Energy Efficiency Design – E2D (M.Eng.)
Your Path to Sustainable Buildings and Neighborhoods of the Future
The Energy Efficiency Design (E2D) master's programme combines architecture, construction, building services engineering, and environmental planning in an interdisciplinary course of study. At its core is the challenge of designing, constructing, operating, and transforming buildings and neighbourhoods in a climate-conscious and resource-efficient way. You will learn to approach sustainability holistically, from the initial design concept through to the entire lifecycle of the built environment.
Through project-based learning, advanced academic study, and the use of digital tools, you will develop solutions to the challenges of sustainable and resource-efficient construction. The programme prepares you for specialist and leadership roles in a field that is actively shaping the transformation of our built environment.
Curriculum
In the E2D master's programme, you deepen your expertise in sustainable, energy-efficient, and resource-conscious buildings and neighbourhoods.
Key areas of study include:
- Energy-Efficient Buildings and Neighbourhoods
- Sustainable Building and Neighbourhood Development
- Climate-Conscious and Resource-Efficient Construction
- Building Physics
- Building Services Engineering and Occupant Comfort
- Architectural Design and Building Construction
- Simulation and Digital Tools
- Economics and Management
- Academic Research Methods
Practice-oriented projects, field trips, and interdisciplinary design studios enable you to explore complex challenges from different perspectives and develop innovative solutions.
You can also gain additional qualifications in specialised areas during your studies:
- DGNB Registered Professional
- Energy Efficiency Expert
- Certified Passive House Designer
Further information can be found in the corresponding document available in the Downloads section.
Downloads – available in German only
Study Plans
You can tailor your study plan to your individual needs and complete the program in three, four, or five semesters. To help you design your personal study plan, please refer to the interactive module overview (download below). Please note that some modules are offered only in the winter semester or only in the summer semester.
Below, you will find two sample study plans: one for students starting in the winter semester and one for those starting in the summer semester. Both illustrate a possible four-semester study path.
| 1st Semester | 2nd semester | 3rd semester | 4th semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analyse und Theorie (Analysis and Theory) | Bauphysik und Simulation (Building Physics and Simulation) | Umfeldplanung (Environmental Planning) | Ökonomie (Economics) |
| CAX | Nachhaltigkeit und Zertifizierung (Sustainability and Certification) | Methodik des energieeffizienten Entwerfens (Methodology of Energy-Efficient Design) | Masterarbeit (Master's Thesis) |
| Gebäudeenergiesysteme (Building Energy Systems) | Raumklima (Indoor Climate) | Masterseminar (Master's Seminar) | |
| Wissenschaftl. Projekt (Research Project) | Konstruktionsmethodik (Design Methodology) | Fachspezifisches Wahlpflichtfach (Subject-Specific Elective) | |
| Fachspezifisches Wahlpflichtfach (Subject-Specific Elective) | Fachspezifisches Wahlpflichtfach (Subject-Specific Elective) |
| 1st Semester | 2nd semester | 3rd semester | 4th semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bauphysik und Simulation (Building Physics and Simulation) | Analyse und Theorie (Analysis and Theory) | Ökonomie (Economics) | Umfeldplanung (Environmental Planning) |
| Nachhaltigkeit und Zertifizierung (Sustainability and Certification) | CAX | Konstruktionsmethodik (Design Methodology) | Masterarbeit (Master's Thesis) |
| Raumklima (Indoor Climate) | Gebäudeenergiesysteme (Building Energy Systems) | Masterseminar (Master's Seminar) | |
| Wissenschaftl. Projekt (Research Project) | Methodik des energieeffizienten Entwerfens (Methodology of Energy-Efficient Design) | Fachspezifisches Wahlpflichtfach (Subject-Specific Elective) | |
| Fachspezifisches Wahlpflichtfach (Subject-Specific Elective) | Fachspezifisches Wahlpflichtfach (Subject-Specific Elective) |
Is Energy Efficiency Design for you?
Strengths and skills that will help you in your studies:
- Interest in sustainability, climate protection, and resource conservation
- A desire to understand how buildings and neighbourhoods can be designed for the future
- Enjoyment of combining technical, environmental, and design-related topics
- Interest in analysing complex relationships and thinking beyond conventional solutions
- Openness to interdisciplinary collaboration
- Interest in digital planning and simulation tools
- Motivation to actively contribute to the transformation of the construction industry
Got questions?
If you have any questions about the E2D program, please contact the academic advisor, Prof. Christian Bauriedel, directly:
christian.bauriedel(at)tha.de
If you have general questions about studying at THA, our Central Student Advisory Service will be happy to help.
Visit the Central Student Advisory Service
Your Career Prospects
Sustainable and energy-efficient construction is one of the key challenges of our time. Graduates of the E2D master's programme develop innovative solutions for climate-conscious and resource-efficient buildings and neighbourhoods, actively contributing to the sustainable transformation of the construction and real estate sectors.
Thanks to its interdisciplinary approach, the programme opens up a wide range of career opportunities in planning, consulting, development, and research.
- Energy-Efficient Building Specialist
- Sustainable Building Design Consultant
- Energy Efficiency and Climate Protection Consultant
- Project Manager for Sustainable Construction Projects
- Building Physics and Building Services Engineering Specialist
- Sustainable Neighbourhood Development Planner
- Sustainability Consultant for the Built Environment
- Research Associate
- Academic Researcher and PhD Candidate
Admission and Entry Requirements
Admission requires a relevant university degree with at least 210 ECTS credits and a final grade of 2.5 or better. Suitable degrees include Energy-Efficient Planning and Construction, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Building Physics, Building Services Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or Building Energy Systems Engineering. Equivalent or related degrees may also be accepted, subject to approval by the Examination Board.
In addition, applicants must successfully complete a programme-specific aptitude assessment in the form of an individual interview, achieving a grade of at least 2.5.
Applicants holding a bachelor's degree with 180 ECTS credits may be admitted conditionally and can earn the missing 30 ECTS credits within one year of enrolment.
Your Application
Steps
Time Period
Aptitude Assessment
If you meet the formal admission requirements and your application documents are complete and valid, you will receive an invitation by email to a personal interview. During this interview, your program-specific aptitude will be assessed. You will pass the assessment if you achieve a grade of at least 2.5.
Decisions
As soon as a decision has been made, you will be notified and will be able to find your admission letter online in the application portal.
Please note the deadline in the admission notice!
Enrollment
Next, you’ll need to enroll in the program by submitting an enrollment application through the application portal.
Be sure to follow the instructions in the information sheet provided to you when you applied for online enrollment.
October 1
Start of Studies
Your new degree program begins at the start of the next winter semester.
What Our Students Say
The programme enabled me to put sustainability into practice in real-world projects, rather than just studying it in theory. I particularly valued the integration of engineering, ecology and design, the close academic support, and the early exposure to digital planning tools.
The programme enabled me to combine my background in landscape architecture with building and urban district planning. The interdisciplinary exchange was especially valuable. Today, I benefit from integrating design thinking with energy expertise.
The E2D Master's program broadens the perspective on planning and construction beyond traditional architecture. I particularly value the interdisciplinary exchange, the freedom to shape my own academic focus, and the programme’s open atmosphere.
FAQ
You need a relevant university degree with at least 210 ECTS credits and a final grade of 2.5 or better, for example in Energy-Efficient Design and Construction, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Building Physics, Building Services Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or Supply Engineering. Equivalent or related qualifications may also be accepted, subject to approval by the Examination Board.
Yes, provisional admission is possible. The missing 30 ECTS credits must be completed within one year through designated modules from the bachelor’s programme in Energy-Efficient Design and Construction. The Examination Board determines the required modules. The master’s degree can only be awarded once these additional requirements have been successfully fulfilled.
Yes. In addition to meeting the formal admission requirements, you will take part in an individual interview to assess your programme-specific aptitude. You will be considered eligible if you achieve a grade of at least 2.5 in this assessment.
The standard duration of the programme is three semesters of full-time study and comprises 90 ECTS credits. However, you can tailor the programme to your individual needs and complete it over three to five semesters. Please note that some modules are offered only in the winter semester or only in the summer semester.
Yes, you can start the programme in either the winter or the summer semester. Application deadlines are published in THA’s application portal and may vary from year to year.
Alongside your studies, you can earn additional qualifications such as DGNB Registered Professional, Energy Efficiency Expert, or Certified Passive House Designer. Further details can be found in the document “Additional Qualifications” available in the downloads section.
Contact Information
Questions about the programme?