Architecture and Sustainability MSc

About the course

This course is now closed for 2013 entry.

The Architecture and Sustainability MSc focuses on the interface between the environmental, economical and social-cultural dimensions of sustainability to approach building design to carbon neutrality. The aim of the teaching theme on sustainability is to equip, train and inspire you to become responsible ‘global’ citizens in the face of the new global and environmental challenges ahead of you.

The course will develop your knowledge, skills and research themes in relation to your specialist research units. The course offers you a wide range of approaches to sustainable architectural design through these research units, specialising in building physics and design strategies to promote and encourage holistic sustainability analytical approach, housing design and sustainable communities.

You will have access to a range of tools and simulation software that will allow you to develop and test your design proposals at various design stages starting with site considerations, through the design and development stage to the final scheme, ensuring sustainable outcomes.

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Key facts

Duration: One year full-time, two years part-time

Location: De Montfort University, Leicester

Start date: September 2013

Entry and admission criteria

You should have the equivalent of a 2:2 or above UK bachelor’s Honours degree in a relevant subject (architecture, architectural engineering, architectural technology, building sciences, environmental sciences/studies, construction management etc). You will normally be asked to submit full details of your work experience and a portfolio of work.

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

If English is not your first language, you must have an IELTS score of 6.0 or equivalent. English Language tuition, delivered by our British Council accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

International Students

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.0 or equivalent when you start the course is essential. English Language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

Teaching and assessment

Full-time students will attend lectures and workshops two days a week, while part-time students attend for one day per week. You will learn through a programme of lectures, tutorials, studio based work, and workshops, with teaching and learning mainly project based.

Diagnostic and formative assessment and feedback are carried out in workshops and reviews during the teaching year. Summative assessment of the main projects will take place at the end of the term.

Course modules

• Research Methodology - focusing on systematic techniques required for research and analysis
• Concept and Principles of Sustainability - with emphasis on social-cultural, economical and environmental dimensions of the concept
• Research Lab 1
• Architectural Design Modelling - to evaluate environmental performance of buildings exploring opportunities and methods to test detailed building project delivered in the concurrent module
• Research Lab 2
• Thesis Project - runs over the summer term giving students an opportunity to apply their research skills to Architecture and Sustainability related issues that requires further study in a manner that shows some contribution to existing body of knowledge in the subject area

Academic expertise

The course engages an integrated staff team of architects and built environment professionals, teaching and researching on architecture and sustainability issues.The course also draws on a wide range of research expertise within the Leicester School of Architecture as a whole, which ranges from architectural design, urban design, technology and sustainability to the history and philosophy of architecture.

Our staff include:

Dr Ahmad Taki| is a Principal Lecturer in the Leicester School of Architecture. He is highly experienced in building physics, energy and indoor climate, CFD modelling, human thermal interaction with the built environment and environmental sustainability, together with experimental design and execution. He has been a member of Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) College for peer review of research proposals since 2000 and has been successful in consultancy activities and in securing funds from various research bodies. He has already worked successfully on several funded research contracts. Dr Taki is an invited author of ‘Heat Transfer’ section of the CIBSE Design Guide and has given overseas presentations on his work related to thermal environment field. Research supervision of 15 students registered for PhD programmes and 8 of them successfully completed their theses and satisfied the examiners for the degree of PhD since 2000.

John Ebohon| is a Reader and Director of the Developing World Built and Natural Environment Research Unit in the Leicester School of Architecture and the Programme Director of the MSc in Cities and Sustainability at De Montfort University, Leicester - UK. He holds a BA (Hons) degree in Economics, MA in Development Economics, PhD in Energy & Development, and LLM in Environmental Law. He belongs to several professional bodies, including the Energy Institute, International Association of Ecological Economics, the African Association of Ecological Economics, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. He has spent the last 20 years teaching and researching built and natural environment issues in the developing countries, particularly Sub-Saharan Africa. He is research active, widely published, and directed several higher degrees research on built and natural environment issues in the developing countries. He sits on the editorial boards of the Open Environmental Science Journal and the Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa.

Industry links and professional accreditation

De Montfort University is highly rated by employers and offers excellent links with industry, the creative and cultural world, and the professions.

Graduate careers

This course will prepare and equip you with appropriate skills and capacity to address 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.

This course aims to address current skills shortages and promote employability across architects, built environment, and construction industry practitioners. These bodies are rapidly shifting their focus and extending the concept of sustainable development to their operation. You could also continue with your postgraduate studies, and progress onto a PhD.

Fees and funding

Fees and funding options for 2013/14 entry are still under review and are subject to change.

Full-time UK/EU Postgraduate courses fees £4,200 Students Equivalent or Lower Qualification Status* £5,000 International
Postgraduate courses fees £11,700 Part-time Part-time fees are charged on a credit basis, you will need to complete 180 credits over the course of an MA/MSc programme. 15 credits £350 Students Equivalent or Lower Qualification Status* 15 credits
£420 Continuation UK/EU Fee** £150 Continuation International Fee** £5000

For more information please take a look at our Funding|| section.

* ELQ Student definition - If you are a Home or EU status student and you already have a qualification at or above the level of the programme you wish to study from any country you will be considered as an Equivalent or Lower Qualification (ELQ) student. In 2008 the UK Government decided to stop funding universities for student in this situation and therefore the following fees will apply £5,000. Students from outside the EU are not affected by the policy.

** A fee that is charged on a periodic basis where Postgraduate or Research students need to extend their registration to complete the course.

Scholarships

Learn more about postgraduate funding and finance|

Facilities

The University offers excellent facilities that support a range of sustainability and design disciplines. These include a range of tools and simulation software, including design studios.