If you’re planning to pursue a master’s programme in construction or the built environment sector, the University of Salford offers a strong combination of industry exposure, professional accreditation and practical learning. Its postgraduate programmes place you in Greater Manchester, home to the UK’s largest property and construction market outside London.
You’ll join a university renowned for its award-winning research in sustainable housing and energy efficiency. Teaching is research-informed and delivered by expert academics whose work on global research and industry projects helps equip you with the skills and knowledge to address the latest challenges across the built environment sector. With significant investment and regeneration across the region, you’ll engage with real-world projects through industry partnerships and live local case studies to enhance your learning.
You can choose from programmes such as MSc Construction Management, MSc Quantity Surveying, MSc BIM and Digital Built Environments, MArch Architecture and MSc Project Management in Construction. Selected programmes carry triple accreditation by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), and Association for Project Management (APM).
But what is studying one of these programmes actually like as an international student? To find out we spoke to Saranga Rathnayake Mudiyanselage, a student from Sri Lanka who chose the MSc Project Management in Construction, as she was drawn to its hands-on approach.
Saranga joined Salford on a Global Silver Excellence Scholarship bringing with her substantial academic and professional experience in construction, including two years working as a Project Quantity Surveyor. Hear from Saranga on why she chose Salford, why she describes the MSc Project Management in Construction as “rewarding,” and how the degree has supported her career ambitions.
Saranga credits her time at Salford for giving her a crucial professional advantage: solid academic foundations with practical application and industry exposure. Source: University of Salford
Is an MSc Project Management in Construction worth it?
Yes, I believe the programme was a worthwhile investment. I wanted to broaden my knowledge of project management. The MSc helped strengthen my understanding of project leadership, risk management, procurement, contract management, sustainability, stakeholder management, and many other key areas. I particularly valued being able to connect my previous industry experience with the theories, case studies, and practical examples discussed during the course.
More importantly, the degree has helped me clarify my longer-term career direction. I want to continue developing my professional experience in the construction industry while also progressing towards research and eventually pursuing a PhD.
How did you find out that an MSc Project Management in Construction programme was available in the UK?
I found out while researching ways to further develop my career in the construction industry. Salford stood out during my research for its strong standing in the built environment sector and its links to professional bodies such as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the Chartered Institute of Building, and the Association for Project Management.
The MSc modules also shaped my decision. I wanted to build knowledge beyond quantity surveying, particularly in project management, procurement, contracts, risk, sustainability, leadership, and strategic project delivery. Salford offered the right mix of academic development and professional relevance, with a strong connection to the construction industry.
Is the University of Salford a good university?
Yes, absolutely. I’d consider Salford a very good university and I’ve genuinely enjoyed my experience there. Our lecturers regularly used real case studies and real-world construction problems, which helped us understand how the concepts we were learning could be applied in professional situations. The learning environment was very supportive, and I appreciated being able to reach out to lecturers for guidance when needed.
Studying in Greater Manchester was another highlight, given its strong construction and regeneration environment, which gave me a useful setting to study project management and appreciate the wider industry around me.
What is it like studying for an MSc Project Management in Construction?
The MSc Project Management in Construction has been challenging, particularly when tackling complex project scenarios, but ultimately rewarding. As a full-time student, my routine involved lectures, assignments, independent research, group work, and presentations. Beyond lectures, which covered both theory and practical application, the assignments made us think for ourselves. We’d research a topic, weigh different approaches, and justify our conclusions, which built my confidence in analysing construction and project management problems.
For the dissertation, I researched Evaluating Compensation Events in NEC4 Contracts, which let me connect my quantity surveying background with project management research. My supervisor, Professor Sani Akoh, was really supportive throughout, helping me develop the research and work through challenges along the way.
Where does the most impactful learning actually take place in this MSc Project Management in Construction programme?
For me, the most impactful learning took place during the assignments, case studies, and group projects, because these activities allowed me to apply what I learned in class to realistic construction situations. We were often expected to study a case carefully, carry out our own research, use appropriate frameworks and theories, and then apply them to the particular situation, rather than simply repeat what was taught in lectures. This helped me understand how project management knowledge can be used to analyse real problems and develop appropriate approaches.
What is it like studying for an MSc Project Management in Construction?
The MSc Project Management in Construction has been challenging, particularly when tackling complex project scenarios, but ultimately rewarding. As a full-time student, my routine involved lectures, assignments, independent research, group work, and presentations. Beyond lectures, which covered both theory and practical application, the assignments made us think for ourselves. We’d research a topic, weigh different approaches, and justify our conclusions, which built my confidence in analysing construction and project management problems.
For the dissertation, I researched Evaluating Compensation Events in NEC4 Contracts, which let me connect my quantity surveying background with project management research. My supervisor, Professor Sani Akoh, was really supportive throughout, helping me develop the research and work through challenges along the way.
Where does the most impactful learning actually take place in this MSc Project Management in Construction programme?
For me, the most impactful learning took place during the assignments, case studies, and group projects, because these activities allowed me to apply what I learned in class to realistic construction situations. We were often expected to study a case carefully, carry out our own research, use appropriate frameworks and theories, and then apply them to the particular situation, rather than simply repeat what was taught in lectures. This helped me understand how project management knowledge can be used to analyse real problems and develop appropriate approaches.
The MSc Project Management in Construction has strengthened Saranga’s interest in construction research and academia. Source: University of Salford
Will I be taught by people who have actually worked on live construction projects or by academics who research them?
Yes, the teaching was closely connected to real construction practice — lecturers used practical examples from their industry experience to explain complex concepts and got us thinking about how we’d handle similar challenges on a live project. This made the connection between academic models and actual industry practice much clearer.
One example that stood out was our work on construction contracts, where we analysed real contractual clauses and discussed how they apply in different project scenarios. Guest speakers also brought direct industry perspectives on how complex issues get resolved in practice. This practical approach ran consistently across modules, including Contract Management and Practice, BIM, Lean Construction, and others.
Does the MSc Project Management in Construction lead to a promising career path?
Yes, I believe this programme can lead to a promising career, particularly when combined with industry experience. I graduated in August 2026 and am now seeking roles within the construction industry to work with organisations involved in delivering complex and innovative projects. With my background in quantity surveying and the project management knowledge I have gained at Salford, I want to contribute to successful project delivery while continuing to develop my professional experience.
Alongside my industry ambitions, I also have a long-term goal of progressing into academic research and pursuing a PhD. I believe that gaining further industry experience is extremely valuable because practical knowledge can help create more meaningful research and allow me to share real-world examples with future students as a lecturer.
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