Graduate Diploma in Project Management (Contract Management)

Contracts are at the centre of construction, government and engineering works.

Within these sectors there has been a significant shift towards outsourcing and sub-contracting.

In this environment there is an ever increasing emphasis on understanding, negotiating and administering contracts to deliver the best possible result for all stakeholders.

This unique program is a blend of project management, business and law courses that will help you form a body of knowledge in both project and contract management.

According to the Project Management Institute (PMI), 15.7 million new project management jobs will be available by 2020 in project-intensive industries, including manufacturing, business services, finance and insurance, oil and gas, information services, construction, and utilities.

This degree uses A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBoK® Guide) and other international standards as a framework.

It is the international industry-standard approach to project management that can be applied across different industries, businesses and government institutions.

You will graduate with the skills and knowledge to apply both project and contract management methodology to specific professional field(s) of expertise and work in interdisciplinary project teams.

You’ll also have plenty of opportunities to network, exchange ideas and share experiences with practising project managers as well as other professionals.

This postgraduate degree is offered as part of a suite of four project management programs (graduate certificate, graduate diploma, a 1 ½ year and 2 year master).

Each qualification extends to the next, so you can easily transition to a master level qualification.

At master level, you may choose to complete an additional six months of study to expand your academic knowledge and explore an area of interest within the project management field.

If you decide to exit this degree having completed the first four courses, you will receive the Graduate Certificate in Project Management.

In addition to our campus offerings, we have launched a highly specialised online Master of Applied Project Management (Defence Industries) via OUA.

This qualification is tailor made for defence contractors and defence organisations and provides specialised knowledge and skills to meet the new demands of this industry.

Entry requirements

To be eligible for admission an applicant must hold:

Over the course of this degree you will learn the fundamentals of project and contract management, which will include how to:

• establish a project and prepare project plans to meet objectives and requirements,
• use appropriate strategies to establish, mitigate risk and control the contract process, and
• understand and effectively manage contracts using strategic techniques such as control methods and negotiation.

Your studies will also include courses such as:

• Principles of Project Management
• Contract Law and Management
• Strategic Procurement
• Commercial Contract Management (of construction/civil engineering contracts) *
• Construction Claims and Dispute resolution*

*Please note: Commercial Contract Management and Construction Claims and Dispute Resolution are construction/civil engineering industry focused elective courses.

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects and contribute to online discussion forums. So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12 – 26 hours of study when at university and 14 – 28 hours of independent study per week.

Your studies at UniSA will incorporate practical, professionally-focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:

The University's project management qualifications are endorsed by the Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM), the longest-serving body for project management in Australia. With over 10,000 members they are recognised by Australian business, industry and government as the key promoter, developer and leader in project management professionalism. Students can apply for membership with AIPM and get recognition to apply for Certified Practising Project Practitioner CPPP level. AIPM offers certifications across different career stages.

Many of our lecturers are industry practitioners who apply professional practice, highly relevant industrial experiences and practical case studies to their teaching. You may also discover that most of your peers are mature professionals with considerable and continuing practical experience and insights to share.

Your career

With a Graduate Diploma in Applied Project Management (Contract Management) graduates will advance in their chosen professional field in industries where contracting and subcontracting are key to project delivery. This degree is particularly useful to employees or employers in construction, IT, defence, and STEM related organisations such as:

• Government departments • Defence Contractors • Lead contractors • Project management firms • Research and Pharmaceutical Enterprises • Engineering firms • IT industry • Corporate enterprises • Consulting Firms • Municipal councils • Professional consultancies • Public utilities

Applying to study with us:

• go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
• you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application

Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, tech zones, and areas that simulate real work environments. You’ll also find student gyms and campus sport activities to keep you active. We also offer flexible study options, with online resources available for accessing lecture recordings, virtual classrooms, library resources and learning support.

Adelaide has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation or private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages for plenty of options. If you need somewhere to live, our new student accommodation by urbanest is on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, a perfect location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.

Our student support services can make your life at university easier. We provide a full range of support services including academic and personal counselling. You can also access a range of services through our students association, USASA. When you become a UniSA student you can contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and any other questions you might have.

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with advanced facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments.