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Higher Diploma in Science in the Energy Renovation of Traditional Buildings (Higher Diploma L8, 60 ECTS)

  • Status: Apply Now

  • Location: Blended

  • Fees: € 5,700

  • Course Type Flexible and Professional Learning

  • Study Mode Part Time

  • Department Built Environment

  • Start Date 15/09/2025

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

General Queries

Flexible Learning Office

Email: flexible.midwest@tus.ie

Telephone: (061) 293802

Academic Queries

Elisabeth O’Brien

Email: Elisabeth.OBrien@tus.ie

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

  • Module 1: Fundamentals In Energy Renovation Of Traditional Buildings (5 credits)

    1. Government policy on energy in buildings, and the regulatory environment
    2. Appraising a building
    3. Monitoring the building fabric and Air Quality
    4. Incentives and Opportunities

  • Module 2: Building Defects Detection and Analysis (5 credits)

    1. Digital Tools for Identifying Building Defects in Existing Buildings
    2. Formatting Condition Assessment Reports for Existing Buildings
    3. Building Fabric Defects Identification and Analysis for Energy Upgrades
    4. Hygrothermal risk evaluation and modelling
    5. U-Value calculations
    6. Maintenance & Repair

  • Module 3: Traditional Building Regulation Energy Compliance (5 credits)

    1. Application of Part L, D, J and F to traditional construction types in Ireland
    2. Introduction to standard Technical Guidance Documents in Ireland
    3. Traditional construction types in Ireland
    4. Energy upgrades in traditional building stock – theory and technical background
    5. Application of alternative details for building regulation compliance to Parts L, D, J and F associated with energy upgrades for traditional buildings
    6. Use of digital tools and software for demonstrating alternative details for traditional construction

  • Module 4: Fundamentals in BIM ISO19650 (5 credits)

    1. Introduction to the ISO 19650 Series of Standards
    2. ISO19650 Part 3: Organisational Information Requirements (OIR), Asset Information Requirements (AIR), Project Information Requirements (PIR), Exchange Information Requirements (EIR) 3. ISO19650 Part

    3: Pre-construction activities – Asset Information Standard, Production Methods and Procedures, Shared Information and Resources, Establish CDE, Links to ERP, Management of Asset Information

    1. ISO19650

    Part 2: Responsibilities of Lead Appointed Party, BIM Execution Plans (BEP), Information Manager, Delivery Team Capability and Capacity, Mobilisation.

    1. ISO19650

    Part 2:  Responsibility Matrix, Appointed Parties, Information Exchange, Task Information Delivery Plan, Master information Delivery Plan.

    1. ISO19650

    Part 2: Mobilisation, Information Quality Assurance

  • Module 5: Energy and Carbon Assessment (5 credits)

     

    1. Energy and Carbon Assessment Methodologies
    2. Carbon Assessment Principles
    3. Low Carbon Tools and Software

    4. Communication and collaboration with conservation professionals and stakeholders

  • Module 6: Low Carbon Systems (5 credits)

    1. Space and DHW Heating and Smart buildings
    2. Mechanical Ventilation systems
    3. RES Electricity

  • Module 7: Performance Assessment Methods (5 credits)

    1. Principles of Materials
    2. Digital Tools and methodologies
    3. Investigative Processes and Procedures

  • Module 8: Heritage Building Information Modelling And Facilities Management (10 credits)

    1. Facilities Fundamentals leveraging BIM
    2. Digital Heritage Asset Management
    3. Heritage BIM & Facility Management

  • Module 9: Renovation Planning and Financing Strategies (5 credits)

    1. The Business Models and Financial tools
    2. Cost Classifications as an aid to decision-making
    3. Financial Analysis (cost benefit analysis) and Budgeting

  • Module 10: Project Management (5 credits)

     

    1. Introduction to Project Management
    2. Project Risk Management
    3. Project Management Processes Software tools
    4. QA, Environmental, Health and Safety Management and Strategies applicable to traditional building renovation projects
    5. Supply chain Management

  • Module 11: Energy Renovation Project (10 credits)

    1. Research Techniques
    2. Report writing
    3. Research Renovation project 4. Reflective logbook

More Information

  • 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. 3 Semester       Wednesday; Thursday; 18.30-21.30hrs

  • Higher Diploma in Energy Renovation of Traditional Buildings (Higher Diploma L8, 60 ECTS)

  • €5,700*

    DASBE funding of €2,500 – Student pays €3,200

     

     

  • 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.