Master’s in Energy Retrofit and Certification (LEED/BREEAM)
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in energy retrofit and certification (LEED/BREEAM), 12 modules covering energy diagnosis, building envelope, efficient systems, energy simulation, energy certification under Royal Decree 390/2021, LEED, BREEAM, Passivhaus/EnerPHit and economic analysis, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Energy Retrofit and Certification (LEED/BREEAM) — studying from the United States
The United States operates one of the world's largest energy systems, spanning power generation, transmission, distribution and renewable resources. Utilities, grid operators and technology companies are investing in grid modernization, storage and distributed energy resources. Regional clusters in Texas, California, the Midwest and the Pacific Northwest support engineers working on transmission planning, substations and energy markets. Reliability and cybersecurity standards make grid expertise especially valuable.
Fees for the United States: US$9,970 (US Dollars), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United States
Typical roles
Questions from the United States
Which US bodies and regulators govern energy and power network engineering?
In the US, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regulates wholesale electricity and interstate transmission, while state public utility commissions oversee distribution. The IEEE Power & Energy Society is a key professional body, and Professional Engineer licensure from state boards is common for utility engineering. SEIUM's private qualifications are not official degrees, so employers and licensing boards decide any recognition.
Do US utilities and energy employers recognize private online engineering qualifications?
US utilities, grid operators and energy firms usually require accredited engineering degrees, PE licensure for certain roles, and relevant operational experience. A private online qualification can add specialist knowledge, but it is not a standard substitute for these requirements. Its value depends on the employer's policies and on your practical background.
Can I realistically study energy and networks from the US while working full time?
Yes, the programmes are fully online, taught in English, and do not require a student visa. The time commitment is about 1,900 hours for a master's, 800 hours for a postgraduate diploma, or 300 hours for a specialist course, so plan carefully. Each student has an assigned technical tutor. Fees can be paid in instalments, and some employers sponsor professional development, so check with yours.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Diagnose the energy performance of existing buildings.
Propose improvement measures for the envelope and building services.
Simulate energy retrofit scenarios.
Issue energy performance certificates under Spanish regulations.
Manage LEED and BREEAM certification processes.
Apply the Passivhaus and EnerPHit standards.
Assess the economic viability of retrofit projects.
Who it's for
- Energy certification technicians moving into deep retrofit and green building certification.
- LEED consultants who want a stronger grounding in retrofit and simulation.
- BREEAM advisors working on refurbishment projects.
- Building energy auditors.
- Retrofit project managers.
- Passivhaus consultants.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the building sector.
What you'll work with
- Royal Decree 390/2021 (Spanish energy performance certification of buildings)
- Spanish Technical Building Code DB-HE (energy saving requirements)
- Directive (EU) 2024/1275 (energy performance of buildings)
- LEED v4.1 (green building rating system)
- BREEAM ES (sustainability assessment method)
- ISO 52016-1 (energy needs for heating and cooling)
- UNE-EN ISO 9972 (building airtightness, fan pressurisation method)
- ISO 50002 (energy audits)
- HULC
- CE3X
- DesignBuilder
- EnergyPlus
- PHPP
12 modules
1.1The building stock and its consumption1.2Long-term renovation strategy1.3The European Renovation Wave1.4Next Generation funds1.5Barriers to retrofit1.6Building typologies1.7The concept of deep renovation1.8Renovation passport1.9Success stories1.10Case study: diagnosis of a 1970s residential block
2.1Building energy audit2.2On-site data collection2.3Envelope thermography2.4Blower Door airtightness test2.5In-situ thermal transmittance measurement2.6Inventory of building services2.7Energy bill analysis2.8Construction defects and damp2.9Diagnosis report2.10Lab: Blower Door test
3.1External thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS/SATE)3.2Insulated ventilated façades3.3Internal insulation3.4Insulation of flat and pitched roofs3.5Window frames and glazing3.6Treatment of thermal bridges3.7Condensation control3.8Solar protection and gain control3.9Bio-based materials3.10Practical: thermal bridge calculation
4.1Air-source heat pumps4.2Low-enthalpy geothermal energy4.3Biomass boilers4.4Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery4.5Domestic hot water4.6Efficient lighting with controls4.7Control and regulation4.8Solar thermal energy4.9Building-integrated photovoltaics4.10Lab: sizing a heat pump
5.1Simulation tools5.2Modelling with HULC5.3Dynamic simulation with EnergyPlus5.4Modelling with DesignBuilder5.5Model calibration5.6Retrofit scenarios5.7Sensitivity analysis5.8Optimisation of measures5.9Thermal comfort assessment5.10Practical: simulation of retrofit measures
6.1Royal Decree 390/20216.2Recognised certification procedures6.3CE3X and HULC6.4Rating scale6.5Inspection of certificates6.6Registration in the regional register6.7Certificate for an existing building6.8Improvement recommendations6.9Common mistakes in certification6.10Workshop: certification with CE3X
7.1The LEED v4.1 system7.2LEED O+M for existing buildings7.3Energy and atmosphere credits7.4Water credits7.5Materials and resources7.6Indoor environmental quality7.7Certification process7.8Documentation for certification7.9Scoring strategies7.10Practical: LEED credit checklist for a project
8.1BREEAM ES Housing and New Construction8.2BREEAM In-Use8.3BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit-out scheme8.4Assessment categories8.5Assessors and processes8.6Documentation and evidence8.7Comparison with LEED8.8Other labels: VERDE, WELL, Passivhaus8.9Choosing a certification8.10Case study: BREEAM strategy for a retrofit
9.1Principles of the Passivhaus standard9.2The EnerPHit standard for retrofit9.3The PHPP calculation tool9.4Airtightness9.5Ventilation with heat recovery9.6Thermal-bridge-free design9.7High-performance windows9.8Passivhaus certification process9.9Costs and benefits9.10Lab: PHPP balance for a dwelling
10.1Retrofit costs10.2Calculation of energy savings10.3Payback period10.4Cost-optimal methodology10.5Grants and subsidies10.6Tax deductions for retrofit10.7Energy savings certificates10.8Energy service companies (ESCOs)10.9Green finance and mortgages10.10Practical: cost-optimal analysis
11.1Owners' associations11.2Decision-making process11.3Retrofit agents and neighbourhood offices11.4Licences and permits11.5Site execution11.6Quality control11.7Measurement and verification11.8Communication with occupants11.9Post-retrofit building maintenance11.10Case study: comprehensive retrofit of a neighbourhood
12.1Selecting the building12.2Energy diagnosis of the building12.3Modelling the current state12.4Proposal of measures12.5Scenario simulation12.6Energy and sustainability certification12.7Economic analysis of the proposal12.8Execution plan12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
The programme is delivered 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is HULC, CE3X, DesignBuilder, EnergyPlus and PHPP, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied on real procedures for Blower Door airtightness tests, envelope thermography and in-situ thermal transmittance measurement. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: Royal Decree 390/2021, Spanish Technical Building Code DB-HE, Directive (EU) 2024/1275, LEED v4.1, BREEAM ES, ISO 52016-1, UNE-EN ISO 9972, ISO 50002.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- Internet connection and a computer able to run the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with HULC, CE3X, DesignBuilder, EnergyPlus and PHPP, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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