Built environment is ubiquitous in our daily lives. Built environment as a subject is a combination of the disciplines of architecture, construction and project management, environmental design and planning. The umbrella under which these disciplines fall under is primarily concerned with the future of our cities and the architectural, constructional and urban issues involved. Graduate built environment courses address professional, industrial and consultancy activities preparing the student for a prosperous career in the growing international job market. By studying a graduate built environment course, you will explore the relationship between buildings/cities and the individuals, communities and organizations that inhabit them. Some built environment programs at graduate level examine the factors and forces that shape the design, construction and management of the housing stock. Other graduate courses look more closely at changes taking place in society and explore their impact on the historic environment and its sustainability.

Interested?

If you like what you hear so far then read on. If you are thinking of applying for a graduate built environment course then you need to develop your skills in economics and finance as applied to construction. Ideally, you should have some experience of, or be exposed to, methods of managing complex projects and enterprises.

Which Course?

Graduate built environment programs will vary in their specialist areas and course titles. You should think about your career goals and areas of interest so you can choose the right graduate built environment course for you. Below are examples of some courses including their applicable areas in industry and course content.

Some graduate courses focus on the effective planning, design, management, maintenance and adaptation of building stock to serve human and organizational needs more appropriately and efficiently. Issues such as CO2 emissions and pollution from fossil fuels consumed by buildings are important for understanding the impact on occupant health and the environment or design of day lighting and electric lighting as an integrated part of sustainable architecture.

Graduate built environment courses that draw on theories and methodologies from social science and design disciplines aim to develop a capacity for creative problem solving in the planning process. These graduate programs are good for those who are interested in Planning or related professions whether in the UK or internationally.

If you are more interested in upgrading, regenerating, revitalizing and conserving our towns, cities and habitats both in the UK and abroad then a graduate course specializing in building and urban design in developing countries or European property development or urban and economic regeneration might be for you.

New architecture is increasingly characterised by a high level of invention and creativity. A graduate design-based studio course gives you the opportunity to work in innumerable territories of art, science, technology and computing.

You may choose to undertake a higher-level research degree in a subject area such as architectural studies, building and construction management, development planning, environmental design and planning.

Career Destinations

Upon graduation from a built environment course, there are many career options open to you. Some popular career destinations include:

• Architecture
• Low energy design
• Building services engineering consultancy
• Local and national government
• Consultancy firms
• National and international non-governmental organizations
• United nations
• International aid agencies
• Academic career
• Teaching

Whichever path you choose to follow after your graduate built environment course, you will be working in an area which has an important impact on peoples’ lives.

With thanks to:
Author: Kevin Mansfield, The Bartlett School of Graduate Studies, UCL