The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) started running courses in 1994. In 2007 the Graduate School was established and became a leading eco-educational provider. In 2011 they received the Ashden Award for their postgraduate training in sustainable energy. Validated by either University of East London or University of Wales Institute Cardiff courses are delivered onsite at CAT.
The department is made up of leading practitioners, who draw upon CAT’s extensive knowledge base in renewables and sustainability, and deliver holistic programmes with practicals and theory which go right to the heart of current issues and debates. Visit their website to hear recent lectures and to read what current students have to say.
With a very active communication network, students and graduates are open to many networking and career opportunities. To name a few, the alumni reports that students have gone on to successful careers in consultancy, construction companies, local authorities, architecture practices, renewables and engineering.
Postgraduate study
Stemming from over 35 years of practical experience in the industry the school boasts an extremely specialised subject portfolio, which focuses on ecological buidling and architecture, renewable energy technologies, and sustainability.
Course are very flexible and with just one, intensive residential week per month students often continue to work during their study. For international students and those unable to travel, the popular Distance Learning MSc enables students to become an active member of an enthusiastic, international and widely experienced body of students with access to superb online teaching and study materials.
Opportunity for postgraduate study at CAT is flexible and open to many backgrounds. This is because entry requirements also take into account practical experience instead of a first degree.
CAT is committed to delivering an excellent level of student support. To ensure this, they offer a caring and effective personal service through a generous student to staff ratio.
Research
The Centre for Alternative Technology provides an ideal venue and inspiration for research in the field of sustainable architecture and renewable energy. There are many working examples of building methods and renewable technologies on site.
Current research topics include hygro-thermal analysis and physical monitoring of buildings, hygro-thermal properties of ecological materials, sustainable design and construction and renewable energy technologies.
Facilities
Courses are taught in CAT’s 2011 RIBA awarded eco-educational building. Facilities include a large rammed earth lecture theatre, seminar rooms and workshops, research labs, IT suite, common rooms and workshops, en-suite study bedrooms, restaurant and bar.
The site is one big laboratory experimenting with the latest technology. Alongside numerous sustainable building techniques, the site if full of renewable energy equipment such as a large solar PV roof, solar water heating devices, numerous wind/ hydro turbines which are all heavily utilised for teaching. Combined with excellent industry connections and experienced tutors; CAT is able to deliver significant hands-on practicals that enable their students to really test different practices and technologies.
Potential students are welcome to arrange a visit during a module week so they can see what studying at CAT is really like.
Department gallery
