Higher Diploma in Business in Project Management

Overview

The Higher Diploma in Business in Project Management provides the practical knowledge and skills in the area of project management for learners who wish to upskill or reskill in this area to avail of future employment or further education opportunities. Learners on this graduate conversion programme will benefit from foundational knowledge and skills fundamental to project management in developing projects, understanding the planning, execution, monitoring, control and closure of projects as well as gaining applied skills in IT and the collaborative online tools available to support project management. The programme engenders an awareness of the importance of transferable and cross-enterprise skills and graduates will be able to apply these skills to a range of contexts.

Programme Objectives

The specific programme objectives are to:

• Equip learners with an understanding of the theory and principles underlying the role and management of projects.
• Advance learners with sufficient expertise in the core aspects of project management, and an awareness of key issues.
• Enable learners to relate project management principles, concepts, and theories to a wide range of business and industry settings.
• Ensure learners have a solid understanding of the main frameworks, methodologies, tools and techniques of project management.
• Equip learners with an understanding of the various roles and functions of projects within the wider professional, social, economic and cultural environment.
• Develop learners’ capacity to initiate, plan, implement, monitor, control and close projects and understand the importance of knowledge transfer and legacy management strategies.
• Develop in learners a range of key interpersonal skills, characteristics and attitudes to learners to work professionally, individually and within a project team.
• Cultivate in learners a range of key skills, personal qualities and attitudes essential to support progression to a career in business and project management or to further academic study.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements for the Higher Diploma in Business in Project Management is aimed at learners with the following entry qualifications:

• A Level 8 honours bachelor’s degree in a non-cognate area with a minimum pass classification.
• A Level 7 ordinary bachelor’s degree in a cognate area (cognate areas include business, finance, management).
• Applicants who do not have a Level 8 qualification and who have at least 3 years’ work experience may also be considered through the College’s normal RPL procedures. Relevant professional experience will be taken into account and individuals will be assessed on a case-by-case basis through DBS RPL procedures. Relevant professional experience will be taken into account and individuals will be assessed on a case-by-case basis through DBS RPL procedures.
• Applicants whose first language is not English and who have not previously undertaken a degree taught in English, must provide evidence of proficiency in English language equivalent to B2+ or above on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL). This must be evidenced through a recognised English Language test such as IELTS, Cambridge Certificate or DBS English Assessment. Test certificates should be dated within the last two years to be considered valid.

Teaching and Assessment

The programme will be delivered in an innovative and flexible manner, consisting of lectures, workshops, group work, presentations, blended learning and guest speakers from industry and academia. The programme is aimed at learners who seek an underpinning in key project management theories and concepts as well as project management processes, tools, techniques and skills.

Learners will develop project acumen through formative and summative assessments, which capture the resilience and agility required of graduates in undertaking projects in contemporary and diverse environments. Assessment strategies include case studies, business reports, presentations, reflective journaling, IT simulations and practical lab exams.

Course Content

The Higher Diploma in Business in Project Management has the following content:

• • Creating an Environment for Successful Projects
  • Project Feasibility and Planning
  • Communication in Project Leadership and Team Development
  • Project Management IT Essentials
  • Project Execution
  • Project Monitoring, Control and Evaluation
  • Delivering Change and Innovation
  • Project Management Simulation

Structure

The programme will be delivered across two semesters comprised of twelve weeks each across twelve months. In the part-time mode, the schedule consists of three semesters of twelve weeks across eighteen months.

Semester one comprises a broad overview of project management generally with an overview of the project management lifecycle and an introduction to key frameworks, methodologies, project initiation, feasibility and planning.

Semester two builds on this by covering more advanced modules on project management tools and techniques, collaborative online software and delivering change and innovation. Finally, learners can synthesise their learning in applied skills in a capstone summative assessment – a Project Management Simulation.

Career Opportunities

On completion of this programme, learners will have the competencies to make them suited to a broad range of career and professional development options and progress on the path towards becoming a successful project manager in a wide variety of contexts.

Graduates have the potential to work across numerous industries, for example: ICT, education, banking, finance, engineering and construction and many more.

Some of the roles include:

• • Project Manager
  • Junior Project Manager
  • Associate Project Manager
  • Assistant Project Manager
  • Digital Project Manager
  • Project Coordinator
  • Project Administrator
  • Programme Manager

Fees

The course fees for the next academic year are €7,250. This covers the cost of tuition, registration and examinations.

Visit Us

Open days are a great way to help you make your decision about DBS and learn more about the Higher Diploma in Business. As well as experiencing our outstanding facilities, you’ll have the opportunity to receive personalised advice from academics from your subject area, meet current postgraduate students and also have your questions answered on general subjects such as entry requirements, student support and the admissions process.