This course is open for applications
Page last updated 3 December 2024
Introduction
Get valuable experience from world leaders in building services and learn how to create the next generation of smart, sustainable buildings.
Accreditations and partnerships:
Why study building services engineering?
Buildings are becoming ever more complex and there is a high demand for technically inspired graduates who understand new technologies.
Building services professionals are at the forefront of innovation in architectural engineering, sustainability, energy efficiency, intelligent buildings and the latest building information modelling (BIM) software.
Why UWE Bristol?
BEng(Hons) Building Services Engineering will teach you how to analyse and design the mechanical and electrical engineering aspects of buildings.
Learn from industry-experienced tutors and practising professionals who bring up-to-the-minute ideas from their active projects.
Study environmental engineering, air and water systems, lighting, acoustics, electrical services, fire engineering, security engineering, IT systems and integrated smart technologies.
Explore buildings from around Bristol and use them as case studies for energy and usability analysis. Assess buildings that inspire and inform your work on day trips.
Take part in practical activities in our well-equipped teaching laboratories, where you'll work alongside students from different disciplines in an approach reflecting industry.
Grow your network and learn with our professional partner organisations and student societies. Enhance your technical creativity and competency and develop the skills you need to succeed in your future career.
Where can it take me?
The UK is a world leader in building design and engineering and organisations such as Buro Happold, Arup and Atkins have sizable offices in Bristol and London.
You could find graduate opportunities with a multinational or with a smaller private practice.
Careers paths include consultancy, design engineering, specialist installation and maintenance contracting, and facilities or property management.
Structure
Content
The optional modules listed are those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change.
Year one
You will study:
- Mathematics for Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Engineering Principles (Building Engineering)
- Construction Technology and Services
- Law, Economics and Management
- Environmental Physics and Materials.
Year two
You will study:
- Building Services Applications
- Energy Transformations
- Applications of Mathematics in Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Procurement and Contract Practice
- Sustainability and Energy Simulations.
Plus, one optional module from:
- Collaborative Practice
- Industrial Placement.
Final year
You will study:
- Interactive Systems and Comfort Controls
- Energy Management and Performance Evaluation
- Mechanical Services
- Design Project.
Plus, one optional module from:
- Dissertation A
- Low Carbon Building Services.
The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we will inform you.
"There were great opportunities to gain industry contacts and the course leaders were well connected. One of my course leaders arranged a mentor for me from a Building Services firm, which led to me getting my current job as a Building Services Engineer." Tibonge, Building Services Engineering graduate.
Learning and Teaching
Most taught modules involve a programme of lectures with follow-on tutorials or seminars for smaller groups.
You may need to attend demonstrations and undertake practical investigations in the laboratories.
Several modules involve work-based learning in real-world settings like plant rooms and local buildings.
Learn from friendly teaching staff who actively engage in research and professional practice to make sure you know about the latest ideas and business drivers.
Find out about thermal performance and energy management, heating and cooling, lighting and electrical services, water, drainage and public health.
Get support to use computer-aided design (CAD) and modelling software in our IT labs. Receive valuable feedback on your work from students who are further ahead in their studies with the Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) network.
Attend regular presentations from visiting professionals and guest lecturers so you can learn about industry challenges and best practice. Join the CIBSE Young Engineers Network and meet inspiring professionals in the region.
Become a technically creative and competent graduate with the skills to succeed in a highly competitive industry.
See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.
Approximate percentage of time you'll spend in different learning activities*:
| Year | Scheduled learning and teaching study | Independent study | Placement study |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28% | 72% | 0% |
| 2 | 24% | 76% | 0% |
| 3 | 22% | 78% | 0% |
*Calculated from compulsory and optional modules (where applicable) each year
Socialise and volunteer
Attend guest lectures, field trips, live projects and social events with like-minded students in our Architecture Society.
Showcase your work
Showcase your work to family, friends and potential employers in the final year degree show.
Study time
You'll be expected to attend classes one day a week (usually 9am to 5pm) during the 12 weeks of term one (September to December) and the 12 weeks of term two (January to April).
We expect you to do an average of 12 hours a week of self-directed study.
Assessment
You should expect mix of coursework and exams, which assess what you know and can do and help you develop the confidence and skills that employers' value.
Examinations are held in January and May. Coursework is made up of essays, reports, surveys, design projects and teamwork. You can submit coursework online or by post.
We encourage you to do formative work like practice tests to prepare for assessments. This doesn't count towards your marks but the feedback you get will help you improve your performance.
We provide support for students who have difficulties with numeracy, IT, literacy and study skills.
Approximate percentage of marks awarded by each assessment method*:
| Year | Written exam assessment | Coursework assessment | Practical exam assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 50% | 50% | 0% |
| 2 | 46% | 51% | 3% |
| 3 | 13% | 59% | 16% |
*Calculated from compulsory and optional modules (where applicable) each year
Features
Professional accreditation
This course is accredited by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) as a qualifying first degree on the way to Chartered Engineer status.
Study facilities
Learn in a modern, well-equipped school facilities, including award-winning design studios.
Study and collaborate on group assignments in our dedicated Project Room.
Attend model-making workshops and develop computer-aided design (CAD), data analysis and building information modelling (BIM) skills in integrated workshops.
Explore the environmental interaction with different materials in our in our wood, metal and concrete workshops.
Test lighting in environmental physics and acoustics laboratories with experienced technicians who support teaching and research.
Consider airflow and cooling, mechanical systems and water flow in our environmental services laboratory.
This mix of traditional and highly creative learning environments enables you to learn essential knowledge and real-world skills, standing you in good stead for your professional career.
Learn more about UWE Bristol's facilities and resources.
Take a personalised virtual tour of the Construction, Property and Surveying facilities and experience what a typical day could look like here for you.
Life
Accommodation
An excellent range of options for all of the Bristol campuses and the city centre.
Bristol
A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.
Sports, societies and activities
There is more to your experience here than study. Choose to make the most of it and try new things.
Health and Wellbeing
We provide support in the way you need it.
Campus and facilities
Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.
Careers
Careers / Further study
The UK has a global reputation for building engineering design and many graduate employers have international development interests. You could go on to projects that are geographically as well as intellectually diverse.
You could work for a small private practice or a large multinational. Roles include consulting and design engineer, specialist installation and maintenance contractor and facilities or property manager.
You can also study for an MSc or postgraduate diploma. Many of our graduates do a master's degree as a full-time student, or part-time while working for their first employer.
Get inspired
Our award-winning careers service will develop your employment potential through career coaching and find you graduate jobs, placements and global opportunities.
We can also help find local volunteering and community opportunities, provide support for entrepreneurial activity and get you access to employer events.
Visit our employability pages to learn more about careers, employers and what our students are doing six months after graduating.
Fees*
Part time course
Supplementary fee information
*The UK Government recently proposed that tuition fees for Home students will increase by 3.1% to £9,535 from 1st August 2025. This increase is subject to Parliamentary approval and the vote is expected to take place later this year.
Any tuition fee which is impacted by this change will be updated following approval.
Please see GOV.UK for further information.
Additional costs are for items you could need during your studies that aren't covered by the standard tuition fee. These could be materials, textbooks, travel, clothing, software or printing.
The honours degree is 360 credits in total. Part-time students study between 60 (15 credits x 4) and 90 (15 credits x 6) each year and pay for credits taken in that year.
As a part-time UK or EU student you may be entitled to a fees loan from the government.
Find more information on our part-time funding pages.
Entry
Typical offers
- GCSE: Grade C/4 in English and Mathematics, or equivalent.
- English Language Requirement: International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*). *The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Please visit our English language requirements page.
Entry requirements
Additional requirements
For those that have a Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Diploma (HND), a Foundation in Science or a Foundation in FdSc or a Foundation in Engineering, please list the units that you are taking or have taken in your application.
International applicants
For country specific entry requirements please find your country on the Country Information pages.
If you are applying to study at UWE Bristol and require additional support to meet our English language requirements, you may be able to attend one of our pre-sessional English courses. Read more about our Pre-Sessional English Programme.
Read more about entry requirements.
How to apply
Read more about undergraduate applications.
Read more about international applications and key international deadline dates.
For further information
- Email:
UK applicants
Admissions@uwe.ac.ukInternational/EU applicants
International@uwe.ac.uk - Telephone:
UK applicants
+44 (0)117 32 83333International/EU applicants
+44 (0)117 32 86644