Program Overview

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Digital Construction Analytics and BIM - MSc

Overview

Digital Construction at Ulster is an industry-linked highly creative course, specialising in BIM, Digital Technologies and Data Analytics.

Summary

This MSc in Digital Construction is the perfect course if you are passionate about discovering how the advanced digital technologies and BIM have transformed AEC industry, and understanding how Data Analytics can improve the management of construction projects.

About this course

In this section

1. About
2. Attendance
3. Start dates
4. Teaching, Learning and Assessment
5. Academic profile

About

Digital platforms enable greater connectivity of construction processes to accomplish sustainable projects by simulating, predicting, optimising, managing and monitoring various UN Sustainable Development Goals within the AEC industries especially with the vision towards connecting the real and digital worlds.

Our MSc course is designed to introduce you to the essential areas of digital construction concepts, technologies, BIM and Data Analytics that will help you develop your career while deepening and widening your understanding of the digital environment that the industry operates nowadays.

Attendance

The course is based on a modular structure with three modules in each semester. Attendance is a mix of class-based, computer-lab, and group work. For full time students, nine hours of staff contact time per week and 36 hours self-directed study per week (all on average).

Start dates

• September 2026

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

We aim to provide a learning and teaching environment where innovation and discovery are central to your education and in which you can take pride that you are an Ulster graduate. Many of the modules are research informed, where you can gain hands-on experience in contemporary research laboratories alongside current research projects. There will be an emphasis on challenge and collaboration, exploring new concepts and real-world construction problems. This will help you to be creative in solution thinking, both individually and cooperatively, so you can develop your own and other’s employable skills.

Teaching is delivered primarily through lectures, computer-labs, group work, and presentations from industry professionals. Project-driven and enquiry-based approaches to learning are central to the course, which includes practical challenges, real-world case studies, team-driven assessments/presentations and industry projects. The use of digital technologies will enrich our learning and teaching environment. Learning and teaching on the course makes use of a suite of Digital Learning tools to create a learning community within Virtual Learning Environment (Blackboard Learn) and Common Data Environments for construction industry. These will support all course modes of delivery (including Distance Learning) and host module areas complete with learning materials of varied media and interactive tools for student engagement, communication and collaboration, online assessment and feedback and content delivery offering you the flexibility to study at your own pace, any place and time.

A range of assessment techniques will be used to enable you to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the course concepts and content but also to enable interaction with your peers and the course team. These will include Blogs, chats, on-line forums, Essays and reports, presentations and simulations, and Peer review. The course is assessed in a number of ways to allow us to provide you with valuable feedback on your progress. These mainly include coursework and class tests. All assessments will have clearly identified marking criteria and you will be provided with clear briefs.

Academic profile

Teaching is informed by academic research at Belfast School of Architecture and Built Environment. The Built Environment (Construction Eng. & Mgmt) programme at Ulster ranked 4th out of 54 programmes in the UK Building League Table in the last two Complete University Guide (2021 & 2022). The Built Environment programme team members at Ulster University have a strong track record in the area of BIM and Digital Construction research, publishing widely in the area since 2013, and supervising Knowledge Transfer Partnerships with industry on Digital Twins. The Computing, Engineering, Intelligent Systems team are active researchers within the Cognitive Analytics Research Lab (CARL). The contribution of Ulster team to Digital Construction and BIM research in Ireland between the period 2016 – 2020 has been acknowledged in a recent publication at CITA BIM Gathering (2021) that conclude “The most prolific academics in publishing in digital construction appear to be Comiskey and McKane in the area of technology, data sharing and education; Motawa in big data and building performance…”. The novel work in this area was recognised by Ulster University who awarded the team a prestigious Distinguised Teaching Fellowship Award in 2016. The team involved in this area have supervised and supported students in various national/international research events, e.g. a student has recently won a prestigious CIAT International Award.

Modules

Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.

Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.

Year one

Digital Construction: Technology, Strategy & Management

Year: 1

Status: C

This module explores the area of Digital Construction, both in general, and as a means of helping to address pertinent AECFM sector problems or processes identified as requiring advancement. Learners will study contemporary practice and undertake their own research for an identified task. Additionally, there will be a focus on strategic and management capabilities. This module will provide connections to other related subject fields for learners to develop a holistic view of the opportunities resulting from the integration of digital construction processes and/or technologies. The module aims to close the gap in the curricula for supporting the AECFM sector in embracing the Industry 4.0 vision.

Building Information Modelling

Year: 1

Status: C

The aim of this module is to provide students with insight into the main concepts and principles of Building Information Modelling/Management, vis-à-vis processes, protocols, and enabling technologies. The module is mainly concerned with recent paradigm shift within the AECFM industries worldwide to implement BIM in projects. This module is also heavily inspired by the prospective of UK BIM Framework (formerly BIM level 3) and the relevant BIM BS ISO standards. The module will cover strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats associated with adopting BIM in AECFM projects and its impact on working procedures as well as business models of AECFM industry. This will be further elaborated in lights of real-life national and international scenarios and case studies.

Industry Project

Year: 1

Status: C

This module is industry focused where students will work collaboratively in teams to develop solutions for specific projects normally within an industrial or practice-based test bed, and/or in association with an appropriate design or industrial organisation. Field trips and regular progress reports are an important aspect of the module. The module is designed to cover topics that address key industry challenges within the themes of Digital Construction. Students are expected to apply the obtained Data Science knowledge in the field of Digital Construction; for example, to develop solutions for challenges of: Lean Construction to reduce waste, Generative Design to achieve Net-Zero emission, product innovation, whole life asset performance, evaluating new relevant technologies (e.g. off-site manufacturing), and achieving energy efficient construction.

Research Design and Dissertation

Year: 1

Status: C

This module enables the student to undertake an independent in-depth study of a particular aspect of Construction Management. It facilitates development of skills in problem solving and decision making whilst also refining other skills including investigative and evaluative skills. Students are required to demonstrate their knowledge of the subject researched, skills in critical analysis and use of investigative methods. Students are required to display these skills in written and oral format that will clearly display analysis of the principal arguments and conclusions of their work.

Business Intelligence and Analytics

Year: 1

Status: C

This module aims to contextualise the role of Business Intelligence and Business Analytics and why we need them. A particular focus will be on how to turn already stored data into valuable information and why this is important. For instance, vast amounts of data regarding company's customers and operations is routinely collected and stored in large corporate data warehouses. This data can be of immense value if properly analysed. Students will explore techniques and tools for data analysis, and presentation of the results to non-technical and managerial staff, in alignment with business strategies. Business intelligence and analytics however, are open to certain ethical and consent issues along with risks. These will be analysed, reviewed and evaluated.

Data Validation and Visualisation

Year: 1

Status: C

High-quality data is the precondition for analysing and using big data and for guaranteeing the value of the data. This module, introduces the data quality challenges faced by big data. It will present tools and techniques employed to ensure data quality from data collection and computational procedures to facilitate automatic or semi-automatic identification and elimination of errors in large datasets. The module also introduces the topic of understanding and interpreting data through descriptive statistical methods. This will be achieved through a range of techniques such as Statistical metrics, Univariate analysis and Multivariate analysis. Students will develop the knowledge to assess the quality of the data and the skills necessary to perform appropriate data cleaning operations. In addition, students will have an understanding of processing data and interpreting and visualising results.

Introduction to Data Science

Year: 1

Status: C

This module serves as an entry point into the exciting field of data science, specifically tailored for individuals with no prior programming or data science experience. Throughout the course, students will acquire a strong foundation in fundamental concepts and techniques essential to data science. Key areas covered include data collection, processing, analysis, and visualisation. Additionally, students will receive an introduction to the fundamental principles of computer programming within data science. This encompasses understanding syntax, data structures, programming terminology, techniques, libraries, and core concepts. By the end of this module, students will have developed proficiency in core data science techniques, blending theoretical learning with practical exercises using a common data science programming language.

Research Methods and Project

Status: O

Year: 1

This module is optional

This module provides students with a broad understanding of research methods and techniques, and how these can be used to investigate a research problem in any context. Students will be provided with the necessary theoretical foundations in statistical research, including the ability to plan research ethically and conduct a literature review. Students will also be able to record, analyse, interpret and present qualitative and quantitative data appropriately.

Year two

Applied Research (Digital Construction)

Status: O

Year: 2

This module is optional

The research dissertation module integrates and further develops the knowledge and skills acquired within the taught element of the programme. The module specifically allows the students to apply knowledge and skills acquired to undertake a research dissertation investigating a topic relevant to Digital Construction in the AECFM industry. The Digital Construction topic will vary depending on the interests of the student. Students will be required to demonstrate their knowledge in the chosen subject area as well as critical analysis and investigative skills in both written and oral format.

Standard entry conditions

We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.

In this section

1. Entry Requirements
2. English Language Requirements

Entry Requirements

Minimum 2:2 Honours degree (or equivalent) in Architecture, Engineering, Construction or other Built Environment related subject. Previous computer programming skills are not essential requirement. Applicants from other relevant backgrounds (e.g. Data Science and Computer Game) can be considered. Applicants must also provide evidence of an English Qualification to the level that meets the University requirements.

English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

• English language requirements
• Your country

Careers & opportunities

In this section

1. Career options

Career options

The area of Digital Construction and BIM is expanding in the market and new posts have been created recently in the industry (e.g. BIM Manager, Information Manager) which need expertise that the course will help learners to develop. This expertise will be essential for career progression. In addition to the construction related knowledge and skills obtained by studying this course, the Data Science knowledge and expertise will reinforce the graduates’ abilities and capabilities; hence support their employability in relation to Information Management roles that become more mainstream in the industry. The programme offers a unique opportunity for all Built Environment related graduates to study at Masters level and to develop expertise applicable to their employment locally or internationally. The programme strategy is designed to provide a balance between theory and practice with a hands on approach on solving real industry problems in collaboration with industry partners. This strategy will provide graduates with key critical thinking and analysis skills that are transferrable and applicable across a wide range of industry sectors. Graduates will be also equipped with the essential expertise to pursue a PhD route on graduation if they wish to.

Fees and funding

10% Alumni Discount

Are you a graduate of Ulster University? Did you know you could be eligible for a 10% fees discount.

Explore Alumni Discounts

Tuition Fee Loans Available

Students domiciled in Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and UK students can apply to Student Finance NI for a Tuition Fee loan of up to £6,500 (subject to eligibility).

2026/27 Fees

Postgraduate fees are subject to annual review, 2026/27 fees will be announced in due course.

See our tuition fees page for the current fees for 2025/26 entry.

View Available Scholarships

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Additional mandatory costs

It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.

Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.

There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.

See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.