Intro

The energy that buildings consume have a major impact on the environment, driving demand for more efficient and effective energy use in buildings with minimal environmental impact. Our Energy and Environmental Performance of Buildings MSc addresses these issues across the building life cycle.

You will build the knowledge and skills needed to assess, manage and simulate building energy and performance, and develop sustainable solutions using modelling and simulation. You’ll explore current and future energy and environmental issues, practices and policies and understand how to assess and manage the environmental and financial sustainability of building projects. With this well-rounded perspective you graduate with the ability to advise clients on different aspects of their project, from design and construction through to the on-going operation of a building.

Learning with a team who are active researchers and experts in their field, you will work closely with your supervisor to undertake an independent research project that reflects your interests and career aspirations. You also have access to our specialist software and labs to support your work.

Our well-established links with industry provide opportunities for site visits as well as networking opportunities and shared insight of current industry trends from guest lecturers.

Banner image is Moulsecoomb development plan by HASSELL Architects.

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Key facts

Location Brighton: Moulsecoomb

Full-time 1 year
Part-time 2 years

Apply online

Please review the entry requirements carefully and if you have any questions do get in touch with us.

Apply now for your place

Course content

Course structure

The course consists of taught and research components. To be awarded the MSc you must obtain 180 credits. Six taught modules at 20 credits each, plus 60 credits from the dissertation. A typical 20-credit module requires a total of 200 hours of study time.

The programme is offered in both full-time and part-time modes of study:

full-time mode normally takes students 52 weeks to complete
part-time mode requires one day per week attendance at university and normally takes students two years to complete.

Students studying architectural diagrams on the computer

Syllabus

You’ll study five core modules and choose one option module, allowing you to specialise in the subjects that interest you most. The masters dissertation is an opportunity to research and write about a subject in depth.

Core modules

Masters Dissertation
Building Energy and Environmental Performance
Energy Assessment of Buildings
Sustainable Construction
Construction Law and Procurement
Project Risk and Financial Analysis

Options*

Digital Design and Fabrication
Project Planning and Analysis
Introduction to GIS
Environmental Impact Assessment
Systems for Environmental Management
Environmental Policy and Law

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Careers

Preparing for your career

In your career you need a combination of knowledge, skills, personal qualities and relevant experiences – and you’ll get all of this from your degree.

Develop a critical understanding of the issues of building energy efficiency and environmental performance and their application to the lifecycle of a building (ideation, design, construction/retrofit, operation and decommissioning).
Gain the knowledge and skills required to assess, manage and simulate building energy performance parameters to find optimal solutions for sustainability in buildings.
Develop advanced research, analytical, presentation and communication skills and demonstrate team working, leadership and independent solution-driven critical thinking skills.
Build the skills needed to produce realistic models that predict the energy and environmental performance of existing and new buildings.

Student and lecturer studying computer diagrams

Facilities

Your learning is supported by access to specialist facilities including:

specialist software for building and environmental performance analysis (Autodesk, IES, Energy plus) and GIS(ArcView)
building performance lab
digital construction lab
surveying studio
drawing studio
modelling lab for preparing scale building models
energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometer and sample preparation equipment
x-ray diffraction spectrometer (Panalytical X’Pert Pro)
thermal camera
3D cloud (laser) scanner and software
scanning electron microscopy facility with dedicated technicians support.

Industry links

Senior representatives of construction companies, architects and surveyors from around the region meet regularly at our industry advisory board to review our courses, ensuring they remain up-to-date and relevant to industry.

Guest lecturers from industry share their insight and knowledge with you giving you opportunities to network.

Graduate destinations

This course prepares you for careers including: energy manager, energy consultant, sustainability consultant, and facilities manager, in industries such as design, engineering and facilities management companies, government and private organisations.

Supporting your employability

Outside of your course, our Careers Service is here to support you as you discover (and re-discover) your strengths and what matters to you. We are here for you throughout your university journey as you work towards a fulfilling and rewarding career.

Connect with our careers team

Find part-time work that you can combine with your studies.
Find, or be, a mentor or get involved with our peer-to-peer support scheme.
Develop your business ideas through our entrepreneurial support network.
Get professional advice and support with career planning, CV writing and interview top tips.
Meet potential employers at our careers fairs.
Find rewarding volunteering opportunities to help you discover more about what makes you tick, and build your CV.

Whatever your career needs, we are here to help. And that's not just while you are a student, our support carries on after you've graduated.

Find out more...

Coloured background with the words Be More, Connected, Skilled, Employable

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

Degree and experience
Honours degree; or other degree plus at least two years postgraduate experience in a position of responsibility; or full membership of a relevant chartered professional body.

English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. Find out more about the other English qualifications that we accept.

International requirements and visas

International requirements by country
Country name
Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bermuda
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burma (Myanmar)
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malawi
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinian National Authority
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Syria
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visit our language centre

For English language preparation courses.

Visit our International College

For degree preparation courses.

Visas and immigration advice

Applying for a student visa

Check out our step-by-step guidance.

Fees and costs

Course fees

UK/EU (full-time) 8,856 GBP

International (full-time)15,462 GBP

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students. Bursaries and loans may also be available to you.

Find out more about postgraduate fees and funding.

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2023–24.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

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-time 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.

Location and student life

Campus where this course is taught

Moulsecoomb campus

Two miles north of Brighton seafront, Moulsecoomb is our largest campus and student village. Moulsecoomb has been transformed by a recent development of our estate. On campus you'll find new Students' Union, events venue, and sports and fitness facilities, alongside the library and student centre.

Over 900 students live here in our halls, Moulsecoomb Place and the new Mithras halls – Brunswick, Goldstone, Hanover, Preston and Regency.

Moulsecoomb has easy access to buses and trains and to all the exciting things happening in our home city.

Accommodation

Brighton: Moulsecoomb

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students.

Halls of residence
We have self-catered halls on all our campuses, within minutes of your classes, and other options that are very nearby.

You can apply for any of our halls, but the options closest to your study location are:

Mithras Halls are stylish new high-rises in the heart of the student village at our revitalised Moulsecoomb campus with ensuite rooms for more than 800 students.
Varley Park is a popular dedicated halls site, offering a mix of rooms and bathroom options at different prices. It is around two miles from Moulsecoomb campus and four miles from the city centre, and is easy to get to by bus.

Want to live independently? We can help – find out more about private renting.

Modern accommodation at Moulsecoomb

Relaxing in halls near the campus

Student Union social space at Moulsecoomb

Local area

About Brighton

The city of Brighton & Hove is a forward-thinking place which leads the way in the arts, technology, sustainability and creativity. You'll find living here plays a key role in your learning experience.

Brighton is a leading centre for creative media technology, recently named the startup capital of the UK.

The city is home to a national 5G testbed and over 1,000 tech businesses. The digital sector is worth over £1bn a year to the local economy - as much as tourism.

All of our full-time undergraduate courses involve work-based learning - this could be through placements, live briefs and guest lectures. Many of these opportunities are provided by local businesses and organisations.

It's only 50 minutes by train from Brighton to central London and less than 40 minutes to Eastbourne. There are also daily direct trains to Bristol, Bedford, Cambridge, Gatwick Airport, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Maps

Moulsecoomb campus map

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Support and wellbeing

Your course team

Your personal academic tutor, course leader and other tutors are all there to help you with your personal and academic progress. You'll also have a student support and guidance tutor (SSGT) who can help with everything from homesickness, managing stress or accommodation issues.

Your academic skills

Our Brighton Student Skills Hub gives you extra support and resources to develop the skills you'll need for university study, whatever your level of experience so far.

Your mental health and wellbeing

As well as being supported to succeed, we want you to feel good too. You'll be part of a community that builds you up, with lots of ways to connect with one another, as well having access to dedicated experts if you need them. Find out more.

Sport at Brighton

Sport Brighton

Sport Brighton brings together our sport and recreation services. As a Brighton student you'll have use of sport and fitness facilities across all our campuses and there are opportunities to play for fun, fitness or take part in serious competition.

Find out more about Sport Brighton.

Sports scholarships

Our sports scholarship scheme is designed to help students develop their full sporting potential to train and compete at the highest level. We offer scholarships for elite athletes, elite disabled athletes and talented sports performers.

Find out more about sport scholarships.