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.

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, 2024
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.

Overview

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.

Accreditation

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.

Flexible study options

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, 2024
6th in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2024.

Learning

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

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.

Entry requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall with no element less than 5.5.

Entry requirements: Normally a good undergraduate honours degree (good second class or above). If you have other qualifications and a number of years’ relevant work experience, you are welcome to apply.

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score, you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

Structure

Modules

Core modules

Sustainable Design and Management Principles and Practice

Discover approaches to design that build sustainable, resilient buildings. Integrating process, operation, and management, you’ll be trained in using hands-on computer simulation and experimental techniques.

Research Skills

To prepare you for your dissertation research, you’ll learn how to formulate a research problem, develop, and apply investigative approaches, interpret data, and present your findings.

Building Information Management and Socio-technical Change

Explore approaches that implement socio-technical systems into the built environment, including the use of Building Information Modelling (BIM). You’ll address how the potential for BIM rests on the understanding of how socio-technical systems are supported.

Energy in Buildings and Building Simulation

You’ll use industry-standard software, including computational modelling and simulation techniques, to analyse different approaches that aim to reduce energy consumption.

Research Dissertation

Formulate a research problem in the field of construction. You’ll select appropriate research methods and apply recognised strategies and techniques to address the problem in a sustained and logical written piece on the topic.

Optional modules

Innovations in Digital Practice

Sharpen your skills by engaging with the built environment using digital tools and technologies. You'll examine the relationship between people, technologies, and information by incorporating social science methods.

Organising for Innovation and Digital Transformation

Discover how to implement and manage innovation and digital technologies in the built environment. You’ll identify and assess the potential and ramifications for new technologies, assisting with your learning on how to map, define, and analyse design.

Infrastructure Development and Urban Sustainability

To understand sustainable development in urban settings, you’ll review the challenges of delivery and their impact on achieving goals. This explores the role of infrastructure and theoretical frameworks that underpin the process.

Urban Microclimates and ICT and Energy Management

Evaluate interactions between the urban atmosphere, urban form, and function, and review how energy monitoring and management offers energy-saving potential. This will advance your knowledge and understanding of urban microclimates and ICT and energy management.

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £12,550

New international students: £26,950

Tuition fee information

The fees listed are for full-time study, unless otherwise stated. Fees are calculated pro rata for flexible modular study.

Fee information will be confirmed in offer letters sent out to successful applicants. You can find further information, including information for part-time study, through our dedicated fees and funding page.

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

See list of Construction, Management and Engineering scholarships

Careers

Careers for MSc Design and Management of Sustainable Built Environments graduates

Our MSc Design and Management of Sustainable Built Environments degree will enable you to pursue a variety of careers in professional roles, such as urban planning, architectural design, environmental engineering, facilities management, energy assessment, green building assessment and energy policy.

Graduates of our sustainable energy and environmental engineering master's programmes work in firms across the globe, including:

Black & Veach
BWB Consulting Ltd
Cushman and Wakefield
EMO-D
Ignite Energy
Infinite Solutions UK
IRENA
Max Fordham LLP
PowerChina International Group Ltd
Ricardo
Ridge and Partners LLP
Williams Solar Ltd.

MSc Design and Management of Sustainable Built Environments

Accreditation

Interdisciplinary skills

Flexible study options

Choose Reading

Facilities

Tuition fee information

EU student fees

Additional costs

Financial support for your studies

Careers for MSc Design and Management of Sustainable Built Environments graduates

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