Building services engineer

You could study for a degree accredited by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) .

Courses include:

• building services engineering
• architectural engineering
• mechanical engineering and building services

You could also do a related degree like:

• electrical engineering
• construction and the built environment
• environmental engineering
• sustainable construction

You could apply to join a company as a graduate trainee after you finish your course.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

You could take a course, which might help you to get a trainee technician position in a building services engineering company.

Courses include:

• building services
• mechanical engineering
• T Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
• search for courses|/find-a-course

You could apply to do a:

• Building Services Engineering Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship
• Building Services Engineering Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Building Energy Management Systems Controls Engineer Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
• Building Services Design Engineer Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship

Foundation apprenticeship

You can apply for a foundation apprenticeship if you're aged 16 to 21.

If you're aged 22 to 24, you can apply if you:

• have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
• are in care or have been in care
• are in prison or have been in prison

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• no specific qualifications or experience to apply for a foundation apprenticeship

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• apprenticeship levels|https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/apprentices/about-apprenticeships#UnderstandingApprenticeshiplevelsandqualifications
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

You might be able to start as a building services technician. You could then complete qualifications on the job, or part time with a training provider, to become an engineer.

You can apply directly for jobs if you've got qualifications and experience in engineering from any industry.

For example, you might have experience in electrical, mechanical, environmental or energy engineering.

Professional and Industry Bodies

You can join the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) for study resources, industry news and professional development courses.

Further Information

You can get more details about careers in building services from the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE).

As a building services engineer, you could:

• create plans using computer aided design (CAD) and building information modelling (BIM) software
• design and install controls for systems like heating, ventilation and lighting
• estimate costs, present ideas and produce progress reports
• follow building regulations and health and safety requirements
• organise the work of technicians and manage budgets

We've identified this as a potential green job

For a building services engineer to be a green job, you could:

• make sustainability central to engineering plans
• retrofit buildings to make them more energy efficient
• use low carbon materials to reduce levels of greenhouse gases

Find out more about green careers

You could work on a construction site or in an office.

You may need to wear protective clothing.