“The principles of sustainable building design that I learned have provided a solid foundation for sustainable practices ”
MScSustainable Building Design
Apply direct
Starting in: 2025
- 1 year full-time
- 2 years full-time with placement
- 2 years part-time
Entry requirements: 2:2
Or higher
Up to: 20% alumni discountFind out more
Campus: Southampton City CentreView on Google Maps
Why study a sustainable building design master's degree at Solent University
Develop your theory and practical skills to graduate from this course as a specialist designer with the education and vision required to help create a sustainable future for the construction industry.
- 0thuniversity in the UK for low carbon emissions (THE 2023)
- £0minvested in our campus estate and facilities in the past five years
- Study on a course that prepares you for roles including sustainable building designer, sustainable building assessor, BREEAM Accredited Professional (AP), Passivhaus designer, carbon impact analyser, sustainability champion, environmental impact assessor.
- Study in specialist studio spaces with industry-standard software. University-wide services include excellent learning resources, campus-wide wireless networking, extensive library services and dedicated student working spaces.
- Benefit from our strong industry links, offering our students a range of employment opportunities after graduation.
- You'll be taught by industry experts. And practitioners from the built environment industry regularly provide real-world projects, guest lectures, site visits, and mentoring sessions.
- You'll have the opportunity to work towards becoming a BREEAM-accredited professional.
- Sustainability is embedded in this degree. Understanding of the design principles of sustainable building will be developed through a live design project. Learn how to assess environmental impact using assessment methods like BREEAM and LEED
- This course also has a work experience placement option, forming the second year of study. Placements can be 12 weeks, 24 weeks, or a full year.
- This course has high rates of graduate employability. Most of our graduates have leveraged their newly-acquired knowledge to secure top-level roles in the sustainable construction industry.
- Study on a course with high student satisfaction. Previous students on this course have rated it 100% for overall student satisfaction (PTES).
- Receive free architecture career consultation for life. Our careers advice service, Solent Careers is available to all Solent students and graduates for life, helping you to progress in your current career or discuss options for a change in career.
- This course is eligible for the Postgraduate Master's student loan. The loan is from Student Finance England and can be used to cover costs (ie, accommodation, tuition fees) associated with postgraduate studies.
- You’ll be assigned a personal tutor who can assist you with pastoral support to help you make the most of your learning.
- Every student at Solent University will also have the option to study an additional Certificate in Practical Artificial Intelligence qualification alongside their course. Free of charge, the course ensures you'll be prepared for a fantastic and varied career after graduation.
Course overview
This MSc Sustainable Building Design course is the ideal way for students from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds to pursue a career in this exciting and important sector. By providing you with a thorough understanding of both theory based and practical skills, you’ll graduate from this course as a specialist designer with the education and vision required to help create a sustainable future for the construction industry.
Throughout the CIAT accredited course, you’ll be encouraged to develop a holistic approach to designing sustainable and intelligent buildings. Learning is centred around social, economic, and environmental aspects of design, otherwise known as the three pillars of sustainability. The curriculum introduces the essential academic theory that underpins each of these areas and explores the technical tools required to successfully plan performance-based building projects.
You’ll also be introduced to Building Information Modelling (BIM), working with an expert course team on a range of live projects in a design environment that simulates real workplace practices. These projects will help you to build a portfolio of practical work and equip you with the essential tools and software packages used by the industry. You’ll also develop an understanding of globally renowned energy assessment methods such as BREEAM, LEED and Passivhaus.
The course benefits from extensive links with industry, formed over many years of delivering accredited courses with professional organisations (eg, CIAT, CIOB, and SBID). Practitioners from a cross-section of the built environment industry contribute regularly to the academic process by providing real-world projects, guest lectures, site visits and informal mentoring sessions.
The course also has a placement option, allowing you to put your studies into practice in the workplace. The placement takes place after you've finished your MSc studies.
Our suite of sustainable construction management, architecture and refurbishment courses have an international focus. Not only in the industry-led course content, but also in the student body. Our students are of many different nationalities, bringing with them a wealth of experience, meaning you'll study in a diverse, multicultural environment that reflects the truly global nature of the sustainable construction industry.
Kickstart your career in sustainable building design by enrolling in this comprehensive program that combines theory, practical experience, and exposure to industry-leading trends and technologies. Join a community of like-minded individuals dedicated to making the world a better place through sustainable design.
Accredited by:
Student work
Our creative degrees allow our students to develop a critical eye for design with a knowledge of different design approaches and problem solving techniques. Take a look at some of the great work they produce.
Course features
Specialist facilities
This course has access to specialist facilities
Placement year
If you apply for this course with a placement year, you have the opportunity to undertake a year in industry for your second year.
Apply direct
You can apply direct to Solent University for this course
Part-time option
You can study this course part-time
This course is for
MSc Sustainable Building Design is ideally suited to architects, building technologists, interior architects, building designers, structural engineers, and other construction professionals who aim to specialise in designing, analysing and assessing the performances of sustainable buildings.
What this course leads to
Graduates from MSc Sustainable Building Design have successfully gained employment in companies across the UK and overseas. For example, our graduates have secured employment with companies such as Brightspace Architects, Ridge and Partners, Architecture PLB, EP Projects, Raft Architecture, Kier, Barratt Homes, Arup, and more.
We work with our industry partners to facilitate employment opportunities for students, and we continue to develop new relationships with the industry. We use our contacts to provide students with real-world employability skills such as guest lectures, site visits, and live briefs.
- Sustainable building designer
- Sustainability champion in design or construction companies
- Sustainable building assessor
- Sustainability consultant
- Passivhaus Designer
- BREEAM Accredited Practitioner
Meet the team
The University cannot guarantee any particular members of staff will teach specific aspects of the course in the future, but will endeavour to ensure the teaching team maintains their balance of experience and qualifications.
Facilities
Students will have access to specialist studio spaces, high-spec computers and a range of essential industry software packages.
Our vibrant campus brings state-of-the-art facilities to enhance your learning and elevate your student experience. Our award-winning teaching building, The Spark is centred around students and offers a stimulating study environment with flexible learning spaces. Away from studying, why not try out the gyms, fitness studios and sports halls in our £28 million Sports Complex, or watch a blockbuster film at our student-run cinema with Dolby Atmos audio.
Year one
Core modules
Building Information Management
Through this module you will investigate the changing nature of building projects and teams and how traditional methods of information, and their management are failing to meet information requirements to maximize value of investment in built assets.
Sustainable Building - Performance Analysis
Thermal modelling of buildings, passive and active sustainability solutions, ventilation strategies, sustainable building materials and component combinations, water management in buildings, carbon counting, life-cycle assessment of buildings, and intelligent building design principles will be explored in this module. Presentation and application of a range of software, based on industry practice.
Sustainable Building - Strategies and Assessment
The purpose of this module is to examine the role architectural design and the current trends of building standards and benchmarks to influence the efficiency of the building during its whole life cycle. It provides an insight into the roles of different involved professionals in shaping the way the built environment responds to the economic, social, and environmental global challenges.
Sustainable Building Project
The aim of this module is to give you the opportunity to apply the sustainable design principles on, where possible, a live project. It will enable you to demonstrate understanding of how the design methods and tools can change the form, fabric, and equipment of a building and affect its environmental impact.
Optional modules
Design Project
The module comprises a student-selected topic in a discipline-related subject. You are expected to identify and investigate a complex project at sufficient depth to satisfy the learning outcomes of this Masters level module. Specific areas of study will depend on the nature of the project and are to be agreed between you, your supervisors, and the module leader.
Research Dissertation
This module asks you as a design researcher to reflect on and establish a research framework and set of skills needed for conducting your research dissertation and you will be able to demonstrate a critical awareness of the industrial context where your initial research is aligned with from the early stages of the module. You will be given lectures and seminars to help establish your understanding of up to date research skills, theories on how to aquire knowledge and skills to be able to communicate complex research information for an academic audience.
Learning resources
At Solent, our aim is to deliver innovative, inclusive and intellectually stimulating teaching to develop self-confident and highly employable graduates. All our courses are designed with employability in mind, which makes industry-based learning a priority.
Graduates will be able to utilise and demonstrate the application of the Passivhaus standard throughout their project work. Use of the BREEAM and LEED international environmental assessment benchmarks prepare students to work on projects all over the world.
Graduate stories
Hear from Solent alumni about where their careers have taken them and how studying at Solent prepared them for their future.
Learn transferable skills
Students will graduate from the course having learnt a range of transferable project management, research, and presentation skills.
Industry links
The course benefits from extensive links with industry, formed over many years of delivering accredited courses with professional organisations (eg, CIAT, CIOB, SBID and CABE). Practitioners from a cross-section of the built environment industry contribute regularly to the academic process by providing real-world projects, guest lectures, site visits and informal mentoring sessions.
Students will also have the opportunity to study towards becoming a BREEAM Accredited Graduate, a qualification offered in collaboration with the Building Research Establishment (BRE) Academy. The BREEAM AG scheme, which is taught alongside the main course at no extra cost to students, is a first step to becoming BREEAM Assessor.
Study on a course that prepares you for roles including sustainable building designer, sustainable building assessor, BREEAM Accredited Professional (AP), Passivhaus designer, carbon impact analyser, sustainability champion, environmental impact assessor.
Graduate stories
Hear from Solent alumni about where their careers have taken them and how studying at Solent prepared them for their future.
“The principles of sustainable building design that I learned have provided a solid foundation for sustainable practices ”
Solent Careers
The Solent Careers team is committed to getting students into great careers.
While you are studying, the team can help you with finding work experience or placements, link you with a mentor, check your CV, or offer one-to-one guidance.
We also have graduate job opportunities just for Solent graduates.
6th
UK uni for sustained employment
Longitudinal Educational Outcomes, 2022
Accreditations
Accredited by:
Alumni network
As part of our global alumni community, you can take advantage of a range of benefits.
Whether it's been days or decades since you left us, or you're soon to don your cap and gown, things are constantly changing at Solent. We're always innovating, but we're also immensely proud of our heritage. And that means you.
Research and knowledge exchange
Research doesn't just live in publications and journals - the effects of groundbreaking research can be found everywhere you look. That's why research at Solent has always been firmly rooted in industry needs and real-world application.
Solent University prides itself on carrying out not only pioneering research, but also research that addresses real world problems. We offer opportunities to study for a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in a number of areas.
At Solent, we want to help you achieve your best and discover new insights. Whether you're thinking about applying for a PhD, or already underway with your research studies, you'll find useful guidance and information in our research pages.
Research at SolentTuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year are:
- UK and Channel Island full-time fees: £10,400 per year
- International full-time fees: £18,350 per year
For further information, please visit our tuition fees page.
Extra course costs
While most course costs are covered by your tuition fees, some essential resources and optional extras may need to be paid for separately. These additional costs are listed below. For advice on budgeting and managing your money, please contact student.funding@solent.ac.uk.
The 2025/26 other costs are not yet available. For guidance, the 2024/25 other costs were:
Compulsory costs
- Stationery and local travel to industry for interest visits: £400
Alumni discount
Solent alumni are eligible for a 20% reduction of tuition fees if returning to study a postgraduate course.
Find out moreBursaries, scholarships and financial support
Solent University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships that provide financial assistance or waive fees for tuition or accommodation. Each bursary or scholarship has specific eligibility criteria. Check out our bursaries and scholarships pages to find out more.
Cost of living support
At Solent, we understand that the cost of living crisis may be of some concern. To help, we've put together some detailed information to show what support is available and how to make your money go further.
Graduation costs
There is no charge to attend graduation, but you will be required to pay for the rental of your academic gown (approximately £45 per graduate, depending on your award). You may also wish to purchase official photography packages, which range in price from £15 to £200+. Graduation is not compulsory, so if you prefer to have your award sent to you, there is no cost. Extra guest tickets will go on sale after results publication and will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis. The cost per ticket is currently £15. Please note, we do not guarantee there will be any extra tickets available to purchase.
Student finance videos
Discover Solent University Video transcript, with a description of visuals available.Find out what Southampton has to offer Video transcript, with a description of visuals available.
Entry requirements
Please select an option below:
Key entry requirements
An honours degree at 2:2 or higher in a related discipline
- Applicants with relevant industry experience may be considered.
- Applicants may also be required to send a portfolio and may be contacted for an interview either face to face or through Skype.
- For further information about UK qualifications, please contact admissions.
Key entry requirements
Applicants may also be required to send a portfolio and may be contacted for an interview either face to face or through Skype.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about UK, EU and international qualifications, please see our course entry requirements document.
Key entry requirements
Applicants may also be required to send a portfolio and may be contacted for an interview either face to face or through Skype.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about UK, EU and international qualifications, please contact admissions.
Note to all international students requiring a visa
All international applicants need to be aware that the English language requirements to attend Solent University, and the English language requirements to obtain a visa from the Home Office, may be different. This means that if you meet the Solent University language requirement to gain a place on the course, you may still have to meet additional requirements to be granted with a visa by the Home Office.
We strongly advise all applicants to visit the Home Office website which outlines all the requirements for a successful visa application and to take a look at our course entry statement document.
An honours degree at2:2 or higher
Your application checklist
Applications for postgraduate courses can be made at any time prior to the start of the course. However, we strongly recommend you apply at your earliest convenience.
Please ensure you upload the following mandatory documents with your application:
- Two academic references.
- Certified transcripts of qualifications, including English language proficiency if non-UK student.
- Copy of passport.
- Copy of current visa (if applicable).
- A personal statement.
- Employer sponsor form, where appropriate.
Language requirements
Applicants who do not have English as their first language will be required to demonstrate an approved level of proficiency in the use of the English language. The agreed minimum requirements for this course are:
- IELTS minimum 6.5 overall with no component score below 5.5
- TOEFL IBT 92 with a minimum of 22 in writing and a minimum of 20 in reading, listening and speaking
- Duolingo English Language Test - 115 overall with minimum of 100 in each component or equivalent.
Qualifications are checked before enrolment, and international students must bring their original certificates or certified copies when coming to study at the University.
Pre-Sessional English programme
The University also offers a pre-sessional English programme for international students who wish to improve their level of English before starting a degree course.
Study options
Make your application
- 1 year full-time
- 2 years full-time with placement
- 2 years part-time
