Built Environment Regulation

Master of Science in Built Environment Regulation
The programme aims to afford advanced experience, knowledge, and training to fulfil, in part, the onerous and challenging roles, duties and responsibilities associated with a range of Built Environment Regulations in the Irish Construction Industry.

This master's degree programme is designed for a multidisciplinary cohort across the built environment disciplines e.g. Architecture, Engineering, Building Surveying, Architectural Technology, and Construction Management, among others.

A multi-disciplinary cohort will be beneficial to the master's degree programme as it will provide a cross-pollination of ideas, shared experiences and appreciation for each other's roles and responsibilities in the Built Environment.

The master's degree programme is designed to meet the postgraduate and continuing professional development needs of these disciplines, to develop their competence in these areas by facilitating knowledge gained through training and applied experience. It will be particularly beneficial to new entrant graduates who have recently entered the work force in the last one to three years.

It will also be beneficial to lifelong learners and more experienced professionals as Continuing Professional Development, up-skilling, retraining, and as a refresher course. Furthermore, the programme can be undertaken on a module-by-module basis, if so desired, by accumulating credits. Alternatively, a programme of shorter duration can be commenced, with the view to continuing to complete the full Master's degree programme at some point in the future. This flexibility is designed to accommodate an adult working population.

Required Commitment
For blended fulltime cohorts, for the first year, this will entail 12 hours of tuition:
• 2 hours online synchronous evening classes over 4 days
• 4 hours face-to-face classes at the Dublin Road GMIT campus every week (Friday)

For blended flexible cohorts, for the first two years, this will entail 6 hours of tuition:
• 2 hours online synchronous evening classes over 2 days
• 4 hours face-to-face classes at the Dublin Road GMIT campus every second week (Friday).

The modules will run during term time and will honour the normal campus breaks for students during the Christmas, Easter, and Summer holidays. Self-directed learning, assessments and project work will be expected to be completed in addition to the timetabled contact hours.

Both blended fulltime and flexible cohorts will be required to complete a capstone module. The capstone module involves writing a mini-thesis and a technical paper, and it reflects an accumulation of knowledge and specialism in the broad discipline area of the built environment regulations. Research supervision will be delivered online for a half an hour every week at a time that is convenient to the researcher and the supervisor alike, for the duration of one semester.

A one-hour circle meeting followed by a one-hour research workshop will be facilitated in a face-to-face class on a Friday afternoon at the Dublin Road GMIT campus. This will run once a month.

Year 1
Introduction to Legislation for the Built Environment
10 credits

Structures (Part A, C, D, Eurocodes, and Circular Economy)
5 credits

Energy Conservation (Part L, F, J, C, D, Sustainability, and Circular Economy)
10 credits

Fire Safety (Part B Dwelling Houses)
5 credits

Services (Part E, F, G, H, J and D)
5 credits

Access and Use (Part M, B, K, DAC, Universal Design)
10 credits

Fire Safety (Part B Buildings Other than Dwelling Houses, and FSC)
10 credits

Built Environment Research
5 credits

Built Environment Thesis
30 credits

*Exit Award option available

Candidates must hold a cognate level 8 Bachelor (Hons) degree with a minimum grade classification of H2.2 or equivalent, in an appropriate Built Environment undergraduate programme or equivalent.

Candidates who do not meet the H2.2 performance standard in a Level 8 award will be required to pass a qualifying assignment at an H2.2 performance standard as established by the Programme Board for the programme in question and as approved by the Registrar.

In accordance with GMIT policy recognition of prior learning can be used to gain access to or exemption from this programme. GMIT is committed to the principles of transparency, equity, and fairness in recognition of prior learning (RPL) and to the principle of valuing all learning regardless of the mode or place of its acquisition. Recognition of Prior Learning may be used to:
1. Gain access or advanced entry to a programme at Stage 2 or higher, subject to available places. (Stage 1 entry through CAO)
2. Gain credits and exemptions from programme modules after admission
3. In award years RPL will be considered, to a 50% maximum (30 credits)
Academic Code of Practice No. 6 outlines the policies and procedures for the Recognition of Prior Learning. Guidance for applicants is provided on myexperience.ie The programme board will be expecting mapping equivalencies to the QQI Awards standard at level 8.

English Language Requirements will be as determined by GMIT and as published in the Access, Transfer and Progression code.

Applications Process
Online applications are open from February 17th, 2022

Applicants need to apply using https://apply.gmit.ie and selecting application type L9 – GSPD Level 9.

The closing date for applications is Friday, 27th May 2022, with course commencement in September 2022.

MSc in Built Environment Regulation
Duration (Full time): 1.5 years
Duration (Flexible): 2.5 years
Contact hours (Full time): 12 hours/week
Contact hours (Flexible): 6 hours/week

Post Graduate Diploma in Science in Built Environment Regulation
Duration (Full time): 1 year
Duration (Flexible): 2 years
Contact hours (Full time): 12 hours/week
Contact hours (Flexible): 6 hours/week

Certificate in Built Environment Regulation
Duration (Full time): 6 months
Duration (Flexible): 1 year
Contact hours (Full time): 12 hours/week
Contact hours (Flexible): 6 hours/week

Certificate in Fire Safety
Duration (Flexible): 1 year
Contact hours (Flexible): Average 3 hours/week

Job Opportunities
There are significant employment opportunities for building regulation practitioners as specialists within their broader discipline areas of Architecture, Architectural Technology, Building Surveying, Consultancy, Consultant Engineering, Civil Engineering, Building Engineering, Building Services Engineering, Quality Engineering, Building Control Engineering, Local Authority Engineering, and Construction Management, to name a few.

By completing this masters' programme, further employment opportunities will present in the much sought-after areas of specialist Building Regulation Engineers, Building Control Engineers, Quality Engineers, Local Authority Engineers, Designers, Builders, Assigned Certifiers and/or Ancillary Certifiers, the roles of each being defined in the Built Environment Regulations and Legislation, and also depending on each candidates' primary undergraduate degree qualification, their professional body membership and their practice experience in the construction industry.

By completing this programme, it may facilitate progression routes into these roles if used in conjunction with applications for Chartership or an equivalent level in each profession and/or discipline, for example. It may also present opportunities for progression into management and to more senior positions. This qualification and sub-sets thereof will help to meet annual Continuing Professional Development requirements, and to align with professional body requirements. This programme will facilitate employment opportunities in the broad area of Building Regulations and Building Control in the private and public sector, in local authority, and on site in the construction sector.