Advanced Sustainable Design MSc

Programme description

Advanced Sustainable Design gives you the knowledge, skills and creativity to put theory into practice in the sustainable development of our cities, towns and countryside. We work from the scale of building systems to entire regions.

We welcome applications from graduates of all disciplines. This programme engages with architecture, design and planning but interested applicants can apply with degrees in the environmental sciences and the humanities.

Our programme is delivered in a series of practical projects supplemented with teaching on all aspects of built environment sustainable design. You will have the opportunity to work in building simulation modelling and gain desirable skills for the workplace.

We believe that successful sustainable development is not achieved only through technical solutions. You will:

explore the complex relationship of design to contemporary sustainable agenda
engage in cultural and professional debates about the built environment
gain a distinctive and expert voice in this field

This programme is affiliated with the University’s Global Environment & Society Academy:

Global Environment & Society Academy.

Learning outcomes

Graduates of this programme will have:

knowledge of the social, economic and legislative forces that are driving contemporary, sustainable agendas, and understanding of such agendas in relation to architectural cultures
the ability to critically assess sustainability as a cultural, economic and environmental phenomenon
the ability to interrogate site, programme and context in relation to the production of sustainable construction, engineering and architectural strategies
the acquisition of transdisciplinary skills in articulation of sustainable strategies in related industry sectors.

Career opportunities

There is a demand for graduates with expertise in sustainable development and the built environment. In this masters, you will gain tangible skills and a portfolio of work to embrace these opportunities. Many of our students use their acquired expertise to set up their own practices and consultancies with a focus on sustainable design.

Our graduates use this degree to progress within their own field, with a distinctive specialism in the job market. Our students sometimes use this masters to change their career path, often finding employment in the large multi-disciplinary consultancies that work on infrastructure and development projects.

Our degree also acts as a stepping stone to doctoral study both in Edinburgh and on a global stage to help meet demand for expert knowledge in this area.

Normally a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in a relevant subject.