MSc Project Management in the Built Environment: Hanna Osundina

The MSc Project Management in the Built Environment at Oxford Brookes attracts students from across the world and is available as an on campus, full-time course or as a part-time course by distance (online) learning. I caught up with Hanna Osundina who completed the MSc PMBE in 2017 and recently won the 2021 WeAreTheCity Rising Star Award in Infrastructure, Transport & Logistics. Hanna kindly agreed to answer my questions...

What is your background and why did you choose to go into Project Management?
I studied architecture at the University of Sheffield and then went onto work as an architectural assistant in Lagos, Nigeria. It was after this work experience that I decided not to progress with architecture but moved into project management. This was because I preferred going on site visits, managing consultant teams and helping bring the process together much more that I enjoyed drawing. When I returned to London, I worked at Peabody Housing Association as a Development Officer, working on both front end and back end delivering residential led projects. It was in this role I decided to pursue further learning and a professional qualification.

Why did you choose the MSc PMBE at Brookes?
When I decided to do a master’s degree in project management, I looked at a number of courses but picked Oxford Brookes because of the course structure and curriculum. The PMBE course stood out for me because it covered a great range of relevant topics while seeming to be detailed in its delivery. Additionally, Brookes has a great reputation for being a leading teaching institution within the property and construction industry, so the combination of the course structure and reputation is why I decided to study there.

What was it like when you arrived and started the course?
It was great meeting the cohort of people on my course. The combination of part time and full-time students meant there was a great mix of interesting people to engage with who came from different perspectives. The teaching staff were welcoming and set out the content of the course but also encouraged networking – which was appreciated as many on the distant learning students were also working full time across the sector, meaning I was also able to learn from people in my cohort.

Looking back over the course, what were the highlights? And the most challenging bit?
My most memorable experience was the trip to the Netherlands! It was great to have the opportunity to see such interesting and inspiration international projects. I learned a lot during this time, which I was able to apply to work. It was also a great opportunity to get to know my fellow students and the teaching staff and build on the relationships that were beginning to be established. I am struggling to think about a specific challenge that I faced while on the course. The most difficult challenge for me was managing being a student and my professional workload. However, this is something that requires good time management and structuring evenings and weekends around coursework. After my first term, I was much better a structuring my time around my assignments.

What advice would you give to someone starting the course?
I would advise that anyone starting the PMBE course should be open to the breadth of the learning experience and the opportunity to meet new people and make long term connections. There is a lot to learn from the course but also from students who are working full time in various industries. Staying open to all conversations (in person and online) is helpful to have a full experience of the course.

Which subject area did you focus on for your dissertation and why?
My dissertation was about joint ventures (JV) between the public and private sector and the success factors. I picked this topic as I was working on a JV at Peabody at the time and the company had decided to do more JV’s with the private sector. This was an opportunity to combine my learning with my professional life and apply my theoretical learning to practice in work.

What have you got planned for the next 5 years career-wise?
The last five years of my career have been very positive. I have had the opportunity to work on really interesting projects with dynamic groups of people, while progressing to Senior Development Manager. My plan for the next 5 years is to continue to grow in my career and develop as a leader in the industry through working on interesting, high profile projects but also by continuing to champion diversity in the industry through my extra-curricular activities. This includes sitting on the board of E16 CLT - a community land trust in Newham, I am also vice chair of the University of Greenwich’s Construction, Property and Surveying Practices – Industry Advisory Board and a member of Estates Gazette's Diversity & Inclusion Content Advisory Panel. Most significantly, as the founder of Black Women in Real Estate (BWRE), championing the connection, empowerment, and growth of black women in the industry, I want to continue to see the collective thrive and see our members succeed.

Thanks Hanna. For more information about the MSc PMBE, take a look at our website or blog:

MSc PMBE on the website

MSc PMBE on the blog