Post-graduate Diploma in Project Management

This course is aimed at people who are experienced in project management but want to obtain a recognized qualification and develop their skills beyond the front-line management of projects. It is very attractive for those wanting to understand where projects fit into the overall organizational strategy and how they effect the changes necessary to fulfil strategic objectives.

Graduates to date have tended to move onto/continue to work in technical areas including medical devices and pharmaceuticals, mid-level management roles in the food and beverage sector, public sector and charities.

On successful completion of the Postgraduate Certificate in Project Management, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate advanced analytical and problem-solving skills associated with effective project management practice.
• Apply practical tools, techniques and conceptual models in order to maximise the value of the project management process.
• Critically appraise how projects contribute to an organisation's ability to realise its strategic goals and business benefits.
• Appreciate the use of management and leadership skills in the conduct of projects of various size, scope and complexity.
• Critically appraise current issues, trends and challenges in Project Management theory and practice.
• Prepare a viable research proposal for future research.
• Communicate and work effectively to a high professional standard.

Both years of the post-graduate Diploma programme in Project Management will each be worth thirty ECTS (European Academic Credit System) credits.

There are three modules in year one which lead to a post-graduate Certificate Programme in Project Management:

MG6810: Project Management  (10 credits)

Based on the Project Management Institute’s Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide), this course is delivered by Velopi Ltd., drawing on their extensive industry experience to add a practical dimension to the overall course. Assessed using real-world case studies, this module will provide the tools and techniques needed to carry out the role of the project manager.

MG6811: Strategy, Leadership and Change  (10 credits)

Strategy is a difficult concept to describe. It concerns plans that benefit the organization as the expense of competing organizations. So strategic planning requires planners to anticipate the likely responses from competitors and deal with them accordingly. Leadership is a vital attribute of a project manager, as projects make the changes needed to realize strategy. People are often averse to change and need to be convinced that the changes will be beneficial in the long-term. This requires the project manager to lead.

MG6812: Innovative Problem Solving and Decision Making  (10 credits)

Project management has often been compared to juggling. While careful plans may be drawn up for a project, they often are compromised by everyday realities, such as lack of resources, finance or even time. Project managers are forever deciding among alternative courses of action and addressing problems relating to the work, the project team and other stakeholders.

On completion of year one, the student may finish off with a post-graduate certificate in project management. However, if s/he wishes to continue, there are five modules to complete in year two:

MG6813: Current Issues in Project Management

This is a wide-ranging module, where every lecture covers a different topic. Many of these lectures will be presented by experienced practitioners who are breaking new ground in their areas. Past topics have included: The Project Management Office, Project Management Maturity Assessment, Rescuing Troubled Projects and Agile Project Management

MG6814: Realizing strategy through Programme Management

Many strategic initiatives are simply too big to manage as a single project. However, it does make sense to manage the projects needed in a coordinated fashion. The resulting programme then is the mechanism whereby ambitious programmes, such as eGovernment, are achieved.

MG6815: Management and Organization

Day-to-day management of projects requires that the project manager be well versed in the systems and structures used in the organization. Similarly, s/he must understand the nature of the organization and the level of authority available to the project manager therein. As project managers can expect to work in environments ranging from recent start-up organizations to fully project-oriented enterprises, where everything is managed as a project, they need to understand how each works.

MG6816: Research Methods

Academic research is based on objective observations and rigorous analysis. It tends to be incremental in nature – building on previous work. Its goal is to make sense of the world around us and come up with theories that can predict what will happen in the future. Even for students who will never carry out academic research themselves, this module will allow them to assess research findings in a critical fashion and not be carried away by exaggerated claims.

MG6817: PMP® Bootcamp

Velopi Ltd.’s flagship training course – PMP^® Exam Preparation – forms the basis for this module. The students will cover the necessary PMBOK^® Guide materials and will have access to Velopi’s exam simulator to practice the sort of questions that appear in the exam. The module is assessed by undertaking a full-length simulated exam. If the student wishes to sit the actual exam, Velopi’s trainers will provide support in terms of both the application submission and study support.

On sucessful completion of the Diploma, the student has the option to progress and achieve a Masters, MSc in Project Management, by completing the programme with the creation of a 30,000 word minor thesis. This will involve researching an issue that is of concern to project managers and academics alike. It might also be an issue that is of concern to the student’s organization, allowing the student to demonstrate their increased understanding of projects, both on a day-to-day level and an organizational and strategic level, to their employers.

Applications are invited from experienced professionals with:

Have a 2.2 primary degree at NFQ Level 8 Honours Degree or equivalent (e.g. Higher Diploma)

AND

At least 2 years of professional work experience

Consideration may be given to applicants who do not fully meet the above criteria but who have significant senior professional experience in a related field such as engineering, construction, operations and software development.

All applicants are required to complete a supplementary form. Participants will be selected based on the information supplied in their application and supplementary information. The University reserve the right to interview applicants to help make determinations.

Applicants whose first language is not English need to demonstrate they have attained IELTS Level 6.5 with no individual score of less than 5.5. Additional, approved English language qualifications currently accepted at UCC can be found by clicking here.

View the grades comparison table

NON-EU CANDIDATES

Non-EU candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to Irish university primary degree level. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language, they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language. To verify if you meet the minimum academic requirements for this programme please visit our qualification comparison pages.

For more detailed entry requirement information please refer to the International website.

Assessment

Assessment is through a variety of continuous assessment methods including individual and group projects, presentations, etc.

The teaching team on this programme comprises academic experts in the field of project management as well as a number of highly experienced practitioners.

Full module information is detailed in the section below.

This is a 2-year part-time programme.  This programme is delivered in conjunction with Velopi and is unique to the marketplace and provides candidates with both internationally recognised academic and professional accreditation in project management.  

The programme combines university-level modules on Project Management, Strategy, and Leadership in addition to preparing candidates for PMP accreditation.  Students are exposed to cutting-edge research, critical thinking and toolsets.  It also provides a balance of technical, managerial and interpersonal skills that maximises the impact of project managers in private, public and not-for-profit organisations.

Classes are scheduled to run for a full day every second Friday and every second Saturday (some) [9 a.m. to 1 p.m. approximately] from September to June each year (full timetable provided in advance). Online seminars and activities are also utilized.

Fees and Costs

The EU fee for this course is €9,000 (Year 1 €4,500; Year 2 Part 1 €4,500)

Non-EU Fees

The fee schedule for 2019/2020 is available here.

Scholarship Opportunity:

30% Scholarship Opportunity to Promote Women in Business

Deposits:

If your course required a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second semester fee payment in January.

EU student fee payment:

Fees for EU students are payable in two equal instalments. First payment at registration in August and the second in January.

International student fee payment:

Fees for Non-EU Students are payable in one instalment in August.

How can I pay?

By Credit/Debit card online or by credit transfer.

Questions?

If you have any questions on fee payment, please email us on (021) 240 6250 or info@velopi.com