Construction management courses

All major building projects require a construction manager's communication, decision-making and negotiation skills. Get a good grounding in the profession by studying a relevant construction management course

What is a construction manager?

As a construction manager, it's your responsibility to ensure that the project you're leading is finished on time, on budget and to the required standard.

You'll supervise operations, collaborate with other professionals such as architects and surveyors, and ensure that tradespeople and contractors make good progress as expected.

Your duties will include:

• buying materials and equipment
• hiring staff
• inspecting work in progress
• checking design documents
• maintaining communication with clients.

Why become a construction manager?

'Construction managers play a valuable role in the construction workforce,' says Deborah Madden, executive director for Nations Engagement at the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). 'They not only help to foster a safer working environment, but a good manager will also improve employee retention, productivity and succession planning.'

The CITB's Construction Skills Network (CSN) 2024-28 report shows how the construction industry urgently requires over 6,000 new site managers and supervisors by 2028.

So, if you have excellent leadership skills, are highly organised, and possess in-depth knowledge of construction projects, you could qualify as a construction manager.

The job can be stressful, as you'll be the key point of contact and therefore responsible for handling the demands of the client, public and professionals involved.

However, seeing a project through to completion can be incredibly rewarding, and there will be opportunities across the UK on a range of sites - those with experience may even be able to work abroad.

With starting salaries typically set at £27,000 to £33,000, becoming a construction manager also brings high earning potential. You could command between £50,000 and £85,000 at senior and chartered levels.

What construction management careers can I enter?

Graduates can work as:

• building maintenance or control officers
• construction or site managers
• estimators
• project managers
• town planners.

Discover what else you can do with a building and construction management degree.

How do I become a construction manager?

An undergraduate or postgraduate degree in construction management will give you a head start in this profession.

Look for vocational construction manager courses approved by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). As a global professional body, CIOB accreditation is a mark of quality recognised by employers.

What construction management degrees are available?

Many construction management courses are available at undergraduate level, usually classified as a Bachelor of Science (BSc). Learn more about the different types of university courses with our guide to qualifications.

These degrees typically include an industry placement year, an excellent opportunity to gain valuable experience on the job. However, you'll achieve your qualification in four years instead of three.

Course content

To develop the skills needed to become a construction manager, you'll cover topics such as:

• project management
• the built environment
• managing costs
• relevant construction legislation.

Individual universities run their own set of compulsory and core modules, but all courses accredited by the CIOB cover these essentials. You'll usually be expected to complete a dissertation or major project in your final year.

For instance, the BSc Construction Management at Leeds Beckett University (LBU), accredited by the CIOB, allows you to:

• study the industry's legal, financial and economic environments
• understand other professions involved in building
• get an overview of the construction process, including surveying, quantity surveying and architectural technology.

This three-year course can be extended to four years with a one-year work placement.

Degree entry requirements

Entry requirements vary depending on the institution. Most stipulate that you should have at least two A-levels (or equivalent) - sometimes stating that one of these needs to be in maths or a science subject - and possess good GCSEs in maths and English.

For many degree courses, you'll need a minimum number of UCAS Tariff points to land a place, such as:

• 104 points to be eligible for the BSc Construction Project Management offered by the University of Salford
• 104 to 120 points to secure a place on the BSc Construction Project Management at the University of Brighton
• 112 points for the BSc Construction Management at the University of East London and the BSc Construction Project Management offered by Oxford Brookes University.

View the table at how to apply for university to see how your A-level grades hold up.

Be sure to check with your chosen university before applying. Mature students who don't meet the minimum requirements, but already have significant industry experience, may also be considered.

Foundation degrees

Another undergraduate level option is to study for a foundation degree (FdSc) in construction management, such as the one offered by the University of Bedfordshire.

These courses last two years full time (or three years part time) and are equivalent to two-thirds of a BSc degree. This may suit you if you don't meet the entry requirements for the full degree, or aren't sure whether you want to commit to a three or four-year course.

Foundation degrees tend to be more vocational, with part-time study a popular route for those already working in the industry. It's also worth remembering that you can top-up a foundation degree to a full degree further down the line.

Should I study for a Masters in construction management?

If you want to gain an accredited qualification, Master of Science (MSc) degrees in construction management or construction project management are popular postgraduate options.

Studying one of these programmes ensures you're ready to oversee a construction project successfully, and you can enter the profession equipped with the sought-after skills required by leading employers.

Masters degrees generally take a year to complete when studied full time - though part-time and distance learning options are available too. They deliver intensive training in the theory and practice of construction management.

Masters modules

Example compulsory modules include:

• contracts and procurement
• construction financial management
• sustainability and environmental management
• managing smart construction projects
• economic, legal and political framework.

You'll often be given the choice of optional modules, allowing you to specialise in your favoured subjects. You'll also have to write a dissertation or complete a major project.

Course fees

Tuition fees for MSc construction management courses are typically between £7,000 and £10,000 for UK students, although they can be as high as £15,000.

For instance, the MSc Construction Management at the University of Reading costs £12,800 for UK and Republic of Ireland students. However, international students typically pay a lot more, with fees for this course at £30,950.

Consider supporting your studies through postgraduate funding with options for UK and overseas students.

The University College of Estate Management (UCEM) will fund up to 50% of the fees for its Masters course (set at £11,000 for 2025/26) for a limited number of students (from any country) who can demonstrate outstanding academic ability and financial need. Read more about the postgraduate scholarship at UCEM - Financial support.

Read about other scholarships and bursaries.

Postgraduate entry requirements

For entry onto a Masters course, you'll typically require at least a 2:1 undergraduate degree in a relevant subject. As a guide, The University of Manchester describes these as 'the built environment or relevant engineering, science or management disciplines'.

A 2:2 will be sufficient for some postgraduate programmes, such as the MSc Construction Management from UCEM.

Some universities don't expect you to have previously studied a relevant subject as long as you can demonstrate an interest in the construction industry. Mature students with experience on the job may also be eligible. They may also provide other pathways into their programme.

For instance, if you haven't studied construction and have no work experience, City St George's, University of London suggests you take the Graduate Diploma in Computing, Science and Engineering with one of their partners before applying for their MSc Construction Management.

Apply via the university's website or search postgraduate courses in construction management.

Can I study a construction management course online?

Online postgraduate courses

If you'd like to study at postgraduate level but don't want to commit to writing a dissertation, many universities now offer construction management courses with online learning options, plus a selection of postgraduate diplomas (PGDip) and certificates (PGCert).

Online construction management courses include the Online MSc Construction Project Management from Heriot-Watt University, which is typically studied in two-and-a-half to four years.

The University of Salford offers the MSc Construction Management as a two-year distance learning course plus PgDip and PgCert options. For instance, the MSc involves studying eight taught modules and a dissertation, resulting in 180 credits. Alternatively, the PgDip comprises eight taught modules (120 credits), while you'll complete four specified taught modules for the PgCert (60 credits).

CPD learning

For working professionals looking to gain formal continuing professional development (CPD), RICS offers the Certificate in Construction Project Management. This 90-hour online course costs £1,133 (plus VAT) for RICS professionals (and £1,530 plus VAT for non-members) and is typically completed within six to eight months.

Whether you decide to study construction management at undergraduate or postgraduate level or as part of your CPD, the skills and knowledge you gain should hold you in good stead as you progress in your construction management career.

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