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level: masters top_up: false international: true clearing: false full_time: true part_time: true start_month: September location: Waterside

BIM-Enabled Sustainable Buildings MSc

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Key Facts

  • Level

    Master'sPG MSc

  • Duration

    Full Time: 1 year
    Part Time: 2 years

  • Starting

    September

Updated 11/12/2024

Apply Now Open Days

Updated 11/12/2024

Get in touch

For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:

UK STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

international@northampton.ac.uk
44 (0)1604 892134

Overview

This course has been suspended for September 2024 entry. The next expected cohort will be September 2025. If you have any queries please contact pgstudy@northampton.ac.uk.

The drive towards Sustainable Buildings’ Design and High Performance buildings is significantly growing. This is down to a number of key factors which are having a huge impact on the building and construction sectors – such as concerns over climate change and energy independence.

A BIM-Enabled Sustainable Buildings MSc from University of Northampton gives graduates interested in environmentally responsible buildings the knowledge and skills they need to be able to compete in the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) highly competitive industry. On top of this, you’ll gain a thorough understanding of BIM (Building Information Modelling) and Digital Built Environment.

This course is uniquely focusing on passive design, efficient building services systems design, advanced building simulation techniques and occupants’ health and comfort, combined with the theories and practice of BIM in design and construction allowing you the opportunity to obtain a highly regarded industry BIM degree.

Highlights

  • This programme uniquely combines BIM (Building Information modelling) and Sustainable Design Engineering.
  • Flexible mode of study to accommodate your work and life commitments.
  • Tutors and lecturers are industry practitioners which means you will be taught with the latest technological advances and industry requirements to date.
  • Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES) saw the institution ranked FIRST out of all UK universities in the overall satisfaction category this year, and ranked in the top 10 across all areas of focus in the survey.
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Entry Requirements

A 2:2 honours degree or above in an appropriate construction discipline (e.g. architecture, architectural technology, civil, mechanical, electrical engineering, surveying etc.).

  • The programme welcomes applications from those with a wide variety of educational qualifications or experience and will consider on merit applicants with no formal qualifications through an online interview.

    For more more information on how to make an application, please visit our How to Apply page.

    If you are an International student and would like information on making an application, please see our How to Apply page.

  • All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:

    • Minimum standard – IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent)
      for study at master’s level.

    For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

Course Content

  • This programme uniquely combines BIM (Building Information modelling) and Sustainable Design Engineering (with a focus on engineering and technical issues concerning all aspects of building science, technology, energy performance) – two key areas in buildings and construction industry in the UK as the government has now set BIM level 2 compliant projects as mandatory by 2020, and included Sustainability as one of the key aspects in the Project Strategies in the new RIBA plan of work 2020.

    BIM-Enabled Sustainable Buildings MSc will provide the basis for a range of career opportunities. This course offers multi-disciplinary modules which provides the opportunity for those with different backgrounds and interest in becoming BIM specialists – ranging from specialists in sustainable buildings’ design, high performance buildings’ design, and advanced building simulation techniques to gain a master’s qualification.

    In a construction era dominated by the Digital Built Environment, BIM, High-Performance and Sustainable, Climate Responsive Low-to-Zero Emission Buildings, this course will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed  and enhance your career prospects within these emerging sectors.

    This course is also offering research-led teaching combined with industry experience – supported by a close working relationship with a number of ongoing BIM research projects in the UK and abroad, as well as collaborating with a wide range of international industrial partners.

    The programme consists of 120 credits modules as follows [Below module titles may vary]:

    Semester 1
    • BIM Theory and Project Management (20 credits)
    • Federated BIM Models (20 credits)
    • BIM-Enabled Sustainable Design (Energy and Buildings) (20 credits)
    Semester 2
    • Building Simulation and Post Occupancy Evaluation (20 credits)
    • Efficient Building Service Systems (20 credits)
    • Sustainable Buildings Design for Climate Change Mitigation (20 credits)
    Semester 3
    • Research Methodology and Thesis (Dissertation, Design by Research) (60 credits)

    Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to our state-of-the-art Waterside campus and use our fabulous facilities and 24-hour access to industry standard specialist software for engineering design at dedicated computer clusters on campus.

  • How will I be taught?

    The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, computer sessions, and seminars.

    How will I be assessed?

    Assessment is via coursework (individual and group), presentations, and a written dissertation.

    What jobs can I go into from studying this course?

    With this BIM-Enabled Sustainable Buildings MSc qualification, you will be able to stand in a good position to attract jobs as a specialist in BIM and/or Environmental Design Engineering, and/or in Building Performance and Energy – in the following sectors:

    • Architecture
    • Architectural technology
    • Construction and Civil Engineering
    • Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing services (MEP)
    • Engineering
    • Heating, Ventilation and Air-conditioning (HVAC)
    • Engineering Technicians, Contractors, Subcontractors,
    • Fabricators and Manufacturers
    • You will be also qualified to be a BIM manager, or Facilities and Operations manager (FM & OM)
    Any specialist facilities/ features?

    You will gain access to the latest equipment, facilities and hands-on training at our brand-new state-of the art £330m Waterside campus, and be supported with our Changemaker team to secure you a job within a short time of graduation if you are not already working in industry.

Fees and Funding

2025/26 Tuition Fees

Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 25/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK – Full Time: £8,500
  • UK – Part Time: £945 per 20 credit module
  • International: £17,495

  • The cost of your materials will not be covered by your tuition fees. It is very hard to approximate these costs, as it depends on what materials you will be using. Traditional art materials can be purchased from the University shop, which has a wide range of art equipment such as paint, charcoal and quality papers. All materials are competitively priced and the shop is run by our Student Union. You will be responsible for locating alternative and specialist materials, which can be locally sourced from building suppliers and our many industry contacts in the region.

  • For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.

    For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.

  • If you are starting a Master’s course in 2024/25 either full-time or part-time* you may be able to apply for a Master’s loan through Student Finance England.

    *Please note that the maximum period of study allowed for part-time courses is two years.

  • Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

    • UK – Full Time: £8,250
    • UK – Part Time: £920 per 20 credit module
    • International: £16,995

Staff

Riham Ahmed, Senior Lecturer in Architectural Technology

Senior Lecturer in Architectural Technology
Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology

Riham Ahmed

Careers and Employability

With this master’s degree qualification, you will be able to stand in a good position to attract jobs as a specialist in BIM and/or Environmental Design Engineering, and/or in Building Performance and Energy – in the following sectors:

  • Architecture
  • Architectural technology
  • Construction and Civil Engineering
  • Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing services (MEP) Engineering
  • Heating, Ventilation and Air-conditioning (HVAC) Engineering
  • Technicians, Contractors, Subcontractors, Fabricators and Manufacturers
  • You will be also qualified to be a BIM manager, or Facilities and Operations manager (FM & OM)

Is this course for you?

Apply Now
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