Course Summary

More and more, a builder's ability to construct sustainable buildings is playing a big role in a company or individual's decision to employ them. This course is designed to help make you more employable by empowering you to learn the finer details about the way we construct buildings and how we can make them more energy efficient. The knowledge you will gain about both the building structure itself and the sustainable systems that can be installed inside it will impress prospective employers and help you earn the trust of future clients.

This course will equip you with the most up-to-date skills and knowledge required for the buildings of tomorrow. Students will inspect, operate and get hands-on experience with alternative fuel systems, including solar domestic hot water heating systems, ground source heat pumps and photovoltaic systems. The building methods you will study and practice are in line with initiatives to combat climate change and to best utilise the land or space on which we build.

If you take the full-time option for this course, you will complete your studies in two years. We also support students who are currently employed by offering part-time study, which requires one day or evening per week for the duration of the course. All candidates are expected to carry out substantial research and assignment work outside of seminars.

Why choose this course?

As construction companies are required to look more closely at the need to conserve finite resources, the sustainable building skills you acquire and the knowledge you gain regarding alternative energy sources will make you an excellent candidate for employment. This course is designed to provide career development or a professional route into the construction industry. Whatever your experience, it will give you confidence as a building engineer of tomorrow.

During this course you will:

• Combine theoretical study with practical experience
• Work with the most modern alternative fuel systems
• Study in excellent facilities with modern technologies available
• Develop new skills required for management roles
• Learn problem solving, evaluation and analytical skills relevant to the construction industry
• Improve your career opportunities and earning potential

Areas of study you may cover on this course include:

• Sustainable building techniques
• Land-efficient designs
• Solar domestic hot water heating systems
• Ground source heat pumps
• Photovoltaic systems
• Climate change issues
• Management practice

FDSUCFB

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:

1. Develop a holistic view of construction so that you are capable of designing and implementing construction for a range of different buildings and purposes.

2. Develop technical knowledge, understanding and skills in construction systems in the context of the challenges of the sustainability agenda and climate change.

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

4. Develope an understanding of the concepts required to produce zero carbon buildings.

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

External Benchmarking

N/A

Educational Aims

Educational Aims

• To prepare students for a range of technical, professional and management careers in Construction 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 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 who will benefit from the programme

Specific Objectives

• 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 construction engineering problems


• To develop the students understanding of the scientific principles and concepts used in a range of construction and building applications including concepts used to meet the requirements of Zero Carbon / Carbon Neutral buildings


• For students to develop a basic understanding of the principles of design, installation, commissioning and operation required for building services systems


• To promote the students knowledge and understanding of Land Utilisation and the effects on the environment, communities and the construction industry


• To develop the students understanding of the Building Regulations, how they affect or drive concepts used in the design and construction of buildings, materials and sustainability


• To provide the knowledge and skills that will enable students to assess practicalities and feasibility of innovative ideas and methods that can be utilised in the design and construction of buildings for the future


• 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 support in and out of the classroom


• Specialist equipment


• Assessment and support for dyslexic students


• 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 Construction 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 Construction Engineering industry as well as in Maintenance and Facilities Management.

Further study:

BSc Sustainable Construction.

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 Construction 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.