Construction management graduate programmes in the Netherlands: Review and comparisons

In spite of the fact that Construction Management programmes are in most cases linked to civil engineering studies they mainly address however the less quantitative skills in management, finance, law, human resources etc. The universities, through their various programmes, are required to demonstrate that such programmes are properly designed to produce the required qualitative skills. Construction Management education in the Netherlands is relatively new. The programmes offered by the existing universities are continuously under review to make sure that they address the needs and the new challenges facing the construction industry today. Many universities in North America and the United Kingdom on the other hand are better founded and have relatively longer experiences in the area of Construction Management education for both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The paper analyses the contents of programmes offered from a selection of well established universities in North America and the United Kingdom and compares them with those offered by universities in the Netherlands. On the basis of this comparison, the paper discusses the main differences, draws conclusions and makes recommendations.