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Overview
Build your understanding of all the functions that make a complex construction site run smoothly, and develop your ability to manage the site's operations, on this degree apprenticeship in construction management.
You'll focus on the practical technology and operational management of building site operations, covering aspects including technology, management, finance, safety and sustainability. You'll master the logistics that keep a site running smoothly, grasp the health and safety regulations that maintain the welfare of your colleagues, and understand the effects of construction and waste on the environment.
Your study will mesh with your current job, letting you use issues from your working life as material for your study, and providing valuable learning that you can apply to your job. As you work with academic staff drawn from the positions across the construction sector, you'll develop the knowledge and behaviours required to manage construction operations, and gain insights into the sector that support your future career in this multi-billion pound industry. By focusing on the methods of managing a site, you'll equip yourself with the skills to face the future's known and unknown construction challenges.
Course highlights
- Study issues directly related to your career, and apply your learning to your current job
- Explore the subjects that affect your own job, and those that affect the stakeholders you work with
- Use industry-standard software and construction equipment in our labs and IT facilities
- Work alongside academics with knowledge and experience of the sector, and with fellow students from related industries
- Improve your career prospects with deeper, applied knowledge and skills from the construction industry
Top 30
for student satisfaction
(Times Higher Education, 2024)
I'm an employer interested in this degree apprenticeship for my staff
There's more information for you about degree apprenticeships on our information for employers page, or you can contact us directly.
If you have an employee, or employees, in mind, that's great; if you are creating a new opening, we can help you shape and promote the role.
Entry requirements
BSc (Hons) Construction Management (Top Up) Degree Apprenticeship entry requirements
Typical offers
- Relevant HE study leading to a Level 4 qualification, for example 120 credits from an appropriate HNC, or year 1 of an undergraduate degree (BA/BSc), in a construction or built environment related subject with an overall grade of Merit or above.
- All applicants to the Degree Apprenticeship courses must have an acceptable Level 2 qualification in English and Mathematics. Acceptable qualifications include GCSE with grade C/4 or above and Functional Skills with Pass - please note that we are not able to accept all kinds of Level 2 qualifications, so if you are unsure whether you have a suitable qualification please get in touch. If you do not have an acceptable qualification you will be required to take an additional assessment during the application process.
Selection process
- All applicants will be required to complete a Skills Gap Analysis before completing an application form.
- All applicants will be invited to attend an academic interview and may be asked to submit a portfolio of work or undertake additional assessment.
You may need to have studied specific subjects – find full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.
Typical offers
- Relevant HE study leading to a Level 4 qualification, for example 120 credits from an appropriate HNC, or year 1 of an undergraduate degree (BA/BSc), in a construction or built environment related subject with an overall grade of Merit or above.
- All applicants to the Degree Apprenticeship courses must have an acceptable Level 2 qualification in English and Mathematics. Acceptable qualifications include GCSE with grade C/4 or above and Functional Skills with Pass - please note that we are not able to accept all kinds of Level 2 qualifications, so if you are unsure whether you have a suitable qualification please get in touch. If you do not have an acceptable qualification you will be required to take an additional assessment during the application process.
Selection process
- All applicants will be required to complete a Skills Gap Analysis before completing an application form.
- All applicants will be invited to attend an academic interview and may be asked to submit a portfolio of work or undertake additional assessment.
You may need to have studied specific subjects or GCSEs – see full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.
You and your employer
When you begin studying for your degree apprenticeship:
- You need to be 18 or over
- You should be able to satisfy government requirements on residency:
- you must be a citizen or have the right to live in the UK/EEA
- you must have been a resident in the UK/EEA (not the Channel Islands or Isle of Man) for a minimum of 3 years
- you must not need a Student Route visa, and must not have been on a Student Route visa within the past 3 years
- You need to have the right to work in the UK, and to spend at least 50% of your working hours in England
- Your job should meet the requirements of the apprenticeship standard relevant to this degree – we can advise you and your employer on this
- Your employer needs to have registered an apprentice service account – we can help your employer with this if needed
If you aren't currently working in a relevant field, you can apply for a job and degree apprenticeship simultaneously. Read more about applying for this degree apprenticeship.
Careers and opportunities
The construction sector contains over 2 million jobs, and contributes over £120 billion to the UK economy, according to a December 2022 UK government briefing. This means your construction career makes you part of a huge and continually changing profession, which calls for a wide range of skills. On this course, you'll be building on the skills you already have, and applying them to the job you're currently in.
When you graduate from this degree apprenticeship, you'll be able to show your experience and understanding of the construction process, from initial tendering to final cleanup and environmental management. You'll have evidence of how what you've learned can support your work, and you'll be prepared to progress in your building site management career, whether that means working for established companies or breaking out as a self-employed professional.
You'll be able to draw on the knowledge and connections of your fellow apprenticeship students and lecturers, developing your network in the sector, and you'll also polish the skills in areas like time management, group dynamics, and IT use that any career can make use of.
You'll also be in a strong position to work toward membership of the Chartered Institute of Builders or Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers, or perhaps to take on a Master's course in the construction field.
Ongoing careers support
Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.
What you'll study
Modules
Modules studied
You'll critically evaluate design criteria for buildings and learn how legislation, innovative materials and best practices influence construction. By the end, you'll be able to discriminate between sustainable strategies and make informed technical decisions for construction projects. The knowledge you gain will empower you to create the buildings of the future.
You'll visualise statistical data, dissect numerical trends, and examine macroeconomic impacts that influence the construction industry. You'll also make calculations on the time value of money, develop project cash flows, and develop a sound numerical and economic foundation for the built environment sector.
You'll describe site requirements and manage injuries or illness, in line with key legislation. You'll also learn to create a positive safety culture and to advise on risk assessments.
In this module, you'll explore the ethical issues, core skills, knowledge and professional behaviours and competencies that define the role of a construction manager. As you demonstrate workplace-based skills and competencies such as working in teams, communication and report writing, you'll develop the ability to recognise diversity, equality and ensure inclusivity for all.
Modules studied
You'll set out the stages of a scheme design, with reference to the RIBA Plan of Work, and learn to assess and recommend procurement routes throughout the project lifecycle. You'll also analyse the property market, evaluate risk in procurement approaches, and apply economic insight to the construction industry. On completion of this module, you will know how to guide project inception and set your clients on the path to success.
Through theory and case studies, you'll develop skills to plan, monitor, and control projects while considering technical and human factors.
You'll use industry-standard techniques like WBS and CPM to create organizational structures, schedules, budgets, and risk management plans, covering the project cycle from initiation and stakeholder engagement to procurement and sustainability integration. With individual and group assignments, you'll apply your learning to demonstrate effective project planning, teamwork, and communication. By the end, you'll have core competencies and techniques to successfully manage construction projects.
You'll analyse processes, allowing you to plan and programme seamless projects. Gaining commercial insight, you'll fulfil client needs and contractual duties. You'll combine your understanding of the project lifecycle with leadership abilities, learning to unite teams to deliver efficient projects on time and on budget.
Modules studied
You'll propose ethical solutions to significant problems, analyse literature, and plan in-depth investigations, then undertake your plan, collecting key data and communicating your findings clearly.
You'll identify contract types and apply them to industry case studies, analysing risks and failures. Through research and discussion, you'll evaluate corporate decision-making, relating business objectives to wider societal contexts. With well-rounded knowledge of construction law and management, you'll be equipped to operate effectively within companies and contracts.
Your team will explore technical, legal, economic, and management spheres, and present your progress in professional reports and presentations. You'll address factors such as constructability, safety, sustainability, and cost, and produce a final brief that adds to your employability portfolio
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Teaching
The majority of your timetabled teaching will be face-to-face and will include:
- lectures
- seminars
- tutorials
- practical classes
- IT classes
- fieldwork
Assessment
Your assessment will depend on which modules you take. Assessment methods are likely to include:
- coursework
- exams
- presentations including poster presentations
- project work
How you'll spend your time
One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.
We're planning for most of your learning to be supported by timetabled face-to-face teaching with some elements of online provision.
How you study for your degree will depend on your employer. You'll likely attend the University on day release for 1 day every other week during term time. You'll do follow-up work by yourself when away from the University with support from our Virtual Learning Environment: Moodle.
Occasionally, we run customised versions of the course with specific employers, which aren't available to all applicants. This could involve study via distance learning with the support of Moodle or a combination of online study with block release (4-day periods of intense study on campus).
Term dates
The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.
Supporting your learning
The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
You'll get a workplace mentor who's there to support you during your apprenticeship. They'll understand your workplace responsibilities and help you to balance your workload in your workplace and in your studies
You'll have help from a team of faculty learning support tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study in one-on-one and group sessions.
They can help you:
- master the mathematics skills you need to excel on your course
- understand engineering principles and how to apply them in any engineering discipline
- solve computing problems relevant to your course
- develop your knowledge of computer programming concepts and methods relevant to your course
- understand and use assignment feedback
All our labs and practical spaces are staffed by qualified laboratory support staff. They’ll support you in scheduled lab sessions and can give you one-to-one help when you do practical research projects.
During term time, Faculty Academic Skills Tutors (AST) are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions and online sessions. These sessions are tailored to your needs.
Support is available for skills including:
- University study
- Getting into the right study mindset
- Note-taking and note-making skills
- Referencing
- Presentation skills
- Time management, planning, and goal setting
- Critical thinking
- Avoiding plagiarism
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
The Maths Cafe offers advice and assistance with mathematical skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your mathematics skills at a workshop or use our online resources.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees
The course fee is shared between the Government and some employers, meaning no cost to you as the degree apprentice. Total tuition fees are £18,000 paid over 3 years.
Please see our Degree Apprenticeships page for further information.
Additional course costs
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Additional costs
Our accommodation section show your accommodation options and highlight how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
You’ll need to pay additional costs of £50–£1,000 to cover travel, accommodation or subsistence if you take a placement abroad. The amount you’ll pay will vary, depending on the location and length of your stay.
You may need to pay a registration fee at the start of your course to The Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET). This is around £50.
Your employer will cover the cost of the End-Point Assessment (EPA), which is separate from your course fees.
Apply
When you apply for a degree apprenticeship, you'll apply in partnership with your employer.
I'm applying with my current employer
If you're already in full-time work, and your employer is interested in you studying this course, get them to contact us and we'll work out how to work together.
If your employer isn't interested yet, you might find it useful to share our information for employers page with them.
Employer contact form Information for employers
I'm looking for a job with a Degree Apprenticeship role
If you're not in full-time employment, or your current employer is not interested in degree apprenticeships, you'll need to find a role that does offer a degree apprenticeship. You can search the gov.uk list of open degree apprenticeship vacancies, or contact us with your details and we'll let you know when degree apprenticeship vacancies come up.
When you apply for a role that includes one of our degree apprenticeships, you'll follow the company's standard recruitment process for the job, while we assess your academic suitability for the course.
Search degree apprenticeship roles (gov.uk) Contact us
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.