Course Summary

This course will equip you with the up-to-date skills and knowledge required for the buildings of tomorrow. You will look closely at the way buildings are constructed and how to make them more energy efficient. The need to conserve finite resources such as fossil fuels is important and the exploration and implementation of alternate energy sources is a major consideration in the construction industry today.

The Building Services and Sustainability course has aspects of both the Building Structure itself and the systems that can be installed inside. The College has excellent facilities which will give you the opportunity to inspect, operate, and get hands-on experience with many of the most up-to-date alternative fuel systems available, including solar domestic hot water heating systems, ground source heat pumps and photovoltaic systems.

Why choose this course?

This course aims to prepare you for a range of technical, professional and management careers in building services engineering within your current and future job roles.

During the course you will:

• Gain career development or a route into professional employment in the construction industry
• Improve your career opportunities and earning potential
• Acknowledge your existing skills and develop new skills required for management roles
• Develop transferable skills such as problem solving, evaluation and analytical skills that can contribute to the success of any organisation

Areas of study you may cover on this course include:

• Building Management systems
• Renewable sources of energy

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Assessment

The types of assessment used range from:

• Workshops that assesses the practical application of knowledge and concepts gained in lectures and seminars


• Learning acquired during self study assessed by assignments


• Computer based assessments


• Peer assessments during group work


• Research based assignments to test the students ability to synthesise and analyse data


• Formal written examinations

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to develop:

1. Technical knowledge, understanding and skills in Building Services systems in the context of the challenges of the sustainability agenda.

2. The application of mathematical and scientific knowledge, skills and understanding to support practical problem solving in the workplace.

3. An understanding of the concepts required to produce zero carbon buildings.

4. The technical knowledge and skills required to interpret and apply the principles used to design and implement MES systems used in buildings.

5. A holistic view of Building Services so that you are capable of designing and implementing BS systems for a range of different buildings and purposes.

External Benchmarking

N/A

Educational Aims

The main education aims are:

• To prepare students for a range of technical, professional and management careers in building services engineering within their current and future job roles


• To provide students with a potential springboard into graduate and postgraduate studies


• To develop a range of skills and techniques in students which will allow them to improve their overall performance in the workplace


• To provide a regional part time training facility for the East and Central England


• To attract a range of students irrespective of age, race or gender, that will benefit from the programme

Specific objectives are:

• To promote the students understanding of the environmental consequences of energy utilisation in buildings and opportunities for effective utilisation


• To provide the knowledge and skills needed for students to identify hazards, assess the level of risk and make recommendations for control of risk in the workplace


• To provide students with the fundamental mathematical knowledge and techniques needed to solve engineering problems


• To develop the students understanding of the scientific principles and concepts used in a range of building services applications


• To develop the students understanding of the principles of design, implementation, operation and commissioning of building services systems


• To develop the students understanding of the principles and practice of a range of plumbing and sanitation and waste disposal systems


• To enable the students to develop an understanding of the principles, application and use of:


• Building Management systems


• Control systems


• Renewable sources of energy


• To develop work based learning skills

Student support

All students are supported by induction sessions at the start of each year, by personal and project tutors. The college has a system of additional support for students requiring: additional help in and out of the classroom, specialist equipment, assessment and support for dyslexic students and special exam arrangements (part of a support package).

Student Services offer a wide range of support, advice, information and counselling to help students in the following ways:

• Career and educational guidance


• Child care


• Connexions Service


• Counselling


• Enrichment and tutorial programmes


• Finance, welfare, accommodation and transport advice

Team working

Group assessments are part of many modules and the skills needed to work with others are specifically addressed as part of preparing for professional life.

Career Management Skills

The fundamental aim of this programme is to develop Building Services engineers capable of responding to the sustainability agenda of the 21st century.

Career/Further study opportunities

Career:

Design and construction, and consulting engineering sectors of the Building Services Engineering industry as well as in Maintenance and Facilities Management.

Further study:

BSc Building Services and Sustainability.

Entry

Relevant industrial experience and/or a relevant NVQ Level 3 or equivalent (applications referred to college).

UK students Undergraduate entry requirements

Standard entry requirements for Foundation degrees (FD/FdSc)

A foundation degree will be of particular interest if you have completed a Modern Apprenticeship, vocational A levels, BTEC National or equivalent.

Foundation degrees are also particularly suitable if you want to qualify while working.

• As a guideline, a typical offer would require you to obtain a UCAS tariff score of between 80-120 points, based on your level 3 studies.
• Students who require a Tier 4 Student Visa cannot apply for our foundation courses. For these courses the University of Bedfordshire is not able to sponsor Tier 4 Student Visa applications.

Many students studying for foundation degrees come to us through work-based routes so you can apply for a foundation degree even if you don’t have traditional academic qualifications.

We welcome applicants with relevant work experience.

Standard entry requirements for Undergraduate degrees (BA/BSc)

We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for both breadth and depth in your current studies as well as enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.

The general requirement is one of the following:

• UCAS Tariff Score greater than 200, which should include either two A level passes or an AVCE Double Award
• An Access qualification
• Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, Scottish Highers, International Baccalaureate or BTEC National Diploma

Postgraduate taught courses

Postgraduate applications (MA/MSc) should be made direct to the University using the  standard University application form. There are some exceptions, please see individual course descriptions for details.

• UK/EU students application form
• International (non-EU) students application form
  

Students from the European Union

Entry requirements

As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.

We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications.

How to apply

International students

• Undergraduate applications (BA/BSc) can be made direct to the University or via our representatives in your home country. If you intend to apply to more than one university in the UK you should apply via UCAS. If you want to apply to the University of Bedfordshire only you should apply directly using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Postgraduate applications should be made directly to the University using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Healthcare, nursing and midwifery students Many of these courses are not available to overseas students due to UK immigration law in regard to bursary funding. Please contact international admissions to find out if you are eligible to apply
• BA Nursing Studies Level 3 (with or without Overseas Nursing Programme) is available to overseas students - please contact International Admissions by email at international-admissions@beds.ac.uk for further information

(Please note that applicants on a full student visa are not eligible for part-time study)

Course application form for international students

We recommend that you apply directly to the University where possible, as this allows us to offer the quickest turnaround time for your application.

• Course application form for direct applications [PDF]

How to complete your course application

Please read the Direct application instructions before completing the course application form.

Application forms for accommodation in the student halls at Bedford campus and Luton campus are available in the Student life section

Accreditation of prior certificated learning (APL)

APL is available for international students applying for undergraduate (Bachelor degree) study. Please do not use this APL form to apply for postgraduate courses.

Use the APL form to tell us about any non-standard qualifications and/or work experience you have that you think should be taken into consideration with your application. `

The APL form should be submitted at the same time as the course application form.

We regret we are unable to process APL forms from students who have not submitted a formal course application form.

• APL application form for International students [100Kb] updated 041007

What next?

Return your completed application to:

University of Bedfordshire
International Admissions
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU1 3JU
United Kingdom

Contact International Admissions

T: +44 (0)1582 489326 (non-EU Students)
F: +44 (0)1582 743469
E: international-admissions@beds.ac.uk

Awarding institution

University of Bedfordshire

Teaching Strategy

The teaching and learning strategy is made up of the explanation of theoretical concepts accompanied by tutor supported practical activity to reinforce understanding. This is accomplished by a combination of lectures, tutorials, moderated e-conference discussion and support, directed practical activity. This is often in a combined lecture, demonstration, practical and assessment all in one session with academic and demonstrator support. Additionally, there is self directed research and computer based practical activity which can be assisted by the use of teaching packs in various multimedia forms such as DVDs, videos and pod casts. The particular form of support is module specific, however, all are characterised by tutor support and practical activity.

All the teaching resources are available in a VLE that includes references and links, general module and programme information, discussion groups, tests and assessments. This VLE is available outside of the college to enrolled students.

Where possible, lectures will have invited experts and industry leaders to focus on the latest developments and trends in Building Services and environment.

Project supervision involves regular tutorial meetings between groups / individuals and their staff supervisor.

Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body Accreditation

N/A

Students with disabilities

The College will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments to all aspects of the course delivery to avoid substantial disadvantage to any disabled student or other disabled person.

The College Charter includes a pledge to offer appropriate support to all students who have an identified learning need as well as to provide information on access to buildings and car parks.

Skills Development

Building on work carried out and the formal incorporation of transferable skills into all modules since 1995, the college has agreed (October 2002) to adopt the QCA Key Skills descriptors as the basis for skills mapping and development, since they are nationally recognised and likely to be familiar to students entering the college. They are also becoming increasingly recognised by employers and may generally be aligned with skills incorporated into subject benchmark statements. The QCA skills lie in the following broad areas: communication; application of number; information technology; working with others; problem solving; and improving own learning and performance.

Communication

To help with the development of this you will:

Be assessed at the start of each course and individualised help is provided as required. In addition many assessments address the need for the development of both written abilities, especially with regard to technical subjects and spoken and visual communication in presentations.

Information Literacy

To help with the development of this you will:

Be given assorted tasks in various modules and projects that will test and enhance your ability to find, retrieve, analyze, and use the information effectively.

Research and Evaluation

To help with the development of this you will:

Be given tasks in many of the modules and projects that will allow you the opportunity to improve your skills at researching and evaluating realistic scenarios, materials, working practices or problems. This will involve using various resources and methods of research.

Creativity and Critical Thinking

To help with the development of this you will:

Have the opportunity in several of the learning exercises to practice these skills on realistic situations that occur during the design or installation of building services systems. You will go on to utilise these skills and put them into practice both during work based learning and in assignments.

Improving learning and performance

During year 1, students undertake a personal development module that looks at the learning styles of each participant and seeks to enhance these.

Progress files

Personal growth is seen as a fundamental requirement for a successful student and is actively supported at each level by appropriately designed modules and assisted by the presence of personal tutors, who help to review progress files throughout the academic life of the students.

Professional standards

Staff and students are expected to maintain professional standards and courtesies throughout there time at college and in the workplace. These standards include:

• Attending lectures and tutorials punctually


• Attending classroom sessions with the equipment necessary


• Ensuring mobile phones are off during class sessions and lectures


• Adhering to the dress code (including the wearing suitable clothing and PPE during any practical tasks)


• Treating each other with courtesy


• Respect for others points of view


• Fulfilling your responsibilities when working as part of a group


• Perform professionally, competently and responsibly


• Safeguard the environment and health and safety of others


• Comply with all the relevant laws, regulations, college standards and codes

Strategy for developing and embedding the professional standards

The standards above will be introduced to all students at the start of their course and discussed to ensure that all parties agree to the standards. The standards will be reviewed each year and may be amended as necessary. The student representative will be involved with any modification or amendment to the standards. Any breach of the standards will be addressed according to its severity and effect.