MSc Building Services Engineering

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

Brunel University

Program Overview

The MSc Building Services Engineering prepares graduates to design, install and manage the complex electrical and mechanical services that make modern buildings work — covering heating, cooling, lighting, water, lifts, telecoms and more. It is ideal for students with an engineering or technical background who want to specialise in building services design, energy efficiency and sustainability in the built environment.

Curriculum Structure

Taught Stage
In the first (and only) year of full-time study, students engage with a series of core modules including Energy Conversion Technologies, Electrical Services and Lighting Design, Building Heat Transfer and Air Conditioning, Acoustics, Fire, Lifts and Drainage, Building Management and Control Systems, Design of Fluid Services and Heat Transfer Equipment, and Building Services Design and Management. These modules give students a strong technical foundation in energy systems, electrical services, thermal behaviour of buildings, acoustics and vertical transportation systems within buildings.
Dissertation Stage
At the end of the year, students undertake a major individual project (dissertation) of around 15,000 words on a relevant research or design topic in building services engineering. This allows them to apply their knowledge to real-world problems, for example in energy efficiency, building management systems or sustainable services.

Focus areas

Mechanical and electrical building services, energy conversion and heat transfer, lighting and electrical services design, building-management & control systems, acoustics and fire & safety within buildings, fluid services design, sustainable building infrastructure.

Learning outcomes

Graduates will gain an advanced technical understanding of how building services systems are designed and operated, develop analytical and design skills for complex building environments, and acquire the ability to evaluate technical, managerial and sustainability issues in building services engineering.

Professional alignment (Accreditation)

The programme is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) and the Energy Institute (EI). This means it is aligned with professional routes towards Chartered Engineer (CEng) status in the UK.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

As building services engineering becomes more critical in the push for energy efficient and sustainable infrastructure, graduates from this programme are positioned for strong roles in consultancies, building services firms and sustainability-driven businesses. Brunel’s engineering school has solid industry links and the accreditation adds to the employability value.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students on the MSc Building Services Engineering programme gain practical skills through working in advanced labs, using specialist software, and engaging with real-world building systems design and management. They tackle live industry-type problems in building services engineering, including mechanical and electrical systems, energy efficiency, environment control, lifts & drainage, building management systems and fire & safety. The experience includes:

Hands-on sessions in state-of-the-art engineering laboratories where students test heat-transfer, fluid services, acoustics, lighting, electrical and building control systems.
Use of industry-standard specialist engineering software on dedicated computer clusters (24-hour access) for design, simulation and modelling of building services systems.
Group design projects where students collaborate to produce building-services design and management solutions — for example designing HVAC, electrical services or BMS (Building Management System) for a given building scenario.
Individual 15,000-word dissertation (full-time: ~4 months) where the student researches a current challenge in building services engineering (e.g., sustainable energy in buildings, ventilation systems, lighting design, lifts & escalators, fire/smoke control).
Distance-learning mode option (over several years) enabling students to continue working while studying, with practical laboratory-based deliverables and design projects supported by online materials and remote access.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of Brunel University London’s MSc in Building Services Engineering are well-equipped to design, manage, and deliver sustainable and efficient building systems for modern infrastructure. The programme develops strong technical and analytical skills, preparing graduates for leadership roles in construction, energy efficiency, and environmental design. Typical career roles include:

Building Services Engineer
Sustainability Consultant
Energy Systems Engineer
Mechanical and Electrical (M&E) Design Engineer

Brunel University London supports students in achieving professional and career success through dedicated services and strong industry engagement:

Professional Development Centre (PDC): Provides expert career advice, CV and interview support, and access to exclusive employer networking events to help students secure competitive roles in the built environment sector.
Industry partnerships: The University works closely with leading companies such as Arup, AtkinsRéalis, and WSP, giving students exposure to real-world projects and insight into emerging sustainability technologies.
Strong employability outcomes: Brunel engineering graduates are recognised for their problem-solving abilities and professional readiness, with many progressing into key positions across engineering consultancies, construction firms, and public-sector organisations.
Accreditation value: The programme is accredited by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) and the Energy Institute (EI), offering graduates a respected pathway towards chartered engineer status.
Graduate success: Alumni have contributed to sustainable building projects worldwide, specialising in energy management, HVAC design, and low-carbon technologies.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates may pursue doctoral research (PhD) in areas such as Sustainable Building Design, Smart Energy Systems, or Environmental Engineering. They can also engage in professional development through CIBSE or the Energy Institute to achieve chartered status or join Brunel’s Institute of Energy Futures to advance research in sustainable infrastructure and climate-responsive building technologies.