Construction Innovation

Course Overview

The course aims to equip students with key knowledge and skills needed to develop sustainable technological solutions to the challenges facing the construction and built environment sector in Ireland and elsewhere. The MSc in Construction Innovation is targeted at individuals wishing to upskill/reskill to meet the critical demand for skills in innovation, digital adoption, sustainability and modern methods of construction, as identified in the Ernst & Young ‘Detailed Description of Needs for the Irish Construction/Built Environment Sector’ report (2021).



The MSc in Construction Innovation will enable prospective students to:

• Develop skills in sustainability, digitalisation and modern methods of construction,

• Develop advanced research and analytical skills, including expertise in a specific field, effective communication, teamwork, and project management,

• Develop critical thinking, curiosity and problem solving to manage the innovation process,

• Identify opportunities (and challenges) for innovation in the construction sector,

• Create novel technology and service solutions to previously unmet, under-met and unrecognised problems,

• Continue their professional development to meet the future needs of the sector.



The MSc in Construction Innovation aims to produce graduates who are creative, inquisitive, agile and distinctive. They will have had access to state-of-the-art knowledge, tools and techniques in construction during the MSc in Construction Innovation and the opportunity to apply these in the real-world content.



They will have the ability:

• to identify, formulate and analyse complex construction-related problems.

• to identify opportunities (and challenges) for innovation in the construction sector.

• to investigate, experiment and apply standard and specialised research methods.

• to lead in the sustainable transition of the construction sector with consideration of people, planet and place, embedding the principles of Sustainable Development Goals in their work.

• to work effectively independently and in diverse and inclusive teams, and to prepare for lifelong learning.

• to communicate effectively on complex construction related activities to diverse audiences.



Transferable Skills Employers Value

On the successful completion of this programme students will have:

• Enhanced skills in the area of problem solving.

• Enhanced students’ skills in research, communication, and innovative thinking.

• Communicated difficult ideas in a clear and persuasive manner, while listening to others and understanding different points of view [Communication Skills].

• Looked at problems from diverse points of view [Design and Planning Skills].

• Identified a problem and formulated questions relevant to clarifying an issue or a set of issues [Research and Investigation Skills].

• Enhanced students ability to support a position with argumentation and logic.



Course description:

The course focuses on construction innovation, equipping learners with key knowledge and skills in innovation, digital adoption, sustainability and modern methods of construction. The course is delivered through blended learning, consisting of pre-recorded lectures, live online webinars (1 hour/week), live online workshops (2 hours/week), self-directed learning materials, online activities and extensive resources, and on campus sessions (full-day every 8 weeks).



Each module will consist of:

(i) online materials and guided reading;

(ii) weekly lectures with associated activities; and

(iii) one full-day workshop with discussions.

Students must undertake the following core modules are:

• CE5104 Sustainability Planning in Construction (10 ECTS; Year 1, Semester 1; Blended; No-prerequisites)

• CE5105 Digital Construction Technologies (10 ECTS; Year 1, Semester 1; Blended; No-prerequisites)

• CE5106 Modern Methods of Construction (10 ECTS; Year 1, Semester 2; Blended; No-prerequisites)

• CE5108 Innovation & Entrepreneurship (10 ECTS; Year 1, Semester 2; Blended; No-prerequisites)

• CE5107 Innovation Project (20 ECTS; Year 1, Semester 3; Blended; No-prerequisites)



Students undertaking the Full-Time course must undertake one of the following optional modules:

• CE5109 Research Project in Construction Innovation (30 ECTS; Year 1, Full Year; Blended; No-prerequisites)

• CE5110 Work Based Placement in Construction Innovation (30 ECTS; Year 1, Full Year; Blended; No-prerequisites)



Students undertaking the Part-Time course, students must undertake the following core module:

• CE5109 Research Project in Construction Innovation (30 ECTS; Year 2, Full Year; Blended; No-prerequisites)



Curriculum Information

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases). Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Applicants should hold:

• an undergraduate bachelor degree 1st or 2nd class honours in any discipline (level 8);

• or an ordinary bachelors degree or 3rd class honours undergraduate degree (level 7), along with five years of relevant industrial experience;

• or a recognised professional qualification and five years of relevant industrial experience.



Candidates who do not meet the minimum entry criteria are encouraged to contact the programme's administrators to discuss eligibility through a process of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and may be interviewed to ascertain their suitability for the course.

Closing Date: No set closing date.



Applications must be completed online at: https://nuigalway.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Account/Login.



An application requires a registration fee of €35. You will be asked to upload proof of identification, academic transcripts, a personal statement, an academic reference and documentation to fulfil the English requirement (where English is not your first language).

1 year, full-time/ part-time

Next start date: September 2025

Career Opportunities

The course is designed to provide upskilling opportunities for graduates in industrial and commercial construction, construction technology and in sustainable development sectors. It is also envisaged that graduates will take up leadership positions in the construction industry to lead change in the modernisation of the sector.