Construction Project Management BSc (Hons) with foundation year

Course overview

Why you should study this course

Foundation year

• Supports you to gain the academic skills required for degree-level study.
• Provides a grounding in key areas of business and management.

Degree

A common first year makes it possible to transfer to Architectural Technology BSc (Hons), Building Surveying BSc (Hons), Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management BSc (Hons) in your second year if you wish (subject to meeting progression requirements).

Additional benefits and opportunities on this course can also include^2,4:

• excellent links with construction employers who support our teaching with the aid of site visits and guest speakers (subject to availability)
• opportunities to undertake some additional qualifications as part of your programme, such as Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology (BREEAM) certificates (subject to availability and fees where applicable)
• access to our Simulation Centre that replicates a realistic work environment that should help you improve and enhance a variety of skills and behaviours needed to manage a project. The facility allows us to simulate ‘real life’ construction scenarios, making you more prepared for the workplace
• the chance to apply for a full-year work placement which can count towards your professional chartered status²
• national and international links with the Building Research Establishment (BRE) and the School for Higher and Professional Education (SHAPE) in Hong Kong
• a chance to study shared modules in your first year, alongside students on a range of other related courses, for example, Civil Engineering BSc (Hons), reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of today’s construction industry
• a diverse learning approach which aims to offer you highly practical elements such as surveying, field trips and live assessment through case studies, so that you can apply your learning to situations you might face in your post-university life².

Careers and opportunities

The complexity and scale of modern construction projects requires construction professionals with expertise in construction management, who can work either on site or within an office to ensure they are delivered safely, within budget, on deadline and to the highest possible quality.

Upon successful completion, you will have knowledge of:

• building technology and construction processes, management processes and systems associated with construction
• building science with respect to materials, structure, services and internal environment
• the legal and regulatory framework within which buildings are constructed
• the economics of construction, procurement and contract administration procedures
• design processes used in construction and current innovations relating to the construction of buildings
• how quality is achieved in construction processes and products
• health and safety in building design and construction
• land surveying
• the management of building projects, including the planning, budgeting and control of costs in all aspects of the construction process.

You should also be able to:

• identify the aims and objectives of research
• analyse, interpolate, and present information
• analyse and solve construction problems of a technical and managerial nature
• reflect on the interdisciplinary and team working nature of the construction industry in order to undertake and manage construction design and the construction process
• analyse data and information sources in construction
• apply techniques used for the analysis and surveying of existing buildings
• apply CAD and manual drawing techniques, and other tools to construction design
• undertake full-measured, dilapidation and condition surveys
• write different types of property survey reports.

This course is designed to prepare you for employment managing the construction of building projects at home and abroad, for large multinational companies or regional businesses. You could find yourself working as a Contracts Manager, Project Manager, Site Manager or Engineer. Construction Managers have the option of aiming for self-employment, or working for large or small, regional, national or international firms. Work can range from domestic housing, up to multi-million pound internationally renowned projects, from new builds to refurbishments - the world of Construction Manager can be varied, interesting and exciting.

Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your future career and giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. Part of our careers support service, the Talent Team provides a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career (subject to availability).