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Do you want to develop the skills to excel in roles across the project management sector, but aren’t sure if you’re ready for university study? Then our project management degree with an integrated foundation year might be just the solution you’ve been looking for.
This course has been designed to equip you with the skills to progress to a career in project management, even if you don’t have the academic confidence or qualifications to join a standard undergraduate course. The foundation year is perfect if you need a little extra support to start your journey to higher education, offering study-skills and guidance at every stage.
You’ll then go on to learn contemporary themes and practical skills directly from our team of experienced project management professionals, helping you demonstrate to employers that you possess competence in the latest project management techniques. And, as modern projects are becoming increasingly dynamic and challenging, your studies will have a digital-first focus, giving you the knowledge and critical understanding of business solutions to deliver real impact in the workplace.
Today, project management is used in almost every global sector, including engineering, technology, education, healthcare, events management, community and environmental programmes, tourism, and many more creative and service industries. This means your degree in project management from Arden will provide you with the skills and knowledge to enter the industry of your choice once you graduate, with the ability to make an immediate impact on the design, deployment, and success of a wide range of projects.
Arden's foundation year modules have been designed to give you a tailored and fully supportive introduction to university study. This first year of study will prepare you for success in higher education by introducing you to the academic skills and subject-specific knowledge required to excel in your chosen degree subject.
Because of our extensive industry links in project management, including with member organisations of the UK’s NOVUS Trust network, we’re able to present you with real business problems during your degree. This will allow you to develop a thorough and in-depth understanding of the industry and the real-world challenges you’ll face in your future career. Importantly, you’ll find that the course takes a systematic view to developing your knowledge in project management, with each module building on the skills gained in the previous one, and with interconnected content that helps you accumulate new abilities in a logical sequence.
I have enjoyed doing my master’s here because it’s not like a traditional university where you sit in a classroom and a lecturer talks and you write down everything. I like that when we come here there’s actually a discussion and we do a lot of analysis.
You have 4-12 years to complete this course, meaning you can take up to 3 years to complete each level. Most of our students, however, aim to complete the course within 4-8 years.
Please note: course content and modules may vary subject to validation.
Unlike on more traditional degree courses, you won’t be sitting any exams on this course. Instead, our assessments have been designed to help you apply your learning to real-world scenarios. This means you’ll have the opportunity to align your studies to how you want to help transform project management functions in your future career.
You’ll have the opportunity to apply the theories explored in your modules to real-world business situations, such as the implementation of a live case study or project plan, or building project strategies that demonstrate a high-level of practical, critical, and diagnostic thinking skills.
The course concludes with an independent study assessment which forms your Final Project module. Here you’ll have the opportunity to work on a live topic provided by one of our industry network partners – presenting your findings and solutions to a real-world organisation. This will give you highly advantageous networking opportunities alongside assessment, as you’ll be able to demonstrate your skills and knowledge to potential employers even before you graduate.
As part of your degree studies, you’ll also undertake the internationally recognised PMQ Qualification. Furthermore, the School of Project Management is in the process of gaining APM Recognised Assessments for the Chartered Project Professional (CHPP). This means that once you’ve successfully passed the CHPP assessments, you’ll be eligible to apply for CHPP status. Having these assessments automatically recognised as part of your studies makes your degree at Arden University unique, as to date no other university in the world has achieved this prestigious CHPP alignment as part of an undergraduate degree programme.
Throughout the course you’ll have the opportunity to apply your learning through additional assessments including:
At Arden University we consider applications on a case by case basis. If you have significant work experience, have qualifications you have gained elsewhere, or a degree or qualification that isn't a clear pathway to this degree - we are more than happy to discuss your application.
Our aim is to make learning as accessible as possible by ensuring that you can join us, wherever you are.
That's why we keep our requirements simple. All you need is a laptop or computer (we recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good stable internet connection. With this one tool, you'll be able to access information, advice, support, learning materials and our online library, as well as create assignments, keep notes, and collaborate with other students effectively.
We’ll also support you with getting access to the design resources you need, wherever you study from, including assistance with obtaining any design software you need to successfully complete the course.
To be eligible for the BSc (Hons) Project Management with Foundation Year course, you should normally have:
We also offer an internal English test for applicants who are unable to provide the above evidence of English proficiency. More information can be found here.
Whilst you can read your study materials on your smart phone or tablet, to make the most of your learning experience, you will need access to a laptop or computer (we recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good stable internet connection.
For a limited time only, UK applicants can save £2,000 on the cost of BSc (Hons) Project Management with Foundation Year. To qualify, you need to enrol to start studying with us on our July or October 2023 start dates. Eligible students who take advantage of this offer will have their fee per level reduced to £6,435. Terms and conditions apply.
Arden is your education provider of choice when it comes to real-world project management application. We have programme accreditation from the Chartered Body for the Project Profession (APM), giving you a fast-track route to become a Chartered Project Professional (CHPP). This makes our BSc Project Management truly unique. No other University currently offers APM programme accreditation combined with the CHPP recognised assessments in technical knowledge.
Project management expertise is required in nearly every business and in every sector, so your future career opportunities are almost limitless. Accredited by the Association of Project Management (APM), this degree will give you the skills you need to demonstrate project management expertise, greatly enhancing your current and future career options. You'll also be able to create valuable industry networks whilst studying this course, helped by the strong industry connections of our staff members here at Arden's School of Project Management. Wherever you want to take your career next, your project management degree will provide you with the tools to achieve your ambitions to the fullest.
Our foundation degree course in project management has been carefully designed with your employability in mind, and specifically addresses skills gaps in the industry that have been identified by the APM and other leading organisations. You’ll learn the skills required to be an efficient, knowledgeable, and digitally savvy project manager. And, because the course focuses on the practical application of skills in the real world, you’ll graduate with the confidence to demonstrate your value to employers from your first day on the job. Some key learning outcomes from your studies will include:
During your Foundation Year, you'll get comprehensive support and preparation for your university journey, including:
Introduction and preparation: our Foundation Year courses introduce you to university-level teaching, learning, and assessment methods. You'll develop essential study skills, research techniques, and critical thinking abilities, laying a strong foundation for your degree studies.
Personalised support: our academic staff will guide you throughout your Foundation Year. They'll ensure a smooth transition into your degree programme, providing the support you need every step of the way.
Direct relevance to your future degree: your programme content is carefully designed to align with Arden's degree courses. Studying a Foundation Year will equip you with subject-specific knowledge and interdisciplinary exploration, establishing a solid base for your chosen degree.
Improved degree outcomes: we prioritise not only your academic preparation but also your success. By boosting your confidence, academic skills, and understanding of the subjects, we empower you to achieve the best possible degree outcomes and expand your career opportunities.
You’ll find project management employment opportunities within both public and private sectors across industries such as engineering, construction, IT, events management, healthcare, retail, and transport, as well as in the charity sector, government projects, the creative industries, and many more.
Today, organisations use project management as a way to improve and change business operations to become more efficient and effective. Successful project management is also about managing interdisciplinary teams within diverse organisational structures and across organisations. Having graduated with a complete view of all the stakeholders in any given project management situation and how success is measured, domestic and global organisations alike will appreciate and value your skills and employability assets. Wherever you want to take your career next, this course gives you the knowledge to achieve your ambitions to the fullest. With that in mind, some future roles you might want to consider include:
You can also continue your studies at postgraduate level (e.g. with Arden’s MSc Project Management course), set up your own businesses, or develop into highly lucrative project management consultancy roles.
The Association for Project Management (APM) is committed to developing and promoting excellence in project management. The organisation is the only chartered body for the profession and has over 30,000 members and 500 organisations participating in its partnership programmes.
Arden's BSc Project Management is accredited by the APM, giving you student membership while you study with us. This is your gateway to discovering further training opportunities, free access to resources such as digital libraries and project case studies, and networking opportunities. As a student member, you'll receive a digital badge to display on your social media platforms, such as Linkedin.
Graduating with an APM-accredited degree tells employers that your knowledge meets the latest standards of the sector, helping enhance your future career options. It is also a fast-track route to full membership of the APM, which you can achieve after just 3 years of experience working in the industry.
Our BSc Project Management has also been awarded APM Recognised Assessment status, the first university to achieve this recognition for a BSc Project Management course. That means upon completion of your degree, you’ll be eligible to apply to the APM to become a Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) via the APM’s Route 1, which is for project professionals who have a recognised assessment for technical knowledge. As your technical knowledge is already recognised by completing your degree, you will have completed a large component of the application for ChPP status upon graduation.
Arden University is a member of the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). AACSB International is a global association of leaders in education and business dedicated to supporting and advancing quality business education worldwide.
This membership reflects the fact that Arden University has successfully matched the high standards required by the AACSB, and enables the sharing of ideas and the exchange best practises between global business schools. Membership also gives our faculty members access to in-depth data and research to support the development of our courses and teaching methods, ensuring that we are able to provide you with the best possible university experience.
The BGA is a membership and quality assurance body. As a member, Arden University have signed up to the BGA Charter, committing their institution to responsible management practices and lifelong learning, positively impacting their students, communities, and the economy. This shows our students that we are demonstrating responsible management ourselves, as well as it being a central theme that runs through our own courses.
As Arden University is a member of the Business Graduates Association (BGA), students will receive complementary BGA student and graduate membership. Through this membership, current students will have access to the BGA Career Development Centre, packed with interactive tools, e-learning content, partner discounts and the latest job opportunities. This is a lifetime access, which means students will continue to have access to these services even after they graduate.
