Building Services Engineering BEng (Hons) part-time

Undergraduate

Tall building displaying vertical cultures

Low carbon design principles, water supply, electrical and mechanical systems lie at the core of building services engineering: this course aims to develop and enhance your skills and knowledge, preparing you for an evolving career path.

Year of entry

2025-26

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Part-time

Duration

5 years part-time

Course code

EECU110

Start date

September 2025
January 2026

How to apply

Book an Open Day

Download a prospectus

Course overview

The delivery of the course cuts across the core areas of building services such as electrical and mechanical services, water supply systems, heating and ventilation systems, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics and refrigeration systems, thermal modelling and building performance evaluation, design and operation of low carbon buildings, building management systems and the intelligent built environment.

The course is designed to ensure that the key educational and industry experience necessary to put you on a path to chartership is achieved, upon successful completion of the course.
The depth and breadth of knowledge and skills developed on this course should enable you to be adaptable within the construction industry and as a result, broaden your career horizons.
The comprehensive knowledge of the different aspects of building services learned on the course should enable you, upon successful graduation, to work within a multi-disciplinary setting and put you in a strong position to be a future manager within building services and construction in general.
You may also choose to study Building Services Engineering as part of Coventry University’s apprenticeship programme. For more details, please contact the apprenticeship team.

Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

This course has been designed in accordance with the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) benchmark statements for engineering.
Academics teaching on the course and the school have a strong portfolio of relevant academic research in the areas such as renewable and low-energy technologies, design of building services systems, building performance modelling and evaluation, building information modelling and low-energy buildings. This supports the academic principle of research informed teaching on the course (staff are subject to change).
Some of our teaching staff are Chartered Engineers; this brings the course delivery in line with the requirements of the professional bodies relevant to your studies (staff are subject to change).
Many staff who teach on the course are active in scholarships or research and have a range of professional experience in building services engineering and sustainable design practice, architectural practice and civil engineering (staff may be subject to change).
The School of Energy, Construction and Environment aims to maintain excellent links with local employers through our Building Advisory Board. These local employers provide input to course management, delivery and development.

4th

for Graduate Prospects in Building

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024

Accreditation and professional recognition

This course is accredited¹ and recognised by the following bodies:

This course is currently accredited by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) for the 2024/25 intake.

The Building Services Engineering BEng (Hons) part-time course is accredited by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) for the 2024/2025 intake as meeting the academic requirements for IEng and, in part, the academic requirement for CEng.

Following appropriate experience and training, graduates can register as Chartered engineers (CEng). Chartered engineers are characterised by their ability to develop appropriate solutions to engineering and built environment problems, using new or existing technologies, through innovation, creativity and change. For more information please visit the CIBSE website.

What you'll study

In your first year, you will learn the fundamentals of building science and services as well as digital skills such as computer aided design (CAD) and Revit software. These aim to provide a foundation for your learning in subsequent years.

Modules

Building Practice – Building Services Engineering - 20 credits

Design Skills for Building Services Engineering - 10 credits

Introduction to Building Science and Services - 20 credits

Professional Development 1 - 20 credits

In your second year, you will continue to develop more in-depth knowledge of the fundamentals of building services and systems, and thereafter apply these principles in a building project.

Modules

Construction Technology - 10 credits

Electrical Principles for Building Services Engineering - 10 credits

Building Projects 1 - 30 credits

This module focuses on integrating your understanding and appreciation of building services engineering principles in a building project. It includes the concept design of mechanical, electrical and public health (MEP) systems and will need to be presented in an appropriate format for the intended audience.

Compulsory

In the third year of your studies, you will build on the foundational topics covered in the first and second years, broadening your knowledge by covering more aspects of the topic and taking your knowledge to an advanced level. You'll focus more on electrical and mechanical building services and systems, whilst developing solutions to engineering problems.

Modules

Mathematics for Building Services Engineering - 10 credits

Electrical Services and Lighting Design - 20 credits

This module involves the evaluation and design of electrical supplies in buildings which includes the key items of plant that require electrical services. It includes power and lighting load design and plant specifications with particular focus on energy efficient and sustainable, electrical and lighting systems.

Compulsory

Fluid Dynamics for Building Services Engineering - 10 credits

Building Project 2 - 30 credits

Professional Development 2 - 20 credits

This is the second of three professional development modules; each of these seeks to complement the other in the development of the knowledge, skills and behaviour required to become a professional of the construction industry. This module puts emphasis on the sustainability of the construction industry.

Compulsory

In year four, you will further build on the knowledge gained in the previous years to develop solutions to engineering problems, with particular focus on the HVAC systems and the principles of thermodynamics and refrigeration.

Modules

Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer Analysis - 20 credits

Refrigeration Engineering and Low-Energy Cooling - 10 credits

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems - 20 credits

Professional development 3 - 20 credits

In the fifth and final year of your studies, you will apply the knowledge you should've gained in the previous study years in the design of buildings, with a particular focus on building systems simulations and low-carbon building design.

Modules

Building Management Systems and Intelligent Built Environment - 10 credits

This module deals with the innovative trends in building services and the built environment, and how these trends impact on the building services engineering profession. It includes building management systems, intelligent built environment and smart buildings approaches, strategies and technologies.

Compulsory

Building Systems Simulation and Evaluation - 20 credits

This module uses computer modelling and simulation to analyse building and renewable energy system performance. The module will provide a platform for critical evaluation of the reasons for a performance gap, and the role of effective building simulation and modelling to reduce this gap.

Compulsory

Principles and Practice of Low-carbon Building - 20 credits

The module develops depth of understanding of design and operation of low carbon buildings with emphasis on improving whole life performance. It involves an understanding of environmental ethics, embodied energy, bioclimatic design, energy and alternative energy sources as well as their application, evaluation and management.

Compulsory

Research Dissertation - 30 credits

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

This course is only available on a part-time basis. This delivered over a five-year period largely by day release, with some block delivery.

You will have access to the latest versions of CAD and Revit software, including building performance analysis software such as Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES) Virtual Environment Software (VES)⁴.

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 20 credit module requires a total of 200 hours study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching contact hours

Teaching hours:

Teaching hours vary each semester, year of study and due to module selection. During your first year you can expect 15-18 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and independent study:

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learned and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning:

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods may include:

tests
essays
group work
presentations
reports
practical or project work
coursework
individual assignments.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

First Year entry
A Level	Grades BBC to include Mathematics. Excludes General Studies
BTEC	Grades DMM to include Mathematics
IB Diploma	28 points to include Mathematics at Higher Level
GSCE Requirements	5 GSCEs at grade A*– C including English Language and Mathematics, or specified equivalents

Third year entry
Students who have completed the level 4 Building Services Engineering Technician Apprenticeship Standard.
Students who have been awarded an appropriate HND or HNC in a Building engineering discipline and pass all modules with a module mark of at least 60%.

Other qualifications and experience

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.

Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK	Not available	2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - £6,167 per year

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the university may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

We currently have a range of laboratory equipment and experimental test kits including those for building sciences, environmental sciences, mechanical services and electrical services experiments.

We currently have the following facilities to support the delivery of the course⁴:

Thermal conductivity test rig
Ventilation systems test rig
Refrigeration systems test rig
Infrared thermographic cameras
In-situ U-value testing kit
Indoor environmental quality testing kit
Artificial sky for daylight analysis
Environmental Chamber – for real life scale testing of materials
Cooling Tower
Electrical Principles and Installations test kits
Three Phase Systems experimental test equipment

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Careers and opportunities

Upon successful completion of this course, your knowledge and skills could be in demand by national and international consultants and contractors engaged in the design, construction and development of modern, energy-efficient and sustainable buildings.

We aim for you to acquire the relevant skills and expertise to work in areas such as design consultancies, major building contractors, building services contractors, manufacturers of equipment, local authorities, government departments, hospitals, factories or power stations.

You may be involved in the future design, installation or maintenance of systems where you could make a significant difference to the environment, by ensuring that modern buildings are designed, constructed and operated in energy-efficient, low carbon and environmentally friendly ways.

Upon successful completion, you will have knowledge of:

building services engineering design, installation and performance
building services engineering in the context of realising functioning, occupied, buildings
mathematical methods including those needed for modelling engineering problems and systems
the relevant principles of applied science and engineering in the main areas of building services equipment and systems
the principles of building services engineering design and material performance, and their application to complex problems requiring multi-disciplinary solutions including maintenance and disposal
sustainability, economic, social and environmental impact of design decisions and operation of building services systems
management practice and health and safety considerations in the context of building services engineering projects.

Upon successful completion, you should be able to:

apply problem-solving skills in building services engineering applications, including conducting relevant tests and investigations
develop novel design solutions, in response to building services engineering and the environmental/sustainability challenges
formulate a range of solutions to satisfy user wants and needs with regards to codes of ethics and codes of practice, intellectual property and contracts.

Where our graduates work

Successful graduates have gone on to work for WSP, Arup, Couch Perry Wilkes, Hoare Lea, Hydrock, Ramboll, Ridge, BakerHicks and Rider Levett Bucknall.

Further studies

You can choose to continue your studies at Coventry University with the Construction Management with BIM MSc. You may be entitled to an alumni discount on your fees if you decide to extend your time with us by progressing from undergraduate to postgraduate study.

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UK students

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2024/2025 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2025/2026 contract will apply for the 2025/2026 intake. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.