BIM (Digital Construction)BIM (Foirgníocht Dhigiteach)

The BSc (Hons) in BIM (Digital Construction) is a one-year part-time re-skilling programme which addresses a significant market deficit for construction professionals by providing them with the ability to use BIM technologies in discipline-specific modelling and multidisciplinary coordination contexts. It is intended for graduates of level 7 courses in built environment disciplines and aims to upskill or facilitate a return to employment for individuals who are not yet experienced in the new construction paradigm of co-ordinated BIM. It also enables technicians in a variety of Construction areas to adapt to new skill requirements and to change career direction to take advantage of new opportunities.

The course is set at Level 8 in the National Framework of Qualifications and provides graduates of building and infrastructure design and construction-related programmes with a safe, educational setting in which to develop an ability to use BIM technologies for design, construction and coordination.

There is a strong focus on improving the productivity of the construction sector through better multidisciplinary co-ordination, through digital transformation, and through the application of Lean principles including fully utilising people's talents, skills & knowledge, and reducing waste from defects, overproduction, transportation, motion, over-processing, and unnecessary waiting times. Students undertake a significant amount of learning with discipline-specific colleagues before moving into a multidisciplinary environment to engage in model co-ordination between professionals. This course leads to employment with specialist contractors, general contractors, professional practices, and consultants from multiple disciplines.

Students will have access to a range of modern digital construction software. All students are required to have their own laptop.

• Level 7 qualification or equivalent in a relevant discipline
• Level 6 Craft Apprenticeship qualification or equivalent in a relevant discipline plus 5 years of relevant experience

In January 2024, BIM requirements were incorporated into the Capital Works Management Framework. By 2028 it is anticipated that projects costing under €1 million will be required to integrate BIM processes. Although this initiative is a positive step, concerns have been raised regarding the availability of skilled personnel to fulfil these requirements.

The Level 8 BSc (Hons) in BIM (Digital Construction) programme aims to fill this gap by providing targeted training to graduates of building and infrastructure design and construction-related programs in a supportive educational environment. This training will empower them to effectively use BIM technologies for design, construction, and coordination tasks.

Graduates of this program are well-prepared for employment in specialist contracting firms, general contracting companies, professional practices, and consulting firms across multiple disciplines.

Since the program's launch in 2019, over 95% of graduates have successfully secured employment or promotions within their organizations. The course covers industry-leadings oftware, equipping graduates with the necessary skills and services to meet the demands of the Irish Built Environment nowand in the coming decade.

The course is structured as follows.

At registration one of four potential streams (10 ECTS) must be selected

• BIM Architectural Modelling & Review - Semester 1
• BIM Construction Model Exploitation & Review - Semester 1
• BIM MEP Modelling & Review - Semester 1
• BIM Civil & Structural Engineering Modelling & Review - Semester 1

Core modules

• Digital Construction – Principles and Standards (5 ECTS) - Semester 1
• BIM Federation & Validation – (10 ECTS) - Semester 1
• Work-Based Learning at BSc Level - (15 ECTS) - Semester 2
• Research Methods at BSc Level – (5 ECTS) - Semester 1
• Dissertation including Agile Project Management ( 15 ETCS). - Semester 2.

Runs typically as follows: One Day (Friday) in Bolton Street (1:30pm - 5:30pm) and two evenings online (2 hours) with additional asynchronous directed and self-directed learning outside of these times. 65% of this programme will be online while 35% will be on campus in Bolton Street.

This course is funded under the Springboard+ initiative in 2025. Applications should be made via the Springboard+ website, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria.

For further information, please contact the team at springboard@tudublin.ie.

After completion of the BSc (Honours) in BIM (Digital Construction) students will have the option to progress to the MSc in applied Building Information Modelling & Management (TU415) which is a two and a half-year part-time re-skilling programme for construction professionals, with options for exit with Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma awards after 1 and 2 years, respectively.