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Overview
Building Information Modelling (BIM) is transforming the way we design, build and maintain modern structures. On this MSc Building Information Management, you'll master the software, technology and theories you need to keep up with this new industry standard. You'll also study construction law, finance and strategic project management, before bringing your learning together in a focused project of your own design.
With many countries, including the UK, mandating the use of BIM in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industries, there's a global demand for your skills. Not only will you be well-placed to secure a job in the AEC sphere, there's evidence that, as a BIM graduate, you could see a 40% improvement on your salary expectations. You'll also be set to follow careers in higher education, the arts, conservation or management.
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and international students.
Course highlights
- Integrate data management and construction management with BIM design principles, using industry-standard software from Revit to AutoCAD, on one of the UK's longest-running university BIM courses
- Learn from visiting professionals in BIM management organisations such as Sweco, AECOM and Hoare Lea, and attend University-organised networking events with the construction industry
- Choose your mode of study to suit your needs: full-time over one year, or part-time over two years, either on campus or by distance learning
Accreditations
The University of Portsmouth holds CIOB Accredited Centre Status during the period 2022-2027 and MSc Building Information Management is a CIOB Accredited programme during the period 2022-2027, having been judged to meet the CIOB Education Framework. Prospective members holding these qualifications 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.
* It should be noted that candidates completing the MSc who hold an underpinning accredited IEng degree or a non- accredited bachelor degree will need to apply for an academic assessment to determine whether they will meet the educational base for CEng registration.
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsEntry requirements
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and international students.
January 2025 start
- A second-class honours degree or equivalent academic qualification in a technical or analytical discipline (Architecture, Construction Management, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Civil, Surveying, Project Management).
- Exceptionally, applicants from non-technical/analytical disciplines but with proven and substantiated experience in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) fields will be considered.
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 (or equivalent) with no component score below 5.5.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
- Applicants may be subject to interview.
September 2025 / January 2026 start
- A second-class honours degree or equivalent academic qualification in a technical or analytical discipline (Architecture, Construction Management, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Civil, Surveying, Project Management).
- Exceptionally, applicants from non-technical/analytical disciplines but with proven and substantiated experience in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) fields will be considered.
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 (or equivalent) with no component score below 5.5.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
- Applicants may be subject to interview.
Costs and funding
Tuition Fees
UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man students
- Full time: £10,400
- Part time: £3,470 in year 1 and £6,930 in year 2, subject to annual increase
- Part time distance learning: £3,740 in year 1 and £6,930 in year 2, subject to annual increase
EU students
(including Transition Scholarship)
- Full time: £10,400
- Part time: £3,470 in year 1 and £6,930 in year 2, subject to annual increase
- Part time distance learning: £3,470 in year 1 and £6,930 in year 2, subject to annual increase
International students
- Full time: £19,200
- Part time: £6,400 per year and £12,800 in year 2, subject to annual increase
- Part time distance learning: £3,470 in year 1 and £6,930 in year 2, subject to annual increase
UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man students
- Full time: £10,900
- Part time: £3,470 in year 1 and £6,930 in year 2, subject to annual increase
- Part time distance learning: £3,740 in year 1 and £6,930 in year 2, subject to annual increase
EU students
(including Transition Scholarship)
- Full time: £10,900
- Part time: £3,630 in year 1 and £7,270 in year 2, subject to annual increase
- Part time distance learning: £3,630 in year 1 and £7,270 in year 2, subject to annual increase
International students
- Full time: £19,200
- Part time: £6,400 per year and £12,800 in year 2, subject to annual increase
- Part time distance learning: £3,630 in year 1 and £7,270 in year 2, subject to annual increase
University of Portsmouth graduates may receive a 20% alumni tuition fee discount.
Fees are subject to annual increase. Read our tuition fees terms and conditions.
You'll be able to pay your fees in instalments. Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Funding your studies
Explore how to fund your studies, including available scholarships and bursaries.
If you're a UK student, you may be eligible for a Government Postgraduate Master's Loan, which you can use to help with course fees and living costs.
Loans, scholarships and bursaries
Browse funding such as the Government Postgraduate Loan, our scholarships for new and returning students, and subject specific loans.
Funding for international students
Learn more about sponsorships, scholarships and loans for students applying from outside of the UK.
Fees and funding for Master's courses
Explore Master's funding options, including loans, scholarships, bursaries and more.
Additional costs
These course-related costs aren't included in the tuition fees, so you'll need to budget for them when you plan your spending. Additional costs could include:
- Accommodation: Accommodation options and costs can be found on our accommodation pages.
- Recommended reading: You can borrow key texts from the library and if you choose to purchase these texts they may cost up to £60 each.
- General costs: Such as photocopying, memory sticks, printing charges, binding and specialist printing. We suggest budgeting £75 per year.
- Final project transport or accommodation: where necessary, which related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Read more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Modules
Full-time
You'll critically review methodologies and select the best approaches for your study. By synthesizing literature, you'll justify your topic and identify knowledge gaps. You'll collect and analyse data, recognizing ethical and health and safety considerations. Drawing qualified conclusions linked to research objectives, you'll present novel conclusions.
Throughout the process, you'll organize your work, report progress, and reflect on learning. Upon completion, you'll be fully equipped to seize research opportunities in your future career.
You'll appraise software for planning, monitoring and controlling projects. In teams, you'll create BIM models and see integration in action. Analysing data from models, you'll make informed decisions. With critical insight into projects and processes, you'll be at the forefront of BIM theory and practice.
On this module, you'll use software to link modelling and scheduling data across project stages and stakeholders. You'll develop the expertise to thrive in collaborative BIM environments.
Analyzing principles and data, you’ll tackle implementation issues, recommend new ethical options, and justify choices. The strategic skills you’ll build include: evaluating core concepts; appraising construction org challenges; utilizing analytical tools; and recommending and validating strategic solutions.
Managing projects smoothly, you'll apply contract principles and case law to avoid disputes. If issues arise, you'll be able to assess options expertly, from negotiation to litigation. Combining legal knowledge with safety law mastery, you'll implement robust risk management.
You’ll address the impacts of change, corporate social responsibility, diversity in people management, and options for sustainable growth. When you complete the module, you'll be able to demonstrate skills in evaluation of commercial management, analysis of options for growth, and approaching organizational behaviour issues.
You'll gain technical expertise in structural and MEP modeling using industry tools.
Through teamwork, you'll evaluate BIM's business value, improve interoperability, and propose solutions. With strengths in measurement, costing, and planning, you'll be able to optimize the design process. By the end, you'll have specialized abilities to coordinate stakeholders, enhance efficiency, and add value through integrated BIM project delivery.
Part-time
Year 1
All modules on this MSc Building Information Management are core.
You'll appraise software for planning, monitoring and controlling projects. In teams, you'll create BIM models and see integration in action. Analysing data from models, you'll make informed decisions. With critical insight into projects and processes, you'll be at the forefront of BIM theory and practice.
On this module, you'll use software to link modelling and scheduling data across project stages and stakeholders. You'll develop the expertise to thrive in collaborative BIM environments.
Analyzing principles and data, you’ll tackle implementation issues, recommend new ethical options, and justify choices. The strategic skills you’ll build include: evaluating core concepts; appraising construction org challenges; utilizing analytical tools; and recommending and validating strategic solutions.
Managing projects smoothly, you'll apply contract principles and case law to avoid disputes. If issues arise, you'll be able to assess options expertly, from negotiation to litigation. Combining legal knowledge with safety law mastery, you'll implement robust risk management.
You’ll address the impacts of change, corporate social responsibility, diversity in people management, and options for sustainable growth. When you complete the module, you'll be able to demonstrate skills in evaluation of commercial management, analysis of options for growth, and approaching organizational behaviour issues.
You'll gain technical expertise in structural and MEP modeling using industry tools.
Through teamwork, you'll evaluate BIM's business value, improve interoperability, and propose solutions. With strengths in measurement, costing, and planning, you'll be able to optimize the design process. By the end, you'll have specialized abilities to coordinate stakeholders, enhance efficiency, and add value through integrated BIM project delivery.
Year 2
All modules on this MSc Building Information Management are core.
You'll critically review methodologies and select the best approaches for your study. By synthesizing literature, you'll justify your topic and identify knowledge gaps. You'll collect and analyse data, recognizing ethical and health and safety considerations. Drawing qualified conclusions linked to research objectives, you'll present novel conclusions.
Throughout the process, you'll organize your work, report progress, and reflect on learning. Upon completion, you'll be fully equipped to seize research opportunities in your future career.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Facilities
Building Information Modelling (BIM) software
Use our suite of Building Information Modelling (BIM) software, including our computer-aided design tools that use digital images to show physical and functional characteristics.
3D printing workshop
Test concepts, build prototypes and bring your designs to life in our 3D printing workshop.
Future Technology Centre
Room to model and build prototypes using additive manufacturing machines, and test them out in our advanced testing and imaging facility. Equipment includes a laser sintering machine, 3D printers, 3D scanning microscopy and a Micro CT scanner.
How you'll spend your time
We recognise that you'll probably be juggling more demands when you do your Master's degree, as you may be working or you may have family responsibilities.
We'll give you as much indication here as we can of how much time you'll need to be on campus and how many hours you can expect to spend in self-directed study, but please note that these indications are always subject to change. You should receive your full timetable several weeks before you start with us.
Course structure
This Master's degree will take:
- 2 years (part time study)
- 12 months (full-time study)
You can expect:
- 10 hours of teaching time every week (5 hours per week for part time students). Campus students currently attend classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and distance-learning students attend online sessions, with most lectures available as on-demand recordings
- 20 hours of independent study each week (10 hours per week for part time students)
In the last 3 months of the course you'll be focusing on your research project.
Teaching
Master's study is deeper and more specialised than an undergraduate degree. This means you'll focus on something that really matters to you and your career as you work closely with academics committed to the subject.
You'll spend more time in independent study and research than you did for your undergraduate degree, but the majority of your teaching time will be in-person and face-to-face.
Teaching methods on this course include:
- lectures
- seminars
- tutorials
- individual and group projects
Assessment
- individual coursework
- group project
- individual presentations
- group presentations
- reports
- exams
- individual project or dissertation
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Teaching staff
These are some of the expert staff who'll teach you on this course:
Term dates
September start
The Master's academic year runs from September to the following September. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter. Over the summer you'll be writing your project / dissertation.
January start
Courses that start in January have the same amount of teaching as September-start courses, but they normally run over a longer time period.
January-start courses normally run between 14–18 months, beginning in January and ending in the spring / summer of the following year. There are breaks at Christmas, Easter and in the summer. In the last few months you’ll be writing your project / dissertation.
Joining us as an international student
You'll feel at home in our international community and our diverse city. You'll be joining over 5,000 international students from more than 150 countries who are studying with us.
Learn more about international student life and how we can help you with visas, applications, arrival and settling in.
Career development
[This course] has given me the opportunity to be a BIM Manager. I plan to work for at least a year in the UK after I finish my postgraduate study... after that I plan to have my own practice in the Dominican Republic, providing services I will learn through this course.
Careers this prepares you for
As a graduate of this BIM degree, you'll be an ideal candidate for management roles in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industries.
You'll have studied the mandatory BIM technologies, systems and software you'll be using in your career, such as Revit and Novisworks, and had access to networking opportunities through the University's connections to AEC professionals. ArchDaily finds that the understanding of BIM you'll develop on this course is worth a 40% salary boost in the sector, which it predicts will be worth $10.7 billion by 2026.
Graduates of this course have gone onto roles such as:
- BIM Manager
- BIM Coordinator
- Digital lead
Graduates of this course have gone on to work for companies such as:
- Mott Macdonald
- Arcadis
- Sweco
- AECOM
Career planning
During your course you'll have expert careers advice from our Careers and Employability Centre, your tutors and our Student Placements and Employability Centre. You can access support from our Careers and Employability Centre for up to 5 years after you graduate.
You'll benefit from:
- Networking events
- Applied projects with companies such as IBM, Boeing and Hampshire County Council
- 1-to-1 appointments
- CV and cover letter advice
- Interview preparation and practice
- Workshops to enhance your employability skills
- Recruitment events including the Student and Graduate Opportunities Fair
- Support starting your own business
Supporting you
Master's study is more focused on independent learning than undergraduate study, but you'll get lots of support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to postgraduate study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your course.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
You'll have help from a team of faculty learning support tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.
They can help with:
- improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
- understanding and using assignment feedback
- managing your time and workload
- revision and exam techniques
All our labs and practical spaces are staffed by qualified laboratory support staff. They’ll support you in scheduled lab sessions and can give you one-to-one help when you do practical research projects.
During term time, Faculty Academic Skills Tutors (AST) are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions and online sessions. These sessions are tailored to your needs.
Support is available for skills including:
- University study
- Getting into the right study mindset
- Note-taking and note-making skills
- Referencing
- Presentation skills
- Time management, planning, and goal setting
- Critical thinking
- Avoiding plagiarism
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
The Maths Cafe offers advice and assistance with mathematical skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your mathematics skills at a workshop or use our online resources.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Apply
Unlike undergraduate applications, which go through UCAS, applications for this Master's course are made directly to us.
There's no deadline for applications to this course. We accept applications right up until the start dates in September and January, as long as there are places available. If you wait until your start month to apply, you may find that the course is full.
If you're applying as an international student, remember that you'll need to leave plenty of time to get your visa organised.
You can find more advice about applying in our Master's application checklist. International students and current students and recent graduates of the University of Portsmouth also have some different application options, which are detailed below.
Extra information for international students
If you're an international student, you can apply directly to us using the same application form as UK students.
You could also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region. To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Ready to apply?
When you're ready to begin your application, choose your start date.
Start this course in September 2025
Distance learning part-time study
Start this course in January 2026
I'm a current Portsmouth student, or a recent Portsmouth graduate
If you're currently in your final year of study at Portsmouth, or you graduated since July 2024, you're eligible to make a fast track application. You'll have:
- a shorter application form to complete
- access to the 20% Alumni fee discount
- a guaranteed conditional offer, for most Master's courses
After you apply
Once we receive your application, we may ask you for further information. We will then either make you an offer or suggest alternatives if your application is unsuccessful.
You'll usually get a decision within 10 working days, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. Some courses have an interview stage – we'll let you know if you need to prepare for one.
Learn more about how we assess your application.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.