Course specification and structure
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PAPUPRPA - Advanced Diploma in Professional Development in Public-Private Partnerships

Course Specification


Validation status Validated
Highest award Advanced Diploma in Professional Development Level Masters
Possible interim awards
Total credits for course 40
Awarding institution London Metropolitan University
Teaching institutions London Metropolitan University
School Guildhall School of Business and Law
Subject Area Professional Courses
Attendance options
Option Minimum duration Maximum duration
Full-time 30 WEEKS  
Distance Learning 30 WEEKS  
Course leader  

About the course and its strategy towards teaching and learning and towards blended learning/e-learning

This course is based on international best practice in both developing successful Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) programmes and delivering new public facilities and services to include theory, policy, strategy and delivery. The learning and teaching strategy will encompass a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and online work. This will include tutor led lectures, student led class discussions and seminar sessions, case studies, individual and group exercises. Students will also be able to engage in site visits of PPP projects. Students will be asked to take part in problem solving activities where theory and models will need to be applied to specific context. They will also be encouraged to draw upon on their own experience of organisations and employment to support the development of relevant knowledge, skills and understanding. Sessions will be supported by web based resources on Weblearn and directed learning activities. Students will be issued with a module handbook, and guidance on readings, most of which will be available through the Learning Centre, others through Weblearn. Students will be encouraged to think holistically both in class and via the assessment strategy, so that an integrated understanding of the syllabus components can be fully appreciated. Emphasis will be placed on project-based competencies, problem solving and continuing professional development.

Course aims


This course focuses on the issues and challenges facing Public-Private Partnership (PPP) professionals both in the public and the private sectors. More specifically it aims to:

1. Provide the opportunity for students to gain a level 7 University award in Professional Development which benefits individuals in occupations concerned with Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to enable them to relate their practical experience to relevant theoretical and empirical research-based ideas and concepts.

2. Develop a sound understanding of the knowledge required by PPP professionals whether in a specialist or a generalist role.

3. Enhance course participants’ awareness of current issues and strategic developments in PPP taking account of the nature and significance of national and international contexts.

4. Enable course participants to design and conduct their own research on a PPP project proposal.

5. Develop course participants’ skills in ongoing continuing professional development necessary for career development and progression.

6. Provide an opportunity for students to engage in a range of PPP specialisms (finance, law, etc.) as well as to examine PPP project management and operational issues.

7. Develop an awareness of the principles that make the difference between success and failure: principles that procuring authorities, project sponsors and those practitioners that advise both should be familiar with before embarking on any programme of PPPs.

8. Understanding the complex arrangements between financiers, lawyers, project managers, engineers, contractors or operators in a PPP.

Course learning outcomes

1. Define and distinguish different forms of PPP, and address the rationale for PPP and the role of government.

2. Define the business case, project scope, requirements and benchmarks.


3. Identify and consider risk categories and explain how risk is allocated.

4. Explain the broad legal framework and tax issues including contractual relationships, terms and schedules, payment mechanisms, contract management arrangements, consequences and liabilities arising at termination and tax reforms.

5. Analyse and explain project funding and sources of equity, mezzanine and debt funding including financial models, perspectives of finance providers, finance structures and the role of role of banks, infrastructure funds and pension funds.

6. Gain awareness of anti-corruption legislation, probity auditing and the Equator Principles (the framework whereby banks can manage environmental and social issues in project financing).

7. Analyse the steps required in procurement, developing tender documentation and the selection and management of advisers.

8. Explain output specifications, performance levels and performance measurement.

9. Develop and appraise projects for PPP procurement, including project suitability and selection of the PPP approach.

10. Write and reflect upon a PPP Business Case (Proposal) including an in-depth consideration of points to be addressed in a formal proposal to obtain Ministry/Ministry of Finance sanction.

11. Draft standard documentation and standard guidance documentation.

Principle QAA benchmark statements

Business & Management

Assessment strategy

All assessment will be by coursework.

The first module FS7048 entitled Public-Private Partnerships: Theory and Practice will be assessed by a piece of coursework that integrates and ensures coverage of the module’s learning outcomes (approximately 5,000 words). This will be submitted on-line in week 15.

The second module FS7049 entitled Developing a Project Proposal for PPP Procurement will be assessed by two pieces of coursework. The first will comprise a research proposal (approx. 1,000 words) to be submitted on-line in week 5. The second assessment will comprise a PPP project proposal and reflection (approx. 4,000 words). This will be submitted on-line in week 15.
Formative feedback (and ‘feedforward’) will take place via class discussions during the block delivery period and by remote tutoring after this has been completed. Summative feedback (and ‘feedforward’) will be provided online through ‘turnitin’ on the pieces of assessed work following established University timelines on feedback to students.

Organised work experience, work based learning, sandwich year or year abroad

This is an executive-level course designed for senior public officials and private sector managers involved in delivering Public-Private Partnership projects and middle managers working in appropriate disciplines in the UK and international markets wishing to develop their understanding of PPP as they engage with PPP projects. As such, course participants will already be engaged in working on or in planning actual projects which can be used as a basis for their work on the course. The module that addresses the production of a PPP project proposal will therefore be carried out primarily in the workplace.

Modules required for interim awards

Students must take two core-compulsory modules: FS7048 Public-Private Partnerships: Theory and Practice and FS7049 Developing a Project Proposal for PPP Procurement.

Arrangements for promoting reflective learning and personal development

This course provides both reflective learning and professional skills development in the context of students’ existing PPP and procurement practice. Students are required to reflect on their own performance in carrying out the research for a project proposal and what they can do as a result to develop the range and depth of their professional competence.

Arrangements on the course for careers education, information and guidance

Participants will have the opportunity to take part in site visits and thus experience first-hand other work environments in addition to their own. Networking opportunities will be available to course participants with others in the field of PPP widening awareness of work/career opportunities.

Other external links providing expertise and experience

The course will provide access to tutors and practitioners working in the field of PPP as well as academics who specialise in particular specialist aspects of PPP. A programme of guest speakers from industry and authors of eminent works is incorporated into the course.

Career opportunities

This course is aimed at middle management professionals and technical specialists who are already working in the area of PPP. It will be of special interest to those employed in procurement and those who have undertaken a CIPS qualification.

Entry requirements

To gain entry onto this course you must have work experience equivalent to experienced middle management.

Official use and codes

Approved to run from 2015/16 Specification version 1 Specification status Validated
Original validation date 04 Jan 2016 Last validation date 04 Jan 2016  
Sources of funding FUNDED ENTIRELY BY STUDENT TUITION FEES
JACS codes
Route code PUPRPA

Course Structure

Stage 1 Level 07 September start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
FS7048 Public-Private Partnerships: Theory and Practice Core 20        
FS7049 Developing a Project Proposal for PPP Procurement Core 20        

Stage 1 Level 07 January start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
FS7048 Public-Private Partnerships: Theory and Practice Core 20        
FS7049 Developing a Project Proposal for PPP Procurement Core 20        

Stage 1 Level 07 June start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
FS7048 Public-Private Partnerships: Theory and Practice Core 20        
FS7049 Developing a Project Proposal for PPP Procurement Core 20