CEM prospectus 2024 - 2026

Construction Engineering Masters
Equipping leaders to transform the construction sector
2024–2026 PROSPECTUS
The CEM programme was launched in 2011 with industry partner Laing O’Rourke to fulfil a shared vision of
transforming the construction industry through innovation, education and technology.

Welcome
Contents
Why participate? 5
About the programme 6
Key learning objectives 9
Academic and industry involvement 10
Participants 12
Dates and fees 13
How to apply? 14
The Construction Engineering Masters (CEM) is a
part-time Master of Studies degree programme
uniquely aligned to help tackle the widely recognised
challenges facing the construction sector. Participants
in the programme are equipped with the skills, tools,
knowledge and inspiration to lead and deliver a positive
transformation of the sector now and into the future.
The programme explores the key challenges for the
sector including productivity, creating value through
innovation, particularly digital, delivering greater social
value and attracting diverse talented people. The CEM
overlays these challenges with the urgent need to
decarbonise buildings and infrastructure in the face of
the climate crisis.
The CEM provides a unique opportunity to galvanise the
efforts of talented students, sponsoring companies and
some of the brightest academics to drive meaningful
change for the better in the construction sector.
Dr Gavin Davies
Course Director, Construction Engineering Masters
•3

Why participate?
The Construction Engineering Masters programme offers direct
benefits to individual participants and sponsoring organisations.
Benefits to students
The CEM course has supported accelerated career progression for many former students. Students gain the
• new skills and insights needed to tackle some of the most pressing construction challenges and are equipped to
become industry leaders, making a tangible contribution to the positive transformation of the sector.
The part-time format of the course permits students to continue their professional careers while
• studying.
CEM cohorts average 25-35 students, with each cohort forming a closely bonded group of innovative,
• supportive and like-minded thinkers with significant scope for peer-to-peer learning.
The course offers substantial opportunities to engage with other cohorts to further build networks,
• knowledge and expertise.
Students become full members of Queens’ College, where they benefit from hospitality during residential
•
weeks, a lifetime College membership and CEM alumni network.
“
This course gives me the
confidence that we have access to
the leading future thinking in our
industry.”
Mike McNicholas
Atkins’ Managing Director of the Infrastructure
Division for the UK and Europe
Benefits to organisations
For organisations that sponsor students, the programme offers two core benefits.
First, sponsorship provides an opportunity to support, retain and demonstrate commitment to the
• organisation’s highest flyers and to deliver future leaders.
Secondly, by working with the students during and after the programme, their skills, expertise, and studies
• can be focused on delivering wider benefits for the organisation. Research is usually aligned to meet the
combined interests of the student and their sponsoring organisation.
An increasing number of companies are adopting this programme as a key training opportunity to develop their
current and future leaders.
This degree is accredited by the JBM (the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Institution of Structural Engineers, the
Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation and the Institute of Highway Engineers) as meeting the
requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired a
partial CEng accredited undergraduate first degree.
•5

About the programme
The CEM course is an established two-year, part-time, multidisciplinary
programme that focuses on leadership, critical thinking, construction
innovation and technology to address sector and societal drivers.
The course is hosted by the Laing O’Rourke Centre for Construction Engineering and Technology in the
Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge in partnership with the Cambridge Judge
Business School. The programme is delivered by academics from the University of Cambridge and other
institutions alongside leading industry thinkers and practitioners.
The CEM includes seven evenly distributed residential weeks spent in Cambridge, four in the first year and
three in the second. These dedicated residential weeks are delivered on-site in Cambridge and combine
teaching and learning sessions, one-to-one supervisions with academic staff and peer-to-peer learning
opportunities. Please note students must attend all residential weeks in person.
Each residential week is focused on a specific theme, supported by an ongoing programme of
communication, leadership and research skills development:
Fundamental thinking
Applied skills
Thought leadership
and policy
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
The built
environment
Design for value
Research, innovation
and digital
transformation
Advances in
construction technology
and materials
Advances in
construction
management
Finance, planning and
procurement
The future of
construction, thought
leadership and policy
development
Explore the wider context of the
built environment from both the UK
and international perspectives. To
include a strategic overview of the
current state of the construction
industry, the infrastructure in
the UK and internationally, the
economic and political framework
within which the industry currently
operates, and the management of
risk and uncertainty.
Build an overview of how the
construction industry equips
itself to achieve value and,
through exploring value in
different contexts, how the
industry attempts to address
the clients’ needs in the
public and private sectors,
and society at large.
Acquire insights into examples
of innovation emerging from
current research. To include
the fundamental principles of
developing, implementing and
managing effective innovation
techniques, processes and
procedures.
Investigate analysis methods, modelling
and the development and use of
different materials. To include insight
into the state-of-the-art for common
materials, special novel materials,
key areas of advanced construction
technologies and how materials and
technologies (such as robotics, artificial
intelligence and the use of big data)
might contribute towards advances in
construction practice.
Consider the concepts and
methods used to manage
construction projects and
businesses. To include the
challenges of management,
the methods for planning
operations and improving
productivity, and key aspects of
leadership.
Learn about different models of
financing construction projects
in the UK and globally. To include
elements required to support
project finance and procurement
such as contractual agreements,
sources of capital and financial
structuring, and construction
law.
Understand the links between
construction engineering and
policymaking. To include advancing
students’ skills in advocacy on
relevant policy issues and applying
all the skills developed throughout
the two-year programme.
Year 1
Year 2
Ongoing programme to develop research and communication skills

Key learning objectives
Knowledge
Skills
Understanding the state of the art and
evaluating latest developments
Enhancing leadership, communication
and analytical skills
“
The CEM makes you
look outside the
boundaries of your
day-to-day pressures
and gives you the skills
and competencies to
challenge the status
quo along a network of
like-minded people who
want to improve and
make a positive impact
in the Industry.
Networking
Engaging with policy makers, industry
experts and experienced professionals
Digital transformation
Understanding how data and digital
technologies are changing the world of
construction
Sustainability
Designing, building and operating a
net zero carbon, resource efficient and
resilient future infrastructure and buildings
Systems thinking
Managing infrastructure as an
interconnected system delivering
services to society
Andrew Ernest
(CEM alumnus), Head of Framework
Strategy at Kier Construction
•9

Academic and industry
involvement
CEM core faculty
Dr Gavin Davies
Construction Engineering Masters Course Director
Professor Campbell Middleton
Laing O’Rourke Professor of Construction Engineering
Professor Ioannis Brilakis
Professor of Construction Engineering
Dr Brian Sheil
Associate Professor in Construction Engineering
Dr Graham McShane
Queens’ College - Graduate Tutor
Professor Peter Guthrie
CEM Fellow, University of Cambridge
Dr Paul Heffernan
CEM Fellow, University of Cambridge
Dr Sam Stanier
Associate Professor, University of Cambridge
Jan Wojtecki
Centre Manager
Adam Cooley
Construction Engineering Masters Senior Programme Coordinator
Charlotte Neal
Construction Engineering Masters Programme Administrator
A selection of past contributors
Dame Kate Barker Commissioner of the National Infrastructure Commission between 2017-2020
Professor Dame Carol Black Expert Adviser on Health and Work to NHS England
Dawn Bonfield Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence, King’s College London. Director, Towards Vision.
Past President of Women’s Engineering Society.
Tim Chapman Former Director, Arup
Dr Kayla Friedman Course Director, IDBE Master’s and Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainability Leadership
for the Built Environment.
Professor Keith Clarke Former CEO, Atkins
Dr Sarah Fitton Director, Aurora Engagements Limited
Dr Shaun Fitzgerald Director, Centre of Climate Repair, University of Cambridge
Professor Alistair Gibb Professor of Construction Engineering Management Loughborough University
Dr Paul Goodrum Nicholas R. Petry Professor in Construction Engineering and Management, University of
Colorado Boulder
Professor Peter Hansford Honorary Professor at UCL; former UK Chief Construction Adviser
Dr Benn Lawson University Senior Lecturer in Operations Management. Director of the Centre for Process
Excellence & Innovation (CPEI)
Dr Kristen MacAskill Assistant Professor in Engineering, University of Cambridge
Professor Andrew McNaughton Chairman at Network Rail (High Speed) Limited
Professor Lord Robert Mair University of Cambridge
Ed McCann President, Institution of Civil Engineers
Dervilla Mitchell Deputy Chair of Arup Group
​Professor Phil Purnell Director, “Cities” Research Theme, University of Leeds
Nick Raynsford Deputy Chairman of Crossrail; former Minister for Construction and Minister for Housing
Dr Mark Raiss Engineering Director, Europe, Middle East & Africa, AECOM
Professor Danny Ralph Judge Business School, University of Cambridge
Professor Emily Shuckburgh Director of Cambridge Zero
Hannah Vickers Chief of staff to CEO, MACE
Paul Westbury Executive Vice President - Development & Construction, Strategy & Operations at The
Madison Square Garden Company
•11

Dates and fees
“
The networks we’ve
been bringing
together are very
valuable, seeing
what other people
are doing in their
companies and how
we can implement
that or learn from
that.”
Rebecca Bleeze
Principal Structure Engineer at
Stantec
Compulsory residential weeks for 2024 cohort entry
2024
15 - 20 September
15 - 20 December
2025
30 March - 04 April
06 - 11 July
14 - 19 December
2026
12 - 17 April
05 - 10 July
CEM students become full members of Queens’ College which provides accommodation and pastoral
support for the residential weeks. This includes access to all the resources and facilities of the College:
leisure facilities, library, IT. resources, dining and common rooms.
Students are required to attend the residential weeks in person.
Programme fees
The fees for the entire two-year CEM programme include:
Participants
Costs
Total
Year one University and College fees £ 14,100
Year two University and College fees £ 14,100
Students are drawn from diverse international backgrounds, but they share two vital characteristics. They
are all high performing professionals who have either attained a leadership role or been identified as
future leaders in their organisations. Additionally, CEM students share an ambition and determination to
build a better construction industry now and for the future that delivers against global societal needs and
challenges.
The CEM welcomes applications from professionals from all organisations across the construction sector,
including building and infrastructure clients, national and local government, consultants, contractors,
specialist providers, legal and management firms, equipment manufacturers and suppliers to the industry.
We particularly welcome applications from individuals from under-represented groups.
Previous participants have included CEOs, engineers, architects, lawyers, asset and commercial managers,
technology providers and manufacturers.
Accommodation* and meals
(based on an average of £250 per residential week)
£1,750
Application processing fee £50
* Please note accommodation rates are set independently by Queens’ College.
Most of our students obtain full or partial funding from their employer. Where this is not possible, bursaries
may be available for a proportion of the combined University and College fee. Please contact the Centre
Manager for more information.
•13

How to apply?
Are you an experienced professional with the
ambition to drive sustainable and meaningful
transformation of the construction industry? Then
the CEM degree programme could be ideal for you.
To apply, you will need to have a first or upper second class UK honours
degree or overseas equivalent in a relevant or related discipline. Applicants
must also demonstrate significant industry experience and a high standard of
academic writing.
If you have alternative qualifications and experience please contact the CEM
Senior Programme Coordinator for advice. For more information about the
course and details of how to apply please visit our website:
www.construction.cam.ac.uk/education/cem
Applications are considered in two gathered fields;
firstly after the 31st December and then after the
application deadline of 1st May 2024.
Apply now
“
The breadth of the course allowed me to explore
and investigate unfamiliar topics in detail and
develop expertise beyond my field whilst giving
me the confidence to apply it in practice. The
quality, intensity and focus of the course are
inspirational!”
Rebecca Bleeze
(current CEM student), Associate at Stantec
•15

Photo: The Civil Engineering building by Max Fordham LLP
Find out more
For further information about the programme please contact:
Adam Cooley
Construction Engineering Masters Senior Programme Coordinator
cem.admin@construction.cam.ac.uk
Laing O’Rourke Centre for Construction Engineering and Technology
Civil Engineering Building
University of Cambridge
7a JJ Thomson Avenue
Cambridge, CB3 0FA
United Kingdom
www.construction.cam.ac.uk/cem-programme
@CEMCambridge
https://www.linkedin.com/company/construction-engineering-masters/
The CEM programme was launched in 2011 with industry partner Laing O’Rourke to fulfil a shared
vision of transforming the construction industry through innovation, education and technology.