Program Overview

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

Engineering

Location

Greenwich Campus

Duration

1 years full-time

Start month

September

Home /international fees 2025/26

£11,325 /£17,975

What you should know about this course

• The course combines technical design and engineering associated with the delivery of sustainable built commercial environments.
• You’ll learn which approach to take when considering new or existing building stock in terms of its sustainability.
• The course focuses on the presentation and communication of workable solutions to complex problems.
• We work with cutting-edge research carried out by the school on technical, behavioural and social issues associated with the delivery of sustainable built environments.

Accreditations and Academic Partners

IEMA University Partner

What you will study

Full time

Year 1

Students are required to study the following compulsory modules.

• Environmental and Passive Design Systems (60 credits)
• Building Simulation and BIM (15 credits)
• Sustainable and Healthy Buildings (15 credits)
• MSc Dissertation (Built Environment) (60 credits)
• Sustainability Assessment Methods for the Built Environment (15 credits)
• Research Methods (15 credits)

Entry requirements

UK citizens and permanent residents

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.

International entry requirements

The University of Greenwich accepts a broad range of international qualifications for admission to our courses.

For detailed information on the academic and English language requirements, please find your country in our directory.

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.

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.

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.

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.