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Overview
TRANSFORM THE FUTURE IN A RAPIDLY EVOLVING INDUSTRY
Embark on a transformative journey with the Master of Engineering Leadership (MEL) in High Performance Buildings. This specialized program is tailored for ambitious architects and engineers aiming to spearhead innovation in the building sector. Integrating advanced architecture and engineering courses with business courses from UBC Sauder’s Robert H. Lee Graduate School, this interdisciplinary master’s degree equips you with unparalleled skills and confidence to explore new career avenues.
GLOBAL DEMAND FOR SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE AND ENGINEERING
The world is witnessing a surge in demand for high performance buildings. These structures not only minimize energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions but also significantly enhance user experiences. As governments and industry leaders seek experts proficient in energy systems and sustainable development, this program positions you at the forefront of designing the next wave of eco-efficient buildings. Moreover, it hones your business insight and leadership abilities, essential for steering multidisciplinary teams and championing transformative changes.
A UNIQUE BLEND OF ENGINEERING AND BUSINESS
The MEL in High Performance Buildings offers a rare blend of technical expertise and business strategy. This unique curriculum empowers you to play a pivotal role in progressive organizations. You will delve into green building design, energy modeling, and innovative engineering, complemented by business strategy, operations, project management, and leadership courses from the esteemed UBC Sauder’s Robert H. Lee Graduate School.
GAIN A COMPETITIVE EDGE IN JUST 12 MONTHS
Over this intensive 12-month journey, you will
Immerse in a vibrant research ecosystem that synergizes engineering and architecture.
- Sharpen your technical and analytical prowess through a project-centric curriculum, including hands-on learning and two capstone projects focused on enhancing environmental performance in buildings.
- Learn from distinguished faculty and industry luminaries at one of the world’s top universities.
- Expand your professional network by collaborating with fellow MEL students.
- Develop vital business, project management, and interpersonal skills, setting you up for advanced career roles and leadership opportunities.
Discover more about this groundbreaking professional master’s degree from the experiences of our students.
What makes the program unique?
Elevate your technical career with the Master of Engineering Leadership (MEL) in High Performance Buildings.
STEP INTO A LEADERSHIP ROLE OR PIVOT INTO A NEW SECTOR
Embark on a transformative journey with the MEL degree, designed to propel you into leadership roles and navigate seamlessly across the high performance buildings industry. This degree serves as a launchpad to a future brimming with elevated responsibilities and exciting new career possibilities. Our statistics speak volumes about the impact of this program: a remarkable 61% of our alumni have ascended to higher positions, while 88% have ventured into new career paths. The MEL degree is not just an educational experience; it’s a catalyst for professional reinvention and advancement.
ENHANCE YOUR TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
Delve into the intricacies of sustainable energy through comprehensive courses covering generation, transmission, storage, and usage. Our curriculum is designed to provide you with a well-rounded understanding of the complexities and prospects in the evolving sustainable energy landscape.
MASTER THE FUNDAMENTALS OF BUSINESS
In today’s fast-paced world, technical know-how alone isn’t enough. UBC Sauder’s Robert H. Lee Graduate School offers essential business courses, equipping you with a solid grasp of broad management concepts, and enabling you to speak the language of business fluently.
DEVELOP LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE
Leadership skills are woven into every aspect of the MEL degree. As a student, you will find yourself immersed in a variety of leadership-building experiences. This includes leading diverse teams and managing complex projects. You will have the opportunity to attend a series of professional development workshops, each carefully crafted to refine and enhance your leadership abilities and interpersonal skills. These experiences are not just educational, but transformative, equipping you with the confidence and competence to emerge as an influential and effective leader in your field.
OBTAIN A PRESTIGIOUS DEGREE FROM A TOP-RANKED UNIVERSITY
UBC is globally recognized as a top 40 university and stands 7th in the world for climate action, celebrated for its exceptional programs and distinguished faculty. It’s Faculty of Applied Science is home to both the best engineering and best architecture school in Canada. UBC’s Sauder School of Business is the best business school in Canada and ranks 38th worldwide, offering experiential and rigorous business education.
LEARN FROM THE BEST IN SUSTAINABLE BUILDING DESIGN
In the MEL in High Performance Buildings degree, you’ll significantly expand your professional network in a vibrant, multidisciplinary environment. Our world-class faculty, experts in green building and sustainable design, provide not just education but also a gateway to the industry’s latest trends and practices. The diverse cohort of motivated peers, with varied backgrounds and experiences, enriches your learning, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas and perspectives. You’ll also collaborate with students from other specialized MEL programs, gaining broader insights into the intersection of engineering, architecture, and business.
“Our program engages some of the best practitioners in the field to teach our applied courses. We’re using a team-based approach that brings experts in the field of energy modelling, green building and regenerative design to work directly with our students.” – Dr. Ron Kellett, Professor & Director
This immersive experience not only broadens your knowledge but also connects you with a network of professionals and leaders essential for your future career in high performance building design.
BUILD A ROBUST PROFESSIONAL NETWORK
In the MEL High Performance Buildings program, networking opportunities are plentiful:
Learn from globally-recognized faculty specializing in high performance building design and construction.
Collaborate with diverse, experienced peers in the program.
Engage in business courses alongside professionals from all six MEL specializations
Attend industry workshops and presentations for insights into current trends and issues.
GO FURTHER
Professionals skilled in both technical and business fundamentals possess a unique competitive edge. Highly sought after by government and industry, our graduates are advancing into coveted roles and exploring new sectors with notable success.
“Professionals who are able to “speak” the language of both engineering and business are more likely to be successful in implementing new ideas in commercial buildings especially.” – Dr. Adam Rysanek, Associate Professor
Quick Facts
Program Enquiries
Meet a Representative
MEL MHLP Virtual Open Day 2025
OnlineDate: Saturday, 03 May 2025
Time: 08:00 to 12:15
Find out how to elevate your career at our 2025 Virtual Open Day! The Master of Engineering Leadership (MEL) and Master of Health Leadership and Policy (MHLP) Virtual Open Day is taking place on Saturday, May 3 from 8:00 am to 12:15 pm Pacific Time. This interactive event features a virtual Expo Hall where you can engage with current students, alumni, faculty, and MEL & MHLP staff to get immediate answers to your questions about the student experience, career advancement, curriculum, application process, and more. This is your only opportunity in 2025 to connect with such a diverse group of program representatives.
Tuition & Financial Support
Tuition
| Fees | Canadian Citizen / Permanent Resident / Refugee / Diplomat | International |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | $116.25 | $168.25 |
| Tuition * | ||
| Installments per year | 3 | 3 |
| Tuition per installment | $10,970.91 | $22,690.75 |
| Program Fee | $32,912.73 | $68,072.25 |
| Int. Tuition Award (ITA) per year (if eligible) | Not applicable | |
| Other Fees and Costs | ||
| Student Fees (yearly) | $1,144.10 (approx.) | |
| Costs of living | Estimate your costs of living with our interactive tool in order to start developing a financial plan for your graduate studies. | |
| Deposit to accept offer (if admitted) | ||
| Deposit requirement | $5000.00 | $5000.00 |
All fees for the year are subject to adjustment and UBC reserves the right to change any fees without notice at any time, including tuition and student fees. Tuition fees are reviewed annually by the UBC Board of Governors. In recent years, tuition increases have been 2% for continuing domestic students and between 2% and 5% for continuing international students. New students may see higher increases in tuition. Admitted students who defer their admission are subject to the potentially higher tuition fees for incoming students effective at the later program start date. In case of a discrepancy between this webpage and the UBC Calendar, the UBC Calendar entry will be held to be correct.
Financial Support
Applicants to UBC have access to a variety of funding options.
Employer support
Organizations may provide their employees with tuition benefits as part of an employment package to support lifelong learning of their workforce.
Scholarships & awards (merit-based funding)
Professional / course-based programs usually do not provide merit-based funding. Some programs may offer bursaries.
Financial aid (need-based funding)
Canadian and US applicants may qualify for governmental loans to finance their studies. Please review eligibility and types of loans.
All students may be able to access private sector or bank loans.
Foreign government scholarships
Many foreign governments provide support to their citizens in pursuing education abroad. International applicants should check the various governmental resources in their home country, such as the Department of Education, for available scholarships.
Working while studying
The possibility to pursue work to supplement income may depend on the demands the program has on students. It should be carefully weighed if work leads to prolonged program durations or whether work placements can be meaningfully embedded into a program.
International students enrolled as full-time students with a valid study permit can work on campus for unlimited hours and work off-campus for no more than 24 hours a week during academic sessions.
A good starting point to explore student jobs is the UBC Work Learn program or a Co-Op placement.
Tax credits and RRSP withdrawals
Students with taxable income in Canada may be able to claim federal or provincial tax credits.
Canadian residents with RRSP accounts may be able to use the Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) which allows students to withdraw amounts from their registered retirement savings plan (RRSPs) to finance full-time training or education for themselves or their partner.
Please review Filing taxes in Canada on the student services website for more information.
Cost Estimator
Applicants have access to the cost estimator to develop a financial plan that takes into account various income sources and expenses.
Enrolment, Duration & Other Stats
These statistics show data for the Master of Engineering Leadership in High Performance Buildings (MEL). Data are separated for each degree program combination. You may view data for other degree options in the respective program profile.
ENROLMENT DATA
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applications | 42 | 35 | 50 | 45 | 46 |
| Offers | 28 | 27 | 37 | 29 | 26 |
| New Enrolment | 10 | 16 | 25 | 18 | 18 |
| Total Enrolment | 17 | 26 | 18 | 18 | 14 |
Completion Rates & Times
Disclaimer
Further Information
Specialization
High-Performance Buildings targets architects and engineers who want to excel and drive innovation in the building industry. It helps sharpen technical and analytical skills through a project-based curriculum that incorporates hands-on learning opportunities, including two interdisciplinary capstone projects to improve the environmental performance of an existing building and to develop a high-performance energy system for a new building.
Program Website
Faculty Overview
Academic Unit
Program Identifier
Classification
January 2026 Intake
Program Enquiries
Departments/Programs may update graduate degree program details through the Faculty & Staff portal. To update contact details for application inquiries, please use this form.
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