Graduate Diploma in Energy Efficient and Sustainable Building

Graduate Diploma in Energy Efficient and Sustainable Building

POSTGRADUATE

Learn about sustainable building, resources and efficiencies in building materials, water and energy.  

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Student type:
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

See admissions

Duration:
Full-time 1 year
Part-time 2 years
Fees:

AU$33,600 (2025 total)

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Melbourne City
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

Not applicable

Duration:
Full-time 1 year
Fees:

AU$45,120 (2025 total)

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Melbourne City

Overview

The Graduate Diploma in Energy Efficient and Sustainable Building has been designed to provide an intensive, multidisciplinary environment for the advanced study of the science, design technologies and management of sustainable buildings.

Your studies in this diploma will provide you with a strong understanding of sustainable practice in the global building industry. 

Why choose the Graduate Diploma in Energy Efficient and Sustainable Building at RMIT?

Industry input

Build in-demand, relevant skills courtesy of industry involvement in the development of this course.

Contemporary focus

Apply theoretical knowledge to practice and build your capability to respond to emerging issues and trends in the field.

Practical learning

Solve authentic workplace problems and address real issues, receiving industry feedback on your proposed solutions.

This diploma focuses on the role of design research and innovative design practice in addressing critical issues associated with the sustainability of the built environment. It emphasises the application of theoretical knowledge to practice and will build your capability to respond to emerging issues, trends in the field, as well as to manage organisational needs through your developed skills and knowledge.

You will learn how to consider the environmetal, social and economic aspects in building design and practice. You will study topics such as thermodynamics and heat transfer, and energy, water and airflow in buildings, and will develop a strong understanding of current sustainable building practices.

Details

Energy efficiency and sustainable buildings are positioned at the intersection of several disciplines, including building, engineering, architecture, landscape architecture and design.

If you have a background in these fields, this diploma will advance your professional development or specialisation. 

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Learning and teaching

This diploma uses a variety of teaching approaches, including workshops, lectorials and residential intensives, in conjunction with project work, team-based activities and work integrated learning.

Studies combine face to face learning environments and online delivery, enhanced by a range of resources.

As a student of this diploma, you will learn to:

  • analyse and apply sustainable building theory and principles to industry issues, and implement new directions in sustainable building design
  • communicate your ideas and strategies, justifying decisions to diverse stakeholders
  • employ your knowledge develop solutions that respond to the diverse needs of sustainable building project stakeholders
  • critically examine and reflect on your work, and sustainable building theory, to question accepted building
  • solutions, design strategies, design practices and decision making approaches
  • apply appropriate research methods, tools and technical skills to plan and evaluate projects.

Assessment methods

Assessment is designed to provide you with opportunities to demonstrate your capabilities. It will include a range of activities such as report writing, written reflection, project based work, problem solving, presentations, peer or industry review. You can expect to undertake case studies, project reports, assignments, presentations, and design projects. 

Ongoing feedback will be provided by your lecturers and your peers to enhance your learning as you continue to refine your capabilities for your future professional practice and learning after graduation.

Learning at RMIT

The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.

Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.

RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice. experience.

As a student enrolled in this diploma, you will:

  • undertake and be assessed on a structured activity that allows you to learn, apply and demonstrate your professional or vocational practice
  • interact with industry and community when undertaking this activity
  • complete an activity in a work context or situation that may include teamwork with other students from different disciplines.

These interactions and the work contexts provide distinctive sources of feedback to assist your learning. Any or all these aspects of WIL may be real or simulated.

The designated WIL subject in this diploma is BUSM4467 Sustainable Building Technologies.

The integration of work-based learning and academic learning in this subject will allow you to solve authentic workplace problems and/or address real issues faced in organisations. You can expect to receive industry feedback on the solutions you develop that respond to the diverse needs of sustainable building industry project stakeholders.

Global work, exchange and study experiences

RMIT offers a range of opportunities for our students to study abroad through global work, exchange and study experiences with over 165 partner universities worldwide.

The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this degree and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes. 

To successfully graduate from this diploma, you will undertake and complete the following subjects:

  • Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer for Building Science
  • Building Systems
  • Sustainability in the built environment: A focus on building and design
  • Introduction to Project Management
  • Research Design and Methods
  • Sustainable Building Technologies
  • Energy Moisture and Airflow in Buildings
  • Project Management Techniques

Course structure

Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.

Graduate Diploma in Energy Efficient and Sustainable Building
Program code: GD189
Title
Location
Duration
Plan code
CRICOS
Graduate Diploma in Energy Efficient and Sustainable Building
City Campus
1 Year Full-Time/2 Years Part-Time
GD189
103219B
Location
City Campus
Duration
1 Year Full-Time/2 Years Part-Time
Plan code
GD189
CRICOS
103219B
View plan
Graduate Diploma in Energy Efficient and Sustainable Building
City Campus
1 Year Full-Time
GD189
103219B
Location
City Campus
Duration
1 Year Full-Time
Plan code
GD189
CRICOS
103219B
View plan

Note: International student visa holders can only study full-time.

Career

This diploma is designed for advanced professional development and specialisation for engineers, project managers, landscape architects and other design professionals working with the built environment.

Graduates may pursue many professional pathways, including work in private practice, state or local government, or in private practice as a consultant to building design or property development projects.

Entry requirements and admissions

You need to satisfy all of the following entry requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.

You must have:

  • successfully completed an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification);  

OR

  • a minimum of 3 years significant work experience or professional practice related to energy efficiency, sustainability or building and construction.

To have your professional experience considered you must submit with your application a CV and a personal statement detailing your experience.

*If your qualification was completed more than 10 years ago you will need to provide evidence of ongoing professional work and/or professional development in the same discipline as the program for which you are seeking entry to be granted credit.

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.

You must meet the University's minimum English language requirements to be eligible for a place in this program.

You need to satisfy all of the following requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.

You must have successfully completed an Australian bachelor’s degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) in any discipline.

You may also be considered if you have a minimum of 3 years of significant work experience or professional practice related to energy efficiency, sustainability or building and construction.

To have your professional experience considered you must submit with your application a CV and a personal statement detailing your experience.

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.

To study this course you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:

  • IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
  • TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with minimum of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
  • Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component.

For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.

Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advanced Plus at RMIT University Pathways (RMIT UP).

Pathways

You can gain entry to this graduate diploma from a range of RMIT undergraduate programs, if you meet the entry requirements.

Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

Upon successful completion of this program, you can continue your studies in MC209 Master of Energy Efficient and Sustainable Building, subject to the program's entrance requirements and receive 96 credit points of advanced standing into the master program.

You can gain entry into this degree from a range of RMIT undergraduate programs.

Credit

Credit may reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant study experience.

When you are submitting an application, please indicate that you want to be considered for credit and provide detailed course syllabus (also known as course outline), outlining volume of learning, course content and weekly topics, learning objectives/outcomes, assessment types and their weightings, and reference to the learning resources such as prescribed textbooks and recommended readings.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

Upon successful completion of this graduate diploma, you may be eligible for entry into a range of postgraduate programs at RMIT University.

Fees

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2025 indicative fees

  • Full-fee places: AU$33,600* (2025 total).

Additional expenses

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$365 maximum fee for 2025*.
  • Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

Annual fee adjustment*

Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.

*Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.

Defer your payment

This program is offered on a full-fee paying basis only. If you are offered a place, you will need to pay the full tuition costs of your program. However, eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.

Paying your fees and applying for refunds

For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2025 is $365.

You may also be required to purchase other items related to your course, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from course to course.

FEE-HELP loans

Eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.

SA-HELP Loans

You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.

How does a HELP loan work?

If your FEE-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.

You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.

For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.

This program is approved for income support.

You may be eligible for student income support payments from the Commonwealth Government if you are undertaking a graduate certificate, graduate diploma or an approved professionally oriented masters by coursework program. For more information see Income support for Masters students.

If you are enrolled in an eligible program you will also need to satisfy all other student payment eligibility requirements. You can contact Centrelink or Services Australia for further information about student income support entitlements, your eligibility and how to apply.

You may be eligible to apply for income tax deductions for education expenses linked to your employment.

See the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for more information.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

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In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:

You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.

Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2025 is $365. 

Find out more details about how fees are calculated and the expected annual increase.

Applying for refunds

Find information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Looking for answers or more general information?

Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information