Oxford Brookes University

What you'll study

The programme combines technical BIM skills with management, legal and strategic perspectives on digital construction. Core themes include information modelling, data management, interoperability, collaborative working, and the organisational change required to embed BIM processes.

• BIM fundamentals and modelling practice — principles of information modelling, model authoring workflows, coordinate systems and model structuring; practical work using industry-standard modelling tools.
• Information management and exchange — data schemas, common data environments (CDEs), ISO 19650 principles and protocols for information delivery and exchange.
• Digital construction and simulation — 4D/5D linking, clash detection, visualisation, parametric design and use of simulation for sequencing, cost and performance evaluation.
• Interoperability and software integration — open data standards (IFC), API-based workflows, automation scripts and practical strategies for integrating disparate platforms.
• Project and contract management for BIM — roles and responsibilities in BIM-enabled projects, procurement routes, contractual and risk considerations, and collaborative working practices.
• Sustainability and asset management — using BIM to support lifecycle decision-making, facilities management handover and performance monitoring.
• Research methods and professional practice — research skills, ethics, academic and professional communication, and preparation for the final project.
• Major project or dissertation — an individual applied research project or industry-linked dissertation demonstrating integration of technical and managerial learning on a real or simulated project.

Teaching typically includes practical workshops, studio sessions, lectures, case studies and guest inputs from industry, with assessment by coursework, practical exercises and the final project.

Entry requirements

Applicants normally need a good undergraduate degree (equivalent to a UK 2:1) in a relevant subject such as architecture, civil or structural engineering, construction management, surveying or a related built environment discipline. Applicants with a lower honours degree plus relevant professional experience may be considered.

Professional experience in construction or building engineering, especially roles involving digital workflows, information management or project coordination, is beneficial and can strengthen an application. International applicants should demonstrate proficiency in English; a typical requirement is an academic English test at a level equivalent to IELTS 6.5 with no component below 6.0, though exact requirements may vary by applicant profile.

Career prospects

Graduates go on to roles that bridge technical modelling and organisational delivery in the built environment. Typical job titles include BIM/BIM Manager, BIM Coordinator, Digital Construction Manager, Information Manager, BIM Consultant, Model Author, and Project or Construction Manager with a digital specialism. The skills developed also support roles in facilities and asset management, cost consultancy, and procurement where digital information underpins lifecycle decision-making. Graduates are equipped to work with contractors, consultancies, design practices, asset owners and public-sector clients, and some may progress to specialist consultancy or research roles.

Why study at Oxford Brookes University

Oxford Brookes has a long-established reputation in the built environment and practical, professionally focused teaching. The programme is informed by applied research and close engagement with industry, providing opportunities for live projects, guest lectures and networking with employers involved in BIM and digital construction.

Facilities and teaching emphasise hands-on learning with access to industry-standard software and collaborative workspaces that replicate professional practice. Studying near Oxford gives easy access to a wide regional and national network of construction and engineering firms, as well as opportunities to engage with public-sector and cultural heritage projects that demand robust information management approaches.

The programme supports continuing professional development and is designed to help students translate technical competence into strategic and managerial capability, preparing graduates to lead digital change in their organisations.