Sustainable and Energy Efficient Buildings

Currently, Europe and the entire world are moving towards sustainability. However, we spend about 90% of our lives in buildings. Engineers must adhere to building sustainability standards (such as BREEAM, LEED, and LEVELs) and ensure that buildings are comfortable, energy-efficient, meet the highest energy class, and have the least possible negative environmental impact. This program will teach you how to ensure this.

In the updated study program for 2023, a great emphasis is placed on the strategic goal of reducing the impact on the environment in the EU. Two modules are devoted to deepening knowledge in energy efficiency, which will cover passive solutions such as cost modeling, appropriate design, waste and secondary material recycling technologies, and active solutions such as energy generation, smart HVAC systems, and data science.

This study program focuses on the following stages of the building life cycle: conceptual design, design and analysis, modeling and forecasting of building energy consumption and microclimate, integration of renewable energy sources, and efficient building management and maintenance – smart building engineering systems, life cycle costs, building renovation, and modernization.

The first year of this program focuses on building sustainability – introducing the latest building sustainability assessment standards and trends, developing the ability to design building microclimate systems and understand their impact on people, and deepening the understanding of the impact of buildings on the environment. Master’s students apply the knowledge gained by conducting research projects.

In the second part of the program, you will delve into smart building management systems, building operations, and renovation. You can also deepen your knowledge in data analytics, regenerative design, or circular economy.

*Studies are usually conducted in the evenings, but some academic activities occur during the daytime.

Description of Study Programme Apply
Location Kaunas
Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture
Cycle Second cycle
Field Civil Engineering
Language Lithuanian, English
Form Full-time studies - 1,5 y. (evening-time; blended learning)
Degree awarded Master of Engineering Sciences
Yearly Price  i Full-time studies - 5266 €
 

Introduction to study program

 

Entry requirements

Minimum requirements

University bachelor degree certificate

Civil Engineering, Energy Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Engineering or Architecture study field degree.

Language CGPA
Eligibility

IELTS ≥6.0, TOEFL ≥85, CEFR ≥C1, or previously completed studies in english language.

Average grade (CGPA) > 60 %

Additional requirements

Often you can get a suitable transcript of bachelor degree from your school. If this is not the case, you will need official translations along with verified copies of the original.

The entry qualification documents are accepted in the following languages: English / Russian.

The documents must be legalised (Apostille) by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country where the documents were issued. This requirement does not apply for the documents issued in the EU and Belarus, Ukraine.

 

Score structure

Component Coefficient
First component of the competition score

Average as(CGPA) of University‘s Bachelor’s degree (min. length – 180 ECTS) and its supplement

0,9

Second component of the competition score

Motivation letter and online interview

0,1

Additional component for the competition score:

Additional points can be added to the competition score for the following activities:

  • science activities (scientific publications, presentations at scientific conferences, participation in exhibitions, work in student science society or science group etc.) or art activities (publication or realization of artwork, participation in art exhibitions, contests of architecture) (up to 2 points);
  • at least 1 year work experience in the field of study programme (0,5 points);
  • partial studies in the higher education institution abroad with ≥24 ECTS completed (0,5 points);
  • graduated from academic talent development program in higher education institution (for example “GIFTed talent academy”) (0,5 points);
  • bachelor’s or master’s (if integrated study programme is completed) degree diploma with honors (0,5 points).

Points from the same criteria are only added once. Points from different criteria are added up. The maximum score from additional points criteria can be no higher than 4.

 

Tuition fee

The indicated tuition fee is applied to 2024-2025 academic year.

Full-time studies 5266 €
Price per credit 87,77 €
 
Foreign nationals with Lithuanian origins and EU citizens
Full-time studies 5266 €
Price per credit 87,77 €
Partial tuition fee waiver can be applied for the study price.

 

Financial support

Contacts

International Studies Office
Student Info Center
Studentų St. 50, LT-51368 Kaunas
email international@ktu.lt 

 

Head of Study Programme

Assoc. Eglė Klumbytė
Studentų St. 48, Kaunas
email egle.klumbyte@ktu.lt

 

 

 

 

 

Module of the study programme by semesters

Skills

Engineering systems – heating, ventilation, air conditioning, water pipeline, and effluent discharge
Comfort – sustainable construction and architecture, micro-climate in buildings, working conditions, pollution reduction, water quality
Computer design – Building Information Modelling (BIM), application of CFD calculation methods
Expert assessment of energy-efficient buildings Building inside environmental comfort Analysis, design and test of low energy efficient building engineering systems Technical diagnostics of structure engineering systems

 

 

Values

Scientist skills

During the studies, it is ensured that the graduates will acquire strong methodological and scientific research competences not only in the study process, but also by participating in scientific conferences and preparing scientific publications.

The newest IT solutions

The program applies building information modeling and strengthens analytical and modeling competencies by deepening skills in using software (CFD, IDA-ICE, OneClickLCA, Civil3D, WaterGEMS, Sensoneo, Therm, NRGPro, Ansys, Polysun, etc.).

Soft skills

Students are trained in teamwork, working in groups, interculturality, internationality, negotiation skills.

Demand for specialists in the market

The need for people who are knowledgeable, skilled, and capable of designing and implementing advanced and sustainable buildings and their engineering systems is increasing rapidly today. Therefore, upon completing this study program, you will undoubtedly attract the attention of employers.

 

Career

What will you gain?

Student’s competences:
– Knowledge and assessment of information about sustainable development trends in buildings, environmental impact on energy efficiency and durability, energy generation, use, accumulation and saving methods, thermal comfort;
– Knowledge of construction engineering scientific research and project management methods, theoretical basics of experimental planning, performance and processing of results;
– Knowledge and management of advanced software (CAD and BIM) and numerical computer methods (LCA, CFD) for analysis and design of buildings’’ engineering systems.

 

Student’s skills:
– Able to create spatial mathematical models of buildings and engineering systems for analysis of energy efficiency processes, lifecycle, thermal comfort and air quality;
– Able to prepare and propose scientifically justified, targeted and competitive project solutions for engineering systems in buildings and their management taking into consideration construction environment, restricting conditions, aesthetical and architectural aspects, economic factor and planned operational conditions;
– Able to plan and perform analytical, modelling and experimental research related to the energy efficiency research of buildings and engineering systems, to process, assess and interpret the obtained results;
– Able to design microclimate maintenance systems (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), smoke ventilation and other engineering systems for buildings, apply traditional, new and original solutions, integrate technical innovations and documented scientific achievements.

 

 

You may become

Analyzing building projects, certifying their energy performance, preparing the necessary documentation and communicating with customers and designers of other parts of the building is the main role of these experts.

Sustainability principles are ever-expanding, and these experts can properly implement them in buildings and advise on the necessary changes.

Researchers in this specialization plan and conduct research, evaluate their results, publish them, and ultimately present them at scientific conferences.

 

 

 

Lecturers. Experts in their field

Andrius Jurelionis

Andrius Jurelionis

Building energy and microclimate, digitization of construction processes
Lina Šeduikytė

Lina Šeduikytė

Quality of indoor microclimate, sustainable solutions
Jurgita Černeckienė

Jurgita Černeckienė

Heating systems, energy efficiency of buildings

 

 

Testimonials

Konstantinas Marcinkus

Konstantinas Marcinkus

Director at UAB “Terma”

 

The demand for young, energetic specialists able to change and improve on a regular basis has been currently increasing given the rapidly rising advancement of technology. I tend to notice that these young specialists, having graduated from their Master’s studies, are more courageous in taking up more difficult tasks and more confident. I believe that knowledge gained during the Master’s studies not only broadened their knowledge, but also taught them to search, analyse, and find original engineering solutions which are in line with the latest trends.

Marius Bridikis

Marius Bridikis

‘’Arcadis LLP’’ (United Kingdom) Associate Technical Director

 

Master studies at Kaunas University of Technology opened a number of fantastic opportunities as well as aided successful achievement of career related goals.

Also, I’m delighted that Kaunas University of Technology is recognized by the most well known and influential Engineering organisations, including ICE (Institution of Civil Engineers), CIBSE (Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) and other.
Developing and demonstrating all of the required competencies in relation to CIBSE senior membership, becoming IMechE (Institution of Mechanical Engineers) registered mentor as well as obtaining Chartered Engineer Status were smooth and straight forward.

And this is a perfect reflection of ‘’Sustainable and Energy Efficient Buildings’’ Master Programme’s value. I’m thrilled to say that absolutely all of technical and soft skill competencies which were gained as part of ‘’Sustainable and Energy Efficient’’ Master studies are extremely useful when working in Leading Multidisciplinary Engineering Organisation and competing in ever evolving International Engineering Consulting Industry.

 

 

 

Contacts

International Studies Office
Student Info Center
Studentų St. 50, LT-51368 Kaunas
email international@ktu.lt 

 

Head of Study Programme

Assoc. Eglė Klumbytė
Studentų St. 48, Kaunas
email egle.klumbyte@ktu.lt