Construction Engineering

The Construction Engineering Master's (CEM) programme is a Master of Studies (MSt) course offered by the Department of Engineering in association with the Cambridge Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge. The aim of this course is to develop and empower emerging leaders to transform the construction industry. This is an advanced leadership programme aimed at future leaders of the construction industry.

The course is a two-year part-time degree targeted at those who have more than three years' professional experience and have already attained a leadership role or been identified as potential leaders in their organisations.

The course will enhance students' technical knowledge and managerial skills with the expectation that they will return to their respective companies trained as agents of change ready to redefine the way in which the infrastructure of society is created. The part-time format of the course permits students to continue with their professional career while studying.

The course focuses on the following themes:

• The built environment
• Designing for value
• Research and innovation
• Advanced construction technology and materials
• Advanced construction management
• Finance planning and procurement
• Future of construction

Sustainability, leadership, innovation, whole life performance and whole systems thinking are interwoven throughout the course. The course is continually evolving in order to stay current and meet the needs of participants.

Students are at first given an understanding of the current context and challenges faced by the construction industry. They then critically evaluate the latest research in design, management, and construction techniques and processes. The programme encompasses the full spectrum of the construction industry from the high level financing requirements of mega projects through to the latest innovations in analysis, design and materials technology.

Throughout the course, students are given change management, leadership and communication training that will give them the skills and confidence to develop their own vision of the future of construction and enact it. 

Contributing lecturers have included the UK's current and former Chief Construction Advisors, the Chair of the UK Government BIM Implementation Group, the Technical Director of HS2, the Head of the UK Office for Nuclear Regulation, CEOs and senior directors of many major client, contractor and consulting organisations, leading journalists and the Director of Construction for the London 2012 Olympics, to name but a few.

Contact time

A minimum of 240 hours over the two years of lectures, small group teaching, seminars, supervisions and meetings with the Director of Studies.

Assessment

Dissertation

• Dissertation: 15,000 words.

Case study and essays

• A written case study of a maximum 5,000 words on a subject based on any one of the topics covered by the ‘Built environment’ module.
• One written essay of 3,000 words based on one of the topics covered in the ‘Designing for value’ module and one written essay of 3,000 words based on one of the topics covered in the ‘Research and Innovation’ module

Full and active participation in all elements of the course, including residential week assessments on some projects as well as presentations for both dissertation and case studies, is compulsory.

All assignments require extensive and appropriate literature reviews. Presentations form part of students' assessment during residential weeks.

Students are regularly provided with feedback on their performance via individual face-to-face and written exchanges with supervisors and the Director of Studies.

Expected academic standard

Applicants for this course will normally have achieved a UK 2.i honours degree or overseas equivalent.

Potential applicants are advised to consider carefully their capacity for balancing personal and professional commitments before submitting an application.

Language requirement

• IELTS Academic: Overall band score of 7.0 (with a minimum of 7.0 in each individual component)
• TOEFL Internet: Overall score of 110 (a minimum of 25 in each individual component)
• CAE: Grade A
• CPE: Grade A, B, or C

Supporting documents

• References.You will need to provide the details of two referees who are senior people acquainted with your work and who are able to comment on your academic and/or professional suitability to undertake the course. You will be asked to provide e-mail addresses for your referees so that they can submit their reference via the online referencing system, so it is important for you to ensure that your referee is able to provide a reference for you before you submit your application form. 
• Transcripts 
• Research Proposal. Candidates who do not hold the minimum academic requirement of a 2:1 hons degree and, who are invited to the interview stage following an assessment of their application, will be required to submit:A research proposal detailing the focus of their proposed CEM research dissertation (a template will be provided by the Construction Engineering Masters Programme Manager if required). If preferred give details of a published/awaiting publication research paper written by the applicant that demonstrates their ability to undertake a research dissertation in the second year of the CEM.
• Curriculum Vitae. You will be required to submit your CV on application. This should demonstrate at least three years’ experience in a job sector related to civil engineering.
• Professional Qualifications. To support the application, applicants are encouraged to provide relevant professional qualifications or memberships with documentary evidence, stating the date the qualification or membership was obtained.
• Personal Statement
• Letter of Support from your Employer

Construction Engineering Masters Bursaries

Candidates who anticipate difficulty in funding their studies are invited to apply for a bursary. A limited number of bursaries of up to 20% of the total combined course and college fees for the entire two-year programme are available to students who receive a conditional offer of a place on the Construction Engineering Masters Programme (CEM) if they are either fully self-funded or partially self-funded. The award of the bursary is made at the discretion of the Course Director and will be prorated according to their sources of funding.