Studies
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.
The student has become familiar with
- the heterogeneous models of built environment (building information models, city models, product data, etc.),
- secure and organized data management and sharing technologies and practices in construction, and
- point clouds, sensor data, and event data generated over the construction lifecycle.
The student has acquired the following knowledge and skills to meet the demands of the construction sector:
- utilize computational tools to query, process, link, enrich, and manage the data,
- create, modify, and optimize the models algorithmically,
- understand and utilize the artificial intelligence technologies, and
- develop and extend models and systems.
Structure of studies
Extent of the studies is 60 ECTS credit points and duration 1,5 years.
The programme consists of
- Common studies 20 ECTS
- Elective studies 10 ECTS and
- Master’s Thesis 30 ECTS
Topics
The Computing in Construction programme 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 programme 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
- 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
- ISO 19650 standard for BIM-based information management
- Linked data and decentralized data management
- Cybersecurity in construction
- Data gathering over the construction lifecycle
- Point clouds from laser scanning, photogrammetry, or depth cameras
- Sensor data from BAS and IoT systems
- Event data from GS1-based systems
- Computational design and optimization
- Algorithmic design with Rhino/Grasshopper
- Multi-criteria optimization
- Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and reasoning
- Basic technologies of machine learning, combinatorial search, and reasoning
- Knowledge graphs, linked data and ontologies in construction
- Applications of large language models and foundation models in construction
- Digital twins in construction
- As-built and as-maintained BIM models
- Update processes and sensor data integration
- Data access, analysis, prediction, and visualization
Mode of study
The language of studies is English and the programme is arranged as day-time studies: students need to be prepared to attend the classes from Monday to Friday. 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 using Python and Javascript programming languages. Therefore, the students need to be prepared to install, manage, and work with
- various open-source tools (such as Python, Node.js, Visual Studio Code, That Open Engine, BlenderBIM, CloudCompare, MQTT brokers/clients, or GraphDB, among others), and
- program libraries in Python or Javascript (such as IfcOpenShell, Open3D, Paho MQTT, node-wot, or RDFlib, among others).
Prerequisites for admission
- Bachelor of engineering degree (240 ECTS, four years)
- Two years of degree-related work experience
- The completion of the online admission course AMKosaaja "Me as a programmer?" (14 ECTS)
- (Regarding the joint application 2024: the course can be started immediately but must be started on latest 24.1.2024 and completed by 7.4.2024; the decision on the application will be made on latest 31.5.2024)
Scholarships and tuition fees
Annual tuition fee for non-EU/EEA applicants 11 500 €.
This fee applies only to non-EU/EEA degree students.
Ask about the studies
Applying
- Application period-Start of studiesautumn 2025
- Technology
Instructions for applying
In the spring 2025 Joint Application to higher education, you can apply to degree programmes that start in the autumn of 2025. The application period starts on the 8 January 2025 at 8 am and ends on the 22 January 2025 at 3 pm (local time in Finland).
All the information needed to apply can be found on the national Studyinfo.fi portal. At Studyinfo.fi you can find descriptions of degree programmes, application criteria, application instructions, application forms and much more.
Application fee
From January 2025 onwards there is going to be an application fee of 100 euros. The application fee is collected for applicants from countries outside EU/EEA seeking education leading to a degree in higher education. The Finnish National Agency of Education will collect the application fee in connection with filling in the Studyinfo application form. The application fees are introduced for applications starting 1 January 2025 and onwards, when applying for degree programmes beginning on or after 1 August 2025. There is no application fee for Finnish or EU citizens.
More about application fee in Studyinfo.fi.
Questions about application fees? Contact applicationfee [at] oph.fi (applicationfee[at]oph[dot]fi)The application fee does not guarantee that you will be offered admission to studies.
All applicants must complete the following Metropolia's Open UAS non-stop online courses:
- The Python programming section included in the course (3 credits ECTS, evaluation on a pass/fail scale) is mandatory for all applicants, and its successful completion gives 20 points in the entrance exam.
Link to register for the course https://hakija.oma.metropolia.fi/#2838 - The section Introduction to Javascript included in the course (5 credits ECTS, evaluation on a pass/fail scale) is optional, but its successful completion gives 15 additional points in the entrance exam.
Link to register for the course https://hakija.oma.metropolia.fi/#2852 - The section SQL and relational databases included in the course (3 credits ECTS, evaluation on a pass/fail scale) is optional, but its successful performance gives 10 additional points in the entrance exam.
Link to register for the course https://hakija.oma.metropolia.fi/#2837
Completion of the non-stop courses in question must start no later than January 22, 2025, and it must be completed no later than March 7, 2025. The course is evaluated on a scale of 0-45 points, and the lowest accepted score is 20.
All eligible applicants who have successfully completed the Python programming (3 credits ECTS) section of the non-stop course by the deadline are invited to the entrance examination (= online interview). The entrance examination is evaluated on a scale of 0-55 points so that the lowest accepted score is 10 points. No entrance examination cooperation.
Student selection requires that the applicant achieves the minimum points set for student selection regarding the non-stop course, the entrance exam and the total points for student selection. Student selections are made based on the combined score of the non-stop course and entrance exam. The study places are filled in the order of merit according to the combined score of the elective course and the entrance exam.
In order to be considered for student selection, you must pass the degree programme's own entrance examination as described in Studyinfo.fi. Entrance exam invitations are sent approximately one week before the entrance exam by email to the email address provided by the applicant on the application form.
- Application period-Start of studiesautumn 2024
- Technology
The Application on the Basis of Metropolia’s Open UAS Studies is aimed at those who have completed open UAS studies at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. Studies are considered to be Metropolia's if they are entered in the Metropolia's study register, and open studies if they have not been completed with the right to study for the degree-leading education.
Application period: 1 May 2024 8:00 am - 31 October 2024, all times refer to local time in Finland https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/finland/helsinki.
Application instructions: published at Studyinfo.fi
- Application period-Start of studiesautumn 2025
- Technology
The Separate Application for International Degree Programmes is aimed at those applying on the basis of GMAT/GRE test, SAT test, the Edunation Pathway Diploma or a top-up degree for an education leading to a higher education degree in English. Application period for studies starting in autumn 2025 starts on 31 December 2024 08:00 am (local time in Finland).
Application instructions have been published on Studyinfo.fi Check the individual selection methods for each degree programme in Studyinfo.fi .
Useful links
More information
For more information on the application process please contact
Metropolia's Student and Admission Services:
+358 40 712 5100
admissions [at] metropolia.fi (admissions[at]metropolia[dot]fi)
Starting studies
How to start your studies in Metropolia
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
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
After you have received the personal identification code, remember to inform it to the Student and Admission 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. More information on accommodation
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
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.
- Find out where your campus is located
- 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.
When you start as a new student you need to activate your user account. Activation is possible when the right to study begins. For joint application, activation is possible from 1 August.
The purpose of the activation is that you personally accept the rules of the account usage policy and start using your account. Activate your user account primarily using Mobile Certificate and Netbank User ID. Please read first the instructions in IT Services wiki.
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 on the address fshs.fi, and the Health information resource on the address yths.fi/en/health-information-resource. You can also find information about appointments as well as current information about your service unit on the address yths.fi/en/service-units.
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: yths.fi/en/self-info.
The health care fee for students in higher education will be paid to Kela on your initiative (kela.fi/web/en/healthcare-fee-for-students-in-higher-education).
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.
Already excited about starting your studies in Metropolia and meeting new people? On this page 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.
Create your own profile and sign up to JobTeaser portal now and stay up to date on job vacancies, training and upcoming recruitment events promoted especially to Metropolia students. There are hundreds of job opportunities available and a lot of information to support your career planning.
JobTeaser is a career portal where you can find lot of career information in one platform.
- Open jobs and traineeships
- Working life events
- Advice & guidance
- Employer profiles
Sign up and start exploring
Sign up to JobTeaser using your @metropolia.fi email address: https://metropolia.jobteaser.com/
You can also download a Jobteaser application.
Starting Computing in Construction studies
The School of Real-Estate and Construction warmly welcomes all new Computing in Construction students! We have exerted significant effort to craft an interesting and comprehensive master's programme designed to harness the power of digital technology in molding our built environment. We are now anticipating enthusiastic and dynamic students who would participate actively in classroom sessions and in innovative work on software and programming assignments.
For the smooth beginning of your studies, please consider the following points carefully in advance and take the necessary actions before the start of the studies.
1. Arriving to Finland
You will need to arrive to Finland on Sunday September 1st, 2024 at the latest. To make practical arrangements before the start of the studies (e.g., picking the keys to an apartment), it is advisable to come already a few days earlier, that is, during the previous week.
Note! The time of arrival needs to be taken into account already when applying the residence permit.
2. Orientation days and the start of lectures
The orientation days for the studies will be on September 2nd and 3rd, 2024, at the Myllypuro campus (from 9:00 to 15:00 EEST). You will get to know each other as well as the practical arrangements, communication tools, IT services, and the Myllypuro campus. You will also have an introduction to the goals, contents, and arrangements of the Computing in Construction programme.
The lectures will begin immediately on the days following the orientation. The practical arrangements explained and made during the orientation days (such as access control badges, computer accounts, course enrollment, etc.) should be in order by that time.
Note! Bring your own laptop computer both to the orientation days and the lectures.
3. Choice between the normal or fast-track option
The recommended length of the programme is 1.5 years (three semesters). If absolutely necessary, the programme can be completed in 1 year (two semesters), in which case the student needs to submit the master's thesis for evaluation by April 15th, 2025. It means that the work on the thesis should begin already in October, and the proposal of the thesis topic must be submitted on latest in September.
Note! Students who choose the fast-track option must make the decision before the beginning of the studies and must have their thesis topic ready right when the studies begin. In addition, throughout their studies they should be prepared to work with high intensity and be extra careful not to miss a single deadline in any courses.
4. Time to allocate for studies
Computing in Construction is organized as full-time studies. You should expect to spend 2.5 days/week at the campus. The attendance in the lectures is mandatory - make the necessary adjustments to enable the participation. The rest of the week is reserved to assignments, independent studies, and also thesis work towards the end of the programme.
The nominal extent of the programme is 60 credit points which means 1620 hours of work in total. Each 5 credit point course nominally requires 135 hours of work. The first autumn is especially full of studies: there are four courses totaling 25 credit points to be completed in 17 weeks, which means 40 hours of work/week. Make enough room in your weekly schedules to accommodate that. Later on the focus of studies moves increasingly on the thesis work, which gives more flexibility to time management.
5. Own laptop that allows software installation
During the studies there will be programming exercises and assignments on built environment models and data. The exercises quite often involve the need to install some open-source tools and libraries.
Therefore, each student is strongly recommended to bring an own laptop computer that allows the installation of open-source software packages (that is, not a computer in which installations are prevented because it is managed by another party).
Most software used in the studies can be run almost equally well in Windows, Mac, and Linux systems, although Windows would probably cause least trouble.
6. Programming environment ready for action
In the first courses, the programming languages that will be used are Python and Javascript. Students should ensure that already when the studies being, they have updated the system software of their computers and installed the recent versions of essential software packages: Python, node.js, and the preferred software development environment (such as VSCode).
It is advisable to refresh the programming knowledge and skills before the start of the studies especially regarding Python but also Javascript.
7. Learning Finnish language
Although in Finland most of the work in Computing in Construction domain can be done in English, experience has still repeatedly shown that opportunities for good employment depend strongly on the proficiency in Finnish language.
Therefore, to have a successful career after your studies in Finland, it is of great importance to start investing some of your weekly hours in learning the Finnish language - to achieve in the minimum the ability to manage your daily businesses and to participate in informal chat with colleagues.