Building Information Modeling in quantity surveying education

Building Information Modeling (BIM) will have a significant impact on the future role and practice of the QS and will almost certainly lead to major changes in the profession. The aim of this presentation will be to consider a brief history of BIM and how it has developed into an essential tool in the construction industry and in particular, its relevance to the QS profession. This will concentrate mainly on 4d and 5d BIM as those being most relevant to the QS but will also look at 6d BIM and above. It is imperative therefore that the education of QS students embraces and embeds BIM within the curriculum and a detailed case study of how Northumbria University, UK has undertaken this will be provided. This will illustrate how BIM is being taught both as a theoretical concept and subject and also as a practical skill to ensure that graduates entering the workplace can understand and also utilize BIM in practice. The presentation will also outline the University’s partnership with practice to create the BIM Academy and how this is leading research and development both in the UK and at a global level