- Universities are not
offering courses that match the job vacancies on offer from the majority
of employers, the right courses are not available for students to choose
- The right courses are
available but students choose to study other subjects, perhaps based on interest
or ability
- Employers are not looking
for subject specific graduate knowledge but the right person to fit into
their organisation, the degree itself is largely incidental
What do UK Universities offer in Project Management?
At present there are very few undergraduate programmes in
the subject area of Project Management despite there being a huge demand for
skilled workers. Project Managers are traditionally
sourced from existing staff in IT development teams, construction professionals
or engineers for example with additional training in project management tools
and techniques being provided for a lucky few individuals, the rest have to pick it up as best they can. Currently there are very few undergraduate
programmes in Project Management on offer but this is beginning to change. A quick search on UCAS reveals that several
institutions offer project management as a stream or pathway in construction
courses but only 3 institutions offer courses specifically in project management
(Leeds Beckett University, Blackpool and Fylde College and the University of
Cumbria).
At present it seems that the UK HE sector seems to view project management
in the context of only construction, what about IT projects, Engineering
projects, business restructuring projects, new product development projects and
every other project related activity that businesses engage in? On this evidence it does seem to be the case
that Universities are failing to meet the demands of employers and are not
providing courses that match areas of skills shortage or high demand.
On the bright side
The three institutions that offer Project Management as a subject in its own right include in their programmes the tools and techniques of project management itself but also include some personal and professional skills (communication skills, dealing with people, managing conflict for example) and business and finance skills to ensure that graduates understand the context within which projects are set in organisations. This mix of subject areas reflects the broader understanding of projects and their management that exists in businesses today and also reflects the range of skills that project managers need to have if they are to be successful. These programmes will prepare graduates with a broad and relevant skill set making the task a finding a job easier and finding a job in the subject area related to their first degree quite likely.
Conclusions
Studying Project Management at University makes a lot of
sense, it is a varied subject utilising case studies and examples from many
different industries, the job prospects are very good and salary expectations and
career progression opportunities are also very strong. The range of options for university
applicants are currently limited and concentrated in the North of England, this
might change in the near future with the government push towards higher and
degree apprenticeships. For more information on the courses on offer at the University
of Cumbria in Project Management check out the information at http://www.cumbria.ac.uk/projectmanagement
Links to data and information sources
1 Higher Education Statistics Agency, https://www.hesa.ac.uk/
2 Project Management Institute, https://www.pmi.org/learning/PM-Network/2014/global-jobs-report.aspx
3 The Telegraph, https://courses.telegraph.co.uk/article-details/2/why-become-a-project-manager/
4 National Careers Service, https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/Pages/projectmanager.aspx
