Construction Management with BIM MSc

Study level: Postgraduate
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Developed in collaboration with industry, this course aims to help you to progress your career in construction management and improve your skills in project delivery, leadership, decision making, strategic thinking and communication.

Year of entry

2023-24

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)
100% online study

Study mode

Full-time
Part-time
Sandwich

Duration

1 year full-time
2 years part-time
2 years sandwich

Course code

On campus - EECT011
Online - EECT142

Start date

September 2023
January 2024
May 2024

How to apply
Book an Open Day
Download a prospectus
Ask a question

Course overview

Currently accredited by the Chartered Institute of Builders (CIOB) and studied on campus or 100% online, this industry-focused course is designed to have a wide appeal – for architects, engineers, surveyors, construction managers, facilities managers, legal practitioners, or any construction professional seeking a management career in the industry.

  • The course is continually updated each year to ensure it stays current with the latest industry innovations and technologies with the latest additions including Building Information Modelling, cloud-based project sharing within Common Data Environments, digital clash detection on virtual BIM models, energy analysis simulations and information workflows in a digitised industry.
  • By studying theory/management practices and examining real-life case studies, you will be taught how to manage complex construction projects from the initial planning stages, analysing corporate problems and presenting appropriate solutions from implementation and completion, managing project teams, procurement, finance, risk and health and safety.
  • The course examines how the built and natural environments interact, ever conscious of the need for sustainable construction, together with the environmental principles and legislation applied to the construction industry.
  • You will be encouraged to engage in topical discussions about a wide range of issues, from sustainability demands in construction to environmental and economic considerations in shaping construction trends.
  • If you study on campus, you will have the option to apply for a 'work placement' opportunity2, designed to further develop your skills and knowledge with the aim of maximising your employability prospects. See modules for more information.
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Joint Top Modern University for Career Prospects

Guardian University Guide 2021 and 2022
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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings
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Top 5 UK Student City (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2023

Why you should study this course

As public and private investment in the built environment continues to grow, so too does the need for the specialist skills and expertise, not only to contend with increasingly complex construction projects, but also to take account of complicated regulations, technological advancements and environmental concerns.

  • Coventry University currently has excellent links with potential employers, many of whom, like Warwickshire City Council, provide direct input into current course development as members of our Building Advisory Board.
  • We currently have a strong portfolio of modern, industry-related research and expertise in engineering, construction, and sustainable development, ranging from project management to supply chain management. We are home to both the Simulation Centre, which allows the use of virtual reality simulation training for construction students attending this course, and the Centre for the Built and Natural Environment, which seeks to deliver solutions to close the design versus as-built performance gap found in the built environment4.
  • You can benefit from access to facilities4 within our £50m Engineering and Computing building, which features material and manufacturing laboratories, as well as our High Performance Engineering Centre where you will have access to industry-standard equipment and software, such as Microsoft Project, Primavera, AutoCAD and Revit.

Accreditation and professional recognition

This course is accredited1 and recognised by the following bodies:

CIOB The Chartered Institute of Building

Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)

This course is currently accredited by The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) until 1 April 2023*, having been judged to meet the CIOB Education Framework. Prospective members holding these qualifications will have full academic exemption and once they have gained three to five years’ relevant work experience, may enter CIOB membership as an applicant to progress towards Chartered Membership without the requirement for an Individual Assessment.

*We are currently processing our periodic 5 year renewal for our CIOB accreditation. This is a process we complete every 5 years to ensure our courses stay relevant and respected. If the accreditation of this course changes, we would seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

For further information, please visit the CIOB website.

Chartered Association of Building Engineers

Chartered Association of Building Engineers

This course is accredited by the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) for intakes up to and including May 2025. All students on a CABE accredited course can apply for FREE Student Membership of CABE for the duration of their course.

CMI Chartered Management Institute

Chartered Management Institute

As part of this course, you will undertake a professional development module which is currently accredited by the Chartered Management Institute for the 2023-24 intake. Upon successful completion of this module, you will gain the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice at no additional cost.

Coventry University’s accreditation with CMI is currently ongoing for the relevant modules and is regularly reviewed and monitored by the CMI through their quality systems.

What you'll study

Modules

  • This module aims to develop your ability to apply a range of different techniques to the management of projects in the construction industry. You should also develop a critical understanding of the project process including the ability to synthesis and integrate the main knowledge elements on project management and apply this to construction scenarios.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to develop your ability to apply accounting and financial principles, to use financial information to analyse problems, and assess business performance in construction firms from a financial viewpoint. The module should also develop your ability to apply financial methods for decision-making, asset management and control within organisations.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to give you an awareness of the rationale for BIM and the roles and responsibilities within a BIM compliant project. This includes the information flows, policies, standards and the role of the client within BIM projects. The module will focus closely on the processes that are set out in ISO 19650 which clarifies the exchange of information and standardizes the format for drawing labelling.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to develop your skills and ability to assess and improve project delivery through Building Information Modelling (BIM). This module develops an understanding of the complexity of working in interdisciplinary teams and managing collaborative design and information flows.

    Compulsory

  • The project calls for the application of academic knowledge, engineering judgment, professional skills and personal resourcefulness to analyse challenging civil engineering / construction problems in a comprehensive manner and propose well justified and presented solutions. The project will involve group work, requiring a degree of original research by the participants, and requiring the integration of technical, economic, socio-political and interpersonal aspects of the project process.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to develop your knowledge and critical understanding of the complex interrelationships between organisational structures and social networks within typical construction companies. This study will include human resource management, motivation and leadership skills, corporate management and strategic planning.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to develop your understanding and critical awareness of the selection, use and interpretation of standard forms of contracts within the construction industry. The aim is to identify risks associated with contract management and procurement selection and to identify solutions. These aims will be achieved by considering various topics forming part of the CIOB, RICS and ICE Foundation, current issues and case studies.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to develop knowledge and critical understanding of exogenous issues influencing the way modern construction projects are being and will be managed in the future. Great emphasis will be placed upon the research methodologies applicable to construction in addressing these issues and achieving sustainable development.

    Compulsory

  • In this module, you should develop a thorough understanding of problem identification, research design and methodology, data collection, interpretation and analysis as well as effective report writing.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to provide you with a framework of knowledge and understanding of how to effectively lead and develop people in a strategically diverse and inclusive way. You will be given the opportunity to develop strategic priorities for leadership, equality, diversity and inclusion.

    Compulsory

With work placement pathway

The ‘With work placement’ opportunity2 enables you to apply in semester 1 for an optional work placement of up to 12 months, extending the duration of your master’s to 24 months. The placement provides an opportunity for you to develop expertise and experience in your chosen field with the aim of enhancing your employability upon graduation. The work placement would take place in semesters 3, 4 and 5.

Please note that the optional placement modules incur an additional tuition fee of £4,000. Placement opportunities may also be subject to additional costs, visa requirements being met, subject to availability and/or competitive application. Work placements are not guaranteed but you will benefit from the support of the Talent Team in trying to find and secure an opportunity. Find out more about the work placement option.

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

Study on campus

Actual teaching contact hours will vary depending on the requirements of a particular semester. In a typical week, your contact hours will be divided amongst:

  • Tutorials and group teaching
  • Medium group teaching (e.g. seminars, tutorial sessions and lab sessions)
  • Large group teaching (lectures)

The number of contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 14 contact hours per week. In addition, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study each week of around 25 hours, depending on the demands of individual modules. 

This course can be studied on a full-time or part-time basis. Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our part-time offering here, it is tailored for each course each year depending on the number of part-time applicants. Therefore, the part-time teaching arrangements vary. Please request information about studying this course part-time.

Explore our campus

Study 100% online

You will have timetabled classes, online tutorials, and seminars, with all your learning activities available on-demand so that you can learn at the best time and location for you.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the University may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

How online learning works

 

The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the University may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2023/2024 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods may include coursework, formal examinations, practical work and dissertation/project. This course is predominantly assessed by coursework.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards the achieving the intended learning outcomes.

International experience opportunities

The content of the course continuously refers to the international context in which construction takes place, not least through relevant real-life case studies. This aims to give you an international perspective to your studies and future career as a construction manager. Where possible, we also try to organise international field trips2 so that you can experience the construction industry in another country.

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2023/24 entry.

To enter the course you should have an honours degree in any relevant discipline related to construction or built environment, or equivalent.

Each application will be considered on its merits and the final decision will be made by the course director. 

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you. 

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To enter the course you should have an overseas undergraduate honours degree in any relevant discipline related to construction or built environment, or equivalent.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

Europe

Americas

Middle East

South Asia

South East Asia

East Asia

Africa

Russia and Central Asia

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course. 

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

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Fees and funding

2023/24 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK £11,200 | £4,000 (Work placement option additional fee)   Request fee information
International £18,600 | £4,000 (Work placement option additional fee)   Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page and see the university's Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

  • We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the government's Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

    If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

Our aim is to offer you sector-leading facilities4:

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The Library

The Lanchester Library is open 24/7, 364 days a year and has 1,400 study spaces, including group and silent areas. It also currently offers more than 550 computers and an additional 120 free-to-loan laptops within the library.

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Jaguar Centre

Our refurbished Jaguar Centre has been specifically designed to provide facilities and services to support our postgraduate students including: social spaces, computer suites and separate areas for small group study.

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The Hub

The Hub is the centre of student campus life. It's also home to: The Health and Wellbeing Centre, The Spirituality and Faith Centre, The Tank Studio, The Careers and the Enterprise Hub.

Careers and opportunities

On successful completion, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of: systems theory to the management of projects in the construction industry;  the regulatory and legal framework; procurement systems and standard forms of construction contracts; safety and health in the construction workplace; environmental principles and legislation; corporate management processes; accounting and financial principles and use of financial information related to performance in construction; principles of consultancy and the theories and practices found in leadership.
  • Analyse, interpret and present Information from construction case studies, including appropriate use of information technology, such as the internet and Blackboard.
  • Analyse and solve construction management problems of an advanced technical and managerial nature, with sound judgement.
  • Apply project management principles to construction projects.
  • Develop appropriate procurement systems for a range of construction scenarios, such as the procurement and supply management.
  • Accept professional and ethical responsibility and demonstrate problem-solving and enterprise skills, as well as teamwork and leadership.

This course aims to help prepare you for careers in managing companies and human resources, motivation and leadership, as well as strategic planning. It is designed to help you progress to senior management roles within the construction industry. With core modules covering Building Information Modelling the course prepares you for opportunities in key BIM roles within the industry opening you up to wider potential careers in addition construction management roles.

Continuing professional development (CPD) is now an essential requirement for chartered status, so you will be encouraged to reflect on your personal development planning, particularly following the assessment of your project, developing an action plan to build on your own strengths and mitigate weaknesses.

Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your future career and aim to give you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. The university's Talent Team provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career.

Where our graduates work

Many of our successful graduates have gone on to work in project management, construction management, Building Information Modelling (BIM), architectural and engineering design management, and construction site management. Recent roles have included a programme manager at Warwickshire City Council and a BIM Manager at Coventry University Estates Department.

How to apply

  • Coventry University together with Coventry University London Campus, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the “University”) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University. 

    1Accreditations

    The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

    2UK and international opportunities

    Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or International opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

    3Tuition fees

    The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

    For International Students, we may increase fees each year but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

    4Facilities

    Due to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.

    Student Contract

    By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. The 2023/24 Contract is currently being updated so please revisit this page before submitting your application. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.

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