Master’s degree programme in »Bauphysik« (Building Physics)

• Integrate thermal insulation, energy efficiency and building comfort into the planning process at an early stage,
• Assess acoustics and noise protection in buildings professionally,
• Identify damp-related damage and design buildings to prevent such damage,
• Develop fire safety concepts for new builds and refurbishments,
• combine building physics requirements and assess buildings holistically.

• A successful degree from a university or university of applied sciences in the fields of architecture, civil engineering, construction management, physics, mechanical engineering or similar disciplines
• at least 1 year’s professional experience
• Basic computer skills and experience using the internet
• Willingness to work as part of a team
• Experience of working independently using new media
• Scope of study: Depending on the degree programme completed, additional prior learning may be required. The additional prior learning requirements for typical degrees are described below

The Examination Board decides on the acceptance of other degrees. The Study and Examination Regulations apply.

You can apply for the Master’s programme, the CAS certificates and individual modules via the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar’s online application portal. Enrolment for the Master’s programme, the university certificates and individual modules is open during the winter semester. 

First, register on the portal and then start your application. Select ‘Master’ as your degree and then choose the programme »Bauphysik und energetische Gebäudeoptimierung« (‘Building Physics and Energy-Efficient Building Design’.)

You can upload all the necessary documents directly via the application portal. There is no need to send them by post as well.

If you have already completed any further training that may be eligible for recognition, please upload the relevant supporting documents as well. We will then assess straight away whether recognition is possible.

If you do not wish to complete the full Master’s programme, please let us know which modules or certificates you would like to undertake. This will enable us to place you in the appropriate programme.

As soon as you submit your application via the portal, you will receive a confirmation of receipt by email.

If you meet the entry requirements and places are still available, you will then receive a confirmation of admission.

Please submit your application by 15 September if possible. In exceptional cases, applications may still be accepted up to one day before the first face-to-face session.

The sooner we receive your application, the better we can organise study groups and plan in-person sessions.

Courses will run provided there is a minimum of 5 participants. The maximum number of participants varies between 8 and 30, depending on the course. Courses will take place provided there are sufficient enrolments. If the number of applications exceeds the number of places available, these will be allocated (subject to the admission requirements being met) in the order in which applications are received.

We will inform you in good time whether a course is going ahead or is already fully booked.

The degree programme is structured in modules and covers all areas of building physics. Foundational modules form the basis for the rest of the programme. They provide an overview of the respective subject area, impart the theoretical background knowledge required for the advanced modules, and help the study group to get to know one another.

In the advanced modules, the knowledge gained from the foundational modules is deepened and expanded. In addition to theory, this includes practical application in the form of project work. Accompanying software workshops and practical sessions demonstrate efficient calculation and analysis methods and provide the necessary tools for carrying out the projects.

As part of various courses and your Master’s thesis, you can be actively involved in research projects run by the Chair of Building Physics and will also have the opportunity to work in the laboratories.

The start of the course is marked by a face-to-face phase, which provides an introduction to the course topics and the knowledge required to use the learning platform. It also offers the opportunity to get to know your own study group in person.

During the subsequent online phase, the learning tasks form the central thread of the course. They structure the course, help students organise their personal study time through set deadlines, and coordinate self-study and group work. Self-assessments and the marking of assignments by lecturers enable students to assess their own level of knowledge throughout the semester.

A written examination or the presentation of project results at the end of the semester marks the conclusion of a course. 

Some courses are supplemented by additional face-to-face sessions during the semester. These sessions teach practical skills tailored to the course.

A part-time degree programme requires a good balance between work, study and everyday life. Thanks to the modular structure, you can flexibly adapt your pace of study to suit your personal circumstances. You will receive a certificate of attendance for successfully completed modules; certain combinations of modules can be completed with a Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS). Once you have achieved the required number of credit points, you can register for your Master’s thesis.

Please note that our modules are not designed to meet the requirements of specific registers (e.g. KfW, DENA, etc.), but are modules within the Master’s degree programme. 

Self-study

Texts, graphics, videos and virtual laboratories convey the course content clearly. Self-assessment tests and exercises with sample answers help you to check your own progress. You have a great deal of flexibility in how you organise your time.

Live online sessions

Seminars and consultations complement the self-study in the virtual classroom. Sessions usually take place in the evenings and are tailored to working professionals.

Group work

Working in groups, you’ll tackle tasks together, develop solutions and discuss results. This allows you to deepen your understanding of the subject matter through discussion with others.

Project- and case-based work

Through practical work on specific projects and case studies, you will apply your knowledge in a practical context and link theoretical principles to typical planning and analysis tasks.

Experiments, measurements, laboratory exercises and workshops

Practical exercises, measurement and analysis methods, and software workshops complement the lectures and provide you with essential tools for use in your professional practice.

The modules conclude with an examination, which may take the form of a written exam, a project defence or a written assignment. Further information on this can be found in the current study and examination regulations.

Completion of individual modules 

If you wish to study individual modules from the Master’s programme, upon successful completion you will receive a certificate of attendance stating the course content, the mark achieved and the ECTS credits earned. 

University Certificate 

Upon successful completion of specific combinations of modules, you will receive a university certificate (CAS) from the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. 

The continuing education programme is designed as a ‘blended learning’ programme. It combines the advantages of traditional face-to-face sessions with those of online learning. On the one hand, it offers the flexibility, location-independence and effectiveness of digital learning methods. On the other hand, however, the social aspects of getting to know one another in person and learning together are not neglected. In this way, the programme structure offers a high degree of variety, whilst at the same time allowing considerable freedom in terms of personal time management.

The technical foundation of the programme is the Moodle learning platform, which provides the necessary infrastructure. It supports both individual learning and teamwork through a comprehensive range of research, communication and administrative tools. In addition to learning materials and assignments, these include discussion forums and noticeboards, file-sharing facilities, and Big Blue Button as a tool for live online sessions.

The learning platform is web-based, allowing access to relevant tools and data from any computer with an internet connection. 

As some of the specialist software only runs on Windows computers, we provide Windows computers for students using other operating systems during the workshops.

A wide range of communication channels enables us to provide students with intensive support. Each course is supervised by a study group tutor, who handles all organisational matters and acts as the first point of contact for any queries arising during the learning process. In addition, each course is supervised by a lecturer, who is on hand to assist with subject-specific questions and issues.

In addition to traditional email and telephone contact, discussion forums and platform messages facilitate communication not only between lecturers and students but also within the study groups. Through mutual assistance and support from lecturers and study group tutors, help can be provided quickly.

Certificates of Advanced Studies (CAS) offer specialised knowledge on a particular topic as part of Master’s degree programmes, enabling students to gain an additional qualification in a specific subject area. For the ‘Building Physics and Energy-Efficient Building Optimisation’ programme, you can obtain such university certificates in the areas of ‘Acoustics’, ‘Thermal Performance’ and ‘Moisture’. They are based on the quality standards of the German Society for Scientific Further Education and Distance Learning (DGWF). 

Our CAS programmes comprise coursework totalling at least 12 LP (ECTS credits), which corresponds to a workload (including self-study) of approximately 360 hours. 

• 2LP: Fundamentals of Acoustics
• 2LP Sound and Noise Control
• 3LP Building Acoustics
• 3LP Room Acoustics
• 2LP Acoustics: Practical Sessions and Workshops

• 3LP Heat Transfer/Thermal Bridges
• 3LP Thermal Insulation with Evebi Workshop
• 3LP Non-residential Buildings with DIN 18599 workshop
• 3LP Option 1: Passive House with PHPP workshop
• 3LP Option 2: Internal Insulation with Delphin workshop

• 3LP Moisture Protection/Moisture Transport
• 3LP Practical Course on Moisture/WUFI Workshop/Delphin Workshop
• 3LP Building Biology/Building Chemistry
• 3LP Damage Analysis

In accordance with the fee regulations for the Master’s programme, the costs for a CAS are as follows:

If all the required credit points are completed in just one semester, the total cost for a CAS is €2,587.00.

Tuition fees amount to 175 euros per credit point (LP) taken. In addition, there is an administration fee of 430 euros per semester. If you take fewer courses or modules in a given semester, you will only pay for the credit points you have actually taken; the administration fee is payable regardless.

Fees are charged on a semesterly basis and are due upon enrolment. Quarterly instalments are possible by arrangement. If fees due are not paid within the specified period despite a reminder, you will be de-registered. Any costs already incurred remain payable. Please do not transfer the fees until you have received the invoice, which you will receive in the week following the first face-to-face session. You will also need the invoice to claim the continuing education costs as a tax deduction at the tax office.

A fee of 50 euros is payable for retaking an examination, provided that the retake is the student’s own fault. Further details are set out in the examination regulations. If the Master’s thesis has to be rewritten, the relevant fee will be charged again.

These fee regulations have been in force since 1 March 2018. Module fees, travel expenses and the cost of additional study materials are tax-deductible. 

Various funding opportunities are available for continuing professional development. Find out more here about suitable schemes and eligibility criteria.

The current semester runs from calendar week 39 of 2026 to calendar week 14 of 2027. It begins on 25–26 September 2026 with a face-to-face session to get to know one another and to introduce students to the learning platform and the modules. The module and course descriptions can be found here.

The final examinations are provisionally scheduled for 9–10 April 2027. Further dates for face-to-face workshops and practical modules will be announced at the first face-to-face session.

Attendance at these sessions is compulsory. In justified exceptional cases, special arrangements may be made by prior agreement. For individual holiday planning and any further enquiries, please contact the programme coordinator.