INTERNATIONAL CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

bcit.ca/icm

Overview 3

Program Structure 6

Start Dates, Assessment and Support 7

Program Fees 9

About the Program Fees 10

Table of Contents

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UNIVERSITY OF BATHThe University of Bath is situated on the fringes of the UK’s only World Heritage City and has an established international reputation for teaching and research in science and technology, management, modern languages and social sciences. The University is particularly proud of its strong links with industry, commerce and the professions.

The University’s Centre for Continuing Education, which specializes in the design and delivery of high quality distance learning programs, together with the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, developed the MSc in International Construction Management (ICM). It is now firmly established as a world leader, recognized for the quality of its graduates.

The Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering brings together the related disciplines of Architecture and Civil Engineering. Each discipline is supported by an active group of academics who bring specific expertise to postgraduate courses and research supervision.

BRITISH COLUMBIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYThe British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) is a leader in the development and delivery of distance learning programs and has an excellent reputation in teaching and program administration. Under this partnership, the campus in Burnaby, BC, is the administrative centre for North America. BCIT’s strong linkages with the industry sector, together with the selection of tutors, will bring a North American focus to the program.

There are two seven-day residential schools in the programs. The first is held at BCIT and the second at the University of Bath.

The University of Bath and BCIT developed a partnership to offer the University of Bath’s Master of Science in International Construction Management. Established in 1989, the program was designed for construction professionals pursuing a management career in the industry. Most professionals are too committed to their careers to be able to return to any form of full-time education. This distance-based method of program delivery is a cost-effective way to acquire a master’s degree without disrupting your career.

The program has worldwide acceptance in the construction/engineering industry and is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). It is backed by the international reputation of the University in both teaching and research. All of the units of this program can be taken as Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses.

Overview

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WHY WAS THIS PROGRAM DEVELOPED?The program was designed as a direct response to the demand from the construction industry for training for its managers which would lead to enhanced organizational performance and profitability.

Industry asked for a program that has the following characteristics:

> relevant to international industry needs and concerns > challenging and up-to-date > flexible > high quality > adaptable to the circumstances of individuals and the needs of employers

> efficiently administered and fully supported

With these views in mind, the University of Bath developed the MSc in International Construction Management, based on three major concepts:

Collaboration – bringing together the expertise, knowledge and experience of industry practitioners, academics of the School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, and the learning technology skills of the Centre for Continuing Education

Quality – ensuring that the program meets in full the needs and expectations of its members

Sustainability – building the program into a world leader with a lasting potential to meet the industry’s training needs

The valued advice and experience of these program members have been incorporated into the program so that it offers easier access, particularly for those without first degree qualifications, together with increased flexibility and choice of optional units.

WHO IS IT FOR?The program is designed for mid-career professionals in the construction industry, located anywhere in the world, and especially for:

> people who have a significant management focus in their work but little or no training

> those moving from specialist or technical roles into management

> managers needing a more formal training to enhance their effectiveness

> those wishing to develop their career potential by moving into management

Thus the program has appealed to, and provided substantial career benefits for:

> civil and building engineers > surveyors and quantity surveyors > planners and planning engineers > project managers and coordinators > architects > building control managers > consultants

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WHO CAN APPLY?You can apply to join the program at any time if you have the following:

> a first degree of a recognized university with minimum two years of construction management experience, and/or hold a professional qualification such as PEng, PGeo, MAIBC, PQS, MCIP

> non-graduate applicants can apply via the access route, which requires substantial experience in the construction industry

Entrants through the access route will need to achieve the required standard in the first two units to register as candidates for the Postgraduate diploma or the MSc degree.

Additionally, English as a Second Language (ESL) students may be required to show evidence of proficiency in the English language. As a guide, this means a score of at least 6.5 in the IELTS test (the preferred proficiency test) or over 580 in the TOEFL, together with good scores in the Test of Written English (TWE) and/or the Test of Spoken English (TSE) also offered by TOEFL. Alternative qualifications may also be considered adequate.

ACCESS ROUTE For those who do not have the traditional entry qualifications but would like to progress to the MSc or PG Diploma program. Involves studying the first two compulsory units as a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) student but including all associated assessments which will include the examinations. Progression to MSc is subject to the candidate achieving a satisfactory level in both units.

Continuing Professional Development Units (CPD) A short course of study contributing to continuing professional development at M-level (masters-level) based on a single taught unit and with reduced assessment requirements, leading to a certificate of completion issued by the Department.

CPD short courses are suitable if you have identified a specific area of construction management in which you would like to increase your knowledge and skills. CPD units may also provide the opportunity to apply to the MSc/Postgraduate

Diploma at a later stage. CPD students are registered for one year. So if you choose this route, then we would recommend that you apply to the MSc program after completion of the first CPD unit. Students studying CPD units are not required to sit examinations, although full formal examination can be arranged at the request of the student. CPD students who are thinking about applying to the MSc at a later date should complete both coursework and examination. CPD students have one year to complete a unit from when it is purchased.

WHY SHOULD YOU CHOOSE THE BATH PROGRAM?The benefits of membership of the University of Bath International Construction Management Program are well known and include:

For program members:

> receive your course material at any time > reinforce your learning by applying it to your job > enjoy the support of well qualified, experienced tutors > build your own resource bank of high quality learning materials > meet new contacts and share knowledge and experience at residential schools

> choice of working towards a qualification or choosing units for CPD purposes

> membership of one of the UK’s most prestigious and highly regarded universities

> membership of an international network of career professionals

> internationally recognized Diploma or MSc qualification

> accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

For employers:

> cost-effective training of managers leading to increased competitiveness and operational efficiency

> managers are engaged in active learning that is relevant and immediately used in their work

> minimal time off work for attendance at residentials > costs can be spread over two or more financial years > project work can be of direct relevance to employer

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The program has two residentials and eight units (six of them compulsory).

The two compulsory residential schools take place at BCIT and the University of Bath and provide an excellent opportunity to meet fellow students and staff as well as to participate in skills development exercises, workshops and lectures based on the material within the units. The schools are taught by unit tutors, faculty staff and industry professionals and form an integral part of the program.

Program Component Timescale for Completion (Minimum)

1st Residential – Canada 7 days (November)

Unit 1. Management in Construction Unit 2. Economics in Construction

6 months

Unit 3. Construction Law Unit 4. Managing Human Resources

6 months

Unit 5. Procuring Construction Unit 6. Strategy in Construction

6 months

2nd Residential – Bath, UK Consolidated Theory and Practice

7 days (June)

Optional Units – choose two from the following:

> Construction Project Management > Sustainable Business Practice > Communication and Information

Management > Social Responsibility: Business

and Society > Facility Management

6 months

Dissertation 1 year

Duration and Typical Study TimeThere is a maximum of five years to complete the full MSc program. Typically the taught part of the program is completed over two years and a further year spent over the dissertation. As a rough guide, each of the eight units will take about three months. This represents 30 hours per month (depending on your study speed), or to put it another way, one hour per day.

Program Structure“Having spent a lifetime in construction, it’s an honour to

be associated with the University of Bath in the pursuit of a postgraduate degree in Construction Management. I’ve been able to apply academic reference to a storehouse of knowledge that I had known to exist but . . . had not been formally recognized.

The program offers direct interaction with course material allowing for an ever-increasing feeling of empowerment and context. The journey from Unit One through the dissertation parallels the realization that knowledge is growth. I’ve also particularly enjoyed interacting with my classmates during residentials.

I’m very proud of my association with the University of Bath and have no reservations in extolling the virtues of this fine institution.”

John RoyleMaster’s Degree in Construction Management

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The application form and all supporting documentation must be submitted by August 30th to qualify for the December cohort start. Once your application has been reviewed and you have been accepted into the program, then you will need to confirm this acceptance in order to initiate official student status. You will receive the introduction pack and the first two units upon acceptance and payment. This gives you the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the materials before the residential workshop held in November of each year.

You will receive a study plan based on a December start. Based on 100 hours of study, at a rate of seven hours of study per week, each unit should take approximately three months to complete. Studying at this rate, the whole program will take around three years to complete, including approximately one year on the dissertation. Students must complete the program within five years of their start date.

ASSESSMENT AND AWARDSAssessment for the MSc is by means of assignments or other requirements of the unit, examinations, the Consolidated Theory and Practice unit, and a dissertation. You will gain a MSc award from the University of Bath on successful completion of all elements. Attendance at all residential sessions is compulsory. If you decide not to progress to the dissertation, then you may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip).

Examinations: Units 1, 2 and 5 have open book exams that you complete and submit during a specified time period. Units 4 and 6 have closed book exams that last two hours at each sitting. These examinations are normally held at a nearby post-secondary institute to the students’ residence. The two optional units are each assessed through an extended essay.

Dissertation: The aim of the dissertation is to demonstrate your ability to carry out detailed research. Your dissertation will be about 15,000–18,000 words in length.

Start Dates, Assessment and Support

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SUPPORT AND GUIDANCECandidates have access to a comprehensive learner support service. Units are offered through a virtual learning environment (Moodle). Each unit has its own academic tutor; we encourage students to sustain contact with their academic tutors via phone, email, fax, or Moodle. Academic tutors are responsible for answering questions and marking assignments. Each unit comes with a binder and other unit materials. Students also have access to a personal tutor, also known as the North American Program Head. The Program Head is able to provide support and guidance with all aspects of your program.

The Program Assistant is involved in all administrative aspects of student activity from enrolment through to graduation and is also responsible for receiving and processing all of your unit requests and payments. The Program Assistant is your first contact for any day-to-day queries. The Program Head and the Program Assistant will provide you with a study plan that is based on your study cohort; remain in contact with you through your program of study; and can, if required, also offer guidance when personal/work-related problems arise that may affect your studies in the program. They also organize the North American residential workshops.

Other sources of support available to you include the following:

Virtual Learning Environment: An educational web-based platform (currently Moodle) that has been customized to support the program. It is used for hosting discussion groups of each unit and updating you with the latest developments.

Student Network: We also encourage students to keep in touch with each other and encourage discussion on program work, exams and work-related matters.

Newsletter: Distributed twice a year directly from the Centre at Bath, the newsletter is written by course students and staff and acts as a further mechanism for keeping in touch, providing support and updating students on recent developments.

Library Support Services: Students enrolled through the BCIT office are able to access electronic journals in the BCIT library. Our students are also able to log onto to the University of Bath’s library and view their library catalogue and electronic journals as well.

The course is delivered by a range of media: access to a computer with CD-Rom capability and email/internet connection is required to make full use of the materials and support available.

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Tuition may be paid for in five installments. Program start can be May or December.

Installment Item(s) Covered Amount Due Date (Dec. start)

Application Fee $300 With application submission

1 Administration Fee 1st Residential, Canada Units 1 and 2

$4,800 October 15th

2 Units 3 and 4 $3,500 1 month prior to start of study

3 2nd Residential, Bath and Elective units (2)

$4,300 1 month prior to start of study

4 Units 5 and 6 $3,500 1 month prior to start of study

5 Dissertation $1,750 1 month prior to start of dissertation

Total $18,150*

If students choose to pay their entire tuition in full covering enrolment, six core units and two elective units, two residential sessions, and the dissertation, then they will pay the lower figure of $17,850 for the program.*

Fees include:

> registration and administration > teaching material: workbooks, textbooks, and assignments > academic and personal tutoring > tuition at residential workshops > assignment marking and examination fees > dissertation supervision and marking (in respect to MSc only) > graduation

Fees do not include travel to and from and accommodations during the residential sessions.

* Note: all participants will be required to comply with relevant policies and procedures as published by BCIT and the University of Bath. BCIT reserves the right to make

administrative changes without notice. The University endeavours to keep tuition fee increases to a minimum. Fees are normally reviewed in May of each year and any changes implemented on September 1st.

BCIT cannot issue either a T2202A or TL11A.

The University reserves the right to change fees at any time and will ensure that all program members to whom increases are applicable are notified in advance of any changes.

ACCESS (PRE-ENTRY) ROUTE$4,800 in full.

For those without the traditional entry qualifications, the access route may provide a stepping stone. The fee covers enrolment, the first two units, the initial residential session and examinations. If participants are successful at this stage, they may progress to the MSc/Postgraduate diploma. The fee payable then will exclude the $4,800 that has already been paid for the access element.

CPD (CONTINUED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT)$1,750 each

Units available: Management in Construction, Economics in Construction, Construction Law, Managing Human Resources, Procuring Construction, Strategy in Construction, plus the elective topics of Construction Project Management, Sustainable Business Practice, Communication and Information Management, Social Responsibility: Business and Society, and Facility Management.

Please note that these courses are at the graduate studies level, and are not intended as entry/introductory courses.

CPD program fees include:

> learning materials > academic and personal tutoring > assignment marking and feedback (final exams are not required)

Program Fees

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PROGRAM FEES POLICYThe policy of the University is to keep fees at the lowest possible level consistent with ensuring that students receive high quality learning materials, tuition and learning support throughout their period of study.

Tuition fees cover all the costs of: registration, learning materials, academic tutor support, helpline service, library access, assignment marking, tuition for residentials (travel and accommodation costs to attend the compulsory residential schools, are the student’s responsibility), exams fees, dissertation supervision, graduation, and general administration. This program is based at the University of Bath in the UK and is offered through distance learning.

BCIT cannot issue either a T2202A or TL11A.

OTHER COSTSThe University’s policy is to ensure that the learning materials and residential programs are a comprehensive preparation to enable you to complete all the course requirements. You will need a computer with CD-Rom capabilities. Email/internet access is required as well.

You should budget in addition for travel and accommodation costs for the compulsory residential schools.

IF YOU DEFERThe University will honour the fee charges quoted on your original personal learning plan without alteration during your entire period of study. However, in the event that you defer your studies, in issuing a revised learning plan, the University will increase future installments to the level of any increases that have been implemented since you began your studies.

IF YOU CHANGE YOUR REGISTRATIONIf your initial enrolment is as a CPD (Continuing Professional Development) student and you subsequently apply and are accepted into the full MSc program, you will be charged the full

program fees applicable at the time of acceptance less the full amount of the fees that you have paid as a CPD student.

FEE CHANGESThe University endeavours to keep program fee increases to a minimum. Fees are normally reviewed in May of each year and any change implemented from 1st of September.

The University reserves the right to change fees at any time and will ensure that all program members to whom increases are applicable, are notified in advance of any changes.

REFUNDSApplication fee is non-refundable. Refunds of fees will be made in the following circumstances, if you:

> leave the program before commencement of study (you are deemed to have commenced study when your learning materials have been dispatched from Bath);

> leave the program having commenced study (fees will be refunded in full, less the application fee and the fees of the stage or stages of the program, which you have already completed or commenced); or

> fail a program stage and are not able because of the assessment regulations to continue (the University will refund in full any fees you have paid in advance for a unit which you have not studied).

Note: No refunds will be issued once learning materials have been dispatched from the University of Bath.

PAYMENT TIMETABLEWhen you accept a program place, you, your employer or any other sponsor can pay either the full program fees or by installments. If you are paying by installments, timings/amounts are indicated on your personal learning plan.

About the Program Fees

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PAYMENT METHODS

Payments are in Canadian dollars and can be made by: > Certified cheque made payable to BCIT

> Credit card (MasterCard, Visa, AmEx)

> Arranging for us to invoice your employer

WHERE TO SEND YOUR FEES

All payments should be sent to:Program AssistantMSc International Construction Management

British Columbia Institute of Technology 3700 Willingdon AvenueBurnaby, British Columbia Canada, V5G 3H2

Credit Card payment accepted by phone or fax (604.434.8553).

CONTACTS

Pilar Bonilla, PEng, MEng, MBA, Program Head

604.453.4016pbonilla@bcit.ca

Susan Kong, BSc, Program Assistant

604.451.6842 Susan_Kong@bcit.ca

3700 WILLINGDON AVENUE BURNABY, BRITISH COLUMBIA CANADA, V5G 3H2

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