Entry requirements

Equivalent of a British Honours degree (2:2 minimum) in a relevant subject

Full entry requirements

Duration

1 year

Fees

AED 89,250 (Sept 2025 intake)

Start date

September 2025

Entry requirements

Equivalent of a British Honours degree (2:2 minimum) in a relevant subject

Full entry requirements

Duration

1 year

Fees

AED 89,250 (Sept 2025 intake)

Start date

September 2025

See all the key facts

Reducing energy consumption is an international imperative. Our course is designed to equip you with the skills and vision to tackle this challenge both innovatively and responsibly.

Throughout the course, you will focus on design strategies and computer modelling in response to climate change to promote and encourage sustainability. The curriculum embraces sustainable development and the built environment from a holistic perspective, taking into account cultural, social, economic, and ecological factors.

You’ll be equipped with the knowledge and skills required to address the challenges of sustainable buildings and energy performance, and gain an understanding of how architecture and the built environment work in the real world.

The course content is designed to meet a growing international industry niche by addressing the challenges of global climate change and offering practical skillsets that are valuable to employers.

We provide state-of-the-art facilities, and our creative hub will provide you with the tools you need to realise your ambitions within the built environment sector. You will benefit from our extensive range of specialist facilities, such as multipurpose studios, CAD labs, and workshops. These workshops are equipped with laser cutters, metalworking, woodworking, digital printing, water-jet cutting, and prototyping. The high-performance computer labs have industry-standard tools and dynamic thermal simulation software for teaching and research.

Key features

You can exit the course with a Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate award, depending on the credits you achieve.
You’ll learn from a integrated team of professionals from industry, practice and research, which ensures your work is responding to contemporary, real-world issues that are grounded in both theory and practice.
Join our diverse community, which contributes to new ways of thinking, new knowledge, and different experiences.
The course has been designed as a potential pathway to the PhD level, and our graduates become successful researchers in the building performance and sustainability fields.

What you will study

Module Details

Methods for Sustainability Research

This module is designed to enhance your knowledge and understanding of the nature and scope of research, setting the foundation for the Dissertation module. You will be introduced to a rich curriculum supported by research design and strategies, methods of sustainable development to promote and encourage sustainability research. You will examine existing work in the areas of architecture and sustainability and analyse research techniques and sustainable approaches that you can use to further develop your own work.

Assessment: 3000-word report, 100%.

Design Research Lab 1

This module provides the opportunity for you to learn and apply appropriate research skills and knowledge in relation to site analysis and the development of scheme proposals enhancing sustainable development. You will work in a small group to explore and critically evaluate complex issues in an existing building and produce an individual proposed scheme.

Assessment: Group work, 20% and Project, 80%.

Building Performance Modelling

This module is designed to evaluate the environmental performance of buildings, exploring opportunities and methods to test detailed building projects delivered in the concurrent module—Design Research Lab 2. This will allow you to familiarise yourself with a range of tools and dynamic thermal simulation software. This will enable you to develop and test your design proposals at various design stages, starting with site considerations, through the technical design and development stage to the final scheme, ensuring sustainable outcomes. You will analyse the impact of building forms, construction materials, energy systems, ventilation, and shading on energy performance and thermal comfort. You will also identify improvement measures and parameters that affect energy use in buildings and compliance with Building Regulations.

Assessment: Coursework, 60% and Portfolio, 40%.

Design Research Lab 2

The module provides you with the opportunity to investigate, analyse, and produce solutions for a building project using the knowledge and skills gained from previous modules. It explores, in more detail and depth, the boundaries of your strategic research proposals, producing building projects that embrace sustainable characteristics. It examines the application of relevant and appropriate planning policies, regulations, and legislation, which will also be used as a tool for justification of the design decisions made.

Assessment: Portfolio, 100%.

Dissertation

Your learning will culminate in a 12000-word dissertation on a research topic of your own choosing.

Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

Our technicians and academics will support you in your individual project–a substantial piece of work in your final semester that will link your technical specialism with core aspects of management.

Entry requirements

You should have the equivalent or above of a 2:2 UK bachelor’s honours degree in a relevant subject, such as; architecture, architectural engineering, architectural technology, civil engineering, building engineering/sciences, environmental sciences/studies or construction management.

If you have no formal academic quali铿乧ations but have extensive industry experience, we will consider your application on an individual basis.

We are happy to consider equivalent qualifications from anywhere in the world.

English language tests and their entry requirements

IELTS Academic: 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each band)

TOEFL Internet-based: 72 (17 in listening & writing, 20 in speaking and 18 in reading)

Pearson PTE Academic: 51

Additionally, students with the following qualifications may be considered as having met the English language requirements:

GCSE/IGCSE/O-Level English (as a first or second language): Grade C or higher

CBSE/ISC boards/NIOS/All state boards: A minimum grade of 55% in English

International Baccalaureate: Minimum grade 5 in English A1 (Standard or Higher Level) in IB OR a minimum of grade 5 in English B (Higher Level)

West African/Nigerian Curriculum WAEC/ WASSCE/ SSSCE: Minimum grade "C6"

Where we could take you

Graduate careers

This course will help equip you with both the necessary skills and innovative approach to address the challenges of sustainable architecture and development. Such skills are in high demand by businesses, governments, multilateral and unilateral organisations contending with issues of environmental sustainability.