MSc Major Programme Management

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Progress from expert delivery to leadership impact
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Start date:

Duration:

  • 2 years

Time commitment:

  • Part time

Location:

  • Oxford

Cost:

  • £61,630

About the programme

How do you create change and tackle the challenges of complexity and disruption through leading major programmes?

You’re already an experienced project or programme manager, fully capable of delivering promised outcomes and realising the business benefits of these focused, temporary organisations. But against a backdrop of climate change, the push to net zero, technological transformation, and economic and geopolitical uncertainty, you feel that you need to develop your skills further.

Over two years and eight intensive weeks in Oxford, the MSc in Major Programme Management will broaden and deepen your capabilities. It will introduce you to the latest research on programme management, systems thinking, leadership, risk, governance, and more. You will work with a diverse group of fellow students at the cutting edge of organisations and industries worldwide. And you will receive feedback and coaching to ensure that you can turn your new knowledge into effective and impactful action.

The eight modules are:

  1. Designing and managing successful programmes
  2. Systems thinking
  3. Governance and stakeholder leadership
  4. Major programme risk
  5. Research methods
  6. Strategic leadership and programme performance
  7. Major programme impact
  8. Major programme futures

As part of our continuous review process, elements of this programme are subject to change for the 2025 intake. Any modifications to the content will be communicated at the earliest opportunity.

Programme outline, module dates and assessment

Throughout the MSc in Major Programme Management you will build your leadership acumen, systems thinking, stakeholder governance, programme design, and risk management capabilities with an eye towards impact, benefits realisation, and future trends.

Daniel Armanios

BT Professor and Chair of Major Programme Management

Oxford experience

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Oxford is one of the world’s greatest and most famous universities. As an MSc student, you will be a part of it.

You will become a member of one of the University's colleges – the independent interdisciplinary communities of scholars and students located all around the city. You will connect with all kinds of people outside your course, have the opportunity to dine in extraordinary surroundings, and enjoy privileged access to historic buildings and experiences that are unavailable to non-members.

As a student at Saïd Business School, you will network with classmates, faculty, and industry guests, as well as take advantage of a range of speaker events, academic and careers advice sessions, and social occasions. Once graduated, you will automatically become a member of the Oxford Business Alumni network (OBA), offering valuable ongoing networking and learning opportunities with other Oxford graduates worldwide.

Experience Oxford through our students

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Typical class profile

The MSc draws together a truly diverse mix of project and programme managers from many employment sectors and countries.

60

Class size

40

Average age

30

Nationalities

16

Employment sectors

39%

Female students

15

Average years of work experience

Benefits

To you

  • Join a dynamic intellectual community, with access to cutting edge research.
  • Accelerate your career.
  • Stretch yourself with innovative, creative, critical thinking.
  • Leverage collective wisdom: it’s like having 60 industry-leading consultants working with you.
  • Put your learning into practice immediately: leave Oxford on Friday night and make changes at work on Monday.
  • Enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime experience of studying at Oxford.
  • Grow your network with the global, multi-industry Oxford Business Alumni.
  • Elevate your professional journey by joining the Major Projects Association.

To your organisation

  • Retain and develop top achievers and high-potential employees.
  • Improved programme outcomes and risk management.
  • Tap into game-changing research.
  • Address specific organisational challenges in group discussions and the dissertation.
  • Remain a productive and contributing member of the management team.
  • Bring new knowledge and ideas to the business.

I have been able to apply what I've learned to my workplace, using new language and terminology, and implementing changes where necessary. The way I see the bigger picture now and have been able to open my peripheral vision has really benefited what I'm doing and how I'm continuing to influence the organisation.

Emma McDaid

Head of Project Management, Magnox Ltd, UK

Who can apply

The MSc is designed for experienced project and programme managers.

You should have strong academic and professional credentials with over seven years' relevant professional experience.

How to apply
Review my CV

Fees

The full cost of the 2025-2027 programme is £61,630 including:

  • Tuition, lunch, refreshments and one college dinner per module
  • University and College services

Making an impact

Read our class blogs

For the latest insights and views from the classroom, read our class blogs – written first-hand by students and alumni.

Meet us

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We hold one-to-one meetings and information events both in-person and online. These sessions are a great opportunity to find out more about the programme.

Request a consultation

Selected faculty

Oxford Saïd’s outstanding faculty bring access to world-class research, a wealth of industry experience and the ability to present complex concepts and lead high-level executive debate.

Scholarships and funding

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We believe that greater team diversity positively affects the outcome of a project.

We offer two Women's Scholarships to outstanding female candidates from each intake, covering 50% of the total programme fee. This is designed to further support greater diversity within the cohort and increase the flow of talented women into senior roles in the industry.

The Rewley Scholarship, made possible by the generosity of Saïd Business School alumni, is awarded on the basis of academic excellence and covers 50% of course fees. And three Director's Awards, covering up to 50% of the total programme fee, are open to candidates who can effectively demonstrate how they will enhance the diversity of their cohort, as well as exemplify the positive impact this MSc will have on their sector/country/region in the long term.

Major Projects Association

Saïd Business School is proud to be a member of the Major Projects Association. All MSc in Major Programme Management students are eligible to register with the Major Projects Association and enjoy the full range of member benefits.

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