Construction companies often hire professionals to manage their building projects efficiently. The managers are responsible for meeting schedules, ensuring quality and safety, tracking costs, and completing the project efficiently. Individuals who want to pursue construction management as a career can complete a course. Many institutions offer construction management programmes in both online and on-campus modes. But before signing up, one should research the course’s eligibility criteria, fees, and other details to make an informed decision.

1. Construction Management Specialization (Online)
If someone wants to learn about construction management in a nutshell, they could sign up for Construction Management Specialization on Coursera. The programme comprises a series of five courses completed within three months.

• Construction Project Management
• Construction Scheduling
• Construction Cost Estimating and Cost Control
• Construction Finance
• Construction Industry

By the end of this course, one will have learnt to create a project budget, build a project schedule, work on a project plan, create a work breakdown structure, identify risks, and assign responsibility for those risks. The course is free and is taught by industry experts.

2. Construction Science and Management (On-Campus)
Built environments face multiple challenges because of changes in climate, technology, urbanisation, governance, and population dynamics. This course, offered by the University of Lincoln, teaches students to create, improve, and sustain the built environment better. Qualifying for this one-year M.Sc. programme requires a Lower Second Class Honours. The programme structure covers several topics.

• Process Management and Professional Practice
• Advance Construction Law
• Sustainable Building Design, Construction, and Performance
• Project and Contract Risk Management
• Advanced Construction Technology and Innovation

Completing the course will help one enhance their career prospects in various roles, such as a site manager, quantity surveyor, production and performance manager, and BIM manager/coordinator.

3. Construction Project Management (On-Campus)
Offered by University College Birmingham, this on-campus M.Sc. course has two durations: 18 months (full-time) and 30 months (part-time). It provides students with a mix of technical knowledge and managerial competencies required to take on construction projects. To qualify for the course, one may require an honours degree from a recognised institution and a grade classification of 2:2. Those interested can contact the college to learn about the eligibility criteria. The course structure includes several topics one can benefit from.

• Workforce Resource Management
• Legal and Statutory
• Procurement, Tendering, and Bid Management
• Project Management Principles and Strategy
• Sustainability
• Modern Methods of Construction

Students who complete the course can pursue several career paths, such as site and project management, building surveying, and civil engineering.

4. Civil Engineering and Construction Management (Online)
This online course, offered by the University of Derby, covers topics relevant to chartered engineering. It provides a platform for students to acquire in-depth knowledge and practical skills needed to succeed in the industry. A Lower Second Class Honours is the minimum criteria for eligibility. The course covers a broad range of topics.

• Independent Scholarship
• Environmental Risk and Responsibility
• Research Methods
• Application and Evaluation
• Flood Risk Engineering Management

Planning, site management, and quantity surveying are a few career paths one can pursue after completing the course. More specialist roles may include a geotechnical, structural, or highway engineer.

5. International Construction Project Management (Online or On-Campus)
The Glasgow Caledonian University offers this M.Sc. programme to help students develop the skills needed to manage construction projects in the country and overseas. Those who sign up for the course learn about several important aspects of construction management.

• Construction Economics and Procurement
• Management of Safety
• Health and Project Management
• Sustainable Design and Construction
• Construction Contracts and Dispute Management
• Construction Financial Management
• Risk and Value Management

The course also covers other topics that help one work more effectively with international clients and organisations. The academic requirement to sign up is a Lower Second Class Honours. One would need to dedicate a year to the course.

6. Building Information Modelling and Construction Technologies (Online)
This online course offers a full-time option for 12 months and a part-time option for 24 months. Admission requirements may differ, and one would have to check this directly with Middlesex University, which offers the course. The coursework covers topics related to Building Information Modelling (BMI) and construction.

• Techno- preneurship and Lean Construction
• BIM Modelling and Integrated Collaboration
• BIM Principles for New Practice and Heritage
• Sustainability and Smart City Design
• Construction Law and Finance

Upon completing the course, one can pursue several roles, including BIM coordinators or engineers, digital engineers, and technical designers. The university may also help one find placements or employment opportunities through its network with industry companies and partners.

How to choose a course?
Finding construction management courses is straightforward. One can use the internet to see which institutions offer programmes in this field. That said, the internet might provide a long list of results, so one must narrow their choices. Students can shortlist a few options based on their career aspirations and online or on-campus learning preferences.

Considering whether the course has a specialisation is also important. Like other fields, construction management has specialisations like finance and structural design. Those who want to specialise in a particular area usually need to enrol in a master’s programme, which may have certain eligibility criteria and demand long-term commitment.