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Digital Architecture and Construction MSc

About this course

The built environment is undergoing radical change. Rapid urbanisation, the climate crisis, resource shortages, and economic pressures are challenges that are transforming how we design and build our world. Digital architecture and digital construction are unlocking answers to these problems by delivering smarter, faster, and more sustainable solutions, leading to an increasing demand for digital professionals in the industry.

This course will put you at the heart of that digital evolution. You’ll develop the critical insight and technical fluency needed to drive innovation and challenge orthodoxy. And you’ll sharpen your communication, decision-making, and problem-solving skills within construction and architecture contexts, empowering you as a future leader in these exciting and rewarding fields.

You’ll work in a collaborative studio environment, mirroring industry practice, balancing theory and practical work and using digital architecture tools to create more responsive, complex, and data-informed designs.

Main image: Antreas Neofytou student work

  • Recognised by industry

    Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT).

  • Connect with experts

    Guest speakers from leading companies as part of every module.

  • Kickstart your career

    Graduates have joined companies such as Parametrix, CPMG, Man & Machine, Anderson Green, and Pick Everard.

  • Sustainability in action

    NTU is the world’s 2nd most sustainable university (UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2024).

What you’ll study

Digital architecture and digital construction attract people from a wide variety of related backgrounds, including architecture, interior design, building surveying, and construction management.

You’ll explore key areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), building information modelling (BIM), historical building information modelling (HBIM), computational design, parametric modelling, Virtual Reality (VR), Artificial Reality (AR), architectural scripting, physical computing, building energy performance, building safety and crowd management, and rapid prototyping.

Some highlights of our digital architecture course include:

  • Explore overlapping topics such as construction law, dispute resolution in collaborative environments, building information modelling (BIM) standards including ISO 19650, and digital theory.
  • Work on live projects alongside industry experts and benefit from their insights and feedback.
  • Showcase your work at our annual degree show, attended by architecture professionals, industry experts, and potential employers.
  • The opportunity to visit a key industry event such as UK Construction Week or Futurebuild and explore the latest industry innovations.
  • Sustainability isn’t just something you’ll cover in one module – instead we embed it within every single aspect of the course.
  • With dedicated employability support, we’re focused on supporting you to build your future within industry.

Keep up to date! Follow our course on Instagram to find out more about our projects and students.

Semester One:

  • Digital Architecture Design Studio (40 credit points)
  • Building Performance (20 credit points)
  • Computational Design (20 credit points)
  • Law of Digital Practice (20 credit points)

Semester Two:

  • Digital Architecture Design Studio (40 credit points)
  • Collaborative BIM (20 credit points)
  • Research Project (60 credits)

Semester Three:

  • Research Project (60 credit points)

Digital Architecture Design Studio

40 credit points

  • This module will teach you the theories and provide you with experience of using advanced digital design techniques and methodologies to support architectural design and construction processes.
  • You'll explore theories of digital architecture and construction, artificial intelligence (AI), mixed reality (including virtual reality, augmented reality), rapid prototyping and 3D printing, historical building information modelling (HBIM) and 3D data acquisition and processing.
  • You'll develop conceptual, methodological and technical skills in architectural design and construction, and have the opportunity to apply them through a focused design project that emphasises both digital and physical outputs. This practical experience will deepen your understanding of industry relationships, materials, and technologies in a practical context.

Computational Design

20 credit points

  • You'll be provided with the essential conceptual, methodological, and technical knowledge and skills to support the architectural and urban design process, by engaging with contemporary trends in computational design.
  • The core content of this module focuses on three main areas: parametric modelling, computer scripting for design purposes and physical computing in architecture.
  • You'll explore the applicability of parametric modelling in the building life cycle, computer programming using a scripting language (e.g. Python) for its application in the design process, and physical computing to support the construction, evaluation, and communication of interactive physical prototypes that respond and adapt to the analogue world. For this, you'll use common microcontroller platforms (e.g. Arduino).

Building Performance

20 credit points

  • This module focuses on three core aspects of building performance and their performance during the building life cycle: acoustic comfort, energy efficiency and building emergency evacuation.
  • You'll explore building thermal performance in terms of heat transfer, human comfort and user behaviour, and acoustic comfort in the context of building acoustics, sound insulation, indoor noise level and reverberation times of different buildings.
  • You'll be provided with opportunities to design, evaluate and optimise different building components to achieve optimal performance, with a focus on the thermal, acoustic quality, and fire safety of new and existing buildings. This will also enable you to gain hands-on experience of using a range of simulation tools including crowd movement simulation.

Law of Digital Practice

20 credit points

  • This module provides you with a critical insight into the potential legal issues of data sharing between parties including consultants, manufacturers, facility managers and contractors in a digital environment (including BIM platforms).
  • You'll be exposed to real-life case studies which utilise different methods of dispute resolution, including examples of BIM-supportive contract framework, copyright and intellectual property, liabilities, risk management, process, data and interoperability.

Collaborative BIM

20 credit points

  • This module provides you with an overview of the multi-disciplinary nature of building information modelling (BIM) and its collaborative methodologies, technologies and processes.
  • You'll gain hands on experience in developing collaborative BIM models, merge models of different natures for coordination purposes, and undertake clash detection, cost analysis and construction planning.
  • You'll explore various BIM packages (e.g. Revit, NavisWork and Synchro 4D) while developing an understanding of working with data merging, sharing and interoperability across various BIM platforms.

Research Project 

60 credit points

This module guides you in developing two key academic outputs. First, you'll create a clear, concise research proposal on your chosen topic, forming the foundation for your research project. You'll then produce either a full dissertation or an equivalent-length journal article. Through this process, you'll enhance your research skills, critical thinking, and academic writing. These competencies are crucial for postgraduate success and valuable in many professional contexts.

  • Through a series of lectures and seminars, the module will provide an overview of a range of real-life research projects, highlighting appropriate research methodologies, languages, methods, knowledge and skills.
  • This module provides you with an opportunity to undertake an independent research project where you'll apply the academic, digital and technical skills gained throughout your studies.
  • The module offers supervisory meetings throughout semesters one and two to support and monitor your progress in the project.

We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.

Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves

Student Profiles

Craig J. Gregory

Digital Architecture and Construction

The course suited what I wanted to continue learning and improving in my own technical skills and knowledge within Digital Architecture. The skills that are being taught on this MSc course are those which are at the forefront of larger companies out there.

Joel Mathew Zachariah

Digital Architecture and Construction

The MSc course equipped me with the technical foundation necessary to launch my career in Building Surveying and Modelling. One of the most valuable aspects was gaining a strong understanding of ISO 19650 standards, which play a crucial role in my current work.

Sanaz Hajighazadeh

Digital Architecture and Construction

I chose this course because of my love for technology, and it turned out to be one of my best decisions. It introduced me to emerging digital tools in architecture and construction, like 3D scanners, point clouds, laser scanning, and Revit.

Justin Biju-Junior

Digital Architecture and Construction

The MSc in Digital Architecture and Construction was a key step in shaping my career. It gave me a strong foundation in BIM, digital design, project coordination, and introduced me to tools and collaborative workflows that I now use regularly in practice.

FAQ's | MSc Digital Architecture and Construction

 

How you're taught

How will I learn?

You’ll be supported by a teaching team with extensive academic and professional experience. The course leaders hold PhDs in subjects related to digital architecture and construction and are active researchers leading funded projects in areas such as energy performance, digital planning, computational design, digital twins, serious gaming, AI, parametric modelling, and historical building information modelling (HBIM).

Other staff members bring many years of industry experience as architectural technologists and contractors, including as the research and development lead at a leading UK construction company, and as a specialist researcher in freeform construction, advanced rapid manufacturing, and biomimetics.

At the start of the course, you’ll complete a skills audit to identify individual strengths and areas for development, so that we can tailor workshops and support to meet your specific needs.

You’ll learn through:

  • a mix of lectures, workshops, tutorials, and industry-led sessions, with each module including a mix of theory and practical work
  • collaboration, with joint sessions and reviews alongside student from other related courses at NTU
  • field trips and study visits to sites, practices, museums, exhibitions and events
  • close and regular contact with industry through a wide range of live projects, guest speakers, and networking opportunities.

Study trips

Field trips and study visits are an important part of your learning. Trips may include site visits and visits to practices, museums, exhibitions and events. Where a trip is mandatory it will be aligned to your modules and inform project work, and substantive costs – including travel and accommodation – will be paid for by the school.

Optional trips may also be organised which can provide additional opportunities to enhance your knowledge and experience. Optional trips will incur an additional cost of approximately £500 for participating students.

A valid passport and any associated visas will be required for trips outside of the UK.

Engage with research

The Creative and Virtual Technologies Lab is a multidisciplinary research environment where architects, artists, designers, engineers, computer scientists and human scientists collaborate to explore the potential of new visualisation techniques and digital design models and processes. This will enhance the quality of our buildings and cities in a sustainable way meeting user expectations.

Our academics are engaged in research that focuses on the understanding of the human intelligence involved in the design processes of our buildings and cities and the role advanced digital and media technologies can play in order to support the design of more economically viable and more sustainable buildings. You'll be able to learn from research-informed teaching and take part in exciting projects.

How you're assessed

Assessment is mainly coursework-based. There are no written exams. Instead, you’ll be assessed through design outputs, technical reports, presentations, and portfolio submissions. Regular formative feedback, tutorials, and peer reviews help you to track your progress. Independent learning and research also play an important role across all modules.

Contact hours

The course is formed of six core modules, two of which are a large-scale research project and a design studio project. Your six taught modules will total 180 credit points. The modules’ credit points are weighted based on the total time you can expect to spend studying the module content, both in terms of contact hours and non-contact hours.

Staff Profiles

Moulay Chalal - Senior Lecturer

School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment

Moulay Larbi Chalal is a qualified Architect with three years of experience in practice. He is currently a full-time lecturer in Architectural Technology at Nottingham Trent University.

Benachir Medjdoub - Professor

School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment

Benachir Medjdoub

Vincent Conway - Senior Lecturer

School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment

Vince is the Programme Leader for BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology and module leader for the Planning, Surveying and Development and Projects modules at levels two and three.

Rupert C Soar - Associate Professor

School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment

Rupert C Soar

Philip Shilton - Senior Lecturer

School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment

Philip Shilton

Nacer Bezai - Senior Lecturer

School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment

Nacer Bezai is a qualified architect with over five years of international experience in practice. He is course leader for BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology.

Careers and employability

NTU has an outstanding reputation for producing highly employable architecture graduates.

We're ranked in the Top 5 for the percentage of architecture graduates who are in graduate-level jobs or further HE or professional study within 15 months of graduating (Guardian University Guide, 2023).

The course is accredited by Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) which reflects its academic rigour, industry relevance, and alignment with professional standards, and provides you with a clear pathway to chartership.

There’s a strong focus on employability throughout the course. We’ll support you to build your portfolio and, with regular mock interviews hosted by relevant employers, you’ll get useful feedback on how to perfect your applications and interview skills.

Graduates from this course go into a range of roles across the digital built environment. These include architectural assistants, design managers, BIM coordinators or managers, and historical building information modelling (HBIM) specialists. Some work in building information modelling (BIM) consultancy, while others take on roles as environmental analysts, assessing building performance using Part L standards (UK and Ireland) and CIBSE guidelines.

The course also supports progression into research and academia. Every year, some students go on to start PhDs in areas linked to digital architecture, construction, or building performance.

Campus and facilities

You’ll be based on our City Campus, working mainly in the Grade II* listed Gothic Revival Style Arkwright building, with access to facilities including our range of architecture studios. However, you’ll also spend plenty of time in our Maudsley building where you’ll be getting hands on with specialist equipment including a VR lab, laser cutting and 3D printing facilities, model-making workshops, computer suites, and CNC workshops.

NTU’s City Campus has everything you’ll need to stay busy between lectures. As well as the Boots Library and its beautiful roof garden, there’s our stylish Students’ Union building and two-storey, 100-station gym; a whole host of cafés, bars, restaurants and food outlets for every taste; our much-loved Global Lounge; performance and rehearsal spaces for musicians; and much, much more!

Take a few steps off campus and you’ll find yourself in the heart of Nottingham — a bustling city stuffed with history, culture, and stunning architecture.

Entry requirements

UK students

Academic entry requirements: 2:2 honours degree in a relevant architecture or construction-related subject including, but not limited to, architecture, architectural technology, interior design, construction management, surveying and civil engineering.

Other requirements: A digital portfolio and interview. If your portfolio is accepted, you'll be asked to interview with the academic team. Your interview will be held via telephone or Microsoft Teams. Your interview will help us to decide whether we feel you are suitable for the course and will help you to decide if this is the right course for you.

International students

Academic entry requirements: 2:2 honours degree in a relevant architecture or construction-related subject including, but not limited to, architecture, architectural technology, interior design, construction management, surveying and civil engineering.

We accept equivalent qualifications from all over the world. Please check your international qualifications on our international entry requirements page.

Other requirements: A digital portfolio and interview. If your portfolio is accepted, you'll be asked to interview with the academic team. Your interview will be held via telephone or Microsoft Teams. Your interview will help us to decide whether we feel you are suitable for the course and will help you to decide if this is the right course for you.

English language requirements:  See our English language requirements page for requirements for your subject and information on alternative tests and Pre-sessional English.

Policies

We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.

Fees and funding

UK students

- see the fees for this course, as well as information about funding and support.
  • £9,900

Please note that if you are considering a course that runs over more than one year, the tuition fee stated is for the first year of study. The course fee for the second year may be subject to annual review.

Find out about the extra support we may be able to provide to help pay for uni, including scholarships, discounts and loans.

Scholarships

You might be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies. We award scholarships to students who can demonstrate excellent achievement, passion and dedication to their studies.

Alumni discount

We’re happy to offer a 20% alumni discount to most current NTU students and recent NTU alumni. This discount is currently available for those starting an eligible postgraduate taught, postgraduate research or professional course.

Postgraduate loans

There is a government postgraduate loan scheme for Masters degrees. The loan contributes towards costs of study, and students can put it towards tuition fees, maintenance costs or other costs at their discretion. Find out more about postgraduate loans.

International students

- see the fees for this course, as well as payment advice and scholarships.
  • £17,850

Please note that if you are considering a course that runs over more than one year, the tuition fee stated is for the first year of study. The course fee for the second year may be subject to annual review.

Find out about the extra support we may be able to provide to help pay for uni, including scholarships, discounts and loans.

Scholarships

We offer scholarships for international students up to 50% off your tuition fee. You can apply for a scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.

Alumni discount

We’re happy to offer a 20% alumni discount to most current NTU students and recent NTU alumni. This discount is available for those starting an eligible postgraduate taught, postgraduate research or professional course.

Living costs

See our advice on managing your money, the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham and how to budget.

Paying fees

As an international student, you'll need to make an advance payment of £6,000 when you've accepted your offer to study at NTU. You'll then need to pay your tuition fees in full, or have an agreement to pay in two further instalments, before the start date of your course.

Find out how and when to pay your fees, including information about advance payments, instalment dates and how to make payments securely to the University.

Enquiries

If you have any queries relating to advance payments or arrangements to pay, please contact our friendly and experienced international enquiries team.

Additional costs

Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses. There are just a few additional things you may need to budget for:

Textbooks and library books

Most modules will recommend one or more core textbooks, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential textbooks, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) - meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.

Printing and photocopying costs

The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the printing and photocopying information on the Library website.

Field trips

Field trips and study visits are an important part of your learning. Trips may include site visits and visits to practices, museums, exhibitions and events. Where a trip is mandatory it will be aligned to your modules and inform project work, and substantive costs – including travel and accommodation – will be paid for by the school. Optional trips may also be organised which can provide additional opportunities to enhance your knowledge and experience. Optional trips will incur an additional cost of approximately £500 for participating students. A valid passport and any associated visas will be required for trips outside of the UK. Please note that field trip locations may vary and are subject to availability and change.

Fees and funding advice

For more advice and guidance, you can email our Student Money Team or phone us on +44 (0)115 848 2494.

Cost of living information and support

Managing your money can help you make the most of life at NTU. Here's how we can support you, and now you can make your funding go further.

How to apply

Ready to join us?

If you are interested in joining us in September 2025, this course will be open for applications through the applicant portal from September 2024. Courses starting in January 2026 will be open for applications from July 2025.

Applications to this course can be made through NTU Applicant Portal.

You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU on our postgraduate pages.

Writing your application

Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. Make sure you include as much information as possible, including uploading evidence of results already achieved, as well as a personal statement.

You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU on our postgraduate pages.

Your portfolio

If your initial application is successful, you'll be asked to submit a digital portfolio of your work to the University.

Take a look at our digital portfolio advice.

Interview

If your portfolio is accepted, you'll be asked to hold an interview with the academic team. Your interview will be held via telephone or Microsoft Teams.

Your interview will help us to decide whether we feel you are suitable for the course, and will help you to decide if this is the right course for you.

Advice for non-standard applicants

We welcome applications from applicants without prior qualifications. However, in this instance, you must have proven experience in areas related to architecture and construction, which demonstrates appropriate knowledge and skills at honours degree (undergraduate) standard.

If you are applying without prior qualifications, you will need to submit comprehensive details of your achievements with evidence to substantiate your claim (any documentation can be uploaded to the My Documents section of the Applicant Portal). This type of application will be considered with respect to the University’s provision for ‘accreditation for prior experiential learning’. Decisions regarding the accreditation of prior learning are a matter of academic judgement.

Keeping up to date

After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process - so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.

Getting in touch

If you need more help or support, you can call our Admissions Team on +44 (0)115 848 4200, or contact us at Ask NTU.

Good luck with your application!

Apply to this course online through NTU Applicant Portal.

Application advice

Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example.  After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.

Writing your personal statement

Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:

Your portfolio

If your initial application is successful, you'll be asked to submit a digital portfolio of your work to the University.

Take a look at our digital portfolio advice.

Interview

If your portfolio is accepted, you'll be asked to hold an interview with the academic team. Your interview will be held via telephone or Microsoft Teams.

Your interview will help us to decide whether we feel you are suitable for the course, and will help you to decide if this is the right course for you.

Would you like some advice on your study plans?

Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.

Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.

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