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MSc|Postgraduate Taught

Building Information Modelling Project Management

Entry year
2024/25
Entry requirements
2.2
Duration
1 year (Full-time)
3 years (Part-time)
Places available
n/a (Full Time)
n/a (Part Time)

This course is taught by a mixture of academic staff and industrial practitioners, bringing real world experiences into the classroom.

ABOUT YOU

You could be: a civil / structural engineer, an architect, M&E Services Engineer, (or any other construction related discipline).

You will have a keen interest in BIM and digital construction. You may already have experience using BIM – hands on experience of BIM is not necessary for starting the course, but it can be useful.


COURSE CONTENT
The course’s primary focus is on project management using the building information modelling process. This will give you the chance to take your career forward - from a management viewpoint, not just in construction, but in other sectors as well. We teach the principles of project management, while using building information modelling.


THE ENVIRONMENT
You'll be in a class of around 30 if you're a full-time student, alongside people from places like India, Nigeria, China, Vietnam and Egypt, , as well as from the UK, Ireland and Europe. Our teaching starts in the afternoon as we know some of you will need to take time off work to attend classes.

You'll have the McClay Library and the beautiful new Graduate School at your disposal as well as a dedicated base room and computer lab in the Elmwood building.


WHAT YOU'LL GET UP TO
The course is all about balancing theory and practice – a mixture of hands-on building, manipulation and management of models, as well as consideration of the higher level analytical and critical thinking skills that come with Masters level education.


ACADEMIC LITERACY MODULE
An optional, complementary module for non-native speakers of English. Designed to support English language and academic skills development with a focus on specific academic skills related to the students' area of study.



PLEASE NOTE
Applications for this course received after 30th June 2024 may not be accepted. In addition, a deposit will be required to secure a place.

Building Information Modelling Project Management highlights

Professional Accreditations

The degree is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)

The degree is in the process of gaining, but has not yet obtained, accreditation from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

This degree is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) comprising of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Structural Engineers, Institute of Highway Engineers, the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation and the Permanent Way Institution on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the academic requirement for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng). To hold accredited qualifications for CEng registration, candidates must also hold a Bachelor (Hons) degree that has been accredited as partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng). See www.jbm.org.uk for further information. It should be noted that candidates completing the MSc who hold an underpinning accredited Bachelor degree accredited for IEng only or a non-accredited bachelor degree will need to apply for an academic assessment to determine whether they will meet the educational base for CEng registration.
www.jbm.org.uk

Student Experience

The programme is distinctive in that it is one of the few Building Information Modelling MScs that focuses on Project Management both internationally and within the UK and Ireland. Furthermore, the programme is delivered by a mixture of research orientated academics and industry professionals, all of whom work within the remit of Project Management and/or Building Information Modelling.

Course Structure

Students may enrol on a full-time or part-time basis.

1 year (Full Time) or 2 ¾ years (Part Time), with an option to complete in 2 years.

The programme is delivered on Mondays and Fridays for full time delivery and 1 day per-week for part time students (Monday for first year, Friday for second year). Nine modules (including Dissertation) totalling 180 CATS points are included in the programme, with no optional modules available.

Lectures are delivered by industry orientated lecturers and external experts within the field of Project Management and Building Information Modelling. Assessment is undertaken through coursework and presentations.

Course Details

The course content gives theoretical and practical coverage across a wide variety of topics:

Building Information Modelling in Practice (10 CATS) giving an overview of the underlying principles of BIM implementation.

Emerging Digital Technology (20 CATS) exploring the new technologies which are emerging in the field of Digital Construction.

Procurement Contract Administration and LAW (20 CATS) this module gives students an understanding of construction procurement and contract routes, and contract and tort law and their application in construction.

Project Coordination, Planning and Control (10 CATS) this module gives students an introduction to project coordination, planning, scheduling and control within the context of BIM Project Management.

Research Methods for Managers (10 CATS) this module equips students with the knowledge and skills required to undertake a research project from the formulation of research questions, through literature review and data collection, to analysis and presentation of data.

Project Planning for Sustainability (20 CATS) this module enhances student awareness of developments in the field of sustainable project development and construction.

Technical BIM Implementation (30 CATS)
This module is designed to develop students' comprehensive understanding of the detailed principles of BIM implementation using a suite of software packages, both architectural and engineering, in the development of intelligent 3D models.

Individual Research Project (Dissertation) (60 CATS) an independent research project, focusing on a particular issue within the realm of BIM project management

Indicative Mix of Time in Classes, Tutorials and Private Study in a Teaching Semester

Each semester, there is approximately 144 hours of direct student contact with 288 hours of self-directed private study and coursework preparation required.

Individual Research Project

For full-time students the final months of the programme (Semester 3) is dedicated to an individual research project (60 CATS points). Submission is in September. Part-time students may arrange this research project, subject to timetabling and arrangement with the Programme Co-ordinator.

People teaching you

Lecturer

SNBE

Lecturer

SNBE

Senior Lecturer

SNBE

Lecturer

SNBE

Teaching Times

Semesters 1-2: Mon 13.00 – 20:30 and Friday, 12.00 – 18.30; 12 weeks per semester. Will include team-working for coursework preparation outside of lecture times

Learning and Teaching

We provide a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with industry experts, develop skills and perspectives that will equip them for life and work and work with innovative technology.

  • WHO WILL BE TEACHING YOU?

    A small core of tutors with decades of academic and industrial experience.

    The Programme Director is Dr Tara Brooks, a Chartered Architect with 20 years’ experience in the construction industry.

    https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/tara-brooks

Assessment

Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:

  • Methods of assessment will comprise a combination of individual written and technical assignments, group reports, student presentations, and role-play exercises.

    Group coursework will also include group presentations to a judging panel. Individual coursework may, where required, be further presented at a panel Q&A session.
  • MSc students who have achieved a minimum of 50 per cent in the compulsory modules and an average of 50 per cent or above overall in the taught programme, are required to undertake an individual research project and submit a dissertation to complete the programme. This dissertation must be passed at 50 per cent for the award of the MSc.

    Students who achieve an overall average for their taught modules and dissertation in the range 60 per cent to 69 per cent will be awarded a Commendation. Students who achieve an average of 65 per cent or above in the taught programme and 70 per cent or more for the dissertation, with an overall average of 70 per cent or more, will be awarded a Distinction.

What our academics say

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Modules

Modules

The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2023/24). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.

  • Year 1

    Core Modules

    Dissertation (60 credits)

Entrance requirements

Graduate

Normally a 2.2 Honours degree in a relevant discipline e.g. Architecture, Engineering or Social Science, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.

Applicants with relevant work experience will be considered on a case-by case-basis.

The University's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy provides guidance on the assessment of experiential learning (RPEL). Please visit http://go.qub.ac.uk/RPLpolicy for more information.

The deadline for applications is normally 30th June 2024. However, we encourage applicants to apply as early as possible. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal earlier than 30th June deadline. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.

Please note: A deposit will be required to secure a place on this course.

International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.

English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

  • Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
  • Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

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Careers

Career Prospects

Introduction

There are excellent career opportunities for our graduates as project managers, BIM coordinators, contract managers, BIM implementation managers, design managers, project architects, project engineers, planners, etc., within project management consultants, construction companies, property developers and government agencies, amongst others. Graduates are also well prepared for PhD research, which may lead to careers in research establishments and universities.

WHERE COULD YOU BE IN FIVE YEARS?
Where do you want to be? This programme opens doors, not only in construction, but also into other industries. Having completed a dedicated BIM Project Management programme, you can work anywhere in the world, with anyone looking for a Building Information Modelling orientated viewpoint.

Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes alongside sterling integration with business experts helps our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally.
http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/

Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1 £7,300
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 £7,300
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 £9,250
EU Other 3 £21,500
International £21,500

1EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.

2 EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.

3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

More information on postgraduate tuition fees.

Additional course costs

Where students are undertaking a professional internship they are required to pay a placement charge to the University. When the placement charge is published it will be available on page 11 of the Tuition Fee Schedule at https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Feesandfinance/FileStore/Filetoupload,1527396,en.pdf.

Terms and Conditions for Postgraduate applications 

1.1  Due to high demand, there is a deadline for applications. 
1.2  You will be required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the course.
1.3  This condition of offer is in addition to any academic or English language requirements.

Read the full terms and conditions:
https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/EPS/terms-and-conditions/

PLEASE NOTE Applications for this course received after 30th June 2024 may not be accepted. In addition, a deposit will be required to secure a place.

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.

Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.

If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.

Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.

There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

How do I fund my study?

The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study. Tuition fee loan information.

A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £11,836 for taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas. Criteria, eligibility, repayment and application information are available on the UK government website.

More information on funding options and financial assistance - please check this link regularly, even after you have submitted an application, as new scholarships may become available to you.

International Scholarships

Information on scholarships for international students, is available at www.qub.ac.uk/Study/international-students/international-scholarships.

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Apply

How to Apply

Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Apply now

When to Apply

The deadline for applications is normally 30th June 2021. In the event that any programme receives a high volume of applications, the university reserves the right to close the application portal earlier than 30th June deadline. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Entry Portal (DAP) against the programme application page.

Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study.
Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions.

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