The construction sector is a major part of the UK economy and any centrally procured project will require Business Information Modelling (BIM) compliance. Yet there is a shortage of well qualified graduates who are capable of the efficient coordination of processes, workflows, people, assets and technology that BIM requires. This Masters degree was designed to meet that demand.
BIM is a process involving the structured sharing and coordination of digital and non-digital information about a building project throughout its entire lifecycle, from design to procurement, construction and operation and management stage, all the way through to demolishment.
We are the only institution in the UK to offer a work based Masters in this subject area and aims to produce practitioners with a qualification to be employed in a Management role in BIM projects. You will gain a critical awareness of contemporary BIM issues informed by technology, research and management skills in standard and unpredictable scenarios.
The course is specifically aimed at experienced professionals who will be expected to manage BIM projects. These will include people from the following sectors:
Many students choosing to study this masters will be practitioners in full-time employment and this course has been designed to be flexible around your work and life commitments. You will be able to complete the course part-time through Distance Learning over two years. However, it's possible to complete the course in 12 months with the full-time study option, depending on how much time you can commit to the course.
If you do not wish to study the full MSc, you can apply to the PGDip where you study only four modules or a PGCert where you study only two modules.
*Subject to review
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This module aims to enhance your knowledge and understanding of BIM technical issues which is the core requirement for managing BIM processes. You will explore the integration of information models comprising of 3D models, graphical and non-graphical data along with their database systems and documentation. You will learn the best practices for coordinating technical teams from various disciplines to create models. You will also acquire skills for research issues related to newly emergent BIM practices and processes, and develop skills for reviewing, critically analysing, reporting and presenting these issues.
This module aims to enhance your knowledge and understanding of BIM operational and administrative issues. You will gain the ability to assess risks, manage quality control, and assess costs, budgets and project time phasing. You will learn the best practices for coordinating operational teams utilising BIM Models and data, updating acquisition of data between them, and aiding the smooth operation of construction procedures, facilities management and maintenance of a building. You will also acquire skills for research issues related to newly emergent BIM practices and processes, and develop skills for reviewing, critically analysing, reporting and presenting these issues.
This module aims to enhance your knowledge and understanding of BIM strategic issues. You will gain the ability to forecast risks, design protocols and quality assurance, assess budget planning, and foresee financial and commercial benefits of implementing BIM on an organisational level. You will learn the best practices for the creation of teams from different disciplines, defining organisational structure and roles within the BIM process, according to the adoption strategy of the organisation.
More information about this course
See the course specification for more information about typical course content outside of the coronavirus outbreak:
Optional modules are usually available at levels 5 and 6, although optional modules are not offered on every course. Where optional modules are available, you will be asked to make your choice during the previous academic year. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, or there are staffing changes which affect the teaching, it may not be offered. If an optional module will not run, we will advise you after the module selection period when numbers are confirmed, or at the earliest time that the programme team make the decision not to run the module, and help you choose an alternative module.
We are regularly reviewing and updating our programmes to ensure you have the best learning experience. We are taking what we've learnt during the pandemic and enhancing our teaching methods with new and innovative ways of learning. Please regularly check this section of the course page for updates.
Lectures, presentations and tutorials will all take place online, and all the documents and materials needed will be available on the university intranet. Webinars will be given by both academics and industry professionals and will be interactive, with opportunities for discussions, questions and answers. Webinars will be held at times which suit your availability.
A series of online guest presentations run alongside the modules and you will be expected to engage and participate in the discussions that follow. You will also attend a summer school if you wish to complete the full MSc, between the second and third module, to discuss the issues raised and reflect on the online presentations. This also provides the opportunity for research training and proposal preparation as those who complete the first two modules and wish to complete the full Masters qualification will need to submit a thesis proposal following the summer school.
Although there are no exams, you will be assessed on your coursework, including design projects, case study critical analysis reports, presentations, your contribution to the course e-journal, which could include conference papers, and thesis if you continue for the full MSc. Case studies can either be projects provided by the university, or real-life examples you've come across in your career to date.
Students will be asked to give feedback on each other's work, and you will also be asked to self-assess and evaluate your own work to look at the skills and knowledge you've acquired, your strengths and weaknesses, and areas where you're looking to develop. Some assessed work will be done in groups.
We have developed new approaches to teaching and learning.
We've learned a lot about how to give you a quality education - we aim to combine the best of our pre-pandemic teaching and learning with access to online learning and digital resources which put you more in charge of when and how you study. We will keep you updated on this throughout the application process.
We’ll use technology to enhance all of your learning and give you access to online resources to use in your own time.
The table below gives you an idea of what learning looks like across a typical week.
You'll receive full information on your teaching before you start your course.
Learning structure: typical hourly breakdown | ||
Live in-person on campus learning | Contact hours per week, per level: | 0 hours |
Live online learning | Average hours per week, per level: | 4 hours |
Tutor set learning activities | Average hours per week, per level: | 10 hours |
Outside of these hours, you’ll be expected to do independent study where you read, listen and reflect on other learning activities. This can include preparation for future classes. In a year, you’ll typically be expected to commit 600 hours to your course across all styles of learning.
Definitions of terms
Support
You have a strong support network available to you to make sure you develop all the necessary academic skills you need to do well on your course.
Our support services will be delivered online and on campus and you have access to a range of different resources so you can get the help you need, whether you’re studying at home or have the opportunity to come to campus.
You have access to one to one and group sessions for personal learning and academic support from our library and IT teams, and our network of learning experts. Our teams will also be here to offer financial advice, and personal wellbeing, mental health and disability support.
Graduates from this course will be qualified and expected to take on a managerial role in Business Information Modelling construction projects either on a technical, operational or strategic level within an organisation.
Examples are Model managers, BIM coordinators, BIM managers and BIM directors from any stakeholder's side whether the consultant, contractor, client etc. Graduates will have highly specialised technical, analytical and collaborative operational and strategic decision-making skills that are much sought after qualities due to the novelty of the area of concern worldwide.
The course content is enriched by keeping industrial engagement and collaboration active, and the availability of sponsored projects. This will help reveal current opportunities and future trends in relevant employment sectors.
Dr Shayesteh joined Middlesex University in March 2017 and is currently part of the academic team for BIM Management MSc, and Architectural Technology BSc programmes. She is also an Honorary Research Fellow at the Bartlett, UCL where she studied and worked prior to joining Middlesex from 2001 to 2017. She was part of the delivery team of Building Information Modelling (BIM) Level 3 strategy with the UK Government Department of Business Innovation and Skills, contributing to the Digital Built Britain government strategy document. Her research interest lies in applied data-driven approaches to sustainable architecture, urbanism and from the users' point of view.
Dr Yang joined the academic team for BIM Management MSc, and Architectural Technology BSc programmes in June 2016. As a Chartered Engineer and Committee member for the CIBSE Intelligent Buildings Group, she is engaged in effective communication between academics and practical professionals, and promoting state-of-art building science and technology through international collaboration.
We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.
Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.
Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.
At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.
Start: October 2023, September 2023: EU/INT induction
Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
Code: PGH70A
