Frequently Asked Questions
General
Am I allowed to return to my home during the programme?
Are there facilities for Religious observance?
Can I transfer from another University?
Can I work part-time whilst I am studying?
Do I have to buy a computer or special software to take the programme?
What are the fees for programmes?
What is the cost of accommodation?
What sort of pastoral support is provided?
Where can I find out about the term/semester dates?
Will I have to purchase a lot of books to do the programme?
Postgraduate Programmes: Pre-application
Are there accreditations for the programmes?
How do I obtain an application form or apply online?
How long does the programme last?
How long have the programmes been running?
How many females are on the courses?
Where can I find out about English Language requirements to take the programme?
Where can I find out about scholarships and bursaries?
Why should I apply for an MSc degree in your School?
Will I get a good job after graduating?
Will the School be able to help me to find a job after my degree is completed?
Postgraduate Programmes: Post-application
Can I attend lectures for modules for which I am not registered?
Do I have to take all the modules available?
How do I know which modules to select for the part-time programme?
How do I obtain a distinction for my degree?
How do I select a research project?
What happens if I do not pass all my modules?
What is the pass rate like for the programmes?
What is the structure of the MSc programmes?
When are coursework assignments due?
Who do I see if I have an academic related problem?
General
Q: Am I allowed to return to my home during the programme?
This is possible for limited periods only, if the student does not have any lectures ongoing. This can only be done with the consent of the Programme Tutor.
Q: Are there any part-time degree programmes, distance learning programmes or work-based distance learning programmes?
There are currently no part-time or distance learning undergraduate degree programmes in the School.
There are postgraduate opportunities: the MSc Construction Management, MSc Construction Project Management and MSc Construction Business Management programmes are offered as part-time programmes. WEDC (Water Engineering and Development Centre) offers distance learning programmes and short courses: http://wedc.lboro.ac.uk/learn/learn300.html.
Q: Are there facilities for Religious observance?
Yes, visit http://www.lboro.ac.uk/service/chaplaincy for more information.
Q: Can I transfer from another University?
Transfers from other academic institutions are available at undergraduate level. They are treated on an individual basis and will depend on the programme requirements of the programme you wish to transfer to, the programme requirements of the programme you wish to leave and the examinations you have passed already. You will need to speak directly with the programme director.
Transfers are not available for postgraduate programmes.
Q: Can I work part-time whilst I am studying?
The School does not encourage its students to work whilst they are enrolled on the programme. The workload is very high with a number of assignments that have to be submitted on time.
Q: Do I have to buy a computer or special software to take the programme?
No, there is no need to purchase a computer specifically for use on the programme. The university and School offer excellent computer facilities, many of them open 24 hours. We also provide access to all the software you will need during your study period.
Q: What are the fees for programmes?
Details of all fees can be found at: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/funding/.
Q: What is the cost of accommodation?
Accommodation costs can be found through the link below. Accommodation at Loughborough is split between on-campus and off-campus. The Residential Organisation is responsible for allocating places on-campus and the off-campus accommodation is facilitated by the on-line housing database.
There is accommodation for P/Gs only at Forrest Court but P/Gs may also apply to Falkner/Eggington and David Collett Halls where accommodation is shared between U/Gs and P/Gs.
Further details can be found at http://accommodation.lboro.ac.uk/.
Q: What sort of pastoral support is provided?
Each student is nominated a member of the academic staff as a Personal Tutor. This person meets with the student on a regular basis to ensure that the student's progress is satisfactory and to discuss academic-related problems that may impair students' performance.
Q: When are examinations held?
Semester 1 examinations are held during the last three weeks of January.
Semester 2 exams are held during the last week of May and the first two weeks of June.
Q: When do we get our results?
Semester 1 results are available from the last week in February.
Semester 2 results are available from the first week in July.
The MSc degree results are available in mid-November.
Q: Where can I find out about the term/semester dates?
These are available at
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/calendar/dates/index.htm.
Q: Will I have to purchase a lot of books to do the programme?
Each lecturer will let you know which texts, if any, need to be purchased. We have a well stocked library that has numerous copies of the texts used. However, if you believe a certain text will be useful to you later on, we would recommend that you purchase that text.
Postgraduate Programmes: Pre-application
Q: Are there accreditations for the programmes?
The MSc programmes in Construction Management and Construction Project Management have RICS accreditation.
Q: How do I obtain an application form or apply online?
Application forms are available either by post or online. Please send us an email with your postal address if you wish to receive it by post. Otherwise please see the following website to download the electronic application form: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/prospectus/pg/apply/.
Q: How long does the programme last?
The programme is full-time over a twelve-month period from the end September/beginning of October until mid September of the following year.
Q: How long have the programmes been running?
The Construction Management programme has been running for over 40 years.
The Construction Project Management programme has been running for 15 years.
Q: How many females are on the courses?
It is difficult to give a precise figure as numbers change each year. On average, there are about 10%. There are fewer females than males but an increasing number of females are being attracted to these programmes.
Q: What is the difference between the MSc Construction Management, MSc Construction Business Management and MSc Construction Project Management programmes?
All programmes have the same modules in Semester 1 to allow for a diverse background and bring all students up to a common understanding of how projects are managed. In Semester 2 each of the three programmes focuses on a different area.
The Construction Management programme provides students with the maximum flexibility in their choice of study area; modules may be selected from different option groups. The Construction Project Management programme provides students who wish to move into more project management roles and would like a holistic view of construction projects – from inception to handover. The Construction Business Management programme provides students with more strategic management skills for handling project teams, legal and economic issues that affect projects and businesses.
Q: Where can I find out about English Language requirements to take the programme?
This can be found at http://lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/international/prospective/englishlang/pgt/index.htm.
Q: Where can I find out about scholarships and bursaries?
University scholarships and bursaries: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/funding/pg/international/index.htm.
School Bursaries: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/funding/pg/international/cv/index.htm.
Q: Why should I apply for an MSc degree in your School?
Because we are very good at what we do and we have been delivering MSc degrees in this area since 1965. We are one of the leading multi-disciplinary construction Schools in the UK. UK University Schools are judged by both the quality of their teaching and their research track record. At the last Teaching Quality Assessment the School was awarded the score of 22 out of 24. In addition, the programmes are taught by staff belonging to the Built Environment Group. This group was awarded a 5* in the last Research Assessment Exercise, one of only two awarded in the UK for the Built Environment.
Q: Will I get a good job after graduating?
This depends on many factors in addition to the degree classification you have obtained. What we can say is that our Alumni do hold high positions within the construction and allied industries. Visit their site:
http://www.lboro-alumni.org/.
Q: Will the School be able to help me to find a job after my degree is completed?
The School provides tuition and supervision towards the award of your degree. It takes no responsibility for finding work, either temporary or permanent for students. However, through visiting lecturers and the research project period, it does provide ample opportunity to build up contacts within the UK construction industry.
The University also has an extensive Careers Office and can offer advice and contacts. See their site.
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/service/careers/section/careers_service/welcome.html.
Postgraduate Programmes: Post-application
Q: Can I attend lectures for modules for which I am not registered?
No, module numbers are carefully controlled and it is unfair for both the lecturer and the other students if other students attend the sessions out of interest only.
Q: Do I have to take all the modules available?
We have a broad range of modules covering a wide range of interests and specialisations. Each taught module consists of 15 credits. Students must take a total of 120 taught credits (i.e. 8 modules) and a compulsory research project that accounts for 60 credits. Of the taught modules, students are recommended to take four modules each semester. For further details, see the MSc Construction Management programme structure, the MSc Construction Project Management programme structure or the MSc Construction Business Management programme structure.
Q: How are the modules assessed?
Modules are assessed either by coursework only or by a combination of examination and coursework. There tends to be an overall balance for the programme of 50% coursework and 50% examination.
Q: How do I know which modules to select for the part-time programme?
The Programme Director will be able to advise you, based on your own requirements. However, as a rough guide, this document may assist: Part-time MSc Module Selection.
Q: How do I obtain a distinction for my degree?
The MSc degrees can be awarded with a Distinction. To obtain a distinction, students should have an average of around 70% for all their modules.
Q: How do I select a research project?
At the beginning of the academic year, staff present a list of projects that they are willing to supervise. Students can then choose one of these projects on a first come-first served basis. Alternatively, if students have a specific project in mind, they may consult a member of the academic staff about that topic.
Q: What happens if I do not pass all my modules?
There is some leeway. Students have to take 180 credits for an MSc but are required to gain credits (i.e. marks above 50%) in 150 credits and pass another 30 credits at 40% or more. If students obtain less than 30% in any module, they have the right to be re-assessed in that module during the Special Assessment Period (SAP). This tends to happen at the end of August/beginning of September.
Q: What is the module pass mark?
To pass the module and obtain credits for the module, students must achieve a combined total (coursework and examination) mark of 50% for the module.
Q: What is the pass rate like for the programmes?
The vast majority of our students successfully obtain their MSc degrees without any problems. Each year there may be only one or two students who have to be reassessed.
Q: What is the structure of the MSc programmes?
Loughborough University operates on a semester basis with two semesters each consisting of 15 weeks. Semester 1 starts at the end of September or beginning of October. We then teach for 11 weeks before Christmas. All Semester 1 modules are taught for three hours per week over the 11 week period. After Christmas, week 12 is used for revision followed by three weeks during which Semester 1 exams are held.
Semester 2 starts immediately after week 15 of Semester 1 (usually beginning of February) and consists of a number of one-week block modules for 11 weeks. That is, all modules start on Monday 9am and are continuous until Friday 5pm. Again, week 12 is for revision and weeks 13 to 15 for examinations.
Q: When are coursework assignments due?
Coursework assignments are submitted throughout both semesters. On average students are given 3 to 4 weeks to complete their assignments. A coursework schedule is issued at the start of each semester so that students can manage their time effectively.
Q: Who do I see if I have an academic related problem?
In the first instance, use the Contact Details page for your course to identify the Programme Director, Admissions Tutor or Programme Administrator.
