The BIM A+ European Master in Building Information Modelling offers scholarships worth up to €14,000 for the academic year 2027/2028, open to students from any country, and the deadline for the first call is 31 January 2027. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the programme's admission, application and scholarship pages and set out below who can apply, which scholarships exist and what you need to submit.
BIM A+ at a Glance
🎓 Degree: Master's degree, provided as a double degree from the institutions involved
⏱️ Duration: one academic year, from early October to the end of September
🔄 Format: held on a rotating basis among partners, with coursework at one partner institution and the dissertation at another
🗣️ Language: English for instruction and examinations
🏆 Top scholarship: €14,000, fully covering tuition fees plus a living allowance support of around €500
🗓️ First call deadline: 31 January 2027 at 23:59 UTC
🚀 Start: October 2027, the ninth edition of the programme
What the Master Teaches
The objective of BIM A+ is to offer an advanced education programme on BIM integrated design, construction and operation processes, with a strong focus on the collaborative practices that are the cornerstone of such integration.
The Master combines the diversity of expertise at leading European universities in the relevant fields. It offers education oriented to a multidisciplinary understanding of virtual construction through the involvement of experts from complementary fields, including engineers, architects, programmers and others.
From Erasmus Mundus Roots to Its Ninth Edition
BIM A+ had its first edition in 2019/2020 as an Erasmus Mundus Masters Course and was co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union until 2023. The 2027/2028 edition is the ninth, and it retains the spirit of an Erasmus Mundus Masters Course. If you want to understand the format it comes from, read our guide on what Erasmus Mundus is and how joint Masters work.
The scholarships described below are funded by the BIM A+ Consortium and by industry sponsors.
Career Outlook in Building Information Modelling
According to the World Economic Forum, as cited by the programme, BIM is one of the 10 most promising technologies in the engineering and construction industry, with high employability prospects.
Consortium Scholarships for Students From Any Country
Consortium Scholarships are planned for students from any geographical origin applying within the first and second calls. They are financed by the BIM A+ Consortium and organised as follows:
💎 Up to 2 scholarships of €14,000: fully covering tuition fees plus a living allowance support of around €500
🧾 Up to 12 scholarships of €5,000: partially covering the tuition fees
The number of scholarships depends on the total number of students enrolled in the Master. The scholarships are divided between mobility tracks #1 and #2, and students in mobility tracks #3 and #4 are not eligible for Consortium Scholarships.
EU Scholarships for EU Citizens Residing in Europe
EU Scholarships are planned for EU citizens residing in Europe who apply within the first and second calls. They are also financed by the BIM A+ Consortium.
🇪🇺 Up to 4 scholarships of €6,500: partially covering the tuition fees
The number of these scholarships also depends on the total number of students enrolled in the Master.
Industry Scholarships and Their Conditions
Since the academic year 2023/2024, companies have been able to offer sponsored scholarships through the consortium. Any student applying in the first call may select whether they want to apply for Industry Scholarships.
These scholarships may involve specific agreements with the sponsoring entity:
📐 a dissertation on a given topic in collaboration with the company
🛣️ a mobility track limited to a certain pre-defined path
🤝 a post-MSc agreement of collaboration made directly with the sponsor
The currently available Industry Scholarships are listed with these terms:
🏭 First listed scholarship: full tuition fee coverage, mandatory mobility track #3, with all requirements published by the programme
🔧 Second listed scholarship: full tuition fee coverage, mobility track #2 is preferable, with all requirements published by the programme
A former supporter of the scholarships offered full tuition fee coverage with mandatory mobility track #3 and a must-have requirement of coding experience, preferably C#/.NET.
How Scholarships Are Awarded
All scholarships are attributed on a competitive basis according to these criteria:
🏛️ previous higher education studies and quality of the institutions
💼 relevant work experience
✍️ recommendation letters
💌 motivation letter
📰 additional information, such as publications and awards
Only students who have applied to and have been accepted by the BIM A+ Consortium, in accordance with its application and selection criteria, are eligible for a scholarship. Students with a double nationality must specify the nationality under which they submit their application.
The Three Application Calls for 2027/2028
Applications are grouped into three calls, and your choice of call directly affects your scholarship chances:
🥇 First call: open to all students, deadline 31 January 2027 at 23:59 UTC, admission notification on 31 March 2027
🥈 Second call: open to all students, deadline 15 June 2027 at 23:59 UTC, admission notification on 2 July 2027
🥉 Third call: open to all students who can demonstrate having a valid Schengen Visa at the time of application, or EU citizens, deadline 20 July 2027 at 23:59 UTC, admission notification up to 5 August 2027
Scholarships are mostly distributed amongst applicants for the first call, but some may also be available in the second call. The third call offers no scholarships.
Admission Requirements
Students wishing to enrol need a degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture or equivalent qualifications. They are expected to have a higher education degree with a minimum of a Bachelor degree with 240 ECTS credit points, typically equivalent to a 4-year Bachelor.
Admission is competitive, and students are assessed on the basis of their previous academic record. Admission is subject to the approval of the BIM A+ Managing Board and is based on the applicant's ability and motivation, recommendation letters and language skills.
Applying Before You Graduate
Students who have not completed their Civil Engineering, Architecture or equivalent degree but predict to graduate before 31 July 2027 can apply to the Master and receive a grant. If selected, their admission is conditional on the receipt of the degree diploma by the MSc Secretariat before 31 July 2027.
Documents You Must Submit
Upon application, students must provide:
📝 a letter of motivation between 1500 and 3500 characters, spaces included
📄 a detailed Curriculum Vitae in European format
📜 certificates and diplomas from previous university studies
📊 transcripts of records, including grades and course syllabus from previous university studies
🛠️ certificates of relevant work experience and other professional certificates, if any
📨 two recommendation letters, sent by the recommender directly through the application portal
The motivation letter carries weight in the ranking, so our guide on how to write a scholarship motivation letter is worth reading before you draft yours. For the CV, see our walkthrough on making a Europass CV.
English Language Requirements
Students from non-English speaking countries are required to have one of the following:
🅰️ TOEFL Paper Based Test: 525 or higher
🖥️ TOEFL Internet Based Test: 72 or higher
🇬🇧 Cambridge ESOL IELTS: 6.5 points or higher
📏 Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR): B2 or higher
🎯 Cambridge English Scale: 180 or higher
📘 Cambridge English (First): Grade B or higher
📗 Cambridge English (Advanced): Level B2 or higher
📙 Cambridge English (Business Vantage): Grade B or higher
📕 Cambridge English (Business Higher): Level B2 or higher
🦉 Duolingo English Test: 105 or higher
🏫 Medium of instruction of the previous degree
📎 Other recognised language proficiency certificate
The language proficiency certificate must be less than 3 years old.
Applying Without an English Certificate
If you do not have an official English proficiency certificate but consider your English sufficient for an English-taught Master, you may still apply. A relevant declaration or proof should be attached in the application form under the field "other recognized language proficiency certificate".
Opting not to submit an official certificate may result in a lower score during the evaluation. If an applicant without a recognised English certificate reaches an eligible position for a scholarship or enrolment, an interview will be scheduled to verify and validate the claimed English skills.
How Applicants Are Ranked
The ranking of eligible applicants is based on:
🎒 previous higher education studies and quality of the institutions
🧰 relevant work experience
📮 recommendation letters
🖋️ motivation letter
🏅 additional information, such as publications and awards
Language of Study and Optional Courses
Courses, including course material, examinations and study counselling, are available in English only. Students are also encouraged to attend one national language and culture course, in Portuguese or Slovene.
The €250 Deposit and Student Agreement
Because the number of applicants is much larger than the number of vacancies, a student's confirmation of acceptance means other interested applicants cannot join the Master. For that reason, the consortium asks all selected students to pay a deposit of €250 to confirm their acceptance of enrolment.
The deposit is returned only if the student registers at the University, in the form of a reduction in the tuition fee that matches the paid deposit. Its only purpose is to avoid places being filled by students who will not finally participate. All selected students are also asked to sign a BIM A+ student agreement.
🌐 Find more funded study options in our scholarship listings on Youth Works Hub.
Government Loans and Other Funding
Government loans are among the other funding possibilities, and they usually cover living costs and tuition fees, at least partly. Many donors require you to plan well ahead of your individual study schedule, and the programme recommends starting scholarship applications 1.5 years ahead of the programme's start.
As an example, German government loans are calculated according to the parents' income, so not all candidates are eligible. They are not necessarily limited to German citizens, and are also available to EU citizens, refugees and stateless non-Germans with permanent residency in Germany. German government loans for studying abroad (Auslandsbafög, applicable to semesters 2 to 4) are available even to candidates who do not receive Bafög in Germany.
Check the funding opportunities in your own country. The BIM A+ team is happy to assist you during the application procedure for third-party grants or loans.
How Current Students Are Financed
Current students are financed by, among others:
🏔️ Slovenia: scholarships
🍕 Italy: scholarships
🌊 Portugal: scholarships
🍁 Canada: Student Aid Alberta
🚲 Denmark: The Danish State Educational Support (SU)
☕ Colombia: COLFUTURO
🏰 Germany: Bafög for semester 1, and Auslandsbafög for semesters 2, 3 and 4
🌵 Mexico: CONACYT FUNED
⛵ Norway: Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund
Short Stays for Visiting Researchers
Separately from the Master, BIM A+ offers visiting researchers or professionals the possibility of spending a short research stay at one of the partner universities, to carry out research and scholarly work for the programme.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for a BIM A+ scholarship?
Consortium Scholarships are open to students from any geographical origin who apply in the first or second call and follow mobility tracks #1 or #2. EU Scholarships are reserved for EU citizens residing in Europe.
How much is the largest scholarship worth?
The largest Consortium Scholarship is worth €14,000. It fully covers tuition fees and adds a living allowance support of around €500, and up to 2 of these are planned.
Does the third call offer scholarships?
No, the third call offers no scholarships. Scholarships are mostly distributed in the first call, and some may also be available in the second call.
What degree do I need to apply?
You need a degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture or an equivalent qualification, with a minimum of a Bachelor degree of 240 ECTS credit points. Students who predict to graduate before 31 July 2027 can also apply, with admission conditional on receipt of the diploma by that date.
Do I need an English certificate?
Students from non-English speaking countries need one of the accepted certificates, less than 3 years old. You may apply without one by attaching a relevant declaration or proof, but this may lower your score and an interview may be scheduled to verify your English.
How many recommendation letters are required?
Two recommendation letters are required. The recommender sends each one directly through the application portal.
Is there a payment after being selected?
Yes, selected students are asked to pay a €250 deposit to confirm their acceptance. It is returned only if the student registers at the University, as a reduction in the tuition fee.
How long is the Master and what degree do I receive?
The Master lasts one academic year, from early October to the end of September. It leads to a Master's degree, provided as a double degree from the institutions involved.
Can I apply for an Industry Scholarship?
Any student applying in the first call may select whether to apply for Industry Scholarships. These have specific requirements and may involve agreements with the sponsor on the dissertation topic, mobility track or post-MSc collaboration.
Deadline
⏳ 31 January 2027
Links
🔗 Application portal: https://app.bimaplus.org/
🖇️ Programme website: https://bimaplus.org/
🗃️ Applications and calls: https://bimaplus.org/application/
🏷️ Admission requirements: https://bimaplus.org/admission-requirements/
🎁 Scholarships: https://bimaplus.org/scholarships/
