MSc in Construction Financial Management (CFM)

Program Details
Award Fully Examined & Awarded by Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Delivery Trent Global College of Technology & Management
Duration 1 and half years
Distributed Learning
Mode
Part Time at evenings
Subjects 8 modules (lecture) in 3 semesters
1) Business Management for Built Environment Professionals [D31BM] -- Coursework 100%,
2) Quantity Surveying Financial Management [D31CF] -- Coursework 30%, Examination 70%
3) Construction Financial Management [D31CG] -- Coursework 30%, Examination 70%
4) People and Organisational in the Built Environment [D31PO] -- Coursework 100%
5) Contracts and Procurement [D31PZ] -- Coursework 30%, Examination 70%
6) Construction Technology [D31TA] -- Coursework 30%, Examination 70% Module Syllabus
7) Value & Risk Management [D31VR] -- Coursework 30%,Examination 70% Please Turn Over
8) Real Estate Management Sustainability [D41AN] -- Essay 50%, Presentation 50%
+ One 20,000-words work-base Dissertation

Assessments All assessments ( Exams and Course-works) by HWU, Written Examination by HWU, Exams administrated &
invigilated by British Council.
Fees Total: $18,900 excludes GST. (Revised without notice)
Payment in 3 equal installments, every 4 months, 2 weeks before commencement of each term.

1st payment 2nd payment 3rd payment Fees Protected by

$6,300 $6,300 $6,300 HSBC Insurance

Registration and eligibility assessment $250 (non refundable)

HWU E-Library, VLE, VPN, Examination and assignment fees: Included
Commitment fee of $1000 upon registration. Once the application has been approved by HWU, it will be converted
as part of the course fee. If the application is rejected, it will be refunded.
Intakes 3 intakes per year: Jan, June, October

Graduation In Edinburgh (Scotland) or Singapore

A relevant Degree with first or second class honours from any recognized University.
Entry
Other equivalent qualification and relevant industries experience may also be acceptable.
requirements
Mature and experienced adults working in relevant industries are considered on Individual merits.

Prestigious Qualification – Fully accredited by RICS and CIOB.

Participants Exposure & expert knowledge on critical aspects in construction project management. Your ‘MBA –equivalent” for
Benefits an all-rounded project management professional.
Networking

Trent Global College of Technology & Management Pte Ltd

12 Prince Edward Road #06-13/14 ,
Bestway
Podium Block B Bestway Building , Singapore 079212.
Campus
Tel: (65) 6372 1464; 6372 1465; Fax: (65) 6372 1460;
Email: info@trentglobal.com; www.trentglobal.edu.sg

17/02/2010
 MSc in CFM -- Module Syllabus
1. Business Management for Built Environment [D31BM]
What is strategy? What is strategic management? How does strategy manifest itself and what does it influence?
a. Exploration of the complexity and difficulty organisations have in developing strategy
b. Strategy ‘Schools of Thought’ – an exploration of the contested nature of the strategy theory
c. The Prisoners dilemma – An exploration of the difficulties of strategising in a contested marketplace
d. The strategic management process; Context and strategy – a recursive relationship
e. Strategic analysis; Forecasting the future – crystal ball gazing
f. Strategy implementation; strategy monitoring and feedback
g. Change Management – context and practice as a recursive relationship
h. Contemporary research on strategy in the built environment
i. Strategic issues in the built environment; Impact of new technology on demand for buildings and Public/Private strategic relationships, i.e.
PFI/PPP
2. Quantity Surveying Financial Management [D31CF]
The main topics which are covered in this module include:
Construction industry roles, responsibilities, organisation and culture, development process, project administration.
Cost Control of buildings, pre and post contract.
Whole Life Costing. Measurement.

3. Construction Financial Management [D31CG]

The importance of financial management and control in contracting, Corporate strategies in construction companies., Financial management at
the company level, Cash flow forecasting (S-curves, net cash flow), Costing (need, cost accounts), Cost and value reconciliation at the project
level, Production of financial accounts for construction companies, corporate analysis and ratio analysis applied in construction, Economic
comparison (present worth, equivalent annual cost, etc), Profitability measurement (NPW, DCY, etc.), Construction Plant financial appraisal
(calculation of plant hire rate, optimum life, etc.), Development appraisal techniques (residual valuation, development valuations using DCF)

4. People and Organisational in the Built Environment [D31PO]

What is management and why is it important for professional practice?
a. Good and bad examples of management and their effect on individuals, organisations and service delivery. A critical evaluation of management
theories.
b. In depth understanding of the complexities of team building, organisational culture, recruitment and selection, staff appraisal, motivation,
leadership, communication, co-ordination, and managing change and diversity.
c. Relevance of management competencies to personal development planning.
5. Contracts and Procurement [D31PZ]
Introduction to Construction Project Procurement; Procurement Arrangement Options; Construction Contract Use in the UK; Principles of
Contract Law; Partnering; Procurement through Public Private Partnerships; Claims; Negotiating; Managing Conflicts and Disputes; Towards
Better Contracting Practices.

6. Construction Technology [D31TA]

The module comprises 7 units. The structure of each unit is designed to give students a basic understanding of the technological theory
associated with specific elements of a building.
Units 1-6 are core to all disciplines. Unit 7 gives students an elective choice, depending on the core degree being studied. Course based upon
commercial buildings.
1. substructure foundations, basements, floor slabs
2. superstructure frames – long-span
3. superstructure frames - high-rise
4. superstructure suspended floors
5. enclosure external façade – masonry/concrete, sheet cladding, glass
6. internal elements partitions, suspended ceilings, raised floors
PLUS one of the following.
7. a) service space provision of space for distribution and maintenance of service
b) construction safety outline of site safety problems and how to control them
c) property appraisal introduction to property surveys and property maintenance

7. Value & Risk Management [D31VR]

VRM and the construction procurement process, An Introduction to Value Management, Value Engineering - Function Analysis and other VE
tools, Risk, uncertainty and the construction industry, Risk and procurement of PPP projects, The Risk Management framework., Sources,
events and effects of project risk. Tools and techniques of Risk Management, Risk response and mitigation, Client Briefing, A Review of North
American Practice.

8. Real Estate Management Sustainability [D41AN]

The module will seek to cover the key aspects of property and asset management having regard to current practice and RICS guidelines upon
relevant competencies.
a. Strategy Management intro and the role of management within surveying
b. Financial management/Sinking funds/service charges; Lease management
c. Marketing and negotiation; physical property management, concepts of obsolescence
d. Buy/lease/outsource decision-making and financial analysis; Real Estate management models; scenario planning
e. International comparison of real estate strategies; Sustainable development, buildings and corporate social responsibility
f. On campus students will embark on a field exercise/trip linked into case studies. Off campus students will work on simulated exercises/case
studies.