Discover how to measure and apply sustainability in civil engineering, and learn to consider environmental impacts in design, reporting, procurement and decisions
The Sustainable Engineering course introduces the principles and practical implications of sustainability in civil engineering. The course provides a strong foundation in sustainable development, resilience, and the role engineers play in reducing environmental impacts. This helps you to understand what sustainability means in an engineering context, how it can be measured, and how it influences design, reporting requirements, procurement and decision making.
In particular, the method of Life Cycle Assessment is increasingly implemented in current and upcoming legislation, such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), or the Construction Products Regulation (CPR). This course introduces the underlying method of LCA and the European Commission’s Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) and illustrates it in practical examples from industry and policy. Participants will also learn how to conduct LCAs using state-of-the art software and databases.
The course also includes a series of guest lectures held by experts from industry, policy and academia to illustrate how LCA and sustainability are implemented and form a basis of daily engineering practice.
Sustainability is increasingly influencing how infrastructure, products and engineering projects are designed, evaluated and reported on. Professionals need to understand how sustainability can be measured and managed. As expectations from legislation, clients, investors and society grow, methods such as the Carbon Footprint and Life Cycle Assessment are becoming essential tools for engineers.
This is a regular master’s course in which both students and professionals can participate. During the course, participants are introduced to the main concepts of sustainability and resilience, relevant policy and reporting frameworks, and tools to measure sustainability. Particular attention is given to Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and the European Commission’s Product Environmental Footprint (PEF).
Details and assessment:
This course is intended for professionals who want to understand how sustainability affects engineering practice. It is suitable for beginners in the field and particularly relevant for civil engineers, sustainability advisors, environmental consultants, project engineers and managers, designers, policy professionals and technical managers.
A professional or academic background in engineering or a related field is recommended. No prior experience with LCA is required, making the course accessible to participants who want to build a solid foundation in sustainability and environmental performance assessment.
If you successfully complete the course, you will receive a microcredential. This microcredential is a digital record confirming that you have passed the assessment components of the regular master’s course and achieved the corresponding learning outcomes.
You may also participate without completing the assessments. If you choose this option, or do not pass all assessment components, you will receive a digital certificate of participation.
Start date: September (Q1)
Total duration: September until November (excluding resits) (140 hour studyload)
Number of teaching days / sessions: Lectures + tutorials + seminars + assignment + presentation
Total programme fee: €2067,15 (€413,43 × 5 ECTS)
Programme type: mastercourse
Location: University of Twente, Enschede, NL (online participation possible in consultation with the teacher)
Language of instruction: English
Admission requirements: This course is suitable for beginners in the field. A professional or academic background in engineering or a related field is recommended.
Teachers: