MSc Building and Infrastructure Information Modelling (BIM) for Smart Engineering
Cardiff, United Kingdom
DURATION
1 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 28,200 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for overseas | for home: £11,700
Introduction
Our MSc Building and Infrastructure Information Modelling (BIM) for Smart Engineering aims to provide you with the necessary training, skills and hands-on experience to become successful in the dynamic and highly competitive fields of BIM and smart engineering and to give you a distinct edge when applying for a career in industry or for a PhD studentship.
The course will provide you with engineering-oriented advanced BIM training, consolidate the related fundamental theory, strengthen your modelling and analysis skills and smart engineering knowledge, and enhance your future engineering competency and employability. It will build on your existing engineering knowledge and skills to deliver a comprehensive, flexible, robust and research-led advanced BIM training package.
This course is based on the research strengths of the Building Information Modelling (BIM) group, which has been an established research group for over twenty years.
This course is accredited by the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Institution of Structural Engineers, the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation, and the Institute of Highway Engineers on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Candidates must hold a CEng-accredited undergraduate first degree to comply with full CEng registration requirements.
Why Study this Course
This MSc will provide you with the necessary training, skills and hands-on experience to become successful in the dynamic and highly competitive fields of BIM and smart engineering.
Multidisciplinary Options
The wide selection of optional modules and the multidisciplinary nature of the course make it accessible to candidates from a variety of backgrounds.
Tailored Core Skills Training
You will learn how to plan and propose research projects; conduct literature reviews and critiques; and design, simulate, optimize and manage building or infrastructure projects; all supported by cutting-edge BIM-related computing technologies.
Industrial Impact
The BIM research group has been recognized internationally and has developed close working relationships with major BIM research and training centres worldwide and international industrial partners in the UK, EU and China.
Industry Recognised Certificates
You could gain a Building Research Establishment (BRE) BIM Manager Certificate and Building SMART certificate which is highly regarded by industry.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
We are committed to investing up to a total of £500,000 in this high-value competitive scholarship scheme to support UK students who are planning to start an eligible Master’s programme in 2024/25.
The Scholarships are each worth £3,000 and will be awarded in the form of a tuition fee discount.
Eligibility
UK students are eligible to apply for the Scholarship. You normally need to have achieved at least a 2.1 or equivalent in your first degree to be eligible. You need to submit an application to study at Cardiff University and be made an offer to study before your fee status can be confirmed.
Curriculum
The MSc Building and Infrastructure Information Modelling (BIM) for Smart Engineering is a two-stage postgraduate taught programme delivered over three terms (autumn, spring, and summer) for a total of 180 credits.
In Stage 1 you will undertake core modules to a total of 100 credits which will cover the core skills you need. You will also be able to choose from a wide range of optional modules for a total of 20 credits.
After successfully completing Stage 1 you will proceed to Stage 2 - the research project and dissertation stage - where you will undertake a 60-credit research project module of three months duration.
BIM Computing and Information Processing & Integrated Building/Infrastructure Design are the two core BIM modules running through the full academic year, focusing on the fundamental and practical BIM skills, with direct industry involvements.
Building & Infrastructure information Modelling (Spring Term) focuses on the advanced BIM theory and understanding linking directly to ongoing BIM research projects within Engineering School, Cardiff University.
Engineering Case Study (Spring Term) will prepare for your summer research project through an intensive literature review and proposing research plans. Normally you will choose the project topics proposed by academic staff and supported by your supervisor.
Core Modules for Year One
- Integrated Building/Infrastructure Design
- BIM Computing and Information Processing
- Professional Engineering Studies
- Engineering Case Study
- Building and Infrastructure Information Modelling
- Dissertation (Civil, Structural, Geoenvironmental, Water)
Optional Modules for Year One
- Numerical Techniques in Civil Engineering
- Big Data and AI in Civil Engineering
- Risk and Hazard Management in the Energy Sector
- Structural Engineering
- Environmental Building Studies
- Waste Management and Recycling
- Advanced Robotics
How will I be Assessed?
According to the different modules, the assessment methods are different, including paper examination, coursework, reports, presentations, posters, dissertations and peer assessment (for group projects).
Program Outcome
What Skills Will I Practise and Develop?
The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you will be able to do as a result of your study at Cardiff University. They will help you to understand what is expected of you.
The Learning Outcomes for this Programme can be found below:
Knowledge & Understanding
On completing this programme you will be able to
- Undertake a leading role in BIM design and development activity, including up-to-date knowledge of the academic literature, the major companies and market pressures in the industry, and the practical industry standards (e.g. UK & international BIM standards/manuals); open BIM standards and activities; and wider BIM related contexts (e.g. management, legal, data safety and security issues)
- Understand the essential elements within complex built environment issues, and different cutting-edge computing techniques, (e.g. cloud computing, Internet of Things, Big Data and Artificial intelligence), and understand how these may be integrated to solve real-world problems in the modern built environment in a systematic and creative manner
- Demonstrate a sophisticated level of knowledge and understanding of the engineering methodologies and tools in the field of BIM Digital and Smart Engineering
Intellectual Skills
On completing this programme you will be able to
- Show originality, competence and confidence in tackling both familiar and unfamiliar problems
- Understand the application of BIM-supported systems engineering that is able to collect, manipulate, interpret, synthesize, present and report data, and produce holistic decision-making
- Contribute to the continuing development of engineering practice and research based upon a critical evaluation of existing methods
Professional Practical Skills
On completing this programme you will be able to
- Undertake the fundamental and practical skills of BIM engineering, including 3D parametric modelling, clash detection, 4D/nD modelling, collaborative/integrated design and other related applications upon an in-depth understanding of the major collaborative issues throughout the project life cycle and across the entire supply chain
- Develop the capability to conduct the full UK BIM level 2, 3 & beyond and other similar national BIM standards compatible projects
- Appreciate the stages involved in the construction industry as well as the embedded advanced BIM computing systems, including characterisation and measurement, modelling, computer-aided design, simulation, optimisation and test
- Select an appropriate IT-based system development tool for a given task, to be able to become a BIM system developer (for students with BIM programming interests)
- Efficiently and effectively integrate into a research group environment, including concisely reporting progress, negotiating activities and timescales, supporting colleagues and working in a team;
- Plan, propose and execute a sophisticated research project with realistic goals, deliverables and contingency plans
Transferable/Key Skills
On completing this programme you will be able to demonstrate:
- Effective communication skills, including the ability to write literature reviews, literature critiques, academic article writing, long report writing and formal scientific presentations
- Effective and efficient group and team working skills, including negotiation, compromise, contingency planning, time management and record-keeping
- Engagement, liaison and collaboration with expert academic and industrial research scientists and the ability to transfer concepts, methodologies and modes of presentation between both environments
- The skills required to manipulate, present and report data in a variety of ways; and manage resources and time
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
The emergence of Building Information Modelling (BIM) has brought revolutionary changes to the Architecture, Engineering and Construction / Operation (AEC/O) industry. Throughout the world, the race for BIM industry uptake has resulted in a shortage of critical resources and new skills in the construction area. Significant demands are coming from industries requiring qualified BIM graduates with an engineering perspective.
The MSc Building and Infrastructure Information Modelling (BIM) for Smart Engineering will provide you with career opportunities in the following areas:
- Technical, research, development and engineering positions in generic civil engineering and specifically BIM industry;
- Theoretical, experimental and instrumentational doctoral research;
- Numerate, technical, research, development and engineering positions in related scientific fields;
- Engineering, mathematics and general science education.
- Related professions could include city planners and managers, architects, civil/structural engineers, MEP engineers, construction managers, surveyors, environmental analysts, mechanical engineers, electronic engineers, facility/asset managers, or computer scientists.
Program delivery
How will I be Taught?
A wide range of teaching methods will be used to deliver the diverse material forming the curriculum of the programme. Lectures can take a variety of forms depending on the subject material being taught.
You will practice and develop critical, reflective, analytical and presentational skills by participating in diverse learning activities such as research group meetings, seminars and open group discussions. At all times you will be encouraged to reflect on what you have learned and how it can be combined with other techniques and concepts to tackle novel problems.
In the practical laboratory sessions, you will put the breadth of your knowledge and skills to use, whether using modelling skills to conduct collaborative design, or programming skills to extend the functionality of BIM software, or communication skills for data exchanging requirement development. The emphasis on the MSc Building and Infrastructure Information Modelling (BIM) for Smart Engineering is squarely on acquiring and demonstrating practical skills which will be of use in a research environment and hence highly sought-after by employers.
Dissertation topics are typically chosen from a range of project titles proposed by academic staff, usually in areas of current research interest, although students are encouraged to put forward their own project ideas.