Sustainable Building Design MSc

Overview

There is an urgent and growing need for the integration of sustainable design principles within and across the construction sector. The ability to reduce the consumption of energy and water, and to limit carbon emissions and help mitigate climate change, presents exciting opportunities for built environment professionals. Participants in this programme will develop optimal solutions that balance the individual competing needs for environmental, economic, social and culture sustainability. The aim of this programme is to provide students with the necessary academic training, knowledge, skills and personal qualities to pursue a career in low-carbon and sustainable design, and to enable them to proactively influence design-making early in the process.

The programme, which is hosted by one of only four UK Royal Academy of Engineering Centres of Excellence in Sustainable Building Design, also integrates a culturally-adaptable approach to sustainable design that will place our graduates in a strong position to compete in both local and international markets.

I found the teaching support very helpful. The supervisors provided useful guidance and students have access to all of the course information and learning materials online. Pierre Crespin, MSc Sustainable Building Design student 2015-16 Cross-disciplinary programme

The Sustainable Building Design MSc looks at essential topics such as low-carbon design, environmental considerations, the use of modelling techniques and sustainable technologies. It encourages the development of critical analysis and design skills aimed at evaluating environmentally-friendly construction solutions.

A culturally-adaptable approach to design places our graduates in a strong position to compete in local and international markets. This is a truly cross-disciplinary course providing unique grounding for a collaborative industry. Graduates will be highly-skilled and uniquely poised to pursue or accelerate an exciting career in low-carbon and sustainable design within today’s interdisciplinary construction industry.

Career Opportunities

Sustainable Building Design is a fast-growing and critical component of the construction sector locally and globally. Graduates with skills in sustainable design are sought after by large and small employers, designers, consultants, contractors and clients, for their ability to integrate sustainable and low-carbon approaches within building design. Our graduates are well-equipped to make design decisions, which meet the needs of building users today, but also preserve resources for future generation.

Flexible study options

This programme can be studied full-time, part-time or via Independent Distance Learning (IDL), ideal for those in employment or with other commitments, providing flexible study options that fit around work or family. As an IDL student you will not be required to attend any lectures, tutorials or other events at any of Heriot-Watt University’s campuses.

Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Design

Our Sustainable Building Design programme is delivered by the Royal Academy of Engineering Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Design. This is one of four such Centres established at UK universities that jointly form a national network to demonstrate and exchange best practice in teaching and research for the sustainable built environment.

The Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Design undertakes fundamental and applied research, which helps to shape our cities and towns and leads to a wealthier and fairer, healthier and safer, as well as sustainable society. Our overall objective is to ensure that buildings, infrastructure, public spaces and places are buildable, fit for purpose, resource efficient, sustainable, resilient, adaptable and attractive.

Programme duration Mode of study Duration Full-time Part-time Independent Distance Learning (IDL) 1 year 2 years 2-7 years*

*An IDL programme - whether at PgDip or MSc level - can be completed in a minimum of 2 years. On average, our PgDip programmes studied via IDL are completed in 2-3 years, while MSc programmes are completed in 2.5-7 years. Most students intend to complete their studies via IDL within 2-3 years.

Industry Links

The Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Design has excellent industry links. Staff within the Centre are actively engaged in a variety of research projects relating to building design, specification, management and operation.

Accreditation

Our MSc Sustainable Building Design has been accredited as a further learning programme at the postgraduate level to meet the academic requirement for Chartered Engineers (CEng, UK) by both the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) and the Energy Institute (EI) and also for Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv UK) by the Energy Institute.