Architectural Technology & Building Performance MSc



This course was developed around the core strengths of the Institute for Sustainable Construction and to meet the demands of the industry
Overview

Build on your existing qualifications or experience in this area to develop a good knowledge of architectural technology, building performance and the legislative framework that governs the industry.

The course offers a well-balanced blend of theory and practice informed by our links with industry that prepares you for the workplace. 

Through the taught modules you will gain a broad understanding of the architectural technology and learn how to apply this knowledge through the Masters Design Project to create and evaluate design solutions.

The Masters Programme is recognised by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) and will count towards Membership of CIAT.

Students in high visibility vests visiting a construction company

Mode of Study:

Part-time (available as Full-time)

Duration:

2 years

Start date:

Sep

Course details

This course is built around the knowledge and current applied research of four of the University’s key research centres that sit within the Institute for Sustainable Construction:

  • Building Performance Centre
  • Scottish Energy Centre
  • Centre for Off-site Construction and Innovative Structures
  • Centre for Timber Engineering

You will gain the knowledge and experience required in the 6 taught modules that can then be applied to complete a major design project that should enhance your career prospects.

Subjects include

All modules are worth 20 credits unless stated otherwise.

YEAR 1

Trimester 1
  • Integrated Building Retrofit (BSV11155)
  • Building Acoustic Performance (BSV11151)
Trimester 2
  • Architectural Design & Technology (BSV11158)
  • Building Energy Performance (BSV11153)


YEAR 2

Trimester 1
  • Sustainable Building Design (BSV11114)
Trimester 2
  • Health and Safety (BSV11142)
Trimester 3
  • Masters' dissertation (BSV11120) (60 credits)
  • calendar How you’ll be taught The programme is taught using lectures, seminars and tutorials. Teaching material and resources for further learning are uploaded on Moodle (the Virtual Learning Environment).

    Duration : 24 months.

    This is a part-time course and is split up into three trimesters each year.
  • note and pen Assessments The taught modules are primarily assessed by coursework with only one module having an examination. The coursework ranges from technical reports to short design projects.
  • briefcase Work placement

    There is an opportunity for students to seek an internship through the Built Environment Exchange (beX) programme. BeX provides employability projects, internships and MSc scholarships. Find out more on the Built Environment Exchange.
  • library Facilities The programme delivery is at the Merchiston Campus in Edinburgh.

    Students have access to the on campus Library and the Jack Kilby computer centre (open 24/7). They also have exclusive access to the architectural technology design studio throughout trimester 3 while working on their master’s design project.

Modules

Modules that you will study* as part of this course

Architectural Design & Technology ( BSV11158 )

1: Architectural Design
Design project undertaken in teams, interdisciplinary or individually (TBC year-on-year) based on a client's design brief with emphasis on architectural design, aesthetics and developing a robust concept. Output: conceptual design.
2: Architectural Technology
Modern methods of construction (MMC) technology and their application to the design devised above. Examples topics can include (non-exhaustive): MMC typologies, manufacturing, logistics and construction processes. Output: spatially coordinated design with details showing MMC application.

Further information

Building Acoustic Performance ( BSV11151 )

This module includes the following…
Introduction to sound insulation measurements and performance monitoring
Sound transmission pathways and mechanisms
Designing for School, Hospital buildings and other Civic and commercial buildings
Designing and performance of rooms for the control of ambient noise
Designing and performance of rooms for the control of reverberation time
Assessing the implication of external noise sources on the design, orientation and layout of buildings
Designing and performance for timber frame attached houses and apartments
Designing and performance for blockwork and masonry attached houses and apartments
Designing and performance for steel frame and in-situ concrete attached housing
Understanding pre-conversion acoustic testing and refurbishment developments
Innovations in acoustics and sound insulation

Further information

Building Energy Performance ( BSV11153 )

Building Thermal Performance:
Building Heat loss
Detailing for Energy Efficient Construction
Sustainable Design Strategies:
Software Tools for designing Energy Efficient Buildings
SAP/SBEM compliance and Energy Performance Certification
Modelling Sustainable Construction
Low and Zero Carbon Technologies (LZCT):
Renewable Energy Technologies
Integration of LZCT in Buildings
Zero Carbon Buildings
Testing Building Performance
Airtightness Testing
Thermography

Further information

Dissertation ( BSV11120 )

Research methodology, developing a proposal, designing a research strategy, literature reviews, data gathering, analysis, presentation, writing up and presentation.




Further information

Health and Safety ( BSV11142 )

Introduction to Health and Safety Law
Background to health and safety law, its history and development in the UK. The Impact of International Obligations. The role of the International Labour Organisation. Role of the EU and European Directives.


The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Scope and application of the Act, Safety Policies. Legal Duties under the Act. Legal duties of employers, employees, controllers of premises, designers, manufacturers, importers, suppliers. Enforcement of the Act. Appeals against enforcement notices. Offences by Corporations, Directors, managers, etc.

Institutions of Health and Safety
Role of Government. The Health and Safety Executive.

Health and Safety Management
Introduction to occupational health and safety management systems, UK and international standards.
Tools of health and safety management. Health and safety and Employment Law in UK.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations. Risk Assessment. Principles of Prevention. Health and safety arrangements. Health surveillance. Health and Safety Assistance. Information for Employees. Co-operation and Co-ordination. Capabilities and Training.. Working Time Regulations. Safety Officers. Safety Representatives. Safety Committees. Enforcement of Organisational Health and Safety Rules

Particular Health and Safety Issues
Working Alone. Working Abroad. Immigrant Workers. Smoking at Work. Drug abuse. Alcohol at Work. Home Workers. Bullying at work. Disabled Employees. Stress at work. Young persons. Expectant mothers.

Workplace Safety
Working at Height Regulations. Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations. Manual Handling Regulations. Fire Safety. The Fire precautions (Workplace) Regulations
Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations.

Further information

Integrated Building Retrofit ( BSV11155 )

Historical UK building context:
Archetype, age and period of existing building stock in the UK
Building features typical of existing buildings – floor, wall, roof type
Traditional materials and methods of construction:
Traditional building materials properties, limitations and behaviour in existing buildings
Traditional building methods of construction in existing buildings
Sustainable building retrofit methods and standards:
UK Building standards and its context towards building retrofit
Sustainable evaluation of building retrofit
Methods of best practice retrofit of buildings
Examples of different building retrofit methods, case studies, trials and new materials
Social considerations in building retrofit
Traditional building services, ventilation, heating and cooling

Further information

Sustainable Building Design ( BSV11114 )

¦ Sustainable buildings foundations and structures
¦ Green Building Assessments (LEED, BREAM)
¦ Sustainable Sites and Landscaping.
¦ Building Energy Issues (High performance building energy design strategy, building envelop, smart buildings and energy management systems)
¦ Passive vs active design strategies.
¦ Designing for Performance and Materials Selection.
¦ Sustainable Building Implementation: Life cycle approach, construction operations (construction and demolition waste management)
¦ Economic analysis for Sustainable Buildings.

Further information

* These are indicative only and reflect the course structure in the current academic year. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

ACCREDITED BY

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements 

The entry requirement for this course is a Bachelor (Honours) Degree at 2:2 or above. We are looking for an academic background in Architectural Technology, Architectural Engineering, or Architecture (RIBA Part 1 accredited).

We may also consider lesser qualifications if you have sufficient relevant work experience within the industry. If you apply with less than an Honours degree, our Admissions Team will review your application and let you know whether a portfolio is also required.

The University does not sponsor students to study on part-time programmes in the UK under the Student Visa route. International Applicants must therefore have other valid immigration leave to study on this programme.

English language requirements

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English, or your undergraduate degree was taught and examined in English (within two years of starting your postgraduate course). Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

International students

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BN Nursing/MSc Nursing (Pre-registration) (Adult, Mental Health, Child, Learning Disabilities)
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

Admissions policies

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2023/24 2024/25
Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland-Taught modules *£1,050 *£tba
Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland-60credit Dissertation module £620 tba
Overseas and EU-Taught Modules *£2,560 *£tba
Overseas and EU-60credit Dissertation £1,730 tba

Please note tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next.
For more information on this and other Tuition Fee matters please see Frequently Asked Questions about Fees

Click this link for Information of Bursaries and Scholarships
Fees for modules are calculated according to the number of credits (multiples of 20). The rate shown in the table is for 20 credits*. The total fee you will pay is dependant upon the exit award you wish to achieve.
The University offers a 20% discount on Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes to its alumni. The discount applies to all full-time, part-time and online programmes.
Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Careers
  • Architectural Practice
  • Design Construct Companies
  • Product Manufacturers
  • House Builders
  • Housing Associations
Close up of a wooden spiral staircase