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MSc Digital Design and Construction

Year of entry
2024/25 See 2023/24 entry
Course duration
Full Time: 12 months Other: Flexible learning: 18-63 months

Year of entry
2024/25 See 2023/24 entry
Course duration
Full Time: 12 months Other: Flexible learning: 18-63 months

With our MSc Digital Design and Construction course you will gain specialist expertise around the implementation and use of digital technologies, such as BIM, in the construction sector.

The management of complex information, using virtual design and construction, BIM, integrated project delivery approaches and intelligent facility and asset management, is no longer simply a specialist set of activities within construction work; it is increasingly central to the design, construction and operation of buildings and infrastructure.

The management of construction is becoming inseparable from the management of information and information technologies; competitive edge, increased efficiency and productivity are being gained through the strategic use of information systems. The implementation and use of these approaches is transforming the way the built environment is delivered, and transforming the managerial competencies that the sector requires.

The distinctive focus is on the implementation and use of digital technologies in the construction sector.

Clients, both public and private, expect integrated and meaningful information to be delivered alongside the physical product. Built environment professionals need to be able to understand information requirements across the life cycle, to develop and implement project and organisational level information management processes, and to manage a diverse range of data and interfaces through the construction process.

This course provides an opportunity to develop expertise in the developing field of information management for built environment and infrastructure. It provides an introduction to fundamental academic subjects related to information management and an understanding of the latest theories and research, which inform emerging vocational practice across design, construction and operation.

The course combines internationally-renowned academic and industry expertise with intensive practical learning, using state of the art technologies within the university's dedicated BIM laboratories and virtual reality facilities. The combination of fundamental understanding, exposure to cutting edge industry practice, and hands-on experience will provide you with the knowledge required to develop successful careers across the construction life cycle.

All of our courses can be undertaken as either a one-year full-time course, or as a flexible modular course. Our courses are delivered on this basis in recognition that you may want to fit your studies around work and other commitments. This course is accredited by CIOB. (Accreditation is reviewed periodically. Successful completion of this course satisfies the academic requirements for membership of CIOB).

Visit the School of Construction Management and Engineering's website.

CIOB logo

Overview

With our MSc Digital Design and Construction course you will gain specialist expertise around the implementation and use of digital technologies, such as BIM, in the construction sector.

The distinctive focus is on the implementation and use of digital technologies in the construction sector.

Visit the School of Construction Management and Engineering's website.

CIOB logo

Entry requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall with no element less than 5.5.

Entry requirements: Normally a good undergraduate honours degree (good second class or above). If you have other qualifications and a number of years’ relevant work experience, you are welcome to apply.

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score, you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

Structure

Modules

Core modules

Collaboration, Practice and Innovation

Write a reflective piece which applies what you’ve learned to a case study. You’ll consider changes in knowledge and digital practice that bring new opportunities and challenges to the construction sector.

Research Skills

To prepare you for your dissertation research, you’ll learn how to formulate a research problem, develop, and apply investigative approaches, interpret data, and present your findings.

Research Dissertation

Formulate a research problem in the field of construction. You’ll select appropriate research methods and apply recognised strategies and techniques to address the problem in a sustained and logical written piece on the topic.

Building Information Management and Socio-technical Change

Explore approaches that implement socio-technical systems into the built environment, including the use of Building Information Modelling (BIM). You’ll address how the potential for BIM rests on the understanding of how socio-technical systems are supported.

Innovations in Digital Practice

Sharpen your skills by engaging with the built environment using digital tools and technologies. You'll examine the relationship between people, technologies, and information by incorporating social science methods.

Organising for Innovation and Digital Transformation

Discover how to implement and manage innovation and digital technologies in the built environment. You’ll identify and assess the potential and ramifications for new technologies, assisting with your learning on how to map, define, and analyse design.

Optional modules

Strategies and International Construction

Prepare for leadership roles in construction by analysing the influence of culture, climate, geology, regulation framework of codes and standard, compliance, and ethical behaviour within different global construction markets.

Construction Contract Law and Design Management

Apply lessons from research and practice to increase your understanding of contractual relationships in construction projects, the design process in contemporary construction, and tools and techniques used for its management.

Infrastructure Development and Urban Sustainability

To understand sustainable development in urban settings, you’ll review the challenges of delivery and their impact on achieving goals. This explores the role of infrastructure and theoretical frameworks that underpin the process.

Carbon Management and Life Cycle Assessment

Address the management of carbon dioxide emissions and the need for mitigation by studying the latest scientific understandings on the issue. This covers key concepts in Life Cycle Assessment to assist you in interpreting and critically reviewing a study.

Urban Microclimates and ICT and Energy Management

Evaluate interactions between the urban atmosphere, urban form and function and review how energy monitoring and management offers energy saving potential. This will advance your knowledge and understanding of UM and IEM.

Construction Project Management: From Inception to Site Delivery

Using tools and techniques, you’ll apply ideas to real-world contexts that will increase your understanding of the management of organisations and projects. This focuses on production taking place within time and cost constraints whilst achieving the highest quality.

Construction Risk Management

Through discussion and case studies of the global construction market, you’ll identify risk in projects, implement methods and analyse their impact, develop strategies, prepare and uptake risk management plans.

Construction Economics and Cost Management

Learn how to estimate, plan, manage, control, and engineer building costs across stages of the development process. This includes how the economic analysis framework can be used to address problems and questions within modern construction.

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £12,550

New international students: £26,950

Tuition fee information

The fees listed are for full-time study, unless otherwise stated. Fees are calculated pro rata for flexible modular study.

Fee information will be confirmed in offer letters sent out to successful applicants. You can find further information, including information for part-time study, through our dedicated fees and funding page.

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

See list of Construction Management and Engineering scholarships

Careers

This course is intended for those who wish to develop specialist management expertise in the rapidly growing field of information systems in construction, digital project delivery and virtual design and construction. It is relevant for those seeking to move into specific roles in BIM or information management, as well as to provide a focused advanced management qualification for professionals who recognise the current and future importance of managing information effectively in the sector. This will appeal to both graduates and professionals from a variety of backgrounds, including:

Project managers concerned with project information management
Construction professionals responsible for the implementation of new technologies in projects and/or construction enterprises
Business leaders with an interest in digitally-enabled construction
Client representatives seeking to maximise the quality and value of asset information.

MSc Digital Design and Construction

Tuition fee information

EU student fees

Additional costs

Financial support for your studies

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