UWE Bristol launches new MSc in BIM to help meet stricter public construction protocol
Stricter government requirements on managing the building lifecycle for publicly funded projects are being met by the launch at UWE Bristol of a new MSc Building Information Modelling (BIM) in Design Construction and Operations.
BIM is emerging as the industry-standard approach to the modelling and management of a building’s lifecycle, from design and construction to maintenance and demolition.
The UK government’s construction strategy has pushed forward the programme for adopting it – from 2016, all publicly funded projects will have to meet the building information modelling protocol.
Public sector contracts are worth almost £37bn per year, making up a considerable proportion, 38%, of all UK construction output.
However, lack of education, skills and trained professionals are among the major obstacles to the adoption of BIM in the industry. UWE’s postgraduate certificate, postgraduate diploma and master’s degree courses in BIM in Design, Construction and Operations aim to respond to this challenge.
Time for change
UWE Bristol programme leader Professor Lamine Mahdjoubi, said: “Since BIM was introduced in the construction industry, it has become a worldwide focus of the construction industry.
“Many of the world’s leading architecture, engineering, and construction firms are on the way to adopting building information modelling.
“However the majority of the construction industry is in the hands of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) who are not ready for such a sudden change.”
What sets this programme apart is the context of inter-professional and multi-disciplinary approach and expertise that exists in UWE’s Faculty of Environment and Technology.
Unlike existing postgraduate programmes in BIM, which tend to focus on specific aspects of building information management, such as design or sustainability, this new programme is more holistic in its approach and deals with the whole built environment lifecycle, including design, construction, operation, maintenance, and sustainability.
This unique programme emphasises innovative sustainable and collaborative practices in building information modelling and management. It will be distinctive in offering more employment opportunities for our graduates through the opportunity for work placements with key partners such as Stride Treglown Plc who are currently leading the South West BIM hub, and BAM Construction Ltd.
Keith Wildin of BAM Construction Limited said, “UWE Bristol is unique among education establishments, having recognised that the BIM ‘process’ is more important than the ‘technology.’
“This approach to teaching BIM will prepare students for working in a cooperative environment that has the potential to transform the UK construction industry by questioning current practices and developing technological know-how facilitating the BIM process.”
Professor Lamine Mahdjoubi
Professor of the Built Environment
Architecture and the Built Environment
Tel: +44 (0)117 32 83915
