PGDip/MSc
Facilities Management
This programme is designed for practising facilities managers in the private, public and voluntary sectors, including HM Armed Forces. Students develop an advanced understanding of facilities management (FM) at operational, managerial and strategic levels within a business. An appreciation is gained of the strategic concept of FM as the function responsible for devising and managing the business support environment.
The progressive nature of the programme enables students to develop this concept by exploring how the business support environment can be more closely aligned with the constantly changing needs of the business - to the benefit of the business and the facilities manager.
Why study this course?
- Further develop your understanding of FM and gain a well-regarded professional qualification
- Study the application of operational, managerial and strategic FM practice
- Acquire the skills and management expertise to enhance the performance of the business in a sustainable manner
- Progress to Membership of RICS and/or BIFM
Summary
Award:
Postgraduate Diploma or MSc Facilities Management (PGDipFM or
MScFM)
Duration:
2 years to PGDip or 3 years to MSc
Time commitment:
15 hours a week of study for 40 weeks of each year
Application by:
6 January 2014
Course starts:
1 February 2014
Fees:
| PGDip | MSc | |
|---|---|---|
| Total course fee | £8,530 | £12,035 |
| Part 1 | £4,265 | £4,265 |
| Part 2 | £4,265 | £4,575 |
| Part 3 | - | £3,195 |
Award Details
Once you have successfully completed Part 1 you have two options:
- Complete Part 2 with CEM and be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Facilities Management. This will entitle you to use the designatory letters PGDipFM.
- Complete Parts 2 and 3 by transferring to the University of Reading to be awarded the MSc Facilities Management. You will be entitled to use the designatory letters MScFM, or simply MSc. If you should decide, after starting Part 2 (on the MSc route), that you do not wish to proceed to Part 3, then you will be awarded a University of Reading Postgraduate Diploma after successful completion of Part 2, and will be able to use the designatory letters PGDipFM. It should be noted that, while you would be transferring to the University of Reading, you would still be a student of CEM and all the course administration and support would be provided by CEM
If you wish to proceed to the MSc you must register with the University of Reading at the end of Part 1.
Accreditation

The MSc Facilities Management is accredited by RICS. Once you have completed the course you will be eligible to apply for the RICS Assessment of Competence (APC), which leads to Membership. If you have studied a related degree (property or construction) prior to commencing the course, you may be able to apply for the APC before completing the MSc. If this is relevant to you, please ask us for details or make enquiries with RICS. Please note that the Postgraduate Diploma is not accredited by RICS and you cannot register to do your APC concurrently.
The Postgraduate Diploma and MSc Facilities Management are recognised by BIFM as routes to Membership and satisfy the knowledge element of the criteria to become a Certified BIFM Member (CBIFM). Those existing Members of BIFM (MBIFM) who gain the PGDip or MSc are eligible for automatic upgrade to CBIFM upon providing proof of the qualification to the Institute. Those graduates who are not Members, or are Associate Members, will need to demonstrate at least three years' management and FM experience to be eligible for the CBIFM Membership grade, the highest level at which you can directly enter the Institute. To apply, visit www.bifm.org.uk/CEM
Entry requirements
You should have one of the following:
- A first degree or equivalent qualification
- A relevant examined membership of a professional institute
- Sufficient relevant professional experience
The suitability of each candidate will be decided at the discretion of the Course Leader.
Course outline

Part 1 - Fundamental Elements of Facilities Management
Facilities Management - The Overview
concept of facilities management as the integrated and co-ordinated management of people, processes and workplace in direct support of the business.
The Workplace
space planning and management; building technology; commercial property surveys.
Management
management theory essentials; different forms of organisation; psychology of workplace and people; motivation; leadership; behavioural issues; developing people; statistics as a tool.
Financial Management Principles
accounting theory and methods; asset and liability valuations; budgeting and cash flow analysis; decision making based on cost data; industrial, commercial and property finance; ratio analysis; relevance of depreciation.
Legal Studies
English legal framework for FM; basis of contractual and tortious liability; legal estates in land; employment law.
Part 2 - A Co-ordinated Approach to Facilities Management
Information Technology
information systems and technology; types of installation; intellectual property and IT legislation; telecommunications; FM support systems.
Operational Property Portfolio Planning
master planning; action planning; project planning; change management; relocations.
Procurement and Supply Chain Management
basic principles and underlying concepts of purchasing in a corporate environment; introduction to some of the major concepts and techniques involved in the active planning and management of business collaborative relationships.
Corporate Real Estate Management
investment appraisal; property management; payback.
The Facilities Support Services
occupant support services; premises support services; resource decision making.
'Communic8'
a case study comprising four integrated assignments.
Part 3 - Research
Research Methods
qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and methods.
Dissertation
academic research paper of 12,000-15,000 words.
Face-to-face teaching
Optional face-to-face sessions may be held in Reading during your course of study.* Part 1 has five teaching days, including a revision session prior to the examinations. Part 2 has four teaching days, again including a revision session. Part 3 has two dissertation progress and discussion days.
Overnight accommodation is not included as part of these optional sessions.
Other media formats may be offered as an addition/alternative to face-to-face sessions.
Assessment
Part 1: assignments and examinations in each module. Part 2: five modules assessed by examination only and the Communic8 case study module assessed solely through the submission of four integrated assignments. Part 3: coursework only.
Assignments
You will complete and submit assignments according to the timetable of the course as follows:
- Part 1: six assignments
- Part 2: four assignments
- Part 3: two assignments plus a dissertation
Exams
Exams are normally held in November and comprise:
- One 2 -hour and four 1½-hour unseen written examination papers at Part 1
- Five 3-hour unseen written examination papers at Part 2
Dissertation
Part 3 of the MSc programme includes a dissertation of 12,000-15,000 words. This will take the form of an in-depth investigation, usually to test a hypothesis within a contextual framework, and will focus on a practical aspect of a course-related subject.


