Advanced Sustainable Design MSc

You will complete your studies in one year.

Semester 1

The first semester is a combination of theory and practice. We will explore the theoretical underpinnings of sustainable design, from a planetary scale to that of a building component.

Alongside this, you will work on design projects at the scale of both settlements and building systems. We set many of our projects on a global stage, working in a range of climates and contexts.

Semester 2

The second semester offers immersive design projects that allows you to make your own proposals and test them in real contexts.

Dissertation

You will conclude your studies with a comprehensive dissertation research project that can advance your own interests and be shaped to your preferred career path.

Much of your work is based on completing a series of design projects. These are carefully staged so you are supported during the process with group and individual tutorials.

Our programme attracts students from across the world, which you’ll see reflected in our courses and teaching. This leads to an exciting exchange of ideas between students from developed and developing economies.

Our core courses look at different global cities; in our retrofit project, for example, students can choose to work in Edinburgh, Dubai and Singaporean contexts. In your research dissertation, you can choose a topic relevant to your home environment. Past projects have looked at sustainable development in Germany, Greece, Spain, Malaysia, Colombia, Chile and China.

You also complete reports and make presentations with the emphasis on gaining communication skills, making complex ideas clear and comprehensible.

Assessment

You will undertake assignments and project both individually and co-operatively. You will produce design proposals and reports supported by some written and visual presentation work. At the end of your studies, you undertake a comprehensive research dissertation.

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

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

There is a demand for graduates with expertise in sustainable development and the built environment. 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 also use this masters to change their career path often using digital and simulation skills to find employment in the large multi-disciplinary consultancies. Our graduates also shape infrastructure and development projects, working in the private sector, local government or national agencies.

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.

You will be taught at our base in the Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture in Chambers Street. You will have access to the facilities in this building including our subject library and computer lab and workshops.

Lauriston campus redevelopment

ECA are excited to be undertaking a capital redevelopment of ECA’s Lauriston campus over the next 3 years, from April 2024 to April 2027.

The project aims to maximise the use of existing space, improve accessibility, and create a vibrant campus that fosters collaboration and innovation.

The project involves refurbishing and repurposing various spaces across the Lauriston campus, including technical facilities, student and teaching spaces, and the relocation of the Reid School of Music from Alison House to the Lauriston campus. New social spaces, seminar rooms, and studios are being created to accommodate our growing community.

You can find more about the project at the below link:

Building work starts at ECA’s Lauriston campus | Edinburgh College of Art

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

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

Because of the design element in this degree we look for evidence of engagement with sustainable issues and design.

Your portfolio should be one, single PDF file of no more than 10 pages. We ask you to put together a collection of visual support material of work you have done at University, professionally, or following your own interests. It can include drawings, photographs, journals and notebooks. You should demonstrate evidence of engagement with sustainable issues and design. We accept filesharing links.

If you do not meet the academic entry requirements, we may still consider your application on the basis of your portfolio and/or relevant professional experience.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 65 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 6 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

Application fee

None.

Deposit

None.

Additional Costs

You will incur additional costs in relation to printing and presentation of your work. You should also ensure you have a laptop computer suitable for running graphics and cad packages.

Our building simulation courses require the use of specialist software. Students are recommended to purchase their own discounted educational licenses that are currently £100-150. These additional programme costs will be listed in your letter of admission.

Living costs

You will be responsible for covering living costs for the duration of your studies.

Tuition Fees

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

• borrowing money
  • taking out a loan
  • family support
• personal savings
• income from work
• employer sponsorship
• scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

Featured funding

• Edinburgh College of Art scholarships

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

• your programme
• the duration of your studies
• your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

• UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding