BTEC Level 3 Subsidary Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment

The BTEC Subsidiary Diploma and Diploma programmes in Construction and Civil Engineering are part-time (day-release) courses which are intended to provide students who are employed within the industry, opportunities to develop their academic ambitions towards qualification as construction or civil engineering technicians. Students commence their studies on the Subsidiary Diploma and should their first year performance be satisfactory, they may progress to the final year of the Diploma programme.

Students who enrol upon the programmes often come from a range of backgrounds including school leavers who are embarking upon their careers and also those who already have experience of working within the industry. A typical cohort will therefore include students who have recently gained appropriate formal qualifications at GCSE level, and also those who have qualified in those various disciplines and crafts which are available within the industry.

The programmes are broad-based in terms of content, and combine both academic and practical subjects to provide a general introduction to the issues and objectives which exist in the design and construction of buildings and civil engineering projects. In general terms, areas of study include such diverse fields as science, technology, design and management, which are supplemented by laboratory work, surveying fieldwork, drawing, computing and site visits.

The course is made up of thirteen units as follows;

Year 1; Health, Safety and Welfare

Sustainable Construction

Mathematics

Science and Materials

Construction Technology and Design

Surveying

Civil Engineering Construction

Year 2; Building Technology*

Setting-out Processes

Further Maths

Project

Building Regulations*

Construction in Civil Engineering#

Structural Mechanics#

* construction students only

# civil engineering students only

How you will gain the qualification

Assessment is undertaken through written submission, time-controlled examination and practical assessment, and is subject to both Edexcel and Coleg Cambria assessment procedures. Assessments are set by tutors of Coleg Cambria and are externally moderated to ensure that Edexcel standards are complied with.

What qualifications you need

Candidates will usually be required to satisfy one of the following:

• GCSE qualifications at Grade A* - C in at least four subjects including Mathematics, a Science subject and a subject requiring the use of written English

• BTEC ‘Certificate’ or ‘First Diploma’ in a related subject

• Appropriate knowledge and/or experience gained at work or from other related qualifications

Applications from students with appropriate alternative qualifications and mature students with relevant industrial experience are welcome and will be given careful consideration.

Where to next

The Subsidiary Diploma and Diploma qualifications provide students with a technical qualification which will be appropriate in pursuing career ambitions in the following sectors of the construction and civil engineering industries;

• Construction Management

• Architectural Technology

• Quantity Surveying

• Land and Building Surveying

• Civil Engineering

• Structural Engineering

• Highways Engineering