Sustainable Construction (Full-time) (MSc)

Applicants can be considered eligible to register on this Master’s Degree programme provided s/he holds one of the following qualifications prior to commencement:

• an initial degree from an approved degree-awarding body;
• a non-graduate qualification which has been deemed to be of an appropriate standard for the purpose of postgraduate admission;
• specific entry requirements of the programme.
• Applicants may also be considered eligible to register on this Master’s Degree programme provided that s/he has held, for a minimum of two years, an appropriate position which is relevant to the programme to be pursued. Such applicants will be considered on a case by case basis.
• International students must hold relevant qualifications/experience equivalent to their UK counterpart, in addition to good language skills and evidence of a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 for non-native English speakers.
• As part of an inclusive approach to learning, we encourage students from non-traditional entry points or without recognised educational backgrounds, but who have an equivalent and appropriate professional qualification or significant relevant professional experience to apply.

Assessments used within this Programme are normally formative or summative. In the former assessment is designed to ensure students become aware of their strengths and weaknesses. Typically, such assessment will take the form of practical exercises where a more hands-on approach shows student’s ability on a range of activities.

Traditional formal time-constrained assessment is by means of tests and examinations, normally of two-hour duration. Examinations are a traditional method of verifying that the work produced is the students’ own work. 

To help authenticate student coursework, some modules require that the student and lecturer negotiate the topic for assessment on an individual basis, allowing the lecturer to monitor progress.

Some modules where the assessment is research-based require students to verbally/visually present the research results to the lecturer and peers, followed by a question and answer session.

Such assessment strategies are in accord with the learning and teaching strategies employed by the team, that is, where the aim is to generate work that is mainly student-driven, individual, reflective and where appropriate, vocationally-orientated. Feedback to students will occur early in the study period and continue over the whole study session thereby allowing for greater value added to the student’s learning.

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at UWTSD. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up.

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):

• Travel to and from campus
• Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
• Purchase of books or texts
• Gowns for graduation ceremonies

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.

The MSc is widely recognised as a valuable postgraduate qualification.  It demonstrates the student’s ability to commit to a programme of study and develop their knowledge within that area of academic study. The programme will help develop skills which are valuable to a wide range of employers, such as the ability to analyse complex information critically, the ability to present clear and coherent arguments and the ability to present complex information in a clear manner. 

Such an education will develop an awareness of the interconnectedness of the built environment, and equip the student with a qualification relevant to a number of different vocational situations.  The flexibility of the modular programme enables students to develop packages of study which satisfy specialist interests and career aspirations in the built environment. 

In business, many large organisations have established management systems and auditing procedures, and our former students’ career paths demonstrate opportunities at all levels of management.  This degree, which was developed in consultation with the BRE and major Companies/Consultants, will help students develop a career in these areas.  In fact, the integral link with the BRE is a fundamental ‘kitemark’ for students and associated employers of this programme. 

The School has a long history of industrial liaison.  Since the 1990s programmes have had annual industrial liaison meetings.  Feedback on new policies, initiatives and issues informed the curriculum, teaching and practice, especially when providing valuable input prior to validation (in particular BRE).  The links will also provide experience for students to work on ‘live’ projects. 

Recommendations by BRE on the content of the proposed programme(s) include:

• Providing students with the opportunity to work on interdisciplinary projects with students pursuing other construction-related qualifications, for example, architects, surveyors, civil engineers, quantity surveyors, planners and tradespeople; this approach would simulate real-life construction projects.
• Enabling students to gain practical experience, thus applying the theory they have learnt.

These types of industrially-centred learning provide the opportunity to inform teaching, learning and assessment adding much value to employability.