Building Information Modelling Theory and Practice
Postgraduate
MSc/PgDip/PgCert
BIM and Digital Built Environments
School of Science, Engineering and Environment
Attendance
Full-time
Part-time
Distance Learning
Course
One year
Two year
Next enrolment
January 2021
In a nutshell
Salford was an early information modelling advocate and one of the first institutions to address knowledge and skills in this field. This postgraduate course focuses strategically on this changing landscape, designed with the aim to educate and support industry professionals in their response to current and future challenges in client expectations and wider society.
This programme provides extensive knowledge in the fields of BIM, Lean, and integrated design and project delivery approaches to deliver better whole life value through digital built environments. It is highly relevant for practitioners and graduates in the fields of architecture, engineering construction, and built environment, who wish to specialise in this area of industry digital transformation.
There are few better places in the UK to study building surveying. Located just over a mile from Manchester city centre, we're at the heart of the UK's largest property and construction market outside of London, with a host of flagship construction case live projects to study - and a network of construction industry companies to grow your career.
You will:
- Develop competences so you can to support integrated design and delivery approaches
- Build on leading edge research and practice in BIM software and collaborative techniques
- Advance your skills ready take a principle role in the digital transformation of practices in work settings, delivering better whole life value through integrated design and project delivery approaches
- Be equipped with the skills necessary to coordinate roles and responsibilities for the financial, environmental and social performance
International
students accepted
This is for you if...
1.
You're a graduate or experienced built environment practitioner looking to develop skills using BIM software and collaborative working practice
2.
You have an interest in efficient multidisciplinary collaboration through design and construction processes
3.
You desire to advance your current knowledge base and to specialise in integrated design and advanced BIM technologies
All about the course
The BIM and Digital Built Environment postgraduate degree course comprises four carefully-designed modules plus one research-based dissertation project.
The MSc award comprises four taught modules plus a dissertation. The PgDip comprises four taught modules. The PgCert award comprises two specified taught modules.
You can choose to study the course full-time or part-time on campus, or part-time via distance learning.
- Full-time students will complete four 30-credit taught modules in each of of the first two trimesters on campus. In the final trimester, you will complete a dissertation worth 60 credits.
- Part-time students will complete a 30-credit module in each of of the first four trimesters on campus. In two additional trimesters, you will complete a dissertation worth 60 credits.
- Distance learning students will complete a 30-credit taught modules in each of your first four trimesters. In two additional trimesters, you will complete your dissertation online, with tutor support. Online learners also have the option to attend the University for specific activities such as field trips, study days and summer schools, which provide opportunities for face to face interaction and knowledge exchange.
SUMMER SCHOOL
Summer School is an optional extra-curricular activity held at our MediaCityUK Campus that aims to further enhance your development of advanced knowledge of BIM, Lean, and integrated design and project delivery approaches.
The event brings together students from the different modes of study and from around the world, in addition to PhD students, for three days of seminars, guest lecture presentations (including government, industry and academic), student presentations, workshops and site visits.
Modules
BIM theory and practice emphasises on how the design process needs to change to achieve benefits from the use of technology. The module addresses data structures and standards, and describing data exchange needs in different use cases. It also describes collaborative multidisciplinary design settings, communication with project stakeholders, clash detection, design integration and management of design changes. Module topics include:
- The concept of BIM
- BIM deployment strategies
- Design and construction process for BIM
- BIM tools in design
- Interoperability, IFCs, parametric modelling and BIM
- Building information exchange
- Change management process and people
- Data sharing and design integration
- BIM, energy efficiency and sustainability
Integrated BIM Projects
The aim of this module is to understand and critically evaluate key issues in the management of integrated BIM based projects. The module also provides an understanding of how process and technology changes can support better value generation through design. Module topics include:
- Building industry challenges and opportunities
- The business value of BIM and integrated design
- Design collaboration
- Lean design and construction
- Integrated project delivery
- Lifecycle management and BIM
Lean Integrated Design and Production
This module aims to provide knowledge on Lean design and construction. It focuses specifically on the integration of design and construction and its importance to the successful management of projects. Module topics include:
- Integrating people, process and technology
- Lean construction/ production
- Continuous improvement
- Process design and implementation
- Process mapping analysis
- Integrating project lifecycles
Optional modules:
Sustainable Design Theory and Practice
This module aims to provide you with critical awareness and appreciation of sustainable urban and building design to the development of sustainable communities. It describes design methods and assessment techniques for sustainable community design and development. Module topics include:
- Sustainable urban development theory
- Sustainable building design
- Visioning and sustainability assessment
- Sustainable urban design community considerations
- Sustainability appraisal
- Good practice case studies and examples
Project and Production Management
Develop a critical awareness and knowledge of construction planning, resource and cost planning, monitoring and control. You will critically appraise and evaluate the concepts of lean production, the six sigma techniques, and the planning, monitoring and control systems used for project budgets. This module will encourage you to create and implement appropriate monitoring and tracking systems to manage change whilst monitoring the efficacy of quality management.
Dissertation
This module allows you to develop a research proposal with clear aims and objectives related to your study. You will undertake critical analysis of existing research and engage in various forms of recognised research in order to produce a sustained, sophisticated, and logical argument in the form of a written dissertation.
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
School of Science, Engineering and Environment
Rising to the challenge of a rapidly changing world, our multi-disciplinary courses will shape the next generation of urbanists, scientists, engineers, consultants and conservationists. Shaped by industry and delivered by supportive programme teams, you can develop the skills to become unstoppable in your career.
FACILITIES
On campus, you will experience a modern learning environment, enriched with accessible lecture theatres and AV-equipped classrooms, computing suites and multimedia libraries, with access to industry journals, databases, and simulation software. Online, you will experience our sophisticated virtual learning environment.
As a built environment student, you might encounter Energy House – the only fully climate controlled terraced-house in the world, or THINKlab, our virtual research and collaboration ecosystem.
Programme Team
This BIM and Digital Built Environments postgraduate programme is delivered by an academic team with extensive research and subject knowledge. The team is part of a global built environment community with prominence in shaping construction industry best practice.
What about after uni?
EMPLOYMENT
BIM uptake is growing worldwide and there is a clear demand for professionals with appropriate process knowledge and technological skills. In gaining this highly-advanced specialised knowledge at the forefront of industry requirements, you'll be highly-sought by construction, engineering and design organisations from across the built environment.
This course is designed to help existing architects, designers and design/project/construction/facility managers to specialise in the use of BIM and the implementation of integrated design and delivery. The managerial, technical and interpersonal skills you will acquire can help you to deliver better value through integrated design in your current role, or advance to this position elsewhere.
FURTHER STUDY
Globally, the urban built environment is becoming the predominant place for livelihoods. BIM postgraduates can choose research to further their knowledge of key built environment challenges. Learn more about postgraduate research opportunities available through our Doctoral School.
The Centre for Urban Processes, Resilient Infrastructure and Sustainable Environments at Salford hosts a community of academics, practitioners and researchers at the forefront of exploring how we can enhance our built environments at local, national and international scales.
Career Links
This course is extensively informed by collaboration between the university’s academics and industry partners from the built environment. Our experienced teaching team maintain strong links with the architecture, engineering and construction sectors, both local and international.
This collaboration with the professions ensures a stimulating range of external guest lecturers, as well as career networking opportunities. You will benefit from field visits, practitioner-led lectures and real-world problem-solving work developed for and by industry.
Field trips and site visits to innovative projects will enable the analysis and critical evaluation of cases in which high-quality design and the adoption of technology has led to benefits for clients, users and/or communities.
What you need to know
APPLICANT PROFILE
This industry-shaping course is recommended for architecture and built environment graduates and experienced industry professionals seeking a career influencing the digital transformation of work environments.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
International students must provide evidence of proficiency in English- IELTS 6.0 band score (with no element below 5.5) or above are proof of this.
Standard entry requirements
Undergraduate Degree
- A minimum second class undergraduate honours degree in architecture, or
- A minimum second class undergraduate honours degree in engineering, project management or other built environment discipline, or
- A recognised professional qualification in a cognate discipline.
Alternative entry requirements
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
We welcome applications from students who may not have formal/traditional entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully.
The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process could help you to make your work and life experience count. The APL process can be used for entry onto courses or to give you exemptions from parts of your course.
Two forms of APL may be used for entry: the Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) or the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).
We do not require references provided that you have the standard academic entry requirements. If you do not, then we will ask you to complete the Accreditation of Prior Learning process referred to above.
How much?
| Type of study | Year | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time home | 2020/21 | £8,460per year |
| Full-time international | 2020/21 | £13,320per year |
| Part-time | 2020/21 | UK/EU: £1410 per 30 credits. International: £2220 per 30 credits. |
| Distance learning | 2020/21 | UK/EU: £1410 per 30 credits. International: £1,845 per 30 credits |
| Full-time home | 2021/22 | £8,640per year |
| Full-time international | 2021/22 | £15030per year |
| Part-time | 2021/22 | £1,440 per 30 credits |
| Distance learning | 2021/22 | UK: £1,440 per 30 credits. International: £1,890 per 30 credits. |
Additional costs
You should consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
Scholarships for international students 2021/22
To celebrate Salford's expertise and industry links, high-achieving international students may be eligible for the Built Environment Postgraduate Silver Award, or an International Excellence Scholarship worth up to £5,000.
Visit the international scholarships page for more information.