Construction and the Built Environment

Year 1

You will be introduced to the construction industry, the environment in which it exists, the technology involved, the systems and processes which operate within it and the basic skills required by construction professionals. Particular reference to the different types of buildings and the factors affecting their design and technologies used to construct them as well as the requirements to manage projects through the different phases is underpinned at this stage.

Year 2

You will develop an understanding of the different working legal, contractual and financial relations that may govern a construction project. You will gain fundamental skills and the ability to employ techniques required to plan a construction project from inception to completion. You will develop an appreciation of the technology involved in moderately complex buildings and the application of all the above to an integrated project.

Year 3

You will continue to update your knowledge, understanding and critical awareness of both traditional and contemporary buildings and building decay/ deterioration. Your understanding of general management techniques and their application in communicating and motivating an interdisciplinary team to bring about the successful completion of a project will be established.

Year 4

To promote the ability to undertake advanced study in construction with a proper concern for scholarship and rigour, half the credits for the final year are spent on a dedicated integrated project delivery using the skills in all previous years. You will also undertake critical investigation using appropriate research methods and independent, self-directed skills.

Learning Methods

The four-year Graduate Apprenticeship in BSc (Hons) Construction and the Built Environment course is an industry-focused degree route, where students work full-time for a partner employer while studying towards a fully accredited degree. The apprenticeship combines workplace training with a programme of education designed to meet students’ career ambitions. The core curriculum is focused on participation and proactivity to work-based learning developed through ongoing collaboration between RGU staff, workplace mentors, and line managers in the workplace. The course will utilise the technology investment that the University has made in lecture capture and Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) delivery providing the student with a cutting edge learning experience.

Activity Summary

This is a work-based learning course delivered via a combination of practical learning activities in the workplace complemented by learning delivered online through our virtual learning environment (VLE) and including one on campus session per module of study.

Per module, students can expect:

• Contact hours -30hours, 3 hours per week
• Independent Study -30 hours, 3 hours per week
• Work Based Learning - 240 hours, 20 hours per week

Independent Study

The majority of the learning will be taking place at work and as you progress from Year 1 4, the level of independent learning increases significantly within specialist areas of the course. You are expected to have the confidence to apply your knowledge to more complex contexts and work on your own initiative as you progress towards graduation.

Staff Delivering on This Course

The course will be delivered as part of the School's extensive suite within the built environment undergraduate programme. These courses are delivered by staff from a range of professional backgrounds including specialists in construction processes and management, architects, architectural technologists, building/quantity surveyors, and environmental/structural engineers.

Employers assign a Workplace Mentor whose role will be to oversee the work-based learning undertaken by the student. In addition to mentoring support for students, supplementary support may be provided by the employer, for example when subject matter experts are brought in to provide specific business or technical expertise or through access to other departments within the organisation. This ensures that the curriculum is fully covered as the student progresses in their studies.

During the first year of study, access is provided to a dedicated Graduate Apprenticeship Success Coach to help make the most of all learning opportunities.

Assessment

Typically students are assessed eachyear:

Year 1

• 4written assignments, including essays

Year 2

• 3 written assignments, including essays
• 1 report
• 1 project output

Year 3

• 4written assignments, including essays

Year 4

• 1 written assignment
• 1 dissertation
• 1 project output

Feedback

We aim to providefeedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.

Placements

Students will be in full-time employment throughout the duration of the course, therefore extensive use is made of work-based learning.

Job Prospects

Students joining the Graduate Apprenticeship course in Construction and the Built Environment will already be employed. Students may range fromnew entrantsto the industry to mature experienced individuals interested in formalising their experience. The career progression options may include graduate construction manager, contract manager, project manager, health and safety officer, and risk manager.