Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Project Collaboration
MSc

Please note: The final intake for this course is May 2023

With changes in UK legislation and ever-growing technological advancements, our online Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Project Collaboration MSc is more relevant than ever. The construction sector is expanding at an exponential rate with digital collaboration being at the forefront of project management.

BIM is a key part of the UK government's industrial strategy Construction 2025, which aims to increase productivity and collaboration through the use of digital technologies. It is a requirement that all public sector projects based in the United Kingdom will meet BIM Level 2.

The MSc Building Information Modelling and Project Collaboration online degree has been developed specifically for architects, architectural technologists, design and project managers, construction managers, civil engineers and other construction professionals. You will be able to draw on the extensive industrial links of our academic staff within a university that has Centre of Excellence Status from the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT).

Course accredited by RICS, an accelerated route to Chartered Surveyor status

This course is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). RICS is a globally recognised and highly regarded professional body that promotes positive change in the built and natural environments. They advocate and enforce the highest professional standards in the development and management of land, real-estate, construction, and infrastructure around the world.

This prestigious RICS accreditation sets a quality benchmark which ensures that the Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Project Collaboration MSc course is delivered to a high standard, includes content relevant to current industrial practice and is future ready, enabling you to tackle societal challenges and create better places to live.

Become a Chartered Surveyor in 2 years through APC-24

If you are aspiring to become a Chartered Surveyor, then this accredited course will put you on track to achieve MRICS status in just 2 years. Upon completing the course, you will be able to go on to complete the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC-24) which requires 24 months of structured workplace training prior to undertaking the final APC assessment.

The RICS Chartered qualification (MRICS) is a highly valued asset in built environment sector, worldwide. This status can provide many professional benefits including being part of a global professional network, access to jobs around the work, and expanding your skills and knowledge, future career prospects and earning potential.

Build your professional network and strengthen your employability

• Become a RICS Student member for free

  If you are enrolled onto a RICS accredited course, you will be able to join RICS as a student member for free:

  • Access an elite network of 134,000 RICS professional worldwide and join the Surveying professional community via the RICS LinkedIn Group
  • Benefit from RICS Matrics which supports trainee or newly qualified surveyors to build your professional network, expand your skills set and develop connections with other like-minded professionals
  • Knowledge and Resources to keep you at the forefront of industry including RICS Journals, conferences and seminars, training, international practice standards and professional guidance, CPD resources, independent research and cutting-edge thinking
• Add value to your CV with an internationally recognised accredited degree and highly regarded qualification, valued by employers as the benchmark of quality

CIAT Accredited course; a springboard to Chartership

This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologies (CIAT), a dynamic, forward-thinking and inclusive global membership qualifying body for Architectural Technology.     

CIAT is a membership organisation representing 10,000 members, including those practising and studying within the discipline and profession, who wish to be professionally recognised.  

CIAT Accreditation implies that the programme has been assessed in terms of content, structure, resources and has met the Institute's requirements.   

Whilst enrolled on this course, you will benefit from free student membership with CIAT where you'll be able to access their recourses to further enhance your professional development and enrich your studies.  

Upon graduation, you'll be eligible to apply for Associate Membership (ACIAT) and you will be entitled to exemptions against the educational standards of the MCIAT Professional Assessment when progressing to become a Chartered Architectural Technologist, MCIAT. 

Aspiring to become a chartered BIM professional?

Through the combination of online distance learning and work-based learning, you can achieve the academic qualification and professional development required as evidence in your application for chartered status.

Before you start the programme, please contact the professional body or institute that you are registered with to seek their confirmation that this programme is a suitable pathway to chartership for your particular circumstances. The list of professional bodies can be found on the Engineering Council website.

We will advise you of your study plan - the running order and availability of the modules - when you are invited to enrol. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this may not be offered. In addition, where demand is high, some modules may be subject to a cap.

What you can achieve

The online Building Information Modelling and Project Collaboration programme comprises three progressive stages: postgraduate certificate (PG Cert), postgraduate diploma (PG Dip) and masters (MSc). You will be required to achieve 60 credits to complete each award within the programme, totalling to 180 credits to achieve the MSc.

We would encourage you to complete the full MSc, but if you prefer, you can still gain an exit award at each stage: a PG Cert or a PG Dip.

You can also study the MSc Building Information Modelling and Project Collaboration full-time or part-time on campus.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

A cutting edge approach to BIM-enabled design

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is increasingly playing a major role in the whole lifecycle of projects. This programme’s approach to BIM-enabled integrated design is at the forefront of the industry, drawing on work-based and real-life projects using the latest technology coupled with continued mentoring and support from experienced academics who also practice in the industry.

You will study the theory and practice of BIM as the emerging industry-standard approach to the design, analysis and management of the building life-cycle. You will have the opportunity to research novel approaches and technologies for more efficient design integration and project collaboration, so that you can understand the impact of BIM on the design process and workflow requirements.

The quality of teaching is paralleled by our innovative blend of design management, sustainable design analysis and advanced modelling, customisation and visualisation.

Participate in pioneering research

During your studies, you will be able to draw inspiration from - and take part in - the leading-edge research and consultancy projects being undertaken by our lecturers in the field of BIM-enabled integrated design and construction.

Our built environment staff have strong research and practice backgrounds and are actively engaged in applied research and collaboration with the industry. Most of our research is applied by nature; it underpins the curriculum and is shared with students via regular research seminars, guest lectures and CPD events. Research-active lecturers incorporate current research thinking and advances into their teaching, projects and independent studies supervision, wherever appropriate. The programme curriculum is aligned to the current needs of professional practice in the construction industry, complemented by the extensive industrial links and current staff expertise and research profile.

The research environment is provided by a multidisciplinary team which focuses on a research profile that in particular underpins teaching and the curriculum in areas of sustainable urban design and architecture, BIM and project collaboration, technical architecture and construction. Current research themes are organised around the following key areas:

• Sustainable Architecture
• Healthy Buildings
• Technology and Materials
• BIM and Project Collaboration
• Digital Technologies
• Education and Pedagogical Research
• History and Theories of Architecture methods and site preparation

Pace of study

We recommend about 20 hours of study per week to complete one 20-credit module over a 10-week trimester.

Assessment method

This course is assessed through 100% coursework with a range of methods, such as essays, research reports, presentations, group work and practical reports.

Student support and guidance

Whilst we encourage our students to become independent, life-long learners, we also recognise that offering the right support and guidance will help you to achieve your goals. There is a wealth of support available to you at the University, from your dedicated Personal Tutor and Online Learner Advisor, through to our:

• Library
• Health and Wellbeing Centre
• Careers and Employability Service
• IT Support
• Union of Students

All these services, and more, are available to you as an online student at the University of Derby.

Get a taste of the course content

Our Building Information Modelling and Project Collaboration course taster will give you an idea of how online learning works. It includes a selection of content from a course module so you can see what some of our learning material looks like.

You will need to complete a short form to access the course taster.

You will normally be expected to have an Architectural, Civil Engineering or other Built Environment first degree BEng, with a 2.2 or above, or a professional qualification of equal standing and relevant industrial experience

If you don’t have a degree, we can consider your application if supported by significant industrial experience. Please include evidence of all experience you have in your application.

Professional membership

Before you join this masters degree, you should contact the membership department of your professional body to ensure that they will recognise this programme as part of your application for chartered status.

English language qualifications

If English is not your first language, or you have not successfully completed your highest level of qualification in English, you will need an English language qualification*. For this course you will need at least one of the following:

• IELTS 6.0 (minimum of 5.5 in any areas)*
• TOEFL 580 (paper based) 237 (computer based) or 92 (internet based)
• Pearson Test of Academic English: 58
• Cambridge Advanced Certificate: Pass
• London Tests of English: we accept level 5 for postgraduate courses
• International GCE O Level English Language: Grade C
• International GCSE English/English as a Second Language: Grade C.*

*If you have a minimum of IELTS level 4.5 you can study our Certificate of Credit in English for Academic Purposes which we will accept as evidence that you are able to perform at a suitable level of IELTS 6.0. We will also accept the Certificate of Credit as evidence that you can perform at GCSE level.

Find out more about our English language requirements

^‡2022/23 for new entrants

Starting between September 2022 and August 2023.

About your fees

This figure would be the total cost of this course in the current academic year. However, please note that fees normally increase in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The total fee you pay may therefore increase if your course lasts longer than one year.

However, please also note that you can receive a 5% discount if you either:

• Pay your full course fees upfront, or
• When enrolling in September, pay for all of your modules to be studied in that academic year upfront

Flexible payment plans available

Choose from three payment plan options:

• Pay monthly and only for the modules you are studying

• Pay your full course fees upfront, receive 5% discount and avoid annual increases

• Pay for all modules studied in the year and receive a 5% discount (September enrolment only)

Masters funding options

Depending on where you are from in the UK or EU, and on your pace of study, you may be eligible for a postgraduate student loan. Accessible through Student Finance, this is a non-income based loan to help with living costs and tuition fees whilst studying your masters programme.

Alumni discount for Derby graduates

We offer a discount on postgraduate course fees for all Derby alumni.

Find out about the Alumni discount

Documents to support your application

In order for your application to be assessed, you will need to provide the following documents when you apply:

• Official photo identification such as a passport or driving licence
• Current CV
• Written reference supplied on headed paper from either a manager, supervisor, tutor or teacher
• Copies of certificates and transcripts or a letter of testimony for previous qualifications*

*Documents not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by a certified translation by a professional translator/translation company. Each translation must contain:

• Confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document
• The date of the translation
• The full name and signature of the translator, or an authorised official of the company
• The translator’s contact details

A list of approved translators can be found on the UK Government website.

Please note: failure to submit any documentation when requested, may result in your application being withdrawn.

Application deadlines

All of our online courses have set start dates throughout the year. We require time to review your application and get back to you with a response before your course starts. Take a look at information regarding applying for an online course to see full details of deadlines and term dates.

You can look forward to a wide range of BIM and Project Collaboration-related career opportunities in the design, technical consultancy and management of built environment, as BIM managers, BIM leads or BIM coordinators. Furthermore, you could take on many different types of roles with central and local government, property developers, building contractors, housing associations, retail enterprises and manufacturing companies.

You could also consider further study and research towards a PhD qualification.

Utilise our Careers and Employment Service​

Whilst you are a student at the University of Derby, and for 3 years after you graduate, our Careers and Employment Service can assist you with job search advice, CV creation, workshops and events, as well as one-to-one appointments with employment advisers to help with career planning and interview preparation.

Contact us

Contact the University of Derby Online Learning:

† Additional information about your studies

The final intake for this course is May 2023

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