Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

A1.    To provide a high-quality educational experience that develops and sustains students’ knowledge and critical thinking of integrated sustainable design and construction solutions to address global, national and regional environmental challenges.

A2.    To provide students with skills, technologically advanced knowledge, whole- system understanding and personal competency to design, evaluate and implement sustainability, resource efficiency and circular economy solutions in construction projects.

A3.    To equip students with innovative methods and techniques to effectively use environmental assessment tools and advanced modelling to optimize sustainable project performance.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

• Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) (2014) Part A: Setting and Maintaining Academic Standards: The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies, QAA, Gloucester. 

• Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) (2015) Subject Benchmark Statement: Master’s Degree in Business and Management, QAA, Gloucester. 

• Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) (2015) Characteristics Statement: Master's Degree 

• Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) (2015) Subject Benchmark Statement: Engineering, QAA, Gloucester 

• Engineering Council (2014) The Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes: UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competencies, The Engineering Council 

• The Education Framework for Masters’ Degree Programmes by the CIOB (2010) contains Learning Outcomes under the categories of Generic Outcomes, Skills, Dissertation, Construction Environment, and Construction Technology. 

• The Global Accreditation policy and processes by the RICS (July 2018, draft v.8)

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

 On successful completion of the programme, students should be able to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and understanding of: 

K1.    Principles and theories of sustainable design and construction; integrated project management methods; and processes and approaches used to manage complex projects.

K2.    Global issues in the development of sustainable design and construction strategies.

K3.    Sustainable building performance evaluation and energy efficiency approaches and methods.

K4     Managing information of sustainable building projects.

K5.    The fundamentals of research, research methods and the process of research.

K6.    Contemporary innovations in lifecycle sustainable project management, processes and techniques.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

C1.    Critically evaluate sustainable design and construction challenges.

C2.    Critically assess and evaluate the influence of different sustainability frameworks on building design and their economic and social impacts.

C3.    Independently use research and writing skills to articulate sustainability related problems and arguments and demonstrate advance knowledge in sustainable project performance.

C4.    Develop and critically appraise sustainable design and construction approaches.

C5.    Integrate knowledge of sustainable design, construction and management in building projects.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

P1.    Critically evaluate the use of low carbon tools, renewable technologies and reverse logistics in building projects.

P2.    Use a range of decision support tools and management skills to provide sustainable building solutions.

P3.    Apply the Building Research Energy Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) to construction project design and management decisions.

P4.    Critically assess the outcomes of different applied methodologies to determine the optimum attainment of sustainable building design.

P5.    Devise sustainable and circular economy strategies for buildings’ maintenance and end-of-life.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

T1.    Communicate using a variety of media to both students and staff.

T2.    Collate and critically review data and present findings.

T3.    Independently conduct research for taught modules and the dissertation.

T4.    Work effectively as a team member to achieve goals.

T5.    Effectively manage own time within a team environment.

4. Programme structure

Semester 1 

Compulsory modules (60 credits) 

 Semester 2 

Compulsory modules (30 credits) 

 Optional modules – (students should select two modules)

Semester 1 and 2 and Summer Period 

Compulsory module (60 credits)

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must satisfy the requirements set out in Regulation XXI.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

Not applicable.