Building Services Engineering with Sustainable Energy MSc

As concerns over climate change and energy independence grow, the drive towards reducing energy consumption through energy-efficient building is intensifying.

Brunel’s Building Services Engineering with Sustainable Energy MSc gives graduates interested in environmentally responsible buildings the knowledge and skills to apply renewable and sustainable energy technologies to the design, construction and operations of interior environments.

As with our Building Services Engineering MSc, you'll get a solid grounding in the core subjects of heat transfer, energy conversion, acoustics, electrical services and lighting design as well as in the practicalities of building management, fire and smoke control, waste disposal and lifts and escalators.

On top of this, you’ll gain a thorough understanding of key sustainability issues such as renewable energy technologies, including its generation, storage and economic and environmental impacts, energy-efficient ventilation, and air conditioning.

We offer two study options. You can choose one-year full-time or three to five years via our distance learning programme.

This course is accredited by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and the Energy Institute, which means your degree will put you on course to gain Chartered Engineer (CEng) status in the UK. 

Throughout your studies you’ll have use of our state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and 24-hour access to industry-standard specialist software for engineering design at dedicated computer clusters on campus, so you’ll have the opportunity and equipment to explore ideas and tackle problems.

In an era where sustainable, low-to-zero emission buildings are a goal of the construction industry, demand for job candidates with the skills to design and manage energy-efficient building projects is on the rise. Your Brunel engineering master's will give you these and stand you in good stead for a range of rewarding jobs.

The course aims to give graduates the technical and managerial training they need to pursue careers in business services engineering, with a focus on sustainable design.

Work for your business services engineering with sustainable energy degree consists of compulsory modules and a 15,000-word dissertation.

Our graduates work in building services and construction-related consultancies such as Hoare Lea, Arup, BuroHappold, AECOM, Cundall, BRE, ChapmanBDSP, Atkins, WSP Group, Faber Maunsell and Hilson Moran.

Other employers include county councils within their building management and environmental departments, EDF Energy, Skanska, Trend Control Systems and Honeywell Control Systems.

You can also progress to academic research.

• A 2:2 (or above) UK Honours degree or equivalent internationally recognised qualification in an engineering, appropriate science or technology subject. Other qualifications and relevant experience will be assessed on an individual basis.

Entry to this programme requires all students who are not nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA) and have temporary immigration permission to remain in the UK  to obtain an ATAS certificate. If you are made an offer to join this course and you are not an EEA national, you will be required to obtain an ATAS certificate as a condition of your offer.

• IELTS: 6 (min 5.5 in all areas)
• Pearson: 51 (51 in all subscores)
• BrunELT: 60% (min 55% in all areas)

Our staff have national and international reputations for their research, publications and applied work. Many carry out their research in the fields of solid and fluid mechanics and energy and environment, and in collaboration with leading industrial firms and governmental laboratories. This means that your education will be at the forefront of scholarship and practice, covering the most up-to-date industry knowledge.

Your course will consist of combinations of lectures, seminars, tutorials, laboratory and practical sessions, coursework and group work.

Distance learning students are supplied with a study pack of text books and CD-ROMs.

MSc dissertation projects are normally carried out over four months for full-time students or one year for distance-learning students.

Our Building Services Engineering courses have been awarded the Happold Brilliant Award for teaching excellence by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers.   

Should you need any non-academic support during your time at Brunel, the Student Support and Welfare Team are here to help.

Modes of study

One-year full-time

The taught element of the course takes place from September to April. From May to September you’ll conduct an individual project and prepare your dissertation. 

Three-to-five-years distance learning

The self-study distance learning programme enables you to conduct most of your studies at home, in your own time and at your own pace.

You have up to five years to complete the course, though the average is three years, with students taking four modules in the first year, four modules in the second year and writing their dissertation in the third year.

You should allow about twelve hours each week for study.

You can sit your examinations either at Brunel University or in the country where you are resident. We have an extensive network of organisations (universities, colleges and British Council offices) throughout the world that can provide invigilation services.

Modules are assessed by combinations of formal examination and written assignments. Examinations are normally sat in May or June.

Successful completion of the taught modules allows you to proceed to the dissertation stage. To qualify for the award of the MSc degree, you must submit a satisfactory dissertation.