Course Summary

This course equips you with the skills and knowledge needed to work in building technology. A range of teaching and learning methods are adopted, including an Honours project, which enables you to apply your knowledge and skills comprehensively, as well as gaining useful experience for your future employment.

Why choose this course?

Career Opportunities:

Graduates can progress to work or pursue further study in a variety of settings, including quantity surveying, architecture, engineering, or project management. Careers are also available as a building control surveyor, building services manager, or site engineer or supervisor.

Key features:

• Active links with construction companies which contribute to the development of course units
• Study the cutting-edge developments of innovative structures, new materials and processes
• Learn about the latest technologies and materials for sustainable buildings
• Develop managerial skills, plus knowledge of policies and regulations for future

developments in construction

Areas of study include:

• Building surveying
• Contract, procurement and risk management
• Construction project management
• Emerging technologies and policy development in construction
• Development of energy management spreadsheets
• Honours project

BSBLD-S

Assessment

The types of assessment used ranges from practical work that assesses the practical application of knowledge and concepts gained in lectures and seminars and also from learning acquired during self study to presentation and report based assessments.

Course Learning Outcomes

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

1. Communicate your ideas and proposals in building technology effectively and with confidence with various organisations.

2. Select from a wide range of factors to ascertain the buildings suitability for application of principles and developments of emerging technologies in construction.

3. Through research and evaluation, critically analyse how the construction industry contribute to the environmental change and plan your progress towards the higher level of design.

4. Gather information effectively from various sources and transform abstract data and produce critical analysis with sensible recommendations in the use of building technologies.

5. As a trained high level technologist, recommend modifications to existing design to comply with the requirements of the industry and legislative bodies.

6. Have produced a dissertation with supporting information analysing, reviewing and recommending the appropriate solutions to a selected topic (the student is tasked with the production of an Honours Project emphasising on the technological issues, with guided programme strictly adhering to the academic year).

External Benchmarking

N/A

Educational Aims

The composition of this course is based upon the attributes that an effective employee, or a graduate, should ideally have:

• Developed personal skills with both the confidence and ability to express their creativity both individually and as part of a team


• Gained the ability to promote a responsible, professional attitude towards the selection and use of data and skills within team based contexts


• Had an in-depth understanding of building technology and to develop their critical awareness of new emerging solutions and technologies


• Developed a comprehensive awareness of the wider cultural, social, political, economic and ethical implications in the construction industry


• Applied comprehensively their knowledge and skills to a piece of work on building technology through the Honours Project to reflect the programme being studied

In addition to the broad aims of the course, the specific qualities built into the curriculum ensure that students will gain a systemic understanding of new development and application, and the capacity to analyse, assess and recommend high level strategies for materials, structures and methods. The specific objectives of this course, therefore, are to provide students with the skills and knowledge of key subject areas that relate to sustainability at operational, tactical and strategic levels for modern building technologies.

The courses objectives are to equip students with:

• The aptitude to solve problems within various settings


• The competence to develop concepts and apply them in pragmatic ways


• Advanced analytical skills that can be used within organisations


• A perceptive insight into technology related issues


• The ability to understand policies in local and global contexts and the capability to see legislation as emergent resultants


• A good understanding of how the design of a construction project can impact on the success of the implementation of that project


• The aptitude to think and plan strategically in the design of construction projects


• A good understanding of the societal implications of emerging technologies in construction


• The aptitude to analyse, synthesise, critique and evaluate various means of building technologies, deployment and leading edge ideas

To achieve these aims and objectives, the subject themes that will make up the content of the course are systematic research, debate and analysis, with financial modelling and forecasting strategy. These themes are built into the course whilst ensuring that it is consistent with the QAA subject benchmark and students will:

• Be able to demonstrate technical competence in the production of their reports


• Be able to conduct research evaluation of relevant work in building technology


• Have made a significant contribution to quality report and recommendation production in their work


• Be able to express and offer a reasoned defence of their own ideas both orally and in written modes of expression


• Be able to contribute to team work at a number of levels, setting group aims, allocating roles and responsibilities, working to a common purpose, negotiating and effective problem solving


• Be able to identify and use the most appropriate means of gathering information for their purposes


• Be able to demonstrate how energy in its sense contributes to the cultural, social, political, economic and ethical aspects of society

Student support

All students are supported by induction sessions at the start of each year, by personal and project tutors, by academic advice sessions and by dedicated technical support staff. Student support is provided on a formal basis by the personal tutor system and in practical sessions as well as informal support in the use of the virtual learning environment (VLE) - BREO. The University provides general help for learning skills through a centralised support tutor system as well as academic English modules mainly for international students.

Team working

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

Career Management Skills

This forms a consistent thread progressing through each year with opportunities of engaging with industrial and business projects or through engagement with an employer through attending exhibitions and seminars provided by experts. In particular, the Honours Project provided the student with scenarios where managerial skills can be developed and enhanced.

Career/Further study opportunities

Graduates can progress to work or pursue further study in a variety of settings, including quantity surveying, architecture, engineering, or project management. Careers are also available as a building control surveyor, building services manager, or site engineer or supervisor.

On completing this course students are likely to progress to work as a

• Building control surveyor
• Building services manager
• Site engineer / supervisor
• Building services engineer
• Building services technician
• Estimator
• Buyer

Further study:

On completing this course students are likely to progress to further study in an area related to the above-mentioned professions.

Entry

Standard:

Standard entry requirements for UK students - http://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/ukugentryreqs

Students from the European Union - http://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/eu/guides

International students - http://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/international/apply

Additional:

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 discussions / debates and peer group support, directed practical activity with dedicated online technical support and database of reading materials. This shall often be in a combined lecture, discussion, practical research in one session with academic and demonstrator support. Additionally, there is self directed research and work based practical activity which can be assisted by the use of teaching packs, online technical indexes, and Internet and government publications. The particular form of support is module specific; however, all are characterised by tutor support and pragmatic approach to activity.

All the teaching sources are available in the VLE that includes references and links, general unit and course information, discussion groups, tests and assessments. The VLE is available outside of the University to enrolled students.

Students entering upon the course will already have some experience of using computers and their operation. Therefore the approach to teaching and learning begins with student centred methods and progresses towards independent learning. As the teaching is centred upon students, the Department aims to build their confidence by providing timely and informative feedback under the guidance of their lecturer / tutor.

Where possible, experts and industry leaders will be invited to give focused lectures on the latest developments and new trends in building services and sustainability, and visits organised to professional events (such as Integer, FutureBuild and EcoBuild National Exhibitions) participating in appropriate seminars provided by the events.

Project supervision involves regular tutorial meetings between groups / individuals and their staff supervisor. The project is seen as a guarantee of the Honours nature of students and is seen, both within the University and outside as an indication of the overall abilities and performance of the student.

Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body Accreditation

N/A

Students with disabilities

Physical impairment in the form of depreciated visual, audio, mobility and neurological cognitive faculties will, where identified and practicable, be ameliorated by the deployment of appropriate hardware, software and individual support. The department disability tutor is tasked with providing assistance for such students.

Skills Development

Communication

To help with the development of this you will:

• Practise and enhance your written communication skills through literature research and structured technical reports


• Exercise effective oral communication skills through discussions, debate and teamwork


• Gain experience in using other forms of communication such as poster and visual presentation

Information Literacy

To help with the development of this you will:

• Use effectively the virtual learning environment (VLE)


• Apply modern computer software to analysis, simulation, reports and presentations


• Utilise information sources of books, magazines, journals, conference proceedings, and so on in hardcopy and online

Research and Evaluation

To help with the development of this you will:

• Conduct a literature review on related work to your Honours Project topic


• Analyse the results of your project and other work


• Assess your project work against a set of benchmark criteria

Creativity and Critical Thinking

To help with the development of this you will:

• Produce a detailed honours project proposal appropriate to your course via literature research


• Analyse and synthesise data for your creative work


• Draw sensible conclusions and recommendations from your project

Improving learning and performance

This is built in the units through assessment and feedback and especially, the Honours Project provides face-to-face opportunities for the supervisor and the student to address on this aspect.

Progress files

Personal growth is seen as a fundamental requirement for a successful student and is actively supported by appropriately designed units and assisted by the personal tutor who helps to review progress files throughout the academic life of the students. Self reflection is an important part of this and aids the learner in achieving the goals in timely fashion. The Honours Project supervisor will act as the personal tutor for this level 6 only course.

Professional standards

Common sense professional standards are introduced in lecture rooms and labs, such as the food and drinks and use of mobile phones. Students are also expected to follow other professional standards such as attendance requirements and punctuality.

Plagiarism is explicitly addressed to students and ethics are taken into account during the course.

Strategy for developing and embedding the professional standards

While common sense professional standards are communicated to students in teaching rooms and labs and verbally, plagiarism is addressed in the course handbook. Ethic issues are considered in the Honours Project.