Practice is delivered through a flexible, blended learning approach that includes online content complemented by face-to-face workshops and seminars. The programme structure supports working professionals, allowing them to balance their studies with their job responsibilities. Learning methods include lectures, case studies, group work, simulations, and reflective journaling, all designed to provide practical, hands-on experience.
The programme employs a diverse range of assessment methods to ensure comprehensive evaluation of student progress. These include:
By successfully completing these assessments, you will demonstrate your ability to apply project management principles effectively and lead projects to successful outcomes.
This programme will take three to five years to complete.
An undergraduate degree or equivalent professional qualification.
We will also consider applicants with non-standard qualifications, please contact us for information.
Applicants usually have at least three years of experience in a role with the scope for them to apply their learning in the workplace.
We require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 6.5, and a minimum of 6.0 in each element of the test.
We also consider other English language qualifications.
If you are thinking of applying to Lancaster and you would like to ask us a question, complete our enquiry form and one of the team will get back to you.
We also have more details on our website about:
Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored pre-master's pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University master's degrees. Visit INTO Lancaster University for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.
We continually review and enhance our curriculum to ensure we are delivering the best possible learning experience, and to make sure that the subject knowledge and transferable skills you develop will prepare you for your future. The University will make every reasonable effort to offer programmes and modules as advertised. In some cases, changes may be necessary and may result in new modules or some modules and combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.
Understand and develop project leadership skills through the highly interactive and people-focused module. Delve into the critical human dimensions of project management by identifying stakeholders and understanding their contributions throughout the project lifecycle. You will consider project oversight and governance, along with how organisations can deploy projects to support strategic objectives.
We will focus on procurement and negotiation within the project context, alongside theories of emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, decision-making, motivation, and trust-building. This module empowers you to effectively influence, inspire, and lead diverse teams, even without formal authority.
You will enhance your communication skills, master the complexities of team dynamics, and learn to manage stakeholder expectations effectively. Stand out as a project leader by leveraging refined interpersonal skills, improved team management capabilities, and heightened emotional intelligence.
The interactive nature of this module offers practical experience in real-world project settings. Assessment methods include reflective essays and detailed team project analyses, ensuring a comprehensive and applied learning experience.
Gain key insights into excellence in project management through this foundation module. Essential for those new to project management, the curriculum covers key project management principles aligned to the APM Body of Knowledge 8th edition. Engage actively in simulated team-based projects, allowing you to apply essential methodologies and tools immediately.
This module prepares you for various project management roles by equipping you with essential practical skills such as strategic planning, effective team collaboration, and critical problem-solving. You will benefit professionally from increased project delivery effectiveness, enhanced leadership capabilities, and the practical ability to consistently manage and deliver successful outcomes.
What sets this module apart is its unique blend of theory and practice, ensuring you leave prepared for real-world project challenges. You will be assessed through a combination of team-based project reports, reflective diaries, and strategic analyses, thoroughly preparing you for successful professional practice in the project arena.
Position yourself as a dynamic leader capable of navigating and leading effective organisational transformations. You will explore theories of leadership, processes of change, resistance management, and stakeholder engagement to successfully initiate and sustain organisational change. Through reflective exercises, critical analysis, and practical applications, you will strengthen your understanding of leadership dynamics and the complexities of change management.
Develop the advanced skills to strategically manage change processes, respond effectively to resistance, and lead culturally inclusive organisational transformation. Benefit from practical insights drawn from real-world scenarios, scenario planning exercises, and interactive web seminars.
Stand out professionally with enhanced leadership capability and strategic thinking skills. You will be assessed through reflective reports, contributions to interactive discussions, and practical change management plans, thoroughly preparing you to lead change initiatives effectively.
Master your professional growth and foster continuous development with this essential module. Designed for ambitious professionals, it combines reflective practice, ethical professionalism, and strategic career planning, focusing on critical skills needed to advance your career.
You will explore foundational theories such as:
By critically evaluating these theoretical frameworks, you will discover practical ways to enhance your own professional development and that of others within your organisation. Assessment methods include reflective reports and active participation in discussion forums, emphasising practical application through case studies and individual development plans. This module uniquely prepares you to navigate career transitions and develop essential professional competencies in today's rapidly changing world.
This module will help you unlock the potential for significant workplace improvements. It enables you to tackle real challenges in your organisation by guiding you in identifying, analysing, and recommending impactful changes. You will learn effective stakeholder engagement strategies, risk assessment techniques, and reflective practices to enhance your professional development.
You will critically assess current practices, evaluate potential improvements, and make actionable recommendations tailored to your organisation’s specific context. This module will position you to deliver tangible organisational benefits while advancing your career through applied, reflective learning.
You will be assessed on designing a practical enquiry, delivering detailed project proposals, and reflective analysis of your professional growth. This ensures robust development of your practical and professional skills.
Transform your workplace through in-depth practitioner research with this comprehensive module. Designed as the capstone of your professional learning journey, you will undertake a significant work-based enquiry to address pressing organisational needs.
You will explore action research methodologies, qualitative and quantitative research methods, project planning, implementation, and dissemination techniques. You will be empowered to critically evaluate existing practices, foster sustainable organisational change, and enhance professional development through practical enquiry.
Unique features include personalised coaching, reflective practice, and robust stakeholder engagement, ensuring your research has meaningful impact. Assessments include a detailed research report, reflective evaluations, and practical dissemination activities, fully preparing you to effectively influence organisational transformation.
We set our fees on an annual basis and the 2026/27 entry fees have not yet been set.
There may be extra costs related to your course for items such as books, stationery, printing, photocopying, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits. Following graduation, you may need to pay a subscription to a professional body for some chosen careers.
Specific additional costs for studying at Lancaster are listed below.
Lancaster is proud to be one of only a handful of UK universities to have a collegiate system. Every student belongs to a college, and all students pay a small College Membership Fee which supports the running of college events and activities. Students on some distance-learning courses are not liable to pay a college fee.
For students starting in 2025, the fee is £40 for undergraduates and research students and £15 for students on one-year courses.
To support your studies, you will also require access to a computer, along with reliable internet access. You will be able to access a range of software and services from a Windows, Mac, Chromebook or Linux device. For certain degree programmes, you may need a specific device, or we may provide you with a laptop and appropriate software - details of which will be available on relevant programme pages. A dedicated IT support helpdesk is available in the event of any problems.
The University provides limited financial support to assist students who do not have the required IT equipment or broadband support in place.
For most taught postgraduate programmes starting in 2025 you must pay a non-refundable application fee of £40. We cannot consider applications until this fee has been paid, as advised on our online secure payment system. There is no application fee for postgraduate research applications.
There is no application fee if you are applying for postgraduate study starting in 2026.
For some of our courses you will need to pay a deposit to accept your offer and secure your place. We will let you know in your offer letter if a deposit is required and you will be given a deadline date when this is due to be paid.
The fee that you pay will depend on whether you are considered to be a home or international student. Read more about how we assign your fee status.
If you are studying on a programme of more than one year’s duration, tuition fees are reviewed annually and are not fixed for the duration of your studies. Read more about fees in subsequent years.
Find all fees and funding information for students at Lancaster University.
Details of our scholarships and bursaries for 2026-entry study are not yet available, but you can use our opportunities for 2025-entry applicants as guidance.
Check our current list of scholarships and bursaries.
This programme is part of a 3-stage pathway to a Master’s degree.
You can choose which stage you finish at and how long you spend at each stage.
For example, even if you initially plan to earn a Master’s degree, you can later opt for a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma.
You can also earn either of these qualifications, take a break, and return later to take the modules required for your Master’s degree.
The first stage of Master's education and the shortest award available.
The second stage of Master's education. You’ll take additional modules to the modules you’ve taken at the Postgraduate Certificate stage.
The final stage of Master's education. You'll take 1 module additional to the modules you’ve taken at the Postgraduate Diploma stage. This module is a final work-based research project.
‘Accreditation of prior learning’ is our process for awarding module credits for postgraduate (Level 7) learning you’ve done before enrolling with us.
This opportunity has two main advantages to you:
Learners in this Executive Education programme study remotely, not on the University’s premises. Enrolling in this programme would not enable you to obtain a student visa from UK Visas and Immigration.
Lancaster University Management School offers full-time Master’s programmes where learners study full-time at our Lancaster campus. Go to list of Master’s programmes
Lancaster is ranked 13th in the UK and joint 99th globally for Business and Management according to the QS World Rankings by Subject 2025, one of nine subjects at Lancaster to be featured in the top 100 in these prestigious listings.
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
The information on this site relates primarily to the stated entry year and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.
The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.
More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.
We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. Find out more about our Charter and student policies.
