Sustainable Building Design and Engineering, MSc
This MSc will give you the engineering and technical design skills to forge a career in the ever-expanding sustainable construction sector.
The increasing drive towards sustainable solutions in the built environment is driving the need for well-educated professionals with a real understanding of this issue. Our Sustainable Building Design and Engineering course teaches you about the technical design and engineering associated with the delivery of such projects in a commercially-focused world.
You'll consider both passive (building fabric) and active measures (building services and renewable energy technologies), with key modules covering sustainable and healthy buildings, building simulation, and environmental and passive design systems.
Career options open to upon successful completion of this course include roles within government agencies, local authorities, and development agencies.
School
Location
Duration
1 years full-time
Start month
September
Home /international fees 2025/26
£11,325 /£17,975
What you should know about this course
Accreditations and Academic Partners
What you will study
About the course team
You will be taught by renowned experts both professional and varied academic staff with specialisms in the field of construction, property and surveying practices. Classes are held within the world-class facilities of Stockwell Street and are designed to be taught in small numbers in order to maximise contact time with tutors. Our research and consultancy work inform academic delivery.
Come and meet us
We are offering virtual events so that you can still experience how Greenwich could be the right university for you.
Next Open Days
Got a question?
To find out more about our Open Days and Campus Tours or if you need any assistance, please email opendays@gre.ac.uk.
Entry requirements
An undergraduate (honours) degree at 2:2, or above, in a Built Environment subject such as, Civil Engineering, Construction, Surveying or Architecture.
Applicants without a degree that have relevant professional experience may be considered.
Applicants from other backgrounds may be considered.
For more information, use our contact form or call us on 020 8331 9000.
You can also read our admissions policy.
Further information about entry
- Applicants are assessed on their portfolios and written statement.
- Suitable applicants maybe invited to an interview.
- We welcome applications from mature students.
Available to overseas students?
Yes
Can I use Prior Learning?
Find out more on our Recognition of Prior Learning pages.
How you will learn
Teaching
Teaching involves a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops and takes place 1 day per week (with additional tutorials). You'll be able to discuss and develop your understanding of lecture topics in seminars and smaller group sessions, as well as with your personal tutor. You'll also need to commit 2-3 days a week to independent learning, depending on your prior experience.
Contact hours may fall between 9am and 9pm, depending on your elective courses and tutorials.
Class sizes
The typical student intake per year averages 20-30. Lectures are normally attended by larger groups, and seminars or tutorials by smaller groups. Numbers can vary more widely for modules that are shared between degrees.
Independent learning
Outside of timetabled sessions, you are also expected to dedicate time to self-study. This may involve further reading and research, preparing coursework and presentations, and preparing for tests and exams. Our Stockwell Street Library and online resources will support you in these activities.
In addition, during the week you can also:
- Attend additional support classes in some modules
- Attend guest lectures from industry experts
- Take part in employability and enterprise workshops
- Join student societies.
Overall workload
If you are studying full-time, you should expect the workload to be similar to a full-time job. For part-time students, this will reduce in proportion with the number of courses you are studying.
Assessment
Assessment is varied, and includes coursework, portfolio, practical, presentations and examinations.
Each course has formal assessments which count towards your grade. (Portfolio submission and oral presentations will be used for practice-based courses.) Some courses may also include practice assessments, which do not count towards your final grade.
For all assessment you will be provided with feedback to help you monitor progress and improve your performance.
Feedback summary
We aim to give feedback on assignments within 15 working days.
Dates and timetables
The academic year runs from September to June.
Full teaching timetables are not usually available until term has started. For any queries, please use our contact form.
Fees and funding
University is a great investment in your future. English-domiciled graduate annual salaries were £10,500 more than non-graduates in 2023 - and the UK Government projects that 88% of new jobs by 2035 will be at graduate level.
(Source: DfE Graduate labour market statistics: 2023/DfE Labour market and skills projections: 2020 to 2035).
| Cohort | Full time | Part time | Distance learning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home | £11,325 | N/A | N/A |
| International | £17,975 | N/A | N/A |
Accommodation costs
Whether you choose to live in halls of residence or rent privately, we can help you find what you're looking for. University accommodation is available from £126.35 per person per week (bills included), depending on your location and preferences. If you require more space or facilities, these options are available at a slightly higher cost.
Scholarships and bursaries
We offer a wide range of financial help including scholarships and bursaries.
The Greenwich Bursary
This bursary is worth £700 for new undergraduate students with a low household income, entering Year 0 or 1 who meet the eligibility criteria.
EU Bursary
Following the UK's departure from the European Union, we are supporting new EU students by offering a substantial fee-reduction for studying.
Financial support
We want your time at university to be enjoyable, rewarding, and free of unnecessary stress, so planning your finances before you come to university can help to reduce financial concerns. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.
If there any site visits or field trips, students may need to pay their own travel costs.
Careers and placements
What sort of careers do graduates pursue?
This course is aimed at individuals with backgrounds in built environment and architectural background who are seeking management and leadership roles within the construction, property and surveying practices industry.
It also designed for mid-career professionals preparing to make the transition into the construction and property industry.
Do you provide employability services?
We have a dedicated employability team for postgraduate students to consult about specific opportunities relevant to the course. They work closely with professionals in industry to ensure you are well-prepared for the workplace and have already begun to build your professional network by the time you graduate.
The central Employability and Careers Service also provides support for students preparing to apply for placements and graduate roles, such as CV clinics, mock interviews and employability skills workshops.
Support and advice
Academic skills and study support
We want you to make the most of your time with us. You can access study skills support through your tutor, our subject librarians, and our online academic skills centre.
Where appropriate, we provide support in academic English and mathematics. If you need to use particular IT packages for a specific module, we provide training for this.
Support from the department
All students on Built Environment courses with us get access to Microsoft Project and RICS BCIS Online.
Additionally, joining societies such as RICS will help you network and can build skills and present new opportunities.
We also provide pastoral support throughout your studies. Students have a personal tutor and access to training in study skills, dissertation preparation, methods and ethics and have access to advice on employability and careers.
Not quite what you were looking for?
We've got plenty of other courses for you to choose from. Browse our postgraduate courses or check our related courses below.....
Construction at the University of Greenwich
Our range of courses, some of which are professionally accredited, will give you the skills and knowledge you need to start, or develop, your career.
Visit our construction degrees page.
Studying engineering at the University of Greenwich
Gain a solid foundation in all aspects of engineering in specialist labs on our Medway Campus and choose the area you want to specialise in later in your studies.
Visit our engineering degrees page.
Engineering subjects
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Study in specialist laboratory facilities at our Medway Campus where you’ll gain the skills and knowledge you need to become a professional chemical engineer, using the latest equipment and simulation software.
Civil engineering degrees
Discover pioneering approaches in specialist laboratory facilities on our Medway Campus, where you will use the latest surveying equipment and learn how to apply them in real-world scenarios.
Computer engineering degrees
These pioneering degrees combine technical engineering with an impressive depth of computer theory. You'll gain the specialist knowledge and skills needed to work in this cutting-edge industry.
Construction degrees
Our range of courses, some of which are professionally accredited, will give you the skills and knowledge you need to start, or develop, your career.
Electrical and electronic engineering degrees
Learn how to make the world a better, more connected place. You will study in specialist lab facilities on our Medway Campus and benefit from our close ties with engineering companies such as BAE Systems and Ford.
Engineering management degrees
Combine solid technical skills in engineering with business enterprise management skills. Studying on our Medway Campus, you will benefit from specialist and integrated lab facilities.
Engineering technology degrees
Learn how to apply engineering to a range of real-world problems. Studying on our Medway Campus, you will develop the skills and knowledge you need to drive changes in product design using the latest technological advances.
Mechanical engineering degrees
This is one of the broadest areas of engineering. You will learn about the design, construction and operation of mechanical systems. Studying at our Medway Campus, you’ll benefit from our strong links with local industry.
Mode of study
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