Environmental Design of Buildings (MSc)

at Cardiff University

Our MSc Environmental Design of Buildings is delivered in two stages. Stage one (two thirds) is comprised of taught and project modules totalling 120 credits.  The final third is your dissertation (stage 2) As a full-time student, you will take both stages in one year.
 

Within Stage 1, you will undertake six taught and two project modules before commencing your dissertation in Stage two). All modules will approach environmental design from a different angle, while focusing on specific themes, such as heating, lighting and sustainability. Throughout the course, we will address good practice in climates around the world. We will explore:
 

• Current issues facing environmental designers and how the profession may be impacted by climate change.
• Environmental standards - their prediction, measurement, and legislation.
• Ways of achieving high standards of environmental performance, including user comfort and health, making appropriate use of building fabric and mechanical services.
• Broader issues with regard to sustainability that environmental designers should be aware of in order to practice in a sustainable way.
   

The taught modules on this course provide a grounding in environmental design and architectural science within the context of sustainable development and environmental performance of buildings.
 

The project modules focus on specific themes in building design, such as climatic environment, internal building environment and passive design strategies. In these modules you will have the opportunity to apply taught design ideas to real-world scenarios.
 

After completing the modules, you will prepare a dissertation, where you will analyse a subject of environmental design that interests you in more depth.

Academic requirements 
Typically, you will need to have either:

• a 2:1 honours degree in architecture, building services engineering, building technology, or environmental studies
• a university-recognised equivalent academic qualification
• or relevant professional experience evidenced by a reference.
   

English Language requirements
IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 with 5.5 in all subskills, or an accepted equivalent.
 

Other essential requirements 
You will also need to provide a personal statement which includes your reasons for studying this programme and any experience with issues related to the design of sustainable, comfortable, and healthy environments within your previous studies or professional career. 
 

Application deadline
We allocate places on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend you apply as early as possible.
 

Selection process
We will review your application and if you meet the entry requirements, we will make you an offer.

Fees for home status

Tution Fees - £10,200
Deposit - £

Fees for overseas status

Tution Fees - £23,450
Deposit-£1,000
 

Students on this course frequently go back into their original profession with the advantage of having a new specialism in environmental and sustainable design. Following their completion of the course, some of our students with sufficient prior career experience have gained leading roles in their respective professions.
 

The programme has helped a large number of professionals to pursue a career in a broad range of sectors such as (but not limited to):
 

• Practice of architecture or engineering, with specialism in environmental design
• Consultancy (building environmental analysis and building performance evaluation)
• Academia (teaching and/or research)
• Policy (in the UK and abroad)
   

Please note that this course is not suitable for those wishing to study Landscape Architecture.