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The Digital Innovation in Built Asset Management MSc offers a unique educational programme for professionals looking to use cutting-edge techniques in the management of built assets.
Course highlights
- This course has been specially crafted in collaboration with high-profile industry stakeholders from across the built environment sector.
- Prepare for a variety of roles, ranging from infrastructure operators to design consultants to academic researchers.
- Gain a deeper understanding of how to use digital advances for real-world applications.
On this page
- Overview
- Structure and assessment
- Study modes and entry requirements
- Fees and funding
- Programme staff
- Careers
Overview
The digital realm offers solutions to some of society's biggest problems - but there is often a knowledge gap that prevents its power from being harnessed. This MSc draws on digital advances such as building information modelling, smart cities, big data and internet of things, to help close that gap through the management of built assets and shape a better world.
Our focus is wide, but targeted, and touches on every aspect of building better places and spaces, from design and construction through to operation and maintenance.
This MSc has been developed in collaboration with high-profile organisations and individuals from across the built environment sector. The process of creating the MSc was industry-led from the start - our connections ensure it remains at the cutting edge.
The course is deeply engrained in the industry in which it operates, but is also research-led – which means our students gain a robust understanding not only of the best ways to work now, but also of how we can work in the future.
Structure and assessment
The programme is delivered through a combination of formal and interactive lectures, workshops and talks from visiting speakers. Assessment is through coursework, essays, group projects, presentations and the dissertation.
In terms 1 and 2, full-time students can typically expect between 8 and 15 contact hours per teaching week through lectures, workshops and tutorials. In term 3 students will be completing their own dissertation research, keeping regular contact with their dissertation supervisors. Outside of lectures, full-time students typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, using their remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments. Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. The programme consists of six core modules (90 credits), two optional modules (30 credits) and a dissertation (60 credits). For more information, visit the UCL Graduate Prospectus.
- Full time student
As a full time student, you will start the first term by looking at Building Information Modelling and Data Analysis as part of the asset management process. You will also look at how Space and Services Management fit into the overall facility and asset management systems. In term 2 you will examine some of the wider principles of asset and facility management as well as looking at how professionals operate in the digital world of collaborative practice. Whilst we recommend project and business management modules, your optional module choices from across the Faculty of the Built Environment will enable you to focus on particular aspects of practice that you find of interest. Your dissertation is the opportunity to explore an area of interest with a personal tutor in great depth to uncover new information through the research process.
- Part time student
As a part time student, you will study 4 taught modules per year over 2 years but ending with the dissertation in your second year final term. The modules studied will be the same as those for full time students and you will study alongside them at each stage.
- Modular/flexible student
As a modular/flexible student, you have a maximum of 5 years to complete all of the 8 taught modules and the research dissertation. You will study each module alongside full and part time students.
Core modules
- Digital Innovation: Collaborative Practice
- Introduction to Facility and Asset Management
- MSc Dissertation
- Principles of Building Information Modelling
- Service Operations Management
- Space and Workplace Management
- Spatial Databases and Data Management
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a Digital Innovation Built Asset Management MSc.
Optional modules
- Strategic Project and Quality Management
- Management Concept for Facilities
Students may take the recommended optional modules or a minimum of any relevant 30 credits from across the School of Sustainable Construction.
The availability of all optional modules is subject to demand.
Dissertation/report
Students undertake an original project based on research work which culminates in a 10000-word dissertation.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of formal and interactive lectures, workshops, visiting speakers and site visits. Assessment is through coursework, essays, group projects and presentation, and the dissertation.
Study modes and entry requirements
Duration: The course can be studied full-time over one year or two to five years flexibly.
Entry requirements: Read the full entry requirements for this course on the UCL Graduate Prospectus.
Personal statement: As part of your application you should include a personal statement. Please use the statement to tell us: What do you consider to be one of your key strengths that is relevant to the Digital Innovation in Built Asset Environment MSc (up to 300 words)? Tells us about an experience that helped you develop this strength in the past and why and how the Digital Innovation in Built Asset Management MSc will help you develop it in the future (up to 300 words)?
Fees and funding
Fees: Tuition fee information can be found on the UCL Graduate Prospectus.
Funding: For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding section of the UCL website.
Programme staff
Professor Michael Pitt, Programme leader
Michael teaches both the Service Operations Management and the Principles of Facilities and Asset Management modules on the Digital Innovation in Built Asset Management MSc. He has been involved in property research and teaching since 1990. Michael works closely with industry stakeholders on projects related to facilities management linked to productivity and efficiency in the workplace with a particular focus on the office environment. He is a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and has served on several Facilities Management committees over the years.
Dr Qiuchen Lu, Deputy programme leader
Qiuchen's research interests focus on Automation and digitisation in asset and facility management, Data-driven techniques, and Asset and facility management innovation. Qiuchen mainly contributes in three modules: BCPM0060 - Introduction to the Built Environment, BARC0092 - Making Cities and BCPM0071 - Professional Skills for Project Management.
Teaching and learning administrator
Sophie Trenear
s.trenear@ucl.ac.uk
Careers
The programme is forward-thinking, meaning the techniques learned will be relevant not just today, or tomorrow, but for the infrastructure owners and operators, companies engaged in strategic and operational facilities and asset management, design consultants and academic researchers shaping our digital future.
More information
For further information, including how to apply, visit the UCL Graduate Prospectus
