Studies
Civil Engineering Master's degree programme is a new programme that has two specialisation paths. Computing in Construction focuses on construction sector from a data perspective and Civil Engineering Management provides a combination of engineering, economics, management and communication. Civil Engineering Master's degree studies will begin in Autumn 2027.
Structure of studies
Extent of the studies is 60 ECTS credit points and duration from 1 year to 1,5 years.
The programmes consists of
- Advanced professional studies 15 ECTS
- Elective professional studies 10 ECTS
- Free elective studies 5 ECTS and
- Master’s thesis and research methods 30 ECTS
Topics
See below the descriptions and topics of Computing in Construction and Civil Engineering Management as well as joint elective studies.
The Computing in Construction path looks at the construction sector from a data perspective: what kinds of data is produced and consumed over construction lifecycle. Also models of different kinds - BIM models, city models, point clouds, etc. - are seen and used as particular types of data.
The overarching themes in the studies are (1) linking different kinds of data with each other across models and datasets, and (2) interoperability of systems: how systems can use data produced by others, and how workflows could be automated. (It should be stressed that the path does not teach the use of BIM authoring tools, practices of BIM-based design, BIM coordination, or other such skills).
The specific topics of studies are the following:
- Computational representations of the built environment (5 ECTS)
- BIM and openBIM standards: IFC, bSDD, BCF, and IDS
- City models and CityGML/JSON
- Ontologies relevant to the construction domain
- Management and sharing of construction data (5 ECTS)
- ISO 19650 standard for BIM-based information management
- Linked data and decentralized data management
- Cybersecurity in construction
- Data gathering over the construction lifecycle (4 ECTS)
- Point clouds from laser scanning, photogrammetry, or depth cameras
- Sensor data from BAS and IoT systems
- Event data from GS1-based systems
- Process mining from event logs
- Digital twins in construction (5 ECTS)
- BIM-based digital twins
- Update processes and sensor data integration
- Data access, analysis, simulation, prediction, and visualization
Civil Engineering Management path offers a combination of engineering, economics, management, and communication. The path covers specialized topics such as project development, project management and life cycle management, alongside general subjects like leadership and soft skills, all within an international business context.
The specific topics of studies are the following:
- Computational representations of the built environment (5 ECTS)
- BIM and openBIM standards: IFC, bSDD, BCF, and IDS
- City models and CityGML/JSON
- Ontologies relevant to the construction domain
- Sustainable Development in Construction and Real Estate (5 ECTS)
- Natural and built environment and its relationship to the ecological, social and economic environment
- Critical factors such clean air, soil, and water, and impact of pollution
- Energy savings in buildings and producing energy with renewables
- Construction project management (5 ECTS)
- Construction planning in the context of early decisions and planning techniques including: bar charts, line of balance, linear programming, network analysis, resources, monitoring and control
The students will select 10 ECTS elective professional studies and 5 ECTS free elective studies
- Computational Design and Optimisation (5 ECTS)
- Computational design, including parametric, generative, and algorithmic approaches, along with the relevant tools and software ecosystem
- Practical application and optimisation of designs, with examples in spatial planning, structural engineering and construction
- Artificial Intelligence in Construction (5 ECTS)
- Fundamentals of artificial intelligence, including key methods in both neural and symbolic AI
- Practical application of AI, such as using tools, programming and applying AI in construction and computational design contexts
- Building Repair Technology (5 ECTS)
- Renovation and refurbishment, including processes, safety considerations and the management of hazardous materials
- Planning and implementation of repair works, lifecycle planning, energy efficiency improvements, and damage repair in steel, concrete, façades and moisture-affected structures
- Building Information Modelling (BIM) in Renovation (5 ECTS)
- Product and data modelling in refurbishment projects, data-driven design and project management, modelling rules, guidelines and tools
- Application of data models in renovation, covering the integration of survey, measurement and inventory data into design models, along with the specific characteristics of refurbishment projects
- Renovation Economy and Project Management 5 ECTS
- Core concepts of projects and project management, including key areas and tools
- Application of project management practices in renovation and specialised construction projects
Goal of the studies
After completing the programme, the student understands the varieties of models and data created in the real-estate and construction sector and has gained hands-on capabilities to apply, develop and implement modern computational methods and tools to process them, with the purpose of increased quality, sustainability, productivity, and security of construction.
Mode of study
The language of studies is English and the programme is organized as day-time studies. However, lectures can also be attended online and the recordings of lectures will be made available to students. Each student is expected to attend the classes at campus one day per week unless there are valid reason for absence. The schedules will be published closer to the start of the academic year.
It is highly recommended that every student will have an own laptop computer with the necessary rights to administer it, in order to be able to complete exercises, assignments, and project work.
During the classes the students will do active software work on the above-mentioned topics, mostly using Python programming language. Therefore, the students need to be prepared to install, manage, and work with
- various open-source tools (such as Python, Visual Studio Code, Blender Bonsai, CloudCompare, MQTT brokers/clients, or GraphDB), and
- program libraries in Python (such as IfcOpenShell, Open3D, Paho MQTT, or RDFlib).
Who should apply?
The applicant applies to the Civil Engineering Master’s programme. The specialisation will be selected during the application process. Both specialisation paths have their own common courses with joint elective courses. The implementation of specialisation paths and elective courses depends on the number of applicants. Therefore, we cannot guarantee that a specific path or elective course will be offered every year.
More information about applying will be published later on Studyinfo.
Computing in Construction
The path is excellent for anyone who wants to apply AI technologies to the challenges of architecture, engineering, construction and operations of the built environment, or develop other advanced digital solutions in that domain, such as digital twins, IoT applications, knowledge graphs, simulation, linked data solutions, etc.
The students may can come from diverse background, including architecture, computer science, information systems, civil engineering, structural design, land surveying, and others. The interest in the hands-on development of digital solutions for the challenges of the built environment is important.
Civil Engineering Management
The path is for those wanting to answer to the transformation of the construction industry driven by digitalization, the requirements of sustainable development, the increasing size and complexity of projects and internationalization. There is an increasing demand in the professional field for advanced project management expertise.
The studies are designed for professionals who wish to manage international projects for building construction and real estate in the future. Therefore it is mainly addressed to professionals in the field of architecture and civil engineering. The path offers an internationally competitive way to gain Nordic construction expertise.
Computing in Construction studies via Open University of Applied Sciences
You can apply to Computing in Construction studies through Metropolia Open University of Applied Sciences. The scope of Computing in Construction Open Path Studies is 15 ECTS of the same courses as in the Master´s degree curriculum for degree students.
Learn more about the study path on Metropolia Open UAS website
Scholarships and tuition fees
The tuition fees concern students who are not citizens of EU/EEA countries. Students pay annual tuition fees based on their study right. The payment obligation concerns all the academic terms during which a student is registered as attending.
Annual tuition fee 12 500 € for non-EU/EEA degree students, whose right of study starts after 31 July 2027.
This fee applies only to non-EU/EEA degree students.
Ask about the studies
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Starting studies
Welcome to study for a degree at Metropolia!
Congratulations! You have been admitted to Metropolia University of Applied Sciences and we are delighted to have you as a new member of our vibrant community of more than 16 000 students!
You have made an excellent choice - Metropolia offers you unique multidisciplinary opportunities throughout your studies with its strong connections to working life and active role in innovations built around socially significant phenomena.
We are happy to have you with us and help you with any questions you might have. Welcome to Metropolia!
The below information applies to students who have been accepted to study for a full degree at Metropolia. Make sure to complete all the steps in order to secure your study place.
Confirming a place of study requires certain formalities to be completed by the deadline. More detailed instructions below:
Non-EU/EEA students need a student residence permit. You can begin the student residence permit application online at Enterfinland.fi. Remember that you must personally visit a Finnish embassy or consulate as part of this process. Start your residence permit process as soon as possible, carefully following the immigration authorities' instructions and regulations, so that you can receive your permit in good time before your studies begin! You can find detailed information and advice on the residence permit requirements and procedures on the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) website.
Note that participating online programmes does not entitle you receiving residence permit. See more about the topic in Finnish Immigration Service websites.
All Metropolia's students who do not have a Finnish personal identity code, have to apply for it before their arrival or register at the local registry office after their arrival to Finland to apply for one.
Students who have to apply for residence permit (i.e. non-EU/non-EEA citizens) before their arrival to Finland should ask to be registered in the Finnish Population Information System when they apply for their first residence permit. This way they will receive a Finnish personal identity code at the same time as they are issued with the permit. More information on this for residence permit applicants in Migri site
Other students have to apply for the personal identity code from the local registry office of the city where you are living in.
More information on Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV).
More information on registration to the Finnish Population Information System in DVV site
After you have received the personal identification code, remember to inform it to the Student Services with the official document. Acceptable documents are for example DVV:s document (Notification of registration), Finnish passport, Finnish identity card with a photo, issued by police, Finnish driver's license, residence permit or KELA card with a photo.
User account activation is possible from the start date of your study right. Activate your user account before the orientation days by following the instructions available on the IT Services website. To activate your account, you will need personal online banking credentials or a mobile certificate. Also check the instructions provided by your degree programme.
If you do not have Finnish online banking credentials or a mobile certificate, authenticate using the Candour ID application. After authentication, you will receive instructions on how to activate your user account. Read the instructions for authentication and receiving user accounts on the Information Management Services website.
Once you have activated your user account, enable multi-factor authentication for Microsoft 365 services. First enable SMS authentication, and then Microsoft Authenticator. If possible, also enable alternative authentication methods on your other mobile devices. This will help you avoid login issues if your primary phone is replaced or lost. Follow the instructions available on the IT Services website.
If you have any questions about user account activation or multi-factor authentication, please contact the Helpdesk. You will find the contact information on the IT Services website.
All foreign students (who are not EU citizens or citizens of Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland) who come to Finland for the purposes of studying are required to have a health insurance, if the studies endure longer than three months.
More information on insurances in Student's Guide
Student financial aid is for Finnish citizens. Foreign citizens are entitled to student financial aid if they live in Finland on a permanent basis for the purpose other than studying and they have registered as permanent residents in the Finnish population register system.
More information on student financial aid in Student's Guide
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- If you have a smart phone you can download the free HSL mobile app to get access to the public transportation Journey Planner and tickets (e.g. for travelling from the Helsinki-Vantaa airport to your apartment or from your apartment to the campus).
- If you have a smart phone you can download the Tuudo mobile app for free to get your digital student ID and student discounts (ID and discounts are available from the first day of the studies onwards)
- Information on student life and well-being, costs and finance, study environment etc. in Student's Guide
New students need a laptop for their studies.
Minimum laptop requirements for new students:
- Windows 11 or Mac computer
- Intel i5/i7 processor (at least 8 gen), AMD Ryzen 5/7 or equivalent processor
- RAM 8 GB memory
- SSD hard disk min. 256 GB
The life cycle of the laptop should be at least 4 years. The estimated cost of a laptop meeting the recommended specifications is between €600 and €800 and upwards. If the student's studies are geared towards gaming or graphic design, for example, the laptop should have a more powerful graphics card and more SSD hard disk space.
The recommended operating system will depend on the degree programme and the area of specialisation. As a general rule, Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X are safe choices for a laptop operating system. Students of XR Design, 3D Animation and Visualisation and Visual Communication Design will be informed in the first weeks of their studies about the purchase of their own computer and the features they need.
Tuudo is a mobile app with which you can use various Metropolia web services easily on your smart phone. With Tuudo you can get VR, HSL, Matkahuolto and Kela student discounts immediately. The benefits are free for all Metropolia students.
In Tuudo you can check Metropolia, Admission Services, and student union METKA announcements, your schedule, study attainments, and cafeteria menus.
Get Tuudo on your phone from the app store for free and start using it!
During your studies, your support of well-being and health is Finnish Student Health Services (FSHS). The specialist in student health care offers you general, mental and oral health services and supports the well-being of study communities.
Our services can be used by students completing a bachelor’s or master’s degree at a university or a university of applied sciences who have registered as attending for the semester.
Master the facts! Familiarize yourself with our services and user instructions in Kela's site fshs.fi, and Kela's Health information resource on the address.
Start using Self! Self is the student’s own online service for health care issues at FSHS. In Self, you can manage appointment bookings, communicate via SelfChat and start a remote consultation. Log in to Self as a user immediately from the beginning of the semester and keep your contact details up to date for as long as you are a student. Read more about Self in Kela's site.
The health care fee for students in higher education will be paid to Kela on your initiative. Read more about health care fee in Kela's site.
If you have social security coverage in another EU/EEA country or in Switzerland or the United Kingdom, you do not have to pay the healthcare fee. However, you can to use the FSHS’s services.
Metropolia does not have housing services to offer. Thus, it is the student's responsibility to find an accommodation for the period of their studies. There is a lot of competition in affordable housing, so it is important to start searching for a room many months prior to arrival.
Already excited about starting your studies in Metropolia and meeting new people?
On Student Union Metka's site you will find welcome letters for each degree program.
Welcome letters are information packages prepared by your future tutors. They include, for example, important dates as well as information about studying, student benefits, or student life.
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How to start civil engineering studies?
Instruction will be published later.