BEng (Hons) BUILDING SERVICES ENGINEERING

Overview

Mode	Duration	Start date	Application code	Application method
ModePart-time	Duration4.5 years	Start dateSeptember	Application code2090	Application method Direct to LSBU
ModeFull-time	Duration3 years	Start dateSeptember	Application codeK2J9	Application method UCAS
ModeSandwich	Duration4 years	Start dateSeptember	Application codeK2J9	Application method UCAS
ModePart-time (Year 2 entry)	Duration3.5 years	Start dateSeptember	Application code5304	Application method Direct to LSBU

International students

The course is not currently open to international students.

International (non Home) applicants should follow our international how to apply guide.

Home/EU applicants

Mode	Duration	Start date	Application code	Application method
Mode Part-time	Duration 4.5 years	Start date September	Application code 2090	Application method Direct to LSBU
Mode Full-time	Duration 3 years	Start date September	Application code K2J9	Application method UCAS
Mode Sandwich	Duration 4 years	Start date September	Application code K2J9	Application method UCAS
Mode Part-time (Year 2 entry)	Duration 3.5 years	Start date September	Application code 5304	Application method Direct to LSBU

Accommodation

Once we have made you an offer, you can apply for accommodation. You can rent from LSBU and you’ll deal directly with the university, not third party providers. That means we can guarantee you options to suit all budgets, with clear tenancy agreements and all-inclusive rents that include insurance for your personal belongings, internet access in each bedroom and on-site laundry facilities.

Or, if you’d rather rent privately, we can give you a list of landlords – just ask our Accommodation Service.

Read more about applying for accommodation at LSBU.

Finance

You don't need to wait for a confirmed place on a course to start applying for student finance. Read how to pay your fees as an undergraduate student.

Prepare to start

Applicant events

After you’ve received your offer we’ll send you emails about events we run to help you prepare for your course.

Enrolment

Before you start your course we’ll send you information on what you’ll need to do before you arrive and during your first few days on campus. You can read about the process on our Enrolment pages.

First we’ll teach you the fundamental scientific principles that support the mechanical and electrical building services. Then we’ll go more in-depth exploring how to operate and control heating, ventilation and air conditioning. In the final year we focus on sustainability: the dynamic thermal performance of buildings, energy resources, combined heat and power, wind power generation and lighting, electrical systems and distribution.

We set lots of design projects to simulate a working environment and you can expect to use computer modelling techniques to optimise and refine your design proposals.

For full-time students your third year placement gives you the chance to further hone your skills by developing real-world systems in professional environments.

Methods of assessment for course overall: 43% coursework

Year 1

• Engineering mathematics
  This Module will introduce you to the main mathematical techniques which are required in the early stages of engineering degrees. The topics include Revisions of Algebraic operations and functions, complex numbers, trigonometry, calculus, curve sketching, and matrix and vector algebra.
• Building services engineering principles
  You will be taught the underpinning skills and engineering principles relevant to mechanical and electrical building services engineering and be able to apply this contextually. Assessment method: 100% exam.
• Construction practice
  This module aims to provide you with the knowledge of the interrelationships between industry, professional bodies and education, and an understanding of key professional and research requirements. It will provide you with a roadmap for your professional career, and will enable you to prepare for employment in the construction discipline. Assessment method: 100% coursework.
• Introduction to building services
  The module will introduce you to the underpinning concepts, purpose and types of building services. Assessment method: 100% coursework.
• Internal environment and comfort
  This module is divided into three main parts: the first part will deal with the theory and practical application of acoustics; the second part will analyse the theory and practice of light and lightning theory; and the third part will deal with thermal environment and comfort. Assessment methods: 30% coursework, 70% exam.
• Heating and ventilation systems
  The module introduces heating and ventilation systems. On heating systems the focus is on LPHW systems covering the operating pressure and temperatures, boilers, system efficiency, heat emitters, and pipe sizing, heating and district eating. On ventilation systems, the ventilation requirements are considered and subsequently the various types of systems ( including natural ventilation) and the component parts of ventilation systems are described and their performance is analysed. 

Year 2

• Advanced engineering mathematics
  This module aims to provide you with the knowledge of the interrelationships between industry, professional bodies and education, and an understanding of key professional and research requirements. It will provide you with a roadmap for your professional career, and will enable you to prepare for employment in the construction discipline. Assessment method: 100% coursework.
• Thermofluids engineering
  This module provides you with a study of heat transfer, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics exploring more theory to allow analysis of processes and extension into computer modelling. It also specifically covers the application of thermofluids to mechanical services used in buildings. It expands and extends the understanding gained in Engineering Principles and will enable you to design, explore and investigate. The fundamentals will be introduced by lectures and demonstrations to provide a basic knowledge of the principles of applied thermodynamics, which will then be extended to the study of systems and design. Assessment method: 100% coursework.
• Refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump engineering
  This module covers specific mechanical services used in buildings. It expands and extends the understanding you will have gained in heating and ventilation systems and will enable you to design, explore and investigate refrigeration technology and air conditioning systems and heat pumps. The fundamentals are introduced by lectures and demonstrations to provide a basic knowledge of the principles of applied thermodynamics, which is then extended to the study of systems and design. A major emphasis will be placed on developing a practical ability and on understanding the environmental implications in the use of systems through carefully structured laboratory experiments. Assessment methods: 30% coursework, 70% exam.
• Integrated building design
  Working in small groups, you'll develop a fully integrated concept design for a building, starting from the briefing and masterplanning stage. Selected elements of the concept design will be developed to a detailed design stage. The work will be carried out within the framework of Level 2 BIM with appropriate information exchanges. Assessment method: 100% coursework.
• Project and business management
  This module gives an overview of engineering management and covers topics such as financial principles, management of innovation, technology strategy, and project management. The focus of the module is on the development of individual skills and team work. Assessment method: 100% coursework.
• Electrical services in buildings
  This module is divided into two major parts: the first part will deal with intermediate circuit theory and analysis, while the second part will study electrical installation and services in buildings. Assessment methods: 30% coursework, 70% exam.

Year 3

• Optional placement year

Year 4

• Energy management and controls
  This module examines the controls and processes that are necessary for efficient and effective operation of buildings and their engineering services. It provides an understanding of control elements and building energy management systems, and the way that information from these systems can be used to manage energy. The module also presents tools for financial analysis and reporting. Assessment methods: 30% coursework, 70% exam.
• Passive building design
  On completing this module, you'll be able to analyse a building and its world-wide location, and propose novel and effective passive methods to reduce energy consumption and improve occupant comfort. You'll understand the requirements of the wider design team and adapt and communicate your proposals appropriately. Assessment method: 100% exam.
• Major project
  This module is a culmination of the course, where the knowledge and skills gained are applied to a specific investigation, either design or research-based. You should be able to analyse the technical performance, environmental impact and economic feasibility of the project. The results should be in a form comparable to industrial standards, based on current guidelines or regulations. Assessment method: 100% coursework.

Plus two modules from either the electrical or mechanical route:

Electrical route

• Electrical power systems and distribution
  This module focuses on 11kV high voltage electrical power system and Low-Voltage Distribution and equipment, focussing on their application on electrical building services. Assessment methods: 30% coursework, 70% exam.
• Lighting and electrical systems
  The module is designed to equip you with up-to-date knowledge and skills to enable you to work in the design, installation, operation and maintenance of lighting and electrical systems in building services industries. Lighting will be covered as far as required to undertake design calculations and appreciate what is assumed in the use of proprietary design software packages. Assessment methods: 30% coursework, 70% exam.

Mechanical route

• Heat and mass transfer applications
  This module provides an advanced study of heat and mass transfer, the design of heat transfer equipment, the application of heat transfer within a building envelope and the development of the CIBSE Admittance Method used for the assessment of cooling and heating loads. It also deals with the calculation of cooling loads using commercial software, and the strategies for the reduction of energy used for cooling including thermal mass, natural ventilation, night time cooling, evaporative cooling. Assessment methods: 50% coursework, 50% exam.
• Thermal energy systems
  In relation to sustainable engineering, you'll develop a deep understanding of the principles that govern building services thermal energy systems and renewable and Low or Zero Carbon technologies. Assessment methods: 50% coursework, 50% exam.