The global English edition of ZIGURAT’s Master’s in HVAC and energy efficiency will begin intake in November 2026
The ZIGURAT Institute of Technology is hoping that its new English-language Master’s in HVAC and energy efficiency will help AEC professionals meet the growing demand for improving thermal comfort, indoor air quality and energy performance amid growing climate, regulatory and operational pressure.
The programme will be delivered live online, will run for one academic year (60 ECTS), and will start in November 2026. Graduates will hold a double degree from ZIGURAT and IL3–University of Barcelona.
As energy consumption rises, so will the use of HVAC
HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) refers to the mechanical systems in a building that control temperature, humidity and air quality.
The US Department of Energy notes that the energy used to heat and cool buildings accounts for around 35% of energy consumption. As temperatures rise to new extremes, the need for more efficient solutions, and the advance of smart technologies (monitoring and analytics to optimise consumption) have led to the global HVAC systems market growing exponentially- with some projections seeing the market expected to grow from USD 289.99bn (2024) to USD 407.77bn (2030).
The role of HVACs also dovetail into the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) shared globally — particularly those linked to energy, sustainable cities and climate action: reducing building-related energy use and emissions, improving health and wellbeing indoors, and accelerating the shift towards more responsible models.
The new Master’s in HVAC and energy efficiency seeks to address a skills gap in the industry
There is a growing need for specialists who can connect design and calculation, international standards, BIM applied to MEP, energy modelling and operational optimisation. This need to strengthen competencies affects both junior professionals and senior profiles who must upskill in response to digitalisation and evolving regulations.
The programme has therefore been designed for professionals in construction and engineering, including mechanical, electrical and civil engineers, architects, project managers, consultants and sustainability specialists. The curriculum combines 70% HVAC content with 30% energy efficiency and sustainability, aligned with international standards and real market needs.
This new global edition builds on the track record of ZIGURAT’s Spanish programme, the Máster en Climatización (HVAC) con Eficiencia Energética, which was recognised in El Mundo’s 2025 Online Master’s Rankings as the 2nd best online master’s in the Energy category. This recognition is particularly significant given the programme’s applied focus on the built environment and improving energy performance in buildings and assets.
The programme combines technical foundations with practical application, including:
- Design, simulation and implementation of HVAC systems in residential, commercial and industrial buildings.
- Energy efficiency strategies and sustainable design principles aligned with international standards.
- Integration of HVAC with smart building technologies and automation.
- Real-world cases and industry-led challenges, culminating in a Final Master’s Project.
- Application of international standards and frameworks (including references to ASHRAE and European frameworks) and BIM workflows for building services.
Among the learning objectives, the academic plan includes mastering the full lifecycle of an HVAC system (from calculation through to maintenance and optimisation), applying international regulations, and carrying out energy diagnostics with improvement strategies.
Based on data from recent editions of the Spanish programme, the participant profile is concentrated mainly between 25 and 34 years old, with a strong presence of professionals with 4–9 years of experience, coming from sectors such as building construction, industry, infrastructure and energy.
The course is designed around real-world cases, technical problem-solving and a final project
ZIGURAT has developed this global edition for professionals in markets with growing demand for technical specialisation, with particular focus on the Middle East, India, Africa and Southern Europe, where the need for HVAC, energy and efficiency capabilities is accelerating due to urban development, climate pressure and building stock modernisation.
Specialised training in energy-efficient HVAC has a direct impact on areas such as responsible energy use, reducing building-related emissions, human wellbeing, and improving asset and operational performance.
“The construction sector is at a turning point. The climate transition demands buildings that are more efficient, healthier and more resilient — and that depends to a large extent on how we design and, above all, how we operate HVAC systems,” says Pau F. Aldomà, CEO of ZIGURAT Institute of Technology. “With this global English edition, we are taking a coherent step: bringing an already established programme to the international arena and helping to train professionals who will need to make technical decisions with a real impact on energy consumption, comfort and sustainability.”
