Course description

Are you interested in advancing your career in facilities management with a BSc in Facilities and Workplace Management? This honours degree has been designed by Portobello Institute for flexible learning so you can study in your own time. Supported seminars are delivered over the weekend with one to one support available to you throughout your learning journey. Attendance at supported seminars is not mandatory.

We understand the educational needs of those working in the FM sector, the challenges of working long hours in a demanding role, whilst trying to balance home life. This degree and mode of learning is ideally suited to you and will support you to achieve the qualifications you need to progress your career. This BSc (Hons) in Facilities & Workplace Management and the follow-on programme of a Masters in Facilities & Workplace Management.are the only programmes and qualifications of their type available in Ireland.

Why should I study this degree?

Portobello Institute’s BSc Hons in Facilities and Workplace Management gives you the opportunity to attain a level 8 honours degree through a flexible mode of delivery designed to fit learning around your busy working life. With the demand and opportunities for professionally qualified FM’s at an all-time high, this degree draws on the range of disciplines from financial to risk management, leadership to project management, and operations management to innovation and business development. This industry specific BSc Honours degree is the only qualification of its type available to those seeking to gain a qualification and advance within this fast-paced sector.

What is Blended Learning?

This BSc Hons in Facilities and Workplace Management has been specifically designed for delivery by blended learning. It is very suited to you if you are working full-time with limited spare time, yet you want to achieve your degree qualification. This course is delivered over 3 academic years, each 8 months in duration, with supported seminars held during scheduled weekends. The content for this programme is accessed through the online learning platform, Moodle. Everything required to complete this course is contained on this easy to navigate and use platform. Part of the first workshop is a tutorial on how to use the online platform and find information needed.

What will I learn during this BSc (Hons) in Facilities and Workplace Management?

During this programme you will learn skills such as critically analysing and problem solving, the foundations for developing strategic decision-making skills. You will learn about the key theories, concepts and frameworks underpinning the study of Business Management in an FM context. Practical industry insights and presentations ensure that you can relate theory to real-life work scenarios. You will learn about the role that Facilities & Workplace Management has in the broader context of how modern organisations perform and the effects of the external environment on facilities management.

Who will I learn from?

The programme management and tutoring team on this Facilities and Workplace Management degree have been carefully selected on the basis of their qualifications and combined practical experience in Facilities Management and education. Their experience in both the sector and education affords our students the opportunity for guidance and assistance throughout their learning journey.

nar that is designed to support the student complete the module. Attendance at seminars is not mandatory and delivered with the purpose of introducing the module tutor, setting out the learning outcomes, content, the assessment strategy and expectations for skills/knowledge development.

All of the course material is held on LMU’s Weblearn portal which is an easy to use online platform specifically designed for online learning programmes. During the induction, students will be introduced to the platform with practical demonstration of how to use the portal and access lessons quickly and easily. To complete this course, students must have a basic knowledge of using a computer and searching the internet for research purposes.

Students are registered as undergraduate students of London Metropolitan University and will receive a student card confirming their student status.

Advanced entry available to those who qualify

Entry Requirements
Entry is by direct application to Portobello Institute.

There are entry criteria available to students with differing qualifications/experience levels and these are detailed below.

Entry to First Year

Students seeking to enter the first year of this degree must meet one of the following criteria.

Leaving Certificate with a minimum of grade of O6 or D in 6 subjects
QQI level 5 Major award
Senior Trade Certificate
IWFM (formerly BIFM) level 3 Certificate or Diploma in Facilities Management

Other qualification equivalent to level 5 of Irish National Framework of Qualifications
Experiential learning ie 36 months experience in an FM or similar operational role.

Qualification Gained
BSc (Hons) in Facilities & Workplace Management awarded at level 8 by London Metropolitan University (LMU). This is awarded at level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications

Qualifications Frameworks in Ireland and the UK

The Irish and UK qualifications authorities have collaborated on initiatives that promote the transparency, recognition and mobility of qualifications between our respective jurisdictions. The qualifications authorities in the UK and Ireland have agreed the qualifications frameworks in operation, Brexit will not impact this agreement.

Students are registered as undergraduate students of London Metropolitan University and will receive a student card confirming their student status.

Entry Requirements

Entry is by direct application to Portobello Institute.

To recognise your previous qualifications and give you credit for the experiential learning you have as a result of your work to date, we have designed this degree with multiple entry points. If you are unsure where you fit, please contact us on 01-8920020 or by email [email protected] and we can support you identify the correct entry point for you.

Entry to First Year

If you are seeking to enter the first year of this degree, you must meet one of the following criteria.

IWFM Level 3

Leaving Certificate

Experiential Learning in FM or related field

Senior trade certificate

Advanced Entry to Second Year

You may apply for advanced entry to the second year of the BSc (Hons) in Facilities & Workplace Management if you meet one of the following criteria.

Relevant other 3rd level qualification eg: IWFM Level 4 Diploma

Senior Trade Cert with significant experience and three senior endorsements – requires entry assessment via application process

Advanced Entry to Third Year

You may apply for advanced entry to the final year of the BSc (Hons) in Facilities & Workplace Management if you meet one of the following criteria.

Relevant other Level 7 degree

Level 5 or 6 graduates from IWFM Diploma

Application Process

Step 1 – Complete the online booking form.

Step 2 – Applicants will be contacted for confirmation/evidence of meeting the entry criteria and year of entry will be confirmed.

Step 3 – Confirmation of a place will be given to applicants immediately meeting the criteria.

Applicants who do not meet the criteria, maybe required to attend the IWFM level 3 certificate with an offer of a place on the programme issued following completion of this certificate. This programme is available through Portobello Institute.

Please note places on this course are only confirmed once tuition fees have been received. Early Application is advised.

Course Structure:
This is a blended learning course delivered over 3 academic years with supported seminars held during scheduled weekends.

There is a break during the summer months.

Follow-on years of this programme will run to similar schedule.

Each module commences with a seminar that is designed to support you to complete the module. Attendance at seminars is not mandatory and delivered with the purpose of introducing you to your module tutor, setting out the learning outcomes, content, the assessment strategy and expectations for skills/knowledge development.

All of the course material is held on the Moodle online learning portal which is an easy to use online platform specifically designed for online learning programmes. During the induction, you will be introduced to the platform with practical demonstration of how to use the portal and access lessons quickly and easily. To complete this course, you must have a basic knowledge of using a computer and searching the internet for research purposes.

Course Aims

This course aims to:

· Develop knowledge, skills and competencies related to business and management environment in general and specifically to the operational and strategic aspects of Facilities Management.

· Develop digital and technological literacies and specialist technical skills.

· Develop the ability to apply research skills, critical thinking, and independent judgment in a work-based context.

· Develop innovation through practical intelligence and experimentation.

· Be able to locate practice within theoretical, societal and cultural context.

· Develop advanced communication skills, in a range of formats.

· Develop professional skills to facilitate employment the ever-changing business and building management environment.

· Foster confidence and competence in using academic conventions and research tools appropriate to the business and Facilities Management disciplines to pursue study at a postgraduate level or further professional training.

· Promote collaboration, ethical and social engagement

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the course students are expected to be able to:

LO1. Explain key theories and concepts at the forefront of their chosen academic discipline.

LO2. Demonstrate awareness of local and global contexts for development of the Facilities Management sector.

LO3. Use various problem solving and empowerment approaches, inquiry, analytics and research methods and creative strategies to inform decision-making.

LO4. Evaluate operational and strategic aspects of Facilities Management to assess their impact on stakeholders and the achievement of business goals.

LO5. Develop plans and formulate strategies that assess costs, benefits, risks, opportunities, and that address organizational goals and external trends.

LO6. Communicate effectively in oral, written, digital and visual forms, appropriate to external and internal stakeholders.

LO7. Apply leadership skills to work collaboratively with all stakeholders within multidisciplinary and diverse teams, valuing and respecting other people’s contributions.

LO8. Promote sustainable practice with consideration for environmental, social, and financial issues.

LO9. Demonstrate confidence, resilience, creativity, and self-effectiveness to take responsibility for their own learning and contribute to learning of others.

LO10. Demonstrate competence in academic and research skills to undertake post-graduate study or further study of professional or equivalent nature.

Module Content

Year 1

Fundamentals of Business Decision-Making for Facilities Management
Fundamentals of Management
Understanding Workplace and Facilities Management
Workplace Operations and Facilities Management

Year 2

Business Research Methods
Leadership and Change in the Workplace and Facilities Management
Innovation and Research for Facilities Management
Workplace Risk Management
Managing People for Facilities Management
Property and Asset Management in Facilities Management
Budgeting for Facilities Management

Year 3

Strategic Management for the Workplace and Facilities Management
Industry Research Project
Project Management in Facilities Management
Corporate and Social Responsibility and Energy Management for Facilities Management
Procurement and Contract Management for the Workplace and Facilities Management
Financial Management

The titles of these modules are subject to change