Renewable Energy and Architecture

Program Overview

Renewable Energy and Architecture MSc/PGDip

Overview

This course teaches students how to use and integrate energy from renewable sources to achieve energy efficiency and sustainability within the context of architecture, planning, and construction.

Course Details

• Duration: 12 months (full-time), not available part-time
• Start Date: September 2026
• UK Fees: To be confirmed
• International Fees: To be confirmed
• Entry Requirements: 2:1 undergraduate degree in a relevant field

Course Content

The course comprises 180 credits, split across 120 credits worth of taught modules during autumn and spring semesters, and a 60-credit dissertation completed over the summer period.

Modules

• Principles of Renewable and Energy Efficient Systems (autumn) 20 credits
  • This module aims to provide students with a comprehensive grounding in renewable energy sources and allied conversion systems with the focus on their application within the built environment.
• Wind Environment 3D Simulation in Architecture (autumn) 20 credits
  • This module aims to provide students from architectural, engineering, and relevant professional backgrounds with advanced knowledge and skills to perform 3D modeling of wind environments outside and inside buildings with simple and complex forms.
• Passive Solar Design Principles and Simulation (autumn) 10 credits
  • The aim of the module is to introduce students to the concepts, principles, and application of passive solar building design and technology in different latitudes.
• Renewable Energy Technology Design and Appraisal (spring) 20 credits
  • This module will examine aspects of performance analysis and system design/sizing of renewable energy systems for building integration.
• Climate Responsive Building Design Project (spring) 20 credits
  • This module aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills on designing climate responsive site and building design and technology in different climatic regions.
• Building Energy Performance Rating and Programming (spring) 10 credits
  • This module aims to provide students from architecture, engineering, and other relevant professional backgrounds computer programming skills, which they can use to gain a better understanding of the key parameters used in building heating and cooling load calculations.
• Research and Professional Skills, Tools and Methods (spring) 20 credits
  • This module enables students to acquire the core skills used in research, and to practice these through exploration of a specialist subject relevant to architecture and the built environment.
• Dissertation, Architecture and Built Environment (summer) 60 credits
  • This module aims to enable students to plan, implement, and write up a substantial piece of original research which will make a contribution to the intellectual life of the discipline.

Learning and Assessment

• How you will learn: Seminars, lectures, and studio-based design and software simulation projects.
• How you will be assessed: Coursework, exams, presentation, group project, project work, and computer simulations.

Entry Requirements

• Home / UK students: 2:1 undergraduate degree in architecture, building engineering, building services engineering, electrical engineering, town planning / urban design, civil/structural engineering, or mechanical engineering.
• EU / International students: 2:1 undergraduate degree in architecture, building engineering, building services engineering, electrical engineering, town planning / urban design, civil/structural engineering, or mechanical engineering.
• Alternative qualifications: We recognise that applicants have a variety of experiences and follow different pathways to postgraduate study.
• English language requirements: IELTS 6.0 (no less than 5.5 in any element).

Fees

• Qualification: MSc, PGDip
• Home / UK: To be confirmed
• International: To be confirmed

Careers

• Careers advice: We offer individual careers support for all postgraduate students.
• Job prospects: Our programme is a proven route to global employment opportunities and PhD research.
• Graduate destinations: Graduates have gone on to become sustainability consultants and energy analysts, researchers (including doing PhDs), and academics (e.g., lecturers and professors).

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This MSc program in Renewable Energy and Architecture teaches students how to use and integrate energy from renewable sources (such as sun and wind) to achieve energy efficiency and sustainability within the context of architecture, planning, and construction. Students will learn how to design, simulate, and optimize energy-efficient and sustainable building and construction solutions in urban and landscape settings and in different climates. They will practice making scientifically verified design decisions and apply these at all levels and all stages of the design process, from site planning to landscape design and from urban and detailed building design to construction.

Outline:

The course comprises 180 credits, split across 120 credits worth of taught modules during autumn and spring semesters, and a 60-credit dissertation completed over the summer period. During the autumn semester, students will be given a comprehensive background on the subject and on the use of a number of powerful computer programs, including Ansys and EnergyPlus. In the spring semester, students will undertake practical work and studio-based design and software simulation projects related to the course area. In the summer term, students will undertake a supervised dissertation thesis project. This will be a detailed study that offers an opportunity to conduct a major piece of independent research informed by scientific knowledge and reflects individual interests and aspirations. Dissertation research could be related to buildings and climate in the student's home country.

Assessment:

Six out of seven modules will be assessed by written coursework which is based on individual and team design projects, computer simulations, and PowerPoint presentations. One module will be assessed by exam and written coursework.

Teaching:

The course is delivered in a style that encourages everyone on the course to learn, regardless of their academic, professional, or cultural backgrounds. Students will be able to see and learn from real on-site renewable energy technologies which are installed in buildings, as part of the Department site. Students will learn to use powerful industry-standard computer programs, such as Ansys and EnergyPlus. They will also be using a number of other free computer tools, which were developed specifically and are unique tools for this course.

Careers:

Graduates have gone on to become sustainability consultants and energy analysts, researchers (including doing PhDs) and academics (e.g., lecturers and professors). Some alumni have even set up their own successful companies (such as Aelius Turbina in India and GIW Environmental Solutions which has offices in Australia, Canada, and the Maldives). Graduates have typically been from around 50 countries and go on to work both in the UK and internationally in companies such as GreeNexus Consulting, Brightworks Sustainability, Greengage Environmental Ltd, PRP Architects, Hydrock, and more. Others have gone on to work for a range of universities, research, and innovation agencies. Many students have received job offers from UK companies before even completing the course.

Other:

The program is a proven route to global employment opportunities and PhD research. Students are encouraged to learn and work together, both as teams and individuals, helping them to practice the soft skills – like project management and communications – that will be invaluable to their career.

• UK fees: MSc £10,500 / PGDip £6,167
• International fees: MSc £28,600 / PGDip £16,833