Master of Building Performance and Sustainable Design
Sydney, Australia
Master degree
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
31 Jan 2026*
EARLIEST START DATE
Feb 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 29,300 **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for domestic students | December 1 2025 for international student
** estimate only | subject to annual increase each year
The Master of Building Performance and Sustainable Design is designed for graduates aspiring to a career focusing on sustainability in the built environment and sustainable design consulting fields, and for graduates already working in the sector seeking formal qualifications in sustainable design.
Why study with us?
- Educational excellence - The University of Sydney is one of the world's top 20 universities (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025). We've attracted world-renowned teachers and researchers, so you'll be learning the latest practices from leaders in the field.
- Choice and Flexibility - Our uniquely flexible course structure allows you to complement your core studies with a broad range of electives from across the University.
- Outstanding Facilities - You will have access to our state-of-the-art computer laboratories and digital fabrication equipment, and dedicated studio spaces for students. Our building houses the only indoor environmental quality (IEQ) laboratory in the southern hemisphere, an extensive research lighting laboratory and outstanding audio and acoustics facilities, including an anechoic chamber and recording studio.
- Industry Opportunities - Opportunities for industry internships and international travel will further broaden your thinking as a design professional. You'll have opportunities to attend workshops run by international scholars and display your work in our Tin Sheds Gallery.
International student scholarships
For students from other countries
Whether you are an undergraduate, postgraduate coursework student, or a postgraduate researcher, we have an array of scholarships that could be right for you.
Bachelors and honours
We're dedicated to supporting you throughout your time at university and offer a variety of scholarships for international undergraduate students.
Postgraduate coursework
We're eager to help you take the next step in your career and have a wide range of scholarship options to support your postgraduate study.
Postgraduate research – international
We're committed to fostering the best and brightest researchers, and have a wide range of scholarship options to support international research students.
Faculty scholarships
Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning
Our scholarships support international students in the postgraduate study of architecture, design and planning.
What you'll study
The Master of Building Performance and Sustainable Design is a postgraduate coursework degree in which you will develop breadth and depth of disciplinary skills and knowledge to address the pressing environmental challenges faced by, and attributed to, the built environment sector.
You will complete core foundational and advanced units with a mix of theory-based and practice-based units of study to equip you with the relevant knowledge and skills for your future career as an environmentally sustainable design consultant or in a variety of other sustainability and building science-focused roles within the built environment sector. You will also complete an interdisciplinary design or research capstone unit in which you will apply your learning with creativity and innovation.
Featuring leading practitioners and academics, the degree’s emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, cultural competence and digital skills will prepare you to thrive in diverse and dynamic workplaces across the built environment sector.
Sample Study Plan
Year 1
Semester 1
- Sustainable Design: Principles and Frameworks
- Sustainable Building Technology Fundamentals
- Designing with Culture
- Elective Unit
Semester 2
- Indoor Environments
- Data Science for the Built Environment
- Building Performance
- Elective unit
Year 2
Semester 1
- Social Sustainability and Co-design
- Elective unit
- Building Lifecycles
- Elective unit
Semester 2
- Building Systems
- Integrated Design Capstone*
- Elective unit
* Research Dissertation can be taken instead of Integrated Design Capstone for students wishing to pursue a research pathway
Career Paths
You will graduate prepared for a range of career pathways, including:
- Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) Consultant
- Sustainable Design Advisor in Architectural Practice
- Property Development
- Construction Management
- Urban Design
- Urban Planning