Erasmus Mundus Masters Courses

MSPME
Masters in Strategic Project Management
Duration: 1 year 4 months

Course description:
This Master’s Course offers a balanced programme of professional training informed by the most recent
research in the field of strategic project management. Over a 16-month full-time study period, students
develop a systematic understanding of strategic project management and acquire a critical awareness of
the contemporary, pervasive issues concerning this subject, both in the academic field and in professional
practice.

The universities involved in the consortium are Heriot-Watt University (United Kingdom), Politecnico di
Milano (Italy), and Umeå University (Sweden). Students of the Course will learn to understand and evaluate
a comprehensive range of research techniques used in strategic project management. With these tools,
they will be able to critically evaluate the development and use of strategic project management in business
and management. Students will also carry out original research on this topic by completing a Master's
Thesis.

The course is developed around three interconnected themes: strategy, control and integration, which
reflect the core strengths of each participating University. During the first study period, Heriot-Watt
University (School of Management and Languages) provides a high-level background in project planning,
strategy formulation, and implementation in organisations. In the second study period, Politecnico di
Milano(MIP Business School) focuses on the function, purpose, creation and management of appropriate
control mechanisms in strategic projects. During the third study period, at Umeå University (Umeå School of
Business), students enhance their learning with an integrated and research-based approach to strategic
thinking and project management, completing two integrated modules and a Master's thesis.

Courses will be taught in English. Students also have access to a 12 week English language training (at
Heriot-Watt University); 2 month Italian language course (at Politecnico di Milano); and an introductory
Swedish course (at Umeå University). The class size is around 30-35 students, with a professor/student
ratio of between one professor to five students and one professor to eight students.
The degree offered is a multiple degree, awarded by the universities at which the student studies. The
transferable skills acquired will enhance students' employability, particularly in middle-to-senior strategic
and business-related positions in a wide range of public and private organisations. Students will also be
prepared for future academic research and lifelong learning, in addition to the impact the degree will have
on their personal development.

Selection is competitive and emphasises academic performance and credentials. The minimum admission
criteria are a high-quality Bachelor degree (or an equivalent academic degree), excellent English language
ability, and relevant professional experience. Candidates’ first degrees should be in a relevant discipline, or
in a semi-cognate discipline (for example in business and management, or science and engineering).

Website: http://www.mspme.org/

Partners:
Heriot-Watt University, United Kingdom (Co-ordinating Institution)
Politecnico di Milano, Italy
Umeå University, Sweden

Contact:
Amos P Haniff
Heriot-Watt University
Edinburgh EH14 4AS, UNITED KINGDOM
A.Haniff@hw.ac.uk

Grant:
1 028 200 € (15 000 € consortium + 1 013 200 € scholarships), 2006
1 086 400 € (15 000 € consortium + 1 071 400 € scholarships), 2007
814 600 € (15 000 € consortium + 799 600 € scholarships), 2008
707 800 € (15 000 € consortium + 692 800 € scholarships), 2009