In addition to nine compulsory courses covering constructional, material-technical, and socio-economic fundamentals, modules also span from novel approaches to digital tools and automated production technologies. For customisation, students can choose four out of 18 elective modules — all of which are topical.

To apply knowledge, students will be welcomed into the Institute of Green Civil Engineering, led by Professor Kromoser. “We are currently working on a large number of research projects, in which students can participate in various ways — for example, as part of courses or in the form of final theses such as bachelor's or master's theses,” he explains. “Examples of our projects are the development of fully recyclable new buildings, new systems for the appropriate thermal refurbishment and much more.”

The construction sector is a major consumer of raw materials, accounting for around 40% (excluding transport) and a significant portion of global energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and solid waste production. Present construction practices are also resource-intensive, and rarely embrace a true circular economy. Hence, urgent efforts are required to pioneer construction methods and materials prioritising sustainability — this is precisely why Professor Benjamin Kromoser initiated BOKU’s brand new Master’s Programme in Green Building Engineering.

With over 150 years of expertise in the fields of engineering, bioeconomy and ecology, the university is well-positioned to offer such a qualification. “It is the only university that has been dealing with the issue of sustainability holistically and without compromise for a long time,” says Professor Kromoser. “Therefore, no trend is followed here, but a long-standing strategy is resolutely continued. Due to BOKU's diverse thematic positioning and its distinctive research profile, various topics can be examined in detail but also from different perspectives.”