BSc (Hons) Project Management

Course Overview

The rapid growth of project management in every sector of global industry means there are now pan-sector theories and standards in place to achieve innovation, change, and business success. On AU APM-accredited BSc (Hons) Project Management course, you’ll learn these tools and techniques directly from AU team of experienced project management professionals.

Project management is used in sectors including engineering, technology, education, healthcare, events management, community and environmental programmes, as well as tourism and many more creative and service industries. This means your degree in project management from Arden will provide you with the skills and knowledge to enter the industry of your choice, with the ability to make an immediate impact on the design, deployment, and success of a wide range of projects. On the course you’ll study contemporary subjects and themes which will demonstrate to employers that you possess broad knowledge in the latest project management concepts. And, as modern projects are becoming increasingly dynamic and challenging, your studies will have a digital-first focus, giving you the knowledge and critical understanding of business solutions to deliver real impact in the workplace.

The hard truth in the project management sector is, only 22% of projects fully meet their original objectives according to a recent Association of Project Management survey. Conversely, in the same study, 87% of businesses rated competent project teams as being critical to success. This means there is an enormous skills gap in the project management sector currently, which your degree studies, guided by AU dedicated team at Arden’s School of Project Management, will help you fill. 

This degree is accredited by the Association of Project Management (APM), which tells employers that your knowledge meets latest standards of the project management industry, helping to enhance your future career options.

Course details and modules

Because of AU extensive industry links in project management, including with member organisations of the UK’s NOVUS Trust network, AU is able to present you with real business problems during your degree. This will allow you to develop a thorough and in-depth understanding of the industry and the real-world challenges you’ll face in your future career. Importantly, you’ll find that the course takes a systematic view to developing your knowledge in project management, with each module building on the skills gained in the previous one, and with interconnected content that helps you accumulate new abilities in a logical sequence.

How do Arden University assess students?

AU assess students using diverse methods that go beyond traditional exams, especially in postgraduate certificate programs. Instead of exams, these programs employ practical, real-world assessments tailored to meet individual needs and help students develop transferable skills for their future careers. These assessments may include:

  • Essays: Developing critical thinking and analytical writing skills.
  • Consultancy Reports: Addressing real-world challenges with professional insights.
  • Recorded Presentations: Enhancing communication and presentation abilities.
  • Case Studies: Applying theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios.
  • E-Portfolios: Showcasing personal and academic achievements through organized digital collections.
  • Visual Research: Combining creativity and analytical skills to present research visually.

This approach ensures that students gain valuable, hands-on experience relevant to their career goals.

Modules

You have 3-9 years to complete this course, which means you can take up to 3 years to complete each level. Most of AU students, however, aim to complete the course within 3 to 6 years.

Level 4

  • Business Research Methods and Analysis (20 credits)
  • Business Consulting (20 credits)
  • Principles of Procurement, Financial Control and Contract Management (20 credits)
  • Governance in a Global Business Environment (20 credits)
  • Introduction to Project Management (20 credits)
  • Elective: Digital skills & professional development (20 credits)
  • Elective:  Technology and Innovation (20 credits)

Level 5

  • Advanced Project Management (20 credits)
  • Project Justification (20 credits)
  • Project Planning (20 credits)
  • Agile and Hybrid Project Management (20 credits)
  • AI and Big Data Analytics in Project Management (20 credits)
  • Elective: Operations & Supply chain management (20 credits)
  • Elective: Digital & Social Media Marketing (20 credits)

Level 6

  • Project Change and Control (20 credits)
  • Quality Management (20 credits)
  • Project Risk and Issue Management (20 credits)
  • Developing People and Capabilities (20 credits)
  • Final Project including End Point Assessment (40 credits)
 

Please note: course content and modules may vary subject to validation. 

Study Options

This course is available to study through Arden’s blended learning study mode at AU campuses in London Tower Hill, London Holborn and Manchester.

The course is also available to students via online learning. This gives you the convenience of being able to study from anywhere in the UK or worldwide, providing you with the same high standards of teaching but with lower tuition fees.

Part time blended learning

How does it work?

When you choose Arden blended learning study mode, each week you’ll have eight hours of timetabled classes spread over two days at the Arden campus of your choice. This is combined with around 25 hours of independent study, which takes place through ilearn, Arden university campus in the cloud. ilearn contains all the resources you need to study successfully. As a blended learning student you’ll also have access to AU Library Portal, an extensive digital library with thousands of journal titles, eBooks, and a range of academic and industry databases that you can use to research and gain in-depth information on your area of study. At Arden, all of your course materials are provided free of charge, removing the need for you to buy expensive textbooks to study your degree successfully.

Blended learning is the best option for students who prefer the structure of regular face-to-face classes with their tutor and fellow classmates, and is particularly suited to students who live within commuting or driving distance of one of Arden UK campuses.

If you’re a student from England who is enrolling on a blended learning course with Arden (based in one of AU UK campuses) then you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan to help pay for your living expenses. You can find more information on AU fees and funding page. If you’re a student from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you can find information on Living Cost Loans from your student finance body.

This course is also available to study full-time at AU campus in Berlin, Germany, where you’ll have the opportunity to experience life as an international student in the heart of one of Europe’s most dynamic and historic cities.

Part time online learning

How does it work?

Studying the BSc (Hons) Project Management online gives you the ultimate in convenience. You can enrol with Arden from anywhere in the world and study your degree from the comfort of home, without the requirement to attend classes in a physical location.

AU online students study their degree through ilearn, Arden’s university campus in the cloud. ilearn provides everything you need to study at University. It offers an integrated virtual learning experience, including your virtual classroom, lecture theatre, and access to AU Library Portal. The portal includes an extensive digital library including thousands of journal titles, eBooks, and academic and industry databases which you can use to research your assignments and projects. All of these materials are provided to you free of charge, and contain all the research information you’ll need to complete your degree with us.

ilearn is also integrated with Zoom, making it easier to chat with your course tutor during your scheduled seminar sessions. You can even integrate AU study materials into your Kindle, making it possible to study wherever you have your Kindle handy.

Studying online doesn’t mean studying alone. As well as receiving regular feedback and guidance from your course tutor, you’ll be studying with like-minded students who you can meet with through Arden Unitu community, and you’ll have access to community message boards to discuss your course and the topics being raised within it. Arden have even set up community boards embedded into each of the course modules so you can have discussions with your tutor and classmates on the topics you’re currently learning.

Online learning students resident in the UK can apply for a Maintenance Loan if they cannot attend their course in person because of a disability. Please find more information on AU fees and funding page. If you’re a student from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you can find information on Living Cost Loans from your student finance body.

Entry requirements

At Arden University applications are consider on a case by case basis. If you have significant work experience, have qualifications you have gained elsewhere, or a degree or qualification that isn’t a clear pathway to this degree – Arden is more than happy to discuss your application.

What do you need to study with us?

Arden’s aim is to make learning as accessible as possible by ensuring that you can join us, wherever you are.

That’s why AU keep their requirements simple. All you need is a laptop or computer (AU recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good stable internet connection. With this one tool, you’ll be able to access information, advice, support, learning materials and our online library, as well as create assignments, keep notes, and collaborate with other students effectively. 

Arden will also support you with getting access to the design resources you need, wherever you study from, including assistance with obtaining any design software you need to successfully complete the course.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the BSc (Hons) Project Management course, you must normally have:

  • Two subjects at GCE A-Level or equivalent, plus passes at grade C or above in three subjects at GCSE level or equivalent.
  • If you don’t currently hold the above qualifications, AU also offer this course with an additional foundation year, which is designed for students who need extra support when starting their degree course.

Course fee

This course is eligible for Student Loans Company (SLC) funding to help cover the cost of your tuition fees and other expenses. Please submit an enquiry to find out more.

In a UK campusFee
Fee per year:£9,250
In Berlin campus (Germany)Fee
Fee per level:€10,500
Studying OnlineFee
Level 4 fee:£6,935
Level 5 fee:£6,935
Level 6 fee:£6,935

Please note: Fees quoted relate to the intake that you enrol on (i.e. when you start your course), NOT your application date.

English proficiency

  • IELTS 6.0 (no less than 5.5 in any element); or TOEFL iBT 80; or equivalent
  • Alternatively, evidence you have previously studied in English, such as a letter to show that the Medium of Instruction was in English can be accepted.

Career prospects

Project management expertise is required in nearly every business and in every sector, so your future career opportunities are almost limitless. Accredited by the Association of Project Management (APM), this degree will give you the skills you need to demonstrate project management expertise, greatly enhancing your current and future career options. You’ll also be able to create valuable industry networks whilst studying this course, helped by the strong industry connections of AU staff members here at Arden’s School of Project Management. Wherever you want to take your career next, your project management degree will provide you with the tools to achieve your ambitions to the fullest.

What can I do after Arden University?

You’ll find project management employment opportunities within both public and private sectors across industries such as engineering, construction, IT, events management, healthcare, retail, and transport, as well as in the charity sector, government projects, the creative industries, and many more. 

Today, organisations use project management as a way to improve and change business operations to become more efficient and effective. Successful project management is also about managing interdisciplinary teams within diverse organisational structures and across organisations. Having graduated with a complete view of all the stakeholders in any given project management situation and how success is measured, domestic and global organisations alike will appreciate and value your skills and employability assets. Wherever you want to take your career next, this course gives you the knowledge to achieve your ambitions to the fullest. With that in mind, some future roles you might want to consider include: 

  • Project assistant or co-ordinator
  • Project manager or project leader
  • Implementation or change manager
  • Project management consultant
  • Programme or portfolio manager
  • Technical project manager
  • Technical project lead
  • Business project lead
  • Project planner or risk analyst

You can also continue your studies at postgraduate level (e.g. with Arden’s MSc Project Management course), set up your own businesses, or develop into highly lucrative project management consultancy roles.

What will the BSc (Hons) Project Management do for me?

AU undergraduate course in project management has been carefully designed with your employability in mind, and specifically addresses skills gaps in the industry that have been identified by the APM and other leading organisations. You’ll learn the skills required to be an efficient, knowledgeable, and digitally savvy project manager. And, because the course focuses on the practical application of skills in the real world, you’ll graduate with the confidence to demonstrate your value to employers from your first day on the job. Some key learning outcomes from your studies will include:

  • Gaining project management knowledge as a widespread, pan-sector professional discipline
  • Appreciation traditional, iterative (agile), and hybrid approaches to delivering successful projects 
  • Acquiring high-level strategy, people, and leadership capabilities 
  • Understanding the latest software and big data to become an expert in digital project management skills
  • Gaining a critical and detailed analysis of the theory and practice relating to the role of project management within organisations.
  • Completing a detailed piece of research relating to a project management issue.  
  • Exploring sustainability and business ethics
  • Applying knowledge of project management theory and models to complex issues, both systematically and creatively, to improve business and management practice
  • Developing a variety of transferable skills suited to an extensive range of project management roles

Industry skills

Association for Project Management (APM)

The Association for Project Management (APM) is committed to developing and promoting excellence in project management. The organisation is the only chartered body for the profession and has over 30,000 members and 500 organisations participating in its partnership programmes.

Arden’s BSc Project Management is accredited by the APM, giving you student membership while you study with us. This is your gateway to discovering further training opportunities, free access to resources such as digital libraries and project case studies, and networking opportunities. As a student member, you’ll receive a digital badge to display on your social media platforms, such as Linkedin.

Graduating with an APM-accredited degree tells employers that your knowledge meets the latest standards of the sector, helping enhance your future career options. It is also a fast-track route to full membership of the APM, which you can achieve after just 3 years of experience working in the industry.

AU BSc Project Management has also been awarded APM Recognised Assessment status, the first university to achieve this recognition for a BSc Project Management course. That means upon completion of your degree, you’ll be eligible to apply to the APM to become a Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) via the APM’s Route 1, which is for project professionals who have a recognised assessment for technical knowledge. As your technical knowledge is already recognised by completing your degree, you will have completed a large component of the application for ChPP status upon graduation.

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) membership.

Arden University is a member of the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). AACSB International is a global association of leaders in education and business dedicated to supporting and advancing quality business education worldwide.

This membership reflects the fact that Arden University has successfully matched the high standards required by the AACSB, and enables the sharing of ideas and the exchange best practises between global business schools. Membership also gives AU faculty members access to in-depth data and research to support the development of AU courses and teaching methods, ensuring that AU is able to provide you with the best possible university experience.

Business Graduates Association (BGA)

The BGA is a membership and quality assurance body. As a member, Arden University have signed up to the BGA Charter, committing their institution to responsible management practices and lifelong learning, positively impacting their students, communities, and the economy. This shows AU students that we are demonstrating responsible management ourselves, as well as it being a central theme that runs through AU own courses.

As Arden University is a member of the Business Graduates Association (BGA), students will receive complementary BGA student and graduate membership. Through this membership, current students will have access to the BGA Career Development Centre, packed with interactive tools, e-learning content, partner discounts and the latest job opportunities. This is a lifetime access, which means students will continue to have access to these services even after they graduate.

LinkedIn Learning

All Arden students will have free access to LinkedIn Learning through the Library Portal. LinkedIn Learning is a video-based online learning platform offering over 16,500 expert-led courses across a wide range of subjects including business, technology, and creative skills.

With LinkedIn Learning, you can:

  • Pursue curated learning pathways aligned with AU curriculum and your career goals.
  • Add value to your LinkedIn profile by showcasing your newly acquired skills.
  • Personalise content based on skills relevant to your chosen career path, interests and prior learning.