Master of Philosophy

Master of Philosophy (MPhil) Infrastructure, Planning, Procurement and Finance Built Environment Research Degree

Never Stand Still

Built Environment

The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Infrastructure, Planning, Procurement and Finance at UNSW Built Environment is an innovative new post-professional masters degree. It is a research degree that includes a coursework component designed to help you develop research techniques in your chosen area. The Infrastructure, planning, procurement and finance stream is designed to create leaders in the urban transformation of our cities.

Efficient infrastructure lies at the heart of any globally competitive economy and the cities that drive those economies. Recent research shows that Australian cities are facing major infrastructure challenges and that infrastructure constraints are damaging Australia’s international competitiveness. More integrated and efficient approaches to infrastructure planning, procurement and finance underpin better partnerships between the public and private sector and will be an important mechanism to address these challenges.

This mutidisciplined degree teaches you to plan, develop and implement these effective partnerships.

Master of Philosophy in Infrastructure Planning, Procurement and Finance There is widespread agreement in industry that there is a need for new multidisciplinary study options which provide an integrated and holistic learning experience and which bring together leading practitioners and academics in infrastructure planning, procurement and finance.

As a student you will build your understanding of how to plan, develop and implement effective partnerships around infrastructure planning, procurement and finance for the public and private sector within the context of enabling more effective, productive and equitable communities and cities. In contrast to other infrastructure courses in Australia, students will be encouraged to engage with the social, cultural, political, economic, environmental and community interests within which infrastructure decisions sit, and the far-reaching implications of major infrastructure projects in the urban environments directly and indirectly impacted by those decisions.

Under the supervision of some of Australia’s leading built environment academics, the MPhil provides you with the opportunity to undertake research in this area either through the completion of a written thesis or as a research by design thesis.

Program Structure Master of Philosophy (2222) Infrastructure, Planning, Procurement and Finance 3 semesters, 1.5 years full time A total of 72 units of credit (UOC) is required.

The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) is a research degree that has a coursework component and a major research project.

Coursework component (18 UOC) Research seminar (6 UOC) Specified MPhil course: Infrastructure, Planning, Procurement and Finance (6 UOC) Elective from Built Environment postgraduate coursework program (6 UOC) Major Research Project (54 UOC) The thesis is a written dissertation typically 40,000 words maximum or a combined submission, comprising a design component and a written dissertation.

Core Courses

How to Apply

Research Seminar This course provides a basic understanding of designing a research project, with a focus on research design and an introduction to a range of research methods used in built environment disciplines.

The course is taught in intense-block mode with concentrated periods of instruction.

The minimum requirement for the Master of Philosophy is an appropriate undergraduate degree, usually at honours level, in a field represented within UNSW Built Environment, or another appropriate discipline.

Infrastructure, Planning, Procurement and Finance Increasing Australia’s global competitiveness will depend critically on the efficient procurement, finance, delivery and management of effective and high quality social and economic infrastructure. Experts from industry, government and academia will work with students to critically explore best practice from around the world in social and economic infrastructure planning, procurement and finance. Topics to be covered include domestic and international infrastructure markets and challenges; understanding the transformative role of new infrastructure design and delivery to growth, urban consolidation and renewal; the role of government in infrastructure planning and provision; project service definition; business case/ feasibility; financing structures; procurement options and processes; tendering processes; public sector comparator and other ways of assessing value; delivery; commercial principles; risk management and; contract management.

To apply for the MPhil visit be.unsw.edu.au and complete the research degree expression of interest form. Completed forms should be sent to Christine Steinmetz, Director of Postgraduate Reseach, at c.steinmetz@unsw.edu.au or call +61 2 9385-7417.

Application close dates: Semester 1, 2014: 28 November 2013 Semester 2, 2014: 30 May 2014 Late applications may be accepted.

Scholarships

AGSU Scholarships, valued at $20,000 each, have been established to encourage high achieving domestic applicants to undertake studies in the new Master of Urban Policy and Strategy program and the new Master of Philosophy steams of Housing Policy and Finance, Writing the City, Infrastructure Planning, Procurement and Finance, and Design Research.

Visit be.unsw.edu.au for more information on the MPhil including eligibility, how to apply, and AGSU scholarships.

Infrastructure Planning, Procurement and Finance is led by Martin Locke Martin Locke joins UNSW with over 30 years of experience advising government and the private sector on the procurement and financing of large, complex infrastructure projects. He is one of Australia’s leading infrastructure finance specialists having worked on projects since 1990 and has closed high profile PPPs in the transport, health and education sectors. He joined PwC in 2001 after a 23 year successful career in investment banking with the Deutsche Morgan Grenfell group and is the partner leading PwC’s infrastructure advisory practice in Sydney. He has global experience having worked in London, Sydney, Singapore and Johannesburg.

AGSU As cities grow more complex there is a gap in the number of leading thinkers on urban issues. With the establishment of AGSU, the Australian Graduate School of Urbanism, this gap is closing. With more research capacity in urban issues than anyone else, AGSU is an Australian leader in this area.

Professor Alan Peters AGSU Director, Deputy Dean UNSW Built Environment

Our research degrees offer specialised streams including Housing Policy and Finance, Writing the City, Infrastructure Planning, Procurement and Finance, and Design Research. We also offer a range of specialised post-professional degrees in Sustainable Development, Urban Development and Design, and Urban Policy and Strategy.

Our interdisciplinary research ensures that our graduates will have the intellectual capacity to see the whole picture, drawing from multiple points of view to make confident and informed decisions. It is this broad knowledge base that means our students are unafraid of risk taking, because they know that this is where creative solutions thrive. The end result is a new era of graduates who are drivers of change, analytical thinkers and future leaders.

As we evolve, AGSU will continue to be flexible, practical and adaptable, offering educational and research solutions that speak to the major issues facing cities and development, both in Australia and the world.

AGSU is the research engine of the Faculty of Built Environment at UNSW, engaging in rigorous research that is connected in every way, from public conversation and links with industry and community, to the way we conduct our research.

CRICOS: 00098G