More
energy-and-sustainable-building-design

Sustainable Built Environment MSc/PG Dip/PG Cert

Develop an in-depth understanding of the ways new and renewable energy can be harnessed within buildings and learn about design procedures and performance analysis to optimise their sustainability. 

Overview

This programme has an interdisciplinary approach that gives students a broad insight into energy and sustainability issues and in-depth study of the building physics and modelling software used in the design of modern buildings and their surroundings.

Computer modelling techniques enable the complex interactions between buildings and the environment in and around them to be simulated, at both the level of individual buildings and at urban scale with many buildings. This is a modular programme having both taught and practical components, in which students develop skills in using such techniques.

The focus on building performance is complemented by a consideration of renewable energy and wider sustainable development policy issues, such as the use of sustainability indicators, and conceptions of economic, ecological and social sustainability. National and international assessment methods and tools, widely used in building design and appraisal, are included.

The need for sustainable approaches to building design is universally acknowledged. As the effects of climate change become greater, the drive towards more energy efficient and better adapted buildings will intensify. Sustainable buildings need not be technologically complex, but a high level of sophistication in design procedures and performance analysis is required. The skills developed on the course are in high demand in architectural and engineering consultancies, utilities and research and development.

Key features

  • Your degree can fit around your work and other commitments thanks to flexible study options. The course is designed to be tailored around you with part-time, full-time or distance learning options, and multiple exit awards from a full master’s degree to a single module.
  • Accredited by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) and the Energy Institute (EI), you will benefit from the highest-quality teaching and be able to graduate with an industry-recognised qualification. 
  • Through interdisciplinary teaching which allows you to look at various subject matters, you can develop a broader insight into energy and sustainability issues, as well as in-depth knowledge of computer- modelling techniques for the design of modern sustainable buildings.
  • You can benefit from excellent career prospects, with many of our graduates from this programme progressing to work for organisations such as the European Commission, Mott MacDonald, WSP Global, WYG, and Arup Group. Other graduates have gone on to work at energy and environmental consultancies, central and local government, and multinational organisations.
  • Our modules are taught by expert research and teaching staff at the Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development, which has more than 30 years’ experience to draw on. This means you’ll be able to learn first-hand from researchers who are actively involved in furthering knowledge in this area and will be able to offer you real-world experience and insight.

 

CACLogo2CIBSE
Energy-Institute-Accredited-course
Energy_Institute_Acredited-course

  


“The course has given me greater confidence in my work and helped me to communicate my designs and proposals more effectively. The credibility of having an MSc from a respected institution such as IESD within DMU has opened a lot of doors to me, and provided opportunities which I may not have had otherwise.” 

Declan Alcock, graduate 

 

Scholarships

International Scholarships

Find out about available scholarships and country specific fee discounts for international students.

 

More courses like this:

Energy and Sustainable Development MSc

Energy Engineering MSc

Engineering Management MSc

News stories

New partnership between Leicester's unis offers students chance to improve skills for less

  • UK
  • EU/International

Course code: K20071

Location of study: De Montfort University campus

Start Date: September 

Duration: One year full-time. Two years part-time. 

Fees and funding: 

2023/24 full-time fees for UK students: £9,000

2023/24 part-time fees: £750 per 15 credits, 

Find out more about course fees and available funding.

 

How to apply

Application guidance document

Submit a study-related enquiry

Course code: K20071

Location of study: De Montfort University campus

Start date: September

Duration: One year full-time. Two years part-time. 

Fees and funding: 

2023/24 full-time tuition fees for EU and international students: £17,100 per year

2023/24 part-time fees: £1,425 per 15 credit module

Find out more about course fees and available funding.

How to apply

Application guidance document

Submit a study-related enquiry

Entry criteria

You should have the equivalent of a British Honours degree (2:2 minimum) in a relevant numerate subject, for example engineering, physical sciences, mathematics. Architects with an interest in computer modelling are also encouraged to apply.

We are happy to consider equivalent qualifications from anywhere in the world.

 

 

English language requirements

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each band (or equivalent) when you start the course is essential.

English Language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

Structure and assessment

Education 2030

We want to ensure you have the best learning experience possible and a supportive and nurturing learning community. That’s why we’re introducing a new block model for delivering the majority of our courses, known as Education 2030. This means a more simplified timetable where you will study one subject at a time instead of several at once. You will have more time to engage with your learning and get to know the teaching team and course mates. You will receive faster feedback through more regular assessment, and have a better study-life balance to enjoy other important aspects of university life.

Read more about Education 2030
 

Course modules

Teaching and assessments

Academic expertise

 
  • Engineering Business Environment and Research Methods
  • Data Analytics for Sustainable Energy Systems
  • Sustainable Building Design and Performance Modelling
  • Built Environment Advanced Modelling
  • Individual Project

 


See detailed module descriptions

 

Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

 

See pre-Education 2030 version of this course.

 

 

Full-time students attend for two days each week and receive formal lectures from experienced researchers and teaching staff, complemented by informal seminars and group discussions. Part-time students attend one day per week. You will also be expected to undertake self-directed study. All teaching material is fully documented and available on the web-based virtual learning environment (VLE) before timetabled events take place.

Distance learning students follow a structured study plan provided on the VLE, supported by discussion forums with other students, and email and telephone conversations with the module leader. Our course has been commended in an academic quality review for its “innovative and sophisticated forms of e-based learning and teaching”.

All assessment is by coursework. Each taught module has two items of coursework. The first is a smaller assignment for which feedback is given while the module is being studied. A second, major assignment is due at a later date after the material has been assimilated.

 

 

 

As well as the eight taught modules, students complete either an individual dissertation or a team-based design project, and all students get to attend the annual MSc conference, where final year students present.

Contact and learning hours
You will normally attend 2-4 hours of timetabled taught sessions each week for each module undertaken during term time; for full time study this would be 12 hours per week during term time. You can also expect to typically undertake a further hours of 6 hours independent study and assignments as required per week.



 

Modules are taught by research and teaching staff in the Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development (IESD), providing you with a unique opportunity to learn from scientists actively involved in furthering knowledge in this area.

The IESD’s research has developed over a 30-year period to create the underlying knowledge, techniques and technology necessary to achieve more energy efficient and sustainable lifestyles.

 

 

 

Current research is driven by the UK’s commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase the use of new and renewable energy technology and provide a high-quality, comfortable, safe and efficient built environment.

Applied research seeks practical solutions to contemporary problems, whilst more theoretical and/or blue sky explorations seek to understand our physical and social world, generating new knowledge that can have long-term benefits in many fields of human endeavour.

Facilities and features

 
Placements
Placements
 

Facilities

The new Energy Laboratory in the School of Engineering and Sustainable Development is a high-tech hub for teaching, research and technology demonstration. Complimenting DMU’s wider green energy projects, the Energy Laboratory is housed in the Queens Building, the award-winning passively cooled student and research space for Engineering and Media. 

Home to the future of smart energy the Energy Laboratory features a working smart kitchen, a technology testing and proving space for real-world experiments and practical energy projects. The Laboratory is also equipped with a demonstration heat pump system and features performance data from a working off-site heat pump installation at DMU’s ‘Green Energy House’, a traditional terrace equipped with some of the latest low carbon energy systems. 

The Energy Laboratory will become a catalyst for students to think creatively about some significant energy problems of the present and future but also for academic research into energy generation, low carbon transport, heating and light, energy storage and smart grids.

Listen to Professor Rick Greenough, Energy Systems explain the importance of heat pumps and how they work in our Energy Lab.

Learning zones

Our Learning Zones and The Greenhouse also provide space for group or individual work and study.

There are 1,600 study places across all library locations, more than 700 computer stations, laptops to borrow, free wi-fi and desktop power outlets.

You can also book rooms with plasma screens, laptops and DVD facilities for group work and presentations, secure an individual study room with adjustable lighting or make use of our assistive technology.

Library services

On campus, the main Kimberlin Library offers a space where you can work, study and access a vast range of print materials, with computer stations, laptops, plasma screens and assistive technology also available. 

As well as providing a physical space in which to work, we offer online tools to support your studies, and our extensive online collection of resources accessible from our Library website, e-books, specialised databases and electronic journals and films which can be remotely accessed from anywhere you choose. 

We will support you to confidently use a huge range of learning technologies, including Blackboard, Collaborate Ultra, DMU Replay, MS Teams, Turnitin and more. Alongside this, you can access LinkedIn Learning and learn how to use Microsoft 365, and study support software such as mind mapping and note-taking through our new Digital Student Skills Hub. 

The library staff offer additional support to students, including help with academic writing, research strategies, literature searching, reference management and assistive technology. There is also a ‘Just Ask’ service for help and advice, live LibChat, online workshops, tutorials and drop-ins available from our Learning Services, and weekly library live chat sessions that give you the chance to ask the library teams for help.

Opportunities and careers

Find the people who will open doors for you

DMU's award-winning careers service provides guaranteed work experience opportunities DMU Works

dmu-global-img-01

 

DMU Global

This is our innovative international experience programme which aims to enrich your studies and expand your cultural horizons – helping you to become a global graduate, equipped to meet the needs of employers across the world.

Through DMU Global, we offer a wide range of opportunities including on-campus and UK activities, overseas study, internships, faculty-led field trips and volunteering, as well as Erasmus+ and international exchanges.

graduate-careers-img-01

 

Graduate Careers

This course is aimed at both recent graduates and professionals working in relevant fields. The knowledge and advanced modelling skills you gain will enable you to work effectively as a building design professional or analyst. These skills are increasingly in demand in architectural and engineering consultancies, utilities and regulatory organisations, and local and national government.

Our graduates go on to work in a wide range of energy, buildings and sustainability roles – for example, energy and environmental consultants, in non-governmental environmental organisations, central and local government (including the European Commission), and multi-national organisations. Some of our graduates stay on at DMU to continue their academic training with PhD studies.

Recent graduate destinations include:

  • The Carbon Trust
  • BMW
  • Turley Associates
  • National Energy Foundation
  • European Commission
  • Knightstone Housing Association
  • National Grid
  • Leicester City Council
  • Mott MacDonald
  • WSP Group
  • Arup
  • WYG
  • David Chipperfield Architects

 

Take your next steps

More from DMU