INTERNATIONAL CONSTRUCTION

MANAGEMENT
bcit.ca/icm

Table of Contents
Overview 3
Program Structure

Start Dates, Assessment and Support

Program Fees

About the Program Fees

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Overview
The University of Bath and BCIT developed a partnership to offer the University of Baths 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 costeffective way to acquire a masters 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.
UNIVERSITY OF BATH

BRITISH COLUMBIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

The University of Bath is situated on the fringes of the UKs

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 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.
BCITs strong linkages with the industry sector, together with
the selection of tutors, will bring a North American focus to
the program.

The Universitys 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.

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 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 Technology

WHY WAS THIS PROGRAM DEVELOPED?

WHO IS IT FOR?

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.

The program is designed for mid-career professionals in

the construction industry, located anywhere in the world,
and especially for:

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 industrys 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.

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>> 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

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 UKs 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
British Columbia Institute of Technology

Program Structure
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 Time

There 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.
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Having spent a lifetime in construction, its an honour to

be associated with the University of Bath in the pursuit
of a postgraduate degree in Construction Management.
Ive 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. Ive also particularly enjoyed
interacting with my classmates during residentials.
Im very proud of my association with the University
of Bath and have no reservations in extolling the virtues
of this fine institution.
John Royle
Masters Degree in Construction Management

Start Dates, Assessment and Support

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 AWARDS

Assessment 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 postsecondary 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 15,00018,000 words in length.

British Columbia Institute of Technology

SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE

Other sources of support available to you include the following:

Candidates 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.

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.

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.

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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 Baths
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.

Program Fees
Tuition may be paid for in five installments. Program start can
be May or December.
Installment Item(s) Covered
Application Fee

Amount

Due Date
(Dec. start)

$300

With application
submission

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.

$4,800
Administration Fee
1st Residential, Canada
Units 1 and 2

October 15th

Units 3 and 4

$3,500

1 month prior to
start of study

ACCESS (PRE-ENTRY) ROUTE

2nd Residential, Bath

and Elective units (2)

$4,300

1 month prior to
start of study

Units 5 and 6

$3,500

1 month prior to
start of study

Dissertation

$1,750

1 month prior to
start of dissertation

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.

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.

$4,800 in full.

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)

British Columbia Institute of Technology

About the Program Fees

PROGRAM FEES POLICY
The 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 students 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 COSTS
The Universitys 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 DEFER
The 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 REGISTRATION

If 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

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program fees applicable at the time of acceptance less the full

amount of the fees that you have paid as a CPD student.

FEE CHANGES
The 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.

REFUNDS
Application 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 TIMETABLE
When 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.

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 Assistant
MSc International Construction Management
British Columbia Institute of Technology
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, British Columbia
Canada, V5G 3H2
Credit Card payment accepted by phone or
fax (604.434.8553).

CONTACTS
Pilar Bonilla, PEng, MEng, MBA, Program Head
604.453.4016
pbonilla@bcit.ca
Susan Kong, BSc, Program Assistant
604.451.6842
Susan_Kong@bcit.ca

British Columbia Institute of Technology 11

BRITISH COLUMBIA
INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

3700 WILLINGDON AVENUE

BURNABY, BRITISH COLUMBIA
CANADA, V5G 3H2
bcit.ca/icm

MCD 2047