Make complex projects happen.
Every project is different. Learn how to lead through the complexity.
Projects bring together people, budgets, technology, deadlines and competing priorities. At Kent, you’ll learn how to manage that complexity and make the decisions that keep projects moving and organisations changing.
You’ll develop advanced skills across project planning and control, agile methods, strategy, finance and risk, data and AI, benefits realisation and future-focused project management. You’ll apply what you learn to complex, real-world problems, developing the critical thinking, problem-solving and leadership skills to work confidently with incomplete information and changing circumstances.
You’ll also have the opportunity to take your learning into professional practice. With our Professional Practice & Placement pathway, you can spend a second year gaining substantial workplace experience – or continue through the Professional Practice route, which includes experiential learning, industry activity and a guaranteed virtual internship.
By graduation, you’ll be ready to lead projects, programmes and portfolios across sectors – with the judgement and adaptability to deliver change in a complex and constantly evolving world.
Develop the strategic, operational and people skills to lead complex projects with confidence - and take the next step in your professional journey.
The following modules are what students will typically study, but this may change year to year in response to new developments and innovations.
Build the skills to take a project from ambition to delivery – combining planning, strategy, agile methods, finance, risk and control.
As you progress, you’ll explore how data and AI are changing project management, how to realise benefits and how to lead projects through disruption and uncertainty. You’ll bring it all together through a practical Project Management Project.
Compulsory modules currently include the following
Develop key business consultancy skills by working on a real client project! This module will introduce you to the concept and process of client-centric management consultancy, combining theory with tried-and-tested consulting techniques to guide you through providing your own well-researched consultancy advice to your chosen client. By addressing a real-life business challenge, you will learn how to research solutions, overcome barriers, manage expectations and foster productive working relationships. This will give you a comprehensive understanding of how to manage consultancy projects using the consultancy cycle to provide meaningful and impactful advice to clients. Undertaking this module will help you to gain and develop consultancy skills you can use within your current employment, as well as aid the transition into the business consulting profession; internal consultancy positions within organisations, and / or senior management roles.
In a world marked by perpetual transformation, how can emerging leaders adeptly navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities that shape corporate strategies? Through engaging and interactive sessions, students will unravel the complexities inherent in change management principles and strategic decision-making. This module emphasizes hands-on applications, ensuring that students not only gain theoretical knowledge but also develop the practical skills essential for effective strategic change management in the contemporary business environment. You will leave the module with a knowledge of corporate strategy tools that are indispensable resources utilized by organizations to navigate the intricate landscape of strategic decision-making and planning.
Adaptability, agility and the ability to work in dynamic environment are highly regarded skills for the modern project professional. This module will provide you with deep knowledge of different Agile Approaches to Project Management, such as DSDM, Scrum and Lean, focusing on the agile ways of work, the benefits of iterative development and working with client requirements. You will learn by analysing real project cases and engaging in debates, games and other innovative approaches to learning. This module is designed to enhance your employability in different industries and prepare you for an agile corporate culture.
Get equipped as an aspiring project professionals with the tools, skills, and insights needed to excel in the dynamic world of modern project management. You will learn about project controls such as risk management, scheduling, quality management, planning and more for successful project delivery. You will also critique the P3M framework to understand how projects align with wider programme and portfolio management to support business strategy and achieve maximum value. By completing this module, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of project planning and control. This module isn't just an academic course; it's a stepping stone to becoming a pioneering force in the field of project management.
Explore how data and artificial intelligence can support better decision-making and problem-solving in project environments. You’ll consider how emerging technologies can be applied to project challenges, while developing an understanding of their opportunities, limitations and responsible use.
Benefits Realisation Management enables senior management and project professionals to strategically and sustainably deliver the organisation’s vision, values and benefits through their portfolio of projects and programmes. You will develop a deep knowledge and understanding of the wide range of perspectives and principles of benefits realisation management through evaluating and balancing short- and long-term objectives of projects and programmes. Module’s contents and delivery method strengthen your analytical, critical and reflecting thinking skills, besides leading and teamwork within diverse, multidisciplinary and international teams. Combining your acquired knowledge, skills and independent learning practices, will enable and empower you to target and prepare yourself for acquiring a career as a strategic project professional.
Get ready for captivating discussions on cutting-edge topics such as Artificial Intelligence and Project Governance and bolster your Digital Toolkit and enhance your Project Analyst skills via the use of project management software to become a Project Practitioner with strong research and negotiation skills. This module is an invitation to be at the forefront of strategic project management evolution. Join the module as we navigate the twists and turns of the project management landscape, where each challenge becomes an opportunity, and each question sparks innovation. Let the exploration begin.
The Strategic Project Management Challenge module connects students to organisational case studies and challenges them via a student consultancy experience. Students will be working in small teams on a company problem presented to them, and their task will be to pitch a solution to the organization. Students will practice consulting, teamwork, communication, and self-reflection skills as part of this module.
2.2 or above
A minimum of a second-class UK degree, or an equivalent internationally recognised qualification in any subject area is needed for this course. |
All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications and relevant experience may also be taken into account when considering applications.
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
Tuition fees may be increased in the second and subsequent years of your course. Detailed information on possible future increases in tuition fees is contained in the Tuition Fees Increase Policy.
The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.
You'll need regular access to a desktop computer/laptop with an internet connection to use the University of Kent’s online resources and systems. We've listed some guidelines for the technology and software you'll need for your studies.
Find out more about student accommodation and living costs, as well as general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.
Search our scholarships finder for possible funding opportunities. You may find it helpful to look at both:
Kent is a leading research university, meaning that you will be informed about new discussions and developments by the people making them. This means your work will have real potential to make a difference.
Turn project management into a career that can take you anywhere.
Project management is needed across almost every industry, from technology and construction to finance, healthcare, professional services and the public sector. Your Master’s will give you the strategic, analytical and leadership skills to manage projects, programmes and portfolios and lead change in complex environments.
Build professional experience into your Master’s
With the Professional Practice & Placement pathway, you can spend a second year putting your learning into practice.
Secure a placement and you could spend up to 44 weeks working in a professional environment, applying your project management skills in practice.
Or follow the Professional Practice route, where you’ll take part in experiential learning, industry-led activity and skills development, including a guaranteed virtual internship.
Where could it take you?
Project Manager · Programme Manager · Portfolio Manager · Project Consultant · Project Coordinator · Change Manager · PMO Manager · Project Controls · Business Transformation
The course specifically identifies project, programme and portfolio management as key career directions, while developing skills in strategic project management, problem-solving, negotiation, communication and responsible decision-making.
Global demand
A degree can boost average lifetime earnings by over
January 2027 intake update
Due to high volumes of postgraduate taught applications from Pakistan, an earlier deadline of Monday 28 September 2026, 23:59 BST has been applied for the January 2027 intake.
Applications received after this deadline will not be considered.
Learn more about the application process or begin your application by clicking on a link below.
You will be able to choose your preferred year of entry once you have started your application. You can also save and return to your application at any time.
