Top 10 Schools for Construction Management Degrees

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Want to pursue a career in construction and rake in as much as £55,000 a year? Perhaps becoming a construction manager is the right career path for you.

As a construction manager, you’ll be pretty much responsible for everything on a building site, from making sure the work is completed within budget and on time to ensuring the safe use of heavy equipment by personnel.

But before you jump straight into looking for a top construction vacancy on your favourite job board, you’ll need to gain the appropriate qualifications and training.

To help you get started, we’ve put together the top 10 universities for a construction management degree in the UK.

10. Robert Gordon University

The RGU’s Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment offers a handful of degree courses ideal for future construction managers from BSc to MSc. The School undertakes world-leading research in many different areas, including collaborative and participatory design, sustainable design, pedagogy, project management and visualisation.

Available Programmes

  • BSc (Hons) Construction Management (full-time)
  • BSc (Hons) Surveying (full-time)
  • MSc Construction Project Management (full-time and distance learning)

9. Edinburgh Napier University

Edinburgh Napier gained university status in 1992 and is one of the most recognised institutions in the UK. The University’s School of Engineering and the Built Environment offers a range of industry-relevant courses which are designed to help graduates pursue successful careers in their chosen area. The School is home to two internationally leading research institutes: the Institute for Sustainable Construction (ISC) and the Transport Research Institute (TRI).

Available Programmes

  • BSc / BSc (Hons) Construction Project Management (part-time and full-time)
  • MSc Construction Project Management (part-time, full-time and distance learning)

8. University of Ulster

The University of Ulster is the second largest university in Ireland (second only to the National University of Ireland). It has four campuses in Belfast, Coleraine, Jordanstown and Magee, as well as two branches in Birmingham and London. It has one of the highest employment rates in the UK, with some 90% of graduates finding work within 6 months after graduation.

Available Programmes

  • BSc (Hons) Construction Engineering and Management (part-time and full-time)
  • PgCert/ PgDip / MSc Construction Business and Leadership (with management specialisms) (part-time and full-time)

7. University of the West of England

Located in Bristol, UWE first started as the Merchant Navigation School in 1595 and Technical College in 1894. It gained its current university status in 1992. 94% of UWE’s students are reported to be in employment within 6 months of graduation, with 78% working in professional roles, while 57% of the research conducted at the University was judged to be either world-leading or internationally excellent.

Available Programmes

  • BSc (Hons) Building Surveying (full-time and part-time)
  • BSc (Hons) Construction Project Management (full-time and part-time)
  • PgCert / PgDip / MSc Construction Project Management (full-time and part-time)

6. Aston University

Located in the city centre of Birmingham, Aston University began as the Birmingham Municipal Technical School in 1895, evolving into the UK’s first College of Advanced Technology in 1956 and receiving its royal charter from Queen Elizabeth II in 1966. In 2015, it was ranked among the best universities in the world under 50 years old. The University’s BSc (Hons) course in Construction Project Management is ranked 11th out of 38 in the UK and includes an optional placement year where you can earn, on average, £16,000.

Available Programmes

  • BSc (Hons) Construction Project Management (full-time and part-time)

5. Oxford Brookes University

Oxford Brookes University dates back to 1865 as the former Oxford School of Art but was renamed in 1992 to honour its former principal, John Henry Brookes. The University is the sixth largest employer in Oxfordshire. Its site management courses offer links with various national and local construction-based companies, developers and surveyors, while 95% of graduates are in professional or management jobs within 6 months of graduation.

Available Programmes

  • BSc (Hons) Construction Project Management (full-time and part-time)
  • PgCert / PgDip / MSc Construction Project Management (full-time and part-time)

4. University of Reading

Reading’s School of Construction Management and Engineering was established in 1972 and is a leader in world-class teaching and research. In fact, they were ranked 3rd in the UK for research impact in 2014’s Research Excellence Framework assessment. Their courses are designed to help students develop strong relationships with industry professionals and experts. Moreover, they’re consistently ranked among the top 5 universities in UK league tables.

Available Programmes

  • BSc (Hons) Building Surveying (full-time and optional sandwich year)
  • BSc (Hons) Construction Management (full-time and optional sandwich year)
  • BSc (Hons) Construction Management and Surveying (full-time and optional sandwich year)
  • BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying (full-time and optional sandwich year)
  • MSc Construction Management (full-time and flexible option)

3. Loughborough University

Loughborough University is a public research university in the East Midlands. The institution dates back to 1909 but has only been a university since 1966. It was ranked 6th in the Guardian’s League Tables 2018. Its Bachelor’s courses feature industrial placements where students typically earn a salary of £16,500.

Available Programmes

  • BSc (Hons) Construction Engineering Management (full-time)
  • MSc Construction Management (full-time and part-time)
  • MSc Construction Project Management (full-time and part-time)

2. Heriot-Watt University

Heriot-Watt’s School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society incorporates petroleum engineering and renewable energy technology, architectural engineering, civil and structural engineering, construction management and surveying, geography, as well as urban studies. It is one of the UK’s leading institutions for multidisciplinary research and teaching, with at least 70% of their overall research being confirmed as world-leading or internationally excellent.

Available Programmes

  • BSc (Hons) Construction Project Management (full-time)
  • BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying (full-time)
  • MSc Civil Engineering and Construction Management (full-time, part-time and distance learning)
  • MSc Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying (full-time, part-time and distance learning)
  • MSc Construction Project Management (full-time, part-time and distance learning)
  • PhD Construction Management (full-time and part-time)

1. University College London

UCL tops the list of the best schools in the UK for a degree in site management. It is the third largest university in terms of enrollment in the UK and is considered to be one of the best universities in the world. Founded in 1826 as the London University, it was the first university institution to be established in the city of London. The University offers short one-year foundation courses to international students which provide certification to gain access to their degree courses.

Available Programmes

  • BSc (Hons) Project Management for Construction (full-time)
  • MSc Construction Economics and Management (full-time and flexible option)

If you’ve decided to enrol in a course in any of these top universities, and meet all the necessary entry requirements, the next thing you need to start thinking about is your UCAS application. We’ve got some great guides to help you put it all together, including how to write a personal statement.

If you’ve completed a relevant course at one of these universities (or another not listed here), and have some advice you’d like to share with future construction managers, join the conversation down below and let us know!

Still not sure which direction you should take in your career? Check out our comprehensive guide on planning for the future.

This list is based on the Complete University Guide League Tables 2018 rankings for building degrees. The institutions featured on this list are all accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).