INTRODUCTION
IN A NUTSHELL
Salford was an early information modelling advocate and one of the first institutions to address knowledge and skills in this field. Our MSc BIM and Digital Built Environments postgraduate course focuses strategically on this changing landscape, designed with the aim to educate and support industry professionals respond to current and future challenges in client expectations and wider society.
This course provides you with 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
THIS IS FOR YOU IF...
You're a graduate or experienced built environment practitioner looking to develop skills using BIM software and collaborative working practice
You have an interest in efficient multidisciplinary collaboration through design and construction processes
You desire to advance your current knowledge base and to specialise in integrated design and advanced BIM technologies
ALL ABOUTTHE COURSE
Course delivery
Our MSc BIM and Digital Built Environment postgraduate degree at Salford meets industry needs by providing formal qualifications for built environment professionals looking to develop a BIM skillset.
The course is delivered through a range of industry-aligned modules. The 180-credit MSc award comprises four taught modules plus a dissertation. The 120-credit PgDip comprises four taught modules. The 60-credit PgCert award comprises two specified taught modules.
Flexibility is at the heart of our learning approach. You can choose to study this postgraduate course full-time or part-time on campus, or part-time via distance learning.
- As a full-time student, you will complete four 30-credit taught modules in each of the first two trimesters on campus. In the final trimester you will complete a dissertation worth 60 credits.
- As a part-time student, you will complete a 30-credit module in each of the first four trimesters on campus. Across two additional trimesters you will complete a dissertation worth 60 credits.
- As a distance learning student, you will complete a 30-credit taught module in each of your first four trimesters. Across two further trimesters, you will complete a dissertation worth 60 credits. This is also delivered online, with tutor support.
Learning experience
Alongside gaining a strong understanding of real-world practice, you will develop your BIM knowledge focusing on sustainable design, project integration, modelling and LEAN processes. You will also strengthen your research and analytical skills by completing a dissertation on a topic of your choice. Learn more about the current course modules in the section below.
If you are studying on campus, you will have opportunities to visit live construction projects. As an online learner, will experience our Collaborate Ultra virtual learning environment, but you can still choose to visit for specific face to face activities, such as field trips, study days and summer schools, which also provide you with opportunities for knowledge exchange.
Our BIM Summer School is an optional extra-curricular activity held at our MediaCityUK Campus that is designed to enhance your knowledge of BIM, Lean, and integrated design and project delivery approaches. Bringing together taught and research-based postgraduate students, you will experience three days of seminars, guest lectures (government, industry and academic), workshops and site visits.
Course team
The BIM and Digital Built Environments postgraduate course 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.
- Building Information Modelling Theory and Practice
- Integrated BIM Projects
- Lean Integrated Design and Production
- Sustainable Design Theory and Practice
- Project and Production Management
- 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.
WHAT WILL I BE DOING?
TEACHING
Campus-based teaching and learning will develop your knowledge and skills through a blend of theoretical, collaborative and practical methods, including:
- Lectures and tutorials
- Project work
- Directed study
- One-to-one tutorials (by appointment)
Typically, lectures will introduce the core module knowledge with tutorials designed to provide a forum for tutor-led discussion and debate. Project work is your chance to conduct research and other techniques that will help you to develop solutions to prescribed tasks.
Distance learning students will experience our online learning environment and intensive tutor support. Weekly online tutorials are delivered to encourage student participation.
Our online learning materials enable you to complete self-directed study at your own convenience. Learning is driven by real-world problems in workplaces and job roles.
Additional learning support is provided through optional study days for both on-campus and distance learning students. This include the summer school, which includes seminars, group work, presentations and industry guest speakers.
CONTACT HOURS
Full-time: Approximately two days per week
Part-time: Approximately one day per week
Distance Learning: Two to three hours of online contact time per week with up to five hours of personal study time.
ASSESSMENT
You will be assessed using coursework/design project work (100%) and continuous informal assessment by your tutors.
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.
Our 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.
A TASTE OF WHAT YOU COULD BECOME
AN ARCHITECTURAL TECHNICIAN
A DESIGNER
A BIM SPECIALIST
AN INFORMATION MANAGER
AND MORE...
CAREER LINKS
- Our course is extensively informed by collaboration between 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.
- Our 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 YOUNEED 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
All of our courses are taught and assessed in English. If English is not your first language, you must meet our minimum English language entry requirements. An IELTS score of 6.0 (no element below 5.5) is proof of this, however we do accept a range of equivalent qualifications.
Additional costs
You should consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
International student scholarships
If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships.
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