Certificate of Advanced Studies - Sustainability in the Built Environment
The Certificate of Advanced Studies in Sustainability in the Built Environment is a new and fully on-line accredited, interdisciplinary programme available as of September 2027. Developed and delivered by École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and École nationale des ponts et chaussées, it is aimed at professionals willing to build skills and leadership across the whole construction value chain.
At a glance
| Degree Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) Certificate of successful completion (individual modules) | Program start September 2027 (Sustainability Module) 2028 (CAS) | Programme language English |
| Format Full CAS Individual course with credit Individual course without credit | Admission criteria Bachelor’s degree or relevant professional experience | Duration Minimum 1 year Maximum 2 years |
| Registrations March 2027 | ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) 3 or 4 ECTS (individual modules) Delivered jointly by EPFL & ENPC | Fees and Scholarships Sustainability Module: €2,350 (with ECTS) Sustainability Module: €1,350 (without credits) Other Modules: €1,750 (with ECTS) Other Modules: €1,000 (without credits) €5,500 (CAS) Scholarships available upon request |
The built environment is responsible for a large share of global emissions, making it one of the most important areas for climate action. Proven technologies and methods already exist that could reduce these emissions dramatically. Progress depends not only on better technologies and methods, but on professionals who can understand the full system, work across disciplines, and apply sustainable solutions in real-world contexts. The transformation of the built environment depends on people with the right technical knowledge, practical skills and leadership capacity.
The Certificate of Advanced Studies is designed to support the scientific, technical, economic and policy foundations needed to accelerate the transition to a near-zero-emission, efficient and climate-resilient buildings and construction sector.
A flexible programme organised around three options
Three options are available to study the programme in Sustainability in the Built Environment, the full CAS, individual modules with credits and individual modules without credits.
The Sustainability module will be available as of September 2027, all other modules will be gradually added as of February 2028.
- Sustainability
- Sustainable Construction Materials: Strategic selection, Innovation & Applications
- Low-Impact Design of Structures
- Transformation of Buildings and Reuse
- Climate-Adaptive & Recoverable Construction Systems
- Energy Performance, Envelop design and Technical Building Systems
- Design of Masonry and Earthen Structures
High-end partners
The programme is jointly developed and delivered by École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and École nationale des ponts et chaussées, and is supported by the UNEP-hosted Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC) in partnership with the French Ministry in charge of ecological transition, aligned with the goals of the Déclaration de Chaillot and its Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate (ICBC).