University of Brighton
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Sustainability of the Built Environment
MSc (PGCert PGDip)

  • Course summary and entry requirements

    Course duration Help

    Full-time: 1 year

    Part-time: 2 years

    About the course

    Sustainability is high on the agenda of built environment professionals, driving the provision of comfortable and healthy buildings whilst maintaining equitable use of resources and reducing pollution.

    In the UK we are currently consuming natural resources at a rate such that it would require more than three planets to satisfy our needs. We are also producing carbon dioxide, a major contributor to global warming, at a rate of approximately 10 tonnes per capita per annum.

    The construction, operation and eventual disposal of buildings are major contributors to the demand for resources, the emission of greenhouse gases and the creation of waste. There is, therefore, a need for building and property professionals to take the lead and focus the industry on sustainable development.

    Reducing the energy demands of existing and new buildings and supplying energy from non-fossil-based fuels can have major effect on the UK's pledge to greenhouse gas reductions through the Kyoto protocol. Many scientists believe that in fact there is a need to achieve far greater reductions in order to avert irreversible climate change and damage to our life support systems.

    This course is aimed at providing graduates and professionals with the knowledge and skills to address sustainability in the built environment. It addresses the key issues of energy and materials resources consumed in buildings and their impact on the environment. Whilst focusing on the inter-relationships between the buildings and the environment students are able to specialise in areas of personal interest through optional modules which include ecological principles, air quality management and geographical information systems.

    Typical entry requirements Help

    The entry requirements listed here are for students starting their course in 2013. Individual offers may vary

    For non-native speakers of English:
    6.5 overall and 6 in writing.

    Degree and/or experience:
    Good honours degree in an appropriate subject.

  • Course content

    Areas of study

    Core modules cover areas such as major environmental resource and pollution issues associated with construction leading to sustainable good practice; sources of sustainable energy and its utilization in buildings; critical appraisal of energy consumption of energy in buildings and determination of improvement strategies; and the interaction between the built and natural environments.

    The masters project is an individual research programme where students broaden their learning and develop research skills directed at critical appraisal, examine innovative solutions to the problem at hand, and are enabled to produce and defend a written thesis on a selected topic.

    Syllabus

    Core modules
    Sustainable Construction
    Sustainable Energy for Buildings
    Energy Assessment for Buildings
    Impact of Buildings on the Environment
    Masters project

    Options
    Two from:
    Introduction to GIS
    Applications of GIS
    Ecological Principles
    Case Studies in Environmental Assessment
    Air Quality Management
    Systems for Environmental Management
    Facilities Management

  • Fees and costs

    The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2012-13. Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.

    The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full- or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

    What's included in the fee?

    When costs such as health or criminal record checks, field trips or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

    You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply please check with the school that provides your course using the contact details on the left of this page for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

    Our website www.brighton.ac.uk/money provides advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee paying status.

    Sustainability of the Built Environment (MSc) (Full time)  [P2BH022]
    UK/EU (Full Time)4,320 GBP
    Island Students (Full Time)8,925 GBP
    International (Full Time)12,750 GBP

  • Location

    Location Help Moulsecoomb

    Located to the north of Brighton city centre, the Moulsecoomb campus offers students an excellent learning environment and a wide range of facilities. It is the largest of our five campuses with over 8,000 students.

    View campus maps and directions

    Living in Brighton

    Brighton’s rich mix of historic architecture, lively arts scene, varied shopping and cosmopolitan community make it a vibrant, enjoyable place to live. It is no wonder that many Brighton graduates choose to stay here.

    Social scene

    Alongside the traditional seaside attractions, Brighton is famed for its exciting social scene with a wide choice of pubs, clubs and restaurants.

    Music event on the beach

    Arts

    The highlight of the city’s cultural year is the Brighton Festival. The event is held each May and is England’s biggest arts festival, which showcases arts and performance from around the world. Brighton is also home to the UK’s oldest working cinema, the Duke of York’s, which shows alternative and mainstream films. The city is also well known for its exciting music scene and hosts The Great Escape music festival.

    Burning the Clocks winter solstice festival

    Sports

    Whether you take your sport seriously or just want to keep fit, Brighton offers all kinds of sports opportunities and facilities, on and off campus. You can also make the most of the location, and play volleyball, basketball and windsurfing down by the beach. The seafront is also the finishing point for the famous London – Brighton bicycle ride and the quirky veteran car run.

    Playing volleyball on the seafront

  • Career opportunities

    Graduates are able to contribute as the sustainability specialist within building design, planning, facilities management and other built environment professional teams.

    Visit the careers service website.

Apply now for your place
Book your open day place
Find out more

01273 642380
Email entec@brighton.ac.uk

If you are an international student, contact us on:

+44 (0) 207 250 6749
international@brighton.ac.uk

 

Visit the school that delivers this course