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Building Services Engineering

Building services engineers design, install and maintain services such as acoustics, heating, lighting and power into buildings to enable them to work effectively.

Practice Area	Building Services Engineering
What skills are required?	Strong communication skills Problem-solving ability Analytical skills
What qualifications are required?	Entry into building services engineering is typically via an engineering degree or similar qualification. Both under and post graduate degrees are available. Building Service Engineers may be members of the Chartered Institute of Building Service Engineers (opens in new window).
What is it like in practice?	BSE can work on a huge range of buildings, including domestic, commercial and industrial projects. They also work on historic, conservation and iconic buildings, making and adapting buildings to meet the needs of the people who live and work in them. Work includes project management, design of systems in areas such as mechanical design, lighting, vertical transport, electrical engineering etc. BSE usually specialise one particular area.
Work Environment	Your time will be split between working on site and working from an office. Team working and working with other professionals is usually required as well as presentation and liaison with clients.
Employment opportunities	Opportunities exist in the UK, Europe and globally. Firms usually expect a relevant degree and relevant experience for more senior roles. Most BSE work for employers, although some freelance and self-employed opportunities may be available. There are also degree apprenticeships in building services engineering available.
More information	Visit CIBSE (opens new window) Visit UCAS (opens new window)
Relevant UCEM programmes	BSc (Hons) Construction Management MSc Construction Management

You might like this role if you enjoy:

Using science, technology and design to create efficient and practical solutions to the use of energy and resources
Using visual intelligence and perceptual skills to use plans, charts and diagrams

See more skills used by building services engineers:

Researching and explaining data in specialist areas
Working in teams
Maths skills
Using specialist IT programmes and equipment