FAQ 

What is Digital Construction Management?

Digital Construction Management combines civil engineering, digitalization, and management. In this program, you’ll learn to use digital technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), artificial intelligence (AI), and modern project management methods to plan and execute construction projects efficiently, sustainably, and with an eye toward the future.

Is the master´s program more BIM-oriented, or does it take a broader approach to digital transformation in the construction industry?

This program focuses on digital transformation in the construction industry. BIM, or Building Information Modeling, is just one tool for this transformation. In fact, the program emphasizes management skills for applying digital tools. This provides a comprehensive understanding of how to respond to digital developments. This includes, above all, the use of analysis tools based on artificial intelligence. Since we are in Europe, management skills are incorporated into the EU-IA Act. 

Who is this degree program best suited for: civil engineering/architecture, or real estate management/industrial engineering?

The program is deliberately designed to cover all aspects of construction and real estate sciences, as it is expected that future practices will increasingly focus on the entire life cycle. Digital competence grounded in civil engineering is of immense importance for every area of construction—from real estate and project development, which lead to feasibility studies and financial assessments, through design and implementation on the construction site, to operations during the operational phase. That is why the program is equally open to everyone.

What prior knowledge of BIM, IT, or software do I need?

In a master’s program, a basic understanding of software, IT, and BIM, building on the knowledge gained in an accredited bachelor’s program, is sufficient. No foundational knowledge is taught. If specialized bachelor’s programs are available, they are analyzed, and, if appropriate, training recommendations—such as summer schools, BIPs, or relevant literature—are provided on an individual basis.

What exactly does a 3-semester part-time degree program entail?

Students can begin the program in either the summer or winter semester, as the semesters are not arranged consecutively. The winter semester focuses primarily on technical skills, while the summer semester focuses on management skills. The master’s thesis in the third semester is ideally practice-oriented and based on a transformation project in a real-world work setting. 

How many days or weeks of in-person classes are there in Carinthia and Bochum?

During the first two semesters, there is one week of in-person classes per semester in Carinthia (Spittal) and one in North Rhine-Westphalia (Bochum). That makes a total of 4 block weeks of in-person instruction.

Is it possible to balance studying with a full-time job?

Studying while working full-time requires a high degree of discipline, a strong personal commitment, and very good coordination with your employer. Students' feedback ranges from “no problem at all” to “a 50% position is better.”

Specifically, what career options will I have after that?

As a DCM graduate, I have a wide range of opportunities to work in companies within the construction industry. The following section highlights a selection of potential career paths after graduation. However, it is likely that companies in the industry will continue to add new career fields and job descriptions as they undergo a transformation toward greater digitalization. The part-time DCM program provides a solid foundation for this, as we train “generalists” in digitalization rather than specialists, such as BIM or LEAN managers.

Start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises:

• Digitalization Manager
• Process and Quality Manager

Large companies, corporations, and industry:

• Product manager
• Quality Manager
• In-House Digital Transformation Consultant
• Head of Digital Transformation 

Is studying in Austria logistically easy for applicants from Germany?

It is a joint degree program, which means that the administrative procedures are the same for Austrian and German applicants.

What does "joint degree" mean?

Digital Construction Management is a joint master's program offered by CU University of Carinthia and Bochum UniversityofAppliedSciences. You will study at both universities and benefit from the expertise of both institutions as well as an international network.

How does the joint degree work in practice?

The program consists of 60 ECTS credits of coursework and 30 ECTS credits for the master’s thesis. This means that of the 60 ECTS credits, 20 ECTS credits are completed over 4 block weeks (including blended learning). Thus, one-third of the program consists of in-person instruction, one-third of the master’s thesis, and one-third of synchronous and asynchronous online study groups. 

What documents, deadlines, language proficiency requirements, and selection criteria apply?

The program Moodle is used consistently; all course materials—including lecture notes and problem sets—are available there. For each module, there is a recommended reading list to help students reflect on and expand the knowledge taught in class. The program is taught in German. During the admission interview, candidates are evaluated based on their prior knowledge, language proficiency, and practical experience, and are placed on the admission list. Currently, this is a “first come, first served” list, provided that the program requirements are met. After that, a waiting list is maintained. 

What does the curriculum cover each semester, and which tools and methods are actually addressed?

The curriculum consists of a total of 12 modules, each worth 5 ECTS credits, offered over the two lecture semesters. These modules fall into three main categories:

• Methodological and organizational modules: Collaboration in the Transformation Process, Collaborative Project Management, Project Development Throughout the Lifecycle, LEAN, Contract and Claim Management
• Technical digitalization modules: Construction Informatics, BIM, Digitalization in Construction Operations, Digital Applications in Construction, Software and Data Management
• Elective modules: Sustainability and CO2 Neutrality in Construction, Key Competencies for the Construction Transition, Smart Building, Practice of Research and Development  

How much will my studies cost in total, including any travel expenses?

You must pay two semester fees (CU and Bochum University of Applied Sciences), as well as a one-time ÖH fee per semester. Upon request, the North Rhine-Westphalia ticket can be removed from the Bochum semester fee, which saves approximately 150 euros. 

Accommodations range from 60 to 100 euros per day. This means you should budget 300 to 500 euros for lodging per block week. Travel arrangements can be customized individually, so no specific details can be provided. Additionally, having your own computer is a prerequisite for the program, as there are many online sessions. Student versions of the software are available; you should budget 100 euros per semester for this. 

Are there any additional costs associated with using specialized software?

The DCM program strives to use software that is freely available to universities whenever possible, so that students incur no additional costs and can use the software on their own computers. For example, Autodesk Revit is used in BIM, MS VS Code and Anaconda are used in construction informatics, and ESRI ArcGIS is used in GIS.