Course Summary

This course equips you with the skills and knowledge you'll need to work within construction management. A range of teaching and learning methods are adopted, which enables you to apply your new-found knowledge and skills comprehensively, and gain useful experience for employment.

Study of this course will help you develop high-level management skills that are in demand in the construction industry, including managing resources and the economics of construction. You'll also develop transferable Construction Management skills in Teamwork, Communication, Problem Solving, Mathematics and IT Solutions. Plus you'll forge active links with construction companies, contributing to the development of units and learning about new technologies, techniques and materials for sustainable building.

Technical knowledge elements of the course are mapped to the NVQs in Construction Management at Level 4 offering the opportunity to progress onto a programme to achieve an NVQ in the workplace.

Why choose this course?

Completion of this course will open up a variety of career opportunities in the construction industry and academia.

During the course you will:

• Experience high-quality industry-related teaching by practising professionals who are currently working in industry
• Benefit from state-of-the-art resources and facilities supported by dedicated technologists
• Experience a pragmatic approach to delivery and assessment of topics
• Gain a deep insight of policies and regulations that will enable you to manage construction in the future

Areas of study you may cover on this course include:

• Construction economics
• Contract, procurement and risk management
• Construction project management
• Emerging technologies and policy development in construction
• Honours project

FDCON-BF

Assessment

A range of assessment methods is used throughout the programme including: group and individual based assessments throughout the duration of the programme. These assessments include individual essays, reports presentations and examinations (hand written and computer based) and group based reports and presentations.

Course Learning Outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate a good understanding of the key functional areas in construction management project management, finance, procurement, contract law.

2. Collect appropriate data, summarise and analyse it and present your findings in the form of a written report and oral presentation.

3. Use the common software packages used in construction word processing, spreadsheets, databases, specialist software.

4. Identify the main theoretical concepts behind the practice of construction management.

5. Analyse key behavioural factors and explain their relevance to understanding organisations and people working in them.

6. Show an understanding of the concept of the construction organisation as an integrated entity operating within the parameters of the internal and external environments.

External Benchmarking

University of Bedfordshire Level descriptors; relevant QAA Subject Benchmarks.

Educational Aims

Aims:

• Provide a broad based, vocational education to support careers in construction management or within a construction setting


• Equip students for a career in industry, commerce or the public sector and to progression to senior levels of decision making


• Encourage the habit of continuous learning and to provide a firm grounding for further academic or professional activity within the business studies area

Student support

All new learners attend a number of induction sessions in their first weeks, during which they undertake Computer Assisted Diagnostic assessment. The results of such diagnostics enable a personalised program to address individual learning requirements in basic Mathematical and Language skills.

Ongoing support regarding academic matters is provided by tutors, unit co-ordinators and Field Chairs. Other support is provided by centralised Student Services at both Barnfield and the University and by the Students Union.

Team working

This is a key aspect of the course and many units require students to work together in groups during seminars to consider problems, issues and case studies. Some more formal group working is required for summative assessments, either written or verbal. Group activities form a core element of the Preparation for the Workplace unit and the reflective element of the assessment for this unit requires students to consider how they work within a group structure and the dynamics of group working.

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 work based learning and attending exhibitions and seminars provided by experts.

Career/Further study opportunities

Career:

Graduates of this degree will be able to go into any of the following positions:

• Junior Construction Managers


• Progression to BSc Construction Management

Further study:

On completing this course students are likely to progress into the following areas:

BSc in Construction Management, or any other related topic; MSc and MSc by Research; MPhil / PhD.

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

These will include:

• Lectures to introduce fundamental ideas


• Guided reading


• Tutorials and seminars to enhance the understanding of concepts and provide a forum for the discussion of ideas ad solutions


• Case studies which pose construction related problems


• Workshops, usually computer based, to focus on practical work

Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body Accreditation

N/A

Students with disabilities

All teaching is undertaken on premises that provide reasonable access for learners with disabilities. There are no mandatory field trips on the programme. The course team is conscious of the requirements of Special Educational Needs and Disability Act (SENDA) 2001 and has been involved in a number of training sessions.

Through the specialist advisor, students with special educational needs are identified and suitable arrangements are made to accommodate their particular issues e.g. additional time for written exams, use of spell checkers.

Skills Development

Communication

To help with the development of this you will:

Written and verbal communication methods are developed and assessed throughout the course. Written communication is developed through the production of individual essays and reports, group reports and individual examinations, which are a common feature of all units. Preparation for the Workplace requires students to write a reflective portfolio and action plan.

Verbal communications in the form of individual and group presentations are an important feature of many units and are specifically developed within Preparation for the Workplace at Level 1. The discussions and debates, which are an important part of seminar activities, further develop the students verbal skills.

Information Literacy

To help with the development of this you will:

The development of basic information technology skills is essential for all construction students to enable them to be as effective as possible from the very start of their career. All learners are required to word process their assignments. Basic familiarity with standard construction packages is provided through several of the core units. Learners are encouraged to use Web CT and BREO where appropriate and to make use of the Universitys intranet facilities. The University of Bedfordshire and Barnfield College both provide access to the Internet and learners are encouraged and supported, through the respective learning resource centres, in developing their skills in both using and evaluating this as a potential source of information.

Research and Evaluation

To help with the development of this you will:

Be taught the basics of problem solving and lateral thinking during your course. Learners will be expected to work independently and to produce assignments which show their ability to synthesise and evaluate disparate sources in order to come to a successful conclusion.

Creativity and Critical Thinking

To help with the development of this you will:

Be taught how to solve problems, be given general scenarios from which they need to devise solutions and generally be able to develop critical arguments to support their hypotheses.

Improving learning and performance

First year learners undertake a personal development unit that is concerned with the learning styles of each participant and seeks to enhance these. In addition learners will receive formative feedback on tasks that they undertake. Any assessed piece of work will always receive written comments and students should use these in order to improve their performance (if necessary) at the next available opportunity.

Progress files

Personal growth is seen as a fundamental requirement for a successful student and is actively supported at each level by appropriately designed units and assisted by the presence of personal tutors, who help 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.

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.