MSc Design and Management of Sustainable Built Environments

Build or progress your career in sustainable building design and management with our MSc Design and Management of Sustainable Built Environments degree.

This master’s programme is suitable for people from a range of different backgrounds who want to move into the field, as well as for professionals such as:

• urban planners
• architects
• building services engineers
• facilities managers
• performance assessors.

Why study MSc Design and Management of Sustainable Built Environment at the University of Reading

• The University of Reading is one of the UK’s top-ranking institutions for Building. We’re ranked 3rd for Building in the Complete University Guide 2025 and 6th in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.
• The University of Reading is ranked in the top 100 in the world for Architecture/Built Environment. (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024).
• 95% of Construction Management and Engineering master's students are satisfied with their experience overall. (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2023).
• Overall, 89% of graduates from Construction Management and Engineering are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation, of those in full-time employment, 97% are in graduate-level roles. (Based on our analysis of HESA data © HESA 2023, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020/21, includes postgraduate (taught) Construction Management and Engineering responders).
• 100% of our research in Architecture, Built Environment and Planning is of international standing (REF 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – Architecture, Built Environment and Planning) and 100% of our research impact has been classed 'outstanding’ or ‘very considerable’ (REF 2021, combining 4* and 3* submissions – Architecture, Built Environment and Planning).
• Ranked 6th in the UK for research power in Architecture, Built Environment and Planning. (Times Higher Education, Institutions Ranked by Subject, based on its analysis of the latest REF 2021).

Accreditation

Our MSc Design and Management of Sustainable Built Environments degree is accredited by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) and the Energy Institute. Successful completion of this programme satisfies the academic requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer.

Interdisciplinary skills

You’ll explore the fundamental subjects related to environmental design, operation, and management, and gain an understanding of the latest theories and research in the field.

You will also broaden your knowledge in environmental engineering, building design, energy efficiency, and management, along with the application of digital technology and indoor environmental quality and wellbeing.

Flexible study options

Our MSc Design and Management of Sustainable Built Environments degree is offered as a one-year full-time programme, or as a flexible modular programme. It is delivered through intensive residential weeks at our Whiteknights campus in Reading campus and supported by a professional online learning environment.

You can study over two years alongside your work commitments, or fast-track your studies with a one-year programme from September. You can also choose to start your studies in February and spread your coursework out over three years.

Choose Reading

We are one of the UK's top-ranking universities for teaching and research in the built environment. We're ranked:

• 3rd for Building in the Complete University Guide, 2025 
• 6th in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2024.

You will learn through a mixture of lectures, seminars, tutorials, guided reading, online resources, and written assignments.

Class sizes range from eight to 40 people and combine flexible and full-time students. All classes are taught in two-week intensive teaching blocks, with assignment work occurring between teaching weeks.

This programme fosters leadership in environmental design and energy management. Its distinctive focus is on an interdisciplinary approach to the design and operation of sustainable buildings.

During your studies you will benefit from our strong links with industry, with visits to sites and from industry speakers.

Facilities

In addition to the University facilities available to all students, we provide facilities in the School of Construction Management and Engineering, including:

• The School’s Resource Room, with study spaces for individual and group work as well as subject-specific learning resources.
• Dedicated computer labs equipped with the latest digital technology and software, including building information modelling (BIM), 3D laser scanning, 3D visualisation, virtual reality headsets, building energy simulations, and urban microclimate simulations.

For more information, please visit the Construction Management and Engineering website.