Overview

The MSc in Facility and Environment Management, FEM, covers the provision and management of facilities and services to support high performing organisations. Sustainable FM is a key focus of the course. UCL has the only programme where environmental issues have always been an integral part of the course.

The learning mode balances interactive, small group discussion, lectures, visits and self-directed work. Bartlett staff are assisted by distinguished external contributors to achieve a multi-disciplinary perspective.

Established in 1992 as the first MSc course in Facility Management in England, the course attracts facility professionals with a variety of experience and backgrounds from all levels of management across a variety of sectors - office, healthcare, retail, education, sports and residential. Past graduates of the course have found that the MSc has a direct impact on:

• Positive career opportunities through promotion and increased managerial responsibilities

• Increased earnings

• Internationally recognised and accredited academic qualification

In 2010, the course became global, with parallel programmes delivered in London and Singapore. The BCA Academy Singapore has partnered with UCL to deliver a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Facility and Environment Management, in Singapore. UCL at the BCA Academy provides an outstanding and distinctive environment for graduate study. Students in the two locations will have opportunities to meet virtually and share leading edge perspectives on green FM.

The course has extensive links with professional bodies particularly BIFM, CIBSE, RICS, with building occupiers and facility management suppliers, and draws on the latest developments in expertise and ideas that are leading developments in the FM field. The FEM advisory board of distinguished people drawn from public and private sectors, ensures that the programme responds to current opportunities and challenges.

The course is accredited by:

• the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The RICS provides free student membership to those joining the course for the duration of their studies.
• the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM)

The course is also affiliated with the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE).

Contact details:
Teaching Programme Manager, send an email

Structure

The MSc in Facility and Environment Management addresses the concern of the use and performance of buildings and support services over time. Its core focus is the effective planning, design, management, maintenance and adaptation of building stock, to function appropriately and efficiently to meet specified needs. The primary aim of the programme is for students to achieve an integrated understanding of the basic knowledge and operational skills required for the good management of buildings, their environments, facilities and support services.

The programme will be taught part-time over two years. The programme content consists of eight taught modules (120 credits), and an extended piece of original research resulting in a written research report of 10,000 words (60 credits). The modules, each worth 15 credits, have ten learning sessions each, including study visits, and comprise six core and two optional modules.

The venue for both classrooms and lab training will be the premises of the BCA Academy, 200 Bradell Road, Singapore 579700

Provisional dates for 2012/2013:

Induction: 19 Sep 2012

Introduction to Facility Management BENVGFEK
Block taught, 19 Sep - 22 Sep 2012
Module tutor: Peter McLennan

Management Concepts for Facilities BENVGFEL
Evening lectures via video link, fortnightly, Oct - Dec 2012
Module tutor: Professor Michael Pitt

Environment Management and Sustainability BENVGFEM
Block taught, 2 Jan - 5 Jan 2013
Module tutor: Ljiljana Marjanovic-Halburd

Space and Work Place Management BENVGFEO
Block taught, 13 Feb - 16 Feb 2013
Module tutor: Professor Alexi Marmot

Dissertation
Four Wednesday evening briefings via video link, May 2013

Dates for the following year will follow a similar pattern. The Research Report will be due by mid-September two years after embarking on the programme. A graduation ceremony will be held annually.

Content

Course Delivery

The programme will be delivered through blended learning, a combination of face-to-face and distance-learning modes. Five modules will be taught in four-day block, face-to-face sessions at the BCA Academy by UCL staff. Typical timing will be all day Wednesday through Friday and a half-day on Saturday. Three modules will be taught predominantly through distance-learning delivery, with students meeting every two weeks in the early evening, at the BCA Academy.

Distance-learning options will include:

• live video-link sessions with the London-based staff and students;

• interactive sessions including live quizzes;

• individual tutorials delivered online via email and Skype (telephone and videophone);

• shared discussion/chat site for all students in London and Singapore;

• FMExchange sessions (optional) to be recorded in London

Face-to-face teaching options will include:

• seminal lectures

• small group discussions

• workshops with hands-on exercises

• practical site visits to leading facilities in Singapore

• networking lunch

Core Modules

Introduction to Facility Management BENVGFEK
This module introduces participants to the background of facility management, its scope, intentions and value. Futures in Facility Management are considered, including the evolving structure of the industry professional development and integrating effects of environmental issues. Study and research methods are addressed.

Management Concepts for Facilities BENVGFEL
Organisational behaviour will be explored in this module. Contemporary concepts in management, techniques and approaches for managing quality, risk and strategy are also covered.

Environment Management and Sustainability BENVGFEM
This module is concerned with the management of energy and other sustainability issues within the remit of the facility manager. This includes issues such as climate change compliance, carbon foot-printing and environmental management accreditation schemes.

Service Operations Management BENVGFEN
Service operations management is used as a framework for analysing soft and hard service provision. This framework is used to explore maintenance and systems elements and their management.

Space and Workplace Management BENVGFEO
This module outlines the key issues related to managing the spatial resource of organisations. This includes operational issues such as: the development of space standards, relocation management and space planning.

Facility Management Law BENVGFEP
This module is concerned with the practical issues related to the management of statutes, in employment, health and safety, environmental and contract law.

Optional Modules (pick two only)

Sustainable Facility Management Operations BENVGFES
The module equips Facility Managers with the knowledge and skills to identify and implement sustainable improvement measures and technology in existing buildings.

Efficient Building Services Systems BENVGEE6
The module deals with energy & carbon emission implications of the selection, operation and control of heating & cooling systems in buildings.

Social Dimensions of Sustainability BENVGEE9
This module explores how architectural and engineering decisions can deliver a more sustainable built form. It aims to enhance the understanding of the complex relationships between built environment, individuals, communities and society.

Dissertation

MSc Research Report (60 credits) BENVGBE4
Students are required to submit a 10,000 word report on a subject agreed with the Programme Director. The topic typically is selected from live problems that need to be addressed by the company sponsoring the student. Both student and company should benefit from the investigation and conclusions.

Assessment

In addition to the MSc Research Report (60 credits), the assessment for each module is a written report of up to 2,500 words. Furthermore, two modules (4 and 6 in the list above) are also assessed through a 2-hour long closed-book written examination. All exams take place in May.

Award

Participants who satisfy the assessing requirements of the respective modules and their dissertations will be awarded the degree of Master of Science in Facility and Environmental Management. Such award, including the transcripts, will be the same as those conferred for studies on campus at UCL. A Postgraduate Diploma will be awarded to students who successfully pass only the taught modules. A Postgraduate Certificate will be awarded to students who successfully pass half the taught modules.

Staff

Dr Ljiljana Marjanovic- Halburd - Course Director
Module tutor: Environment Management and Sustanability BENVGFEM, Facility Management Law BENVGFEP
Send Ljiljana an email

Professor Alexi Marmot
Module tutor: Space and Workplace Management BENVGFEO
Send Alexi an email

Peter McLennan - Senior Lecturer
Module tutor: Introduction to Facility Management BENVGFEK, Facility Management Law BENVGFEP
Send Peter an email

Dr Fuzhan Nasiri - Lecturer
Send Fuzhan an email

Professor Michael Pitt
Module tutor: Management Concepts for Facilities BENVGFEL, Service Operations Management BENVGFEN
Send Michael an email

Other UCL academic staff will be involved in teaching aspects of the course.

Guest lecturers from Singapore will be invited to make presentations on specific topics throughout the course.

Applying

Please click through to the UCL graduate prospectus page for this course, from where you can find information on application fees, eligibility, tuition fees, scholarships, and then complete the online application process.

Applicants should also review the faculty specific admissions information and the FAQ on admissions.

Applications

In order to accommodate the collaborative requirements of BCA and UCL, applications will first be sent in hard copy to BCA, and will then be forwarded to UCL for selection. Note that the electronic version of the application form cannot be submitted for this programme. The preliminary deadline for receipt of applications and all accompanying material for 2012/13 is 24th of May 2012.

Students will be notified of the success of their application by mid July 2012.

An application form can be downloaded here. (PDF, 119KB)

Entry Requirements

The minimum academic qualifications for entry are a second-class Bachelor’s degree from a UK university or an international qualification of an equivalent standard. A second acceptable qualification is a degree of lower than second class honours standard however, as the programme is designed to enhance the knowledge base of practitioners in facility management, it is necessary for candidates to have some knowledge, demonstrable competence, and a skill set related to facility management practice, in addition to the academic requirements. A third acceptable qualification is membership in a UK professional institution.

Applicants without a first degree or full professional membership, who have substantial work experience in facility management, may be admitted after passing a special qualifying examination.

Fees

The programme fee for the two year programme is SGD $32,500 (excluding GST) before subsidy. The programme fee may be paid in 4 instalments. In addition, a one-time non-refundable application fee of SGD 50 (before GST) will have to be paid at the point of application.

Opportunities

The majority of FEM graduates from UCL are engaged at a senior level in Facility Management operations, consultancy or design. Some students have used the MSc as a foundation for subsequent MPhil/PhD research. There is clear evidence that the course has helped participants to:

• improve career prospects,
• extend personal skills and decision making capabilities while continuing to work,
• achieve an internationally recognised qualification, accredited by RICS, CIBSE and the BIFM,
• keep ahead of developments in the facility and property management field.

Graduates from the course report career benefits which include:

• salary increases between 10-100% on completion of the course,
• accelerated promotion, typically 3 to 5 years ahead of previous expectations,
• access to senior position interviews and opportunities,
• mid-career opportunities to change direction or sector,
• professional recognition by employers and clients in the UK and worldwide.