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Higher Diploma in Science in the Energy Renovation of Traditional Buildings (Higher Diploma L8, 60 ECTS)
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Status: Apply Now
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Location: Blended
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Fees: € 5,700 *DASBE funded 2025 – see Fees below.
The aim of the Higher Diploma in Energy Renovation for Traditional Buildings programme is to up-skill building professionals to develop knowledge and skills that allow them to plan, deliver and manage high quality, energy-efficient renovations of existing traditional buildings (pre 1940s). This will place them in a position to contribute to meeting Ireland’s climate action and energy targets in relation to the green renovation of buildings. It will additionally boost demand for energy efficiency from building owners and the public sector by having a trusted industry professional/standard for unique traditional energy retrofitting experts and advisors. Graduates will be employed as Energy Renovation experts and advisors within the construction and conservation heritage industry, and as a Traditional Building Professionals providing services within the SEAI Advisors and One Stop Shops.
Contact Details
What are the entry requirements?
An honours degree (level 8) in a cognate (e.g. Engineering, Architecture, Building Services, Construction Management etc.) discipline or approved equivalent qualification
or
A level 7 qualification in a cognate discipline (e.g. Engineering, Architecture, Building Services, Construction Management etc.,) or approved equivalent qualification, with 1-year relevant work experience.
or
Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) – Assessment
Please review the academic entry requirements for this programme.
If you do not hold these qualifications but would like your application to be assessed under RPL please select YES on the online application form and the Flexible Learning Office will be in contact.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE: Applicants who do not have English as their first language must ensure they satisfy English Language requirements. For entry to undergraduate courses, a score of 5.5 in an IELTS or equivalent exam is required. For postgraduate courses, a score of 6.0 in an IELTS or equivalent exam is required. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure their English proficiency meets these requirements.
Course Content
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Fundamentals In Energy Renovation Of Traditional Buildings (5 credits)
Module 1;
Government policy on energy in buildings, and the regulatory environment
Appraising a building
Monitoring the building fabric and Air Quality
Incentives and Opportunities
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Building Defects Detection and Analysis (5 credits)
Module 2;
Digital Tools for Identifying Building Defects in Existing Buildings
Formatting Condition Assessment Reports for Existing Buildings
Building Fabric Defects Identification and Analysis for Energy Upgrades
Hygrothermal risk evaluation and modelling
U-Value calculations
Maintenance & Repair
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Traditional Building Regulation Energy Compliance (5 credits)
Module 3;
Application of Part L, D, J and F to traditional construction types in Ireland
Introduction to standard Technical Guidance Documents in Ireland
Traditional construction types in Ireland
Energy upgrades in traditional building stock – theory and technical background
Application of alternative details for building regulation compliance to Parts L, D, J and F associated with energy upgrades for traditional buildings
Use of digital tools and software for demonstrating alternative details for traditional construction
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Fundamentals in BIM ISO19650 (5 credits)
Module 4;
Introduction to the ISO 19650 Series of Standards
Organisational Information Requirements (OIR), Asset Information Requirements (AIR), Project Information Requirements (PIR), Exchange Information Requirements (EIR)
Pre-construction activities – Shared Information and Resources, Establish CDE, Links to ERP, Management of Asset Information.
Responsibility of Lead Appointed Party, BIM Execution Plans (BEP).
Responsibility Matrix, Appointed Parties, Information Exchange, Task Information Delivery Plan, Master information Delivery Plan.
Mobilisation, Information Quality Assurance
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Energy and Carbon Assessment (5 credits)
Module 5;
Energy and Carbon Assessment Methodologies
Carbon Assessment Principles
Low Carbon Tools and Software
Communication and collaboration with conservation professionals and stakeholders
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Low Carbon Systems (5 credits)
Module 6;
Space and DHW Heating and Smart buildings
Mechanical Ventilation systems
RES Electricity
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Performance Assessment Methods (5 credits)
Module 7;
Principles of Materials
Digital Tools and methodologies
Investigative Processes and Procedures
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Heritage Building Information Modelling And Facilities Management (10 credits)
Module 8;
Facilities Fundamentals leveraging BIM
Digital Heritage Asset Management
Heritage BIM & Facility Management
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Renovation Planning and Financing Strategies (5 credits)
Module 9;
The Business Models and Financial tools
Cost Classifications as an aid to decision-making
Financial Analysis (cost benefit analysis) and Budgeting
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Project Management (5 credits)
Module 10;
Introduction to Project Management
Project Risk Management
Project Management Processes Software tools
QA, Environmental, Health and Safety Management and Strategies applicable to traditional building renovation projects
Supply chain Management
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Energy Renovation Project (10 credits)
Module 11;
Research Techniques
Report writing
Research Renovation project
Reflective logbook
More Information
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Delivered over 1.5 years (3 semesters) in a blended learning format.
Wednesday and Thursday evening online lectures 18.30-21.30hrs weekly
Full day face to face practical workshops and site visits on Fridays or Saturdays (TBC)
The proposed delivery schedule is subject to change.
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A variety of continuous assessment techniques include:
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- Online quizzes
- Individual projects per semester
- Group project per semester
- Project journal
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Main renovation project with presentation,
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Higher Diploma in Energy Renovation of Traditional Buildings (Higher Diploma L8, 60 ECTS)
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€5,700*
DASBE funding of €2,500 – Student pays €3,200
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15th August 2025
Places are allocated on a first come first served basis, prioritizing unemployed and returning applicants.
Course will be closed once the maximum number of applicants is reached.
Courses run subject to viable numbers.