The Architecture and Environmental Design MSc course has received conditional professional accreditation from both the Energy Institute (EI) and the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE).
Students on the Architecture and Environmental Design MSc learn environmental design methods which relate to the various stages of architectural design for a healthier and less energy and carbon intensive built environment. The course equips students with the skills that can be used both in architectural practice and environmental design consultancy.
Westminster sought to obtain professional recognition for the course due to the highly technical skills that students acquire whilst studying. Many of the course’s alumni go on to work for engineering companies as consultants and so professional accreditation for the course was sought from both the Energy Institute and the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE). The dual professional accreditation will also serve to enhance students’ employability.
The EI commended the course for its enthusiastic students who appreciated the holistic and integrated nature of the programme, its inspirational course leader and highly engaged teaching staff, and the strong informal alumni network. The CIBSE commended the course team for being very approachable and for their input which is valued by students, the promotion of problem solving by staff and their encouragement for students to find the solutions themselves, and students’ enjoyment and positive feedback for the course.
Both CIBSE and EI have requested that some conditions to be met until the next validation visit and this is already under way.
Speaking about the accreditation, Dr Rosa Schiano-Phan, Reader in Architecture and Environmental Design and Course Leader for the Architecture and Environmental Design MSc course, said: “Obtaining the dual accreditation from the EI and CIBSE was not easy, but it was a great opportunity to reassess the course after eight years of existence. I am incredibly proud of the enthusiasm and dedication of staff, students and alumni, which was amply recognised and commended by the accreditation panel.
“It is meaningful to get these accreditations considering that this is an architectural course with engineering content, which is trying to push the boundaries between disciplines to be better equipped in the fight against climate change.”
Find out more about Architecture, Interiors and Urban Design courses at the University of Westminster.
