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Heritage: we have been running courses for the Building Services Engineering industry since 1947.

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Professional accreditation: accredited by CIBSE and the Energy Institute as meeting the academic requirements of Incorporated Engineer status.

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Employability: you'll have the option to undertake a work placement in your third year.

Overview

Complete your degree, open new doors

Not everyone takes the same route into university, and that’s ok. Whether you’ve completed a HND and want to top-up to a full degree, or you’ve completed two years of Building Services Engineering elsewhere and are ready to finish your degree with us, then look no further. This course gives you the opportunity to complete your journey and achieve your goals.

In your top-up year, you’ll study third year modules from our Building Services Engineering BEng (Hons) degree, equipping you with the specialist knowledge and practical skills demanded in building services engineering.

Course Content

Compulsory

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. 

 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% coursework.

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: 60% coursework, 40% exam. 

Plus two modules from either the electrical or mechanical route:

Electrical route

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. 

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

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. 

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. 

* Modules are subject to review and change throughout the year.

Teaching and Assessment

Personal Tutoring

As a Built Environment and Architecture student, you will be allocated a named tutor during your first three weeks at LSBU.  The role of your tutor is to be your primary contact for academic support. Your personal tutor will be the same person throughout your course.

Your tutor will support you to get the most of your time at LSBU, providing advice and signposting to other sources of support in the University.

Your tutor should be the first person at the university that you speak to if you are having any difficulties that are affecting your work. These could be academic, financial, health-related or another type of problem.

You will have meetings with your personal tutor periodically.  One-on-one meetings can be arranged on request.  You can contact your tutor for additional support by email or in person.

Careers

What’s in it for me?

Employability Service

At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:

  • Free employability workshop and events for student all year round, more details can be found on our event section.
  • Online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
  • LSBU Careers Hub offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and support, guidance on future careers, as well as loads of career resources, connecting you with employers, exciting events, 1-1 support and relevant workshops.

Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.

Building service engineers help buildings to deliver on their potential. They work with architects and construction engineers to produce buildings that offer the functionality and comfort we expect, with the minimum impact on our environment. They design the lighting appropriate for the space, the heating, cooling, ventilation and all systems that ensure comfort, health and safety in all types of buildings, residential, commercial and industrial.

Take a look at some potential careers, including building services engineer, on Prospects.

This course will prepare you for a career in the building services engineering industry in areas such as: design and build, contracting, consultancy, energy management, and facilities management.

BEng degrees include additional science and maths; many recruiters look favourably on BEng graduates for this reason. If you combine your BEng (Hons) Building Services Engineering with an accredited Masters, you can achieve Chartered Engineer status.

It became clear to me that industry ties with LSBU are strong. I graduated with a first class Honours degree and promotion to a permanent engineering post at work - so it was certainly worthwhile.

Cara Hobbs, Alumna, BEng Building Services Engineering

We have been running courses for the building services engineering industry since 1947 and in that time we’ve built up a lot of industry contacts. Our close links with industry ensure that our course is up-to-date with their needs – and this means our graduates are in demand.

Put your skills to work

The placement gives you the opportunity to spend a year in the work-place, honing your transferable skills and proving your academic learning in the development of real-world systems. During the year you’ll stay in regular contact with your tutor and your peers – and we’ll make sure that you have the support you need.

LSBU CareerSmart is your ultimate gateway to career success. Our innovative programme is designed to ensure you graduate with more than just a degree, providing the support you need to stand out in a competitive job market. We've got all the tools you need, including:

  • AI Powered Career Sets - Get instant personalised feedback on your CV and cover letter by submitting it via our AI powered career tool.
  • Gamification Interviews - Get ready to pass those interviews with unlimited training access to our gamification interviews and psychometric tests!
  • Personalised Career Development Dashboard - Keep up with your skills progression with free access to practical assessments, LinkedIn learning, mentoring, and industry-standard facilities.

We understand that you’re in the driver’s seat of your career, which is why we’re committed to matching your passion and energy every step of the way.

Find out more

Entry Level Requirements

    Applicants seeking entry to the Level 6 Top-Up programme must meet the following criteria:

  • Students with an HND (BSE) from LSBU will need an ALL pass at Level 5 to be accepted on this course.
  • Possess a Higher National Diploma (HND) in a relevant subject, with at least 60 credits at merit level in Level 5 modules, or
  • Hold an equivalent Higher Education qualification in a related discipline.
  • Additionally, applicants must demonstrate subject knowledge and academic ability equivalent to that of students who have successfully completed Levels 4 and 5 of the full-time BEng (Hons) Building Services Engineering programme. This includes foundational understanding in key areas such as thermofluids, electrical and mechanical building systems, engineering mathematics, and integrated design. At Level 6, all students are required to undertake an individual Design Project, which consolidates learning across the programme. Success in this module depends on the ability to apply prior knowledge in independent project work, technical analysis, and professional reporting.

    Students must also choose one of two specialist pathways, each of which builds on relevant prior study:

  • Electrical Route – focusing on advanced building electrical systems and power distribution
  • Mechanical Route – focusing on heat transfer, thermal energy systems, and environmental control
  • Each of these specialist modules including assumes prior understanding of relevant Level 4 and 5 topics. Applicants should have completed core modules aligned with their selected pathway to ensure readiness for advanced study.

    International Applicants

    We welcome qualifications from around the world. International students must demonstrate English proficiency, typically through:

  • IELTS score of 6.0 or above (with no component below 5.5)
  • Cambridge English: Proficiency or Advanced – Grade C or above
  • Recognised prior learning (RPL)

    Applicants may be able to use their learning or other life experiences to gain academic credit towards their course of study. Applicants need to demonstrate that their learning is equivalent to formal learning on the course and produce satisfactory evidence. If an applicant has gained a qualification from a professional body or another institution this may be credited towards the University qualification via our transfer credit scheme. The course leader will be consulted before approving the access.

Choose your country

  • Afghanistan
  • Albania
  • Algeria
  • Angola
  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bahrain
  • Bangladesh
  • Barbados
  • Belgium
  • Botswana
  • Brazil
  • British Council Women in STEM Scholarships
  • Bulgaria
  • Cambodia
  • Cameroon
  • Canada
  • Chile
  • China
  • Colombia
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Dominican Republic
  • Egypt
  • Estonia
  • Ethiopia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Gambia
  • Georgia
  • Germany
  • Ghana
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Jamaica
  • Japan
  • Jordan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kenya
  • Kuwait
  • Latvia
  • Lebanon
  • Libya
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malaysia
  • Malta
  • Mauritius
  • Mexico
  • Mongolia
  • Morocco
  • Myanmar
  • Nepal
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Nigeria
  • Norway
  • Oman
  • Pakistan
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Qatar
  • Romania
  • Russian Federation
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Senegal
  • Serbia
  • Sierra Leone
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Somalia
  • South Africa
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Sri Lanka
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Thailand
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Tunisia
  • Turkiye
  • Uganda
  • Ukraine
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United States of America
  • Uzbekistan
  • Venezuela
  • Vietnam
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

Need further information?

Call us on 0800 923 8888 to discuss entry requirements.

More contact info

Apply

Course delivery modes and application methods

Mode Duration Start date Application code Application method
Full-time 1 year September K2J8 UCAS

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

Application details will be shared once the programme has been formally approved.

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.

How to apply

International students

International applicants can apply directly to LSBU and should consult our international how to apply guide for further information on the application process and key dates.

Accommodation

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. You’ll also be invited to our Applicant Taster Day so keep your eyes peeled!
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.

Fees

United Kingdom

£9790

Tuition fees for home students

International

£17400

Tuition fees for international students

Tuition fees are subject to annual inflationary increases. Find out more about tuition fees for Undergraduate or Postgraduate courses.

For more information, including how and when to pay, see our fees and funding section for undergraduate students.

Please check your fee status and whether you are considered a Home, EU or International student for fee-paying purposes and for our regulatory returns, by reading the UKCISA regulations.

See our Tuition Fees Regulations (PDF File 630 KB) and Refund Policy (PDF File 775 KB).

Possible fee changes

The University reserves the right to increase its fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions.

The fees for international students are reviewed annually and the University reserves the right to increase the tuition fees to reflect increased costs of delivery and to maintain an a high-quality student experience. This increase would be no more than Consumer Prices Index (CPI) increases plus 5%.

Scholarships

We offer several types of fee reduction through our scholarships and bursaries. Find the full list and other useful information on our scholarships page.

Are you an international student looking to kickstart your global career at LSBU? If so, our new LSBU Future Global Graduate Awards could help you benefit from the high-quality, career focused education that LSBU offers. Find out more about our Global Graduate Awards.

Contact information

International team enquiry

Register your interest