CertHE Construction
Welcome to Construction Management (CertHE Construction)
The CertHE Construction Management course (validated by the University of East Anglia) aligns with the government’s introduction of the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE), responding to regional industry demand for an emphasis on skills competencies.
A key objective of the course is to attract students who may not have considered a construction career due to course duration of traditional qualifications and the long-term commitment required. Feedback has underscored the demand for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities linked to the industry, further informing the course’s design to meet evolving industry needs.
The assessment strategy for this course is tailored to align with industry requirements, emphasising practical application of skills over traditional written assignments preparing students for the demands of the construction sector.
Course IntroductionModulesEntry RequirementsProfessional DevelopmentAdditional
Your profile
You could be an industry professional, seeking Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities, or an individual not typically considering a career in the construction sector.
Your subject
The construction industry is expanding at an exponential rate, with a global demand for housing fuelling a rise in construction-related vacancies and new technologies paving the way for existing construction professionals to develop their skills. Construction covers public and private housing, public buildings such as hospitals and schools, commercial and industrial buildings, and infrastructure such as roads, bridges and power plants. The industry repairs, maintains and refurbishes existing buildings and installs services such as power and ventilation in new and existing buildings.
Your course
You will have access to excellent training facilities and be taught by professionals who are experts in their chosen fields and retain their key links with local construction companies. You will develop your knowledge and understanding of construction processes, management skills, building technology, environmental and sustainability issues. University Centre Colchester’s Construction Management programmes are designed in consultation with the regional construction industry to help meet their demand for a skilled, professional workforce. The CertHE Construction course is accredited (currently pending) by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), which will further bolster your CV and help launch you into a career in the modern construction industry.
Your future
The CertHE provides an opportunity to gain the experience, qualification, and confidence to enter the industry, progress within your existing role, or bolster your progress to mid or high-level management. The suite of modules available not only allow you to develop skills such as project management and modelling but increase your technical knowledge and understanding of key industry specific components including health & safety, law, economics, and sustainability.
Undergraduate courses operate on a modular basis that provide flexibility and choice. Each module is worth a specified number of credits, the CertHE being compiled of 10, 20 and 30 credit modules. Study time includes scheduled teaching, independent study and assessment activity.
Students can either study individual modules, combine modules to qualify for the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) or study a total of 120 credits to obtain the full CertHE qualification.
Our teaching is informed by research, professional practice and industry engagement and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline.
Course Overview CertHE ConstructionThe Cert HE in Construction reflects the needs for flexible study in this profession. The professional development nature of the course necessitates an open access approach which enables students to demonstrate their abilities while on programme, and to apply skills gradually and on a module-by-module basis. The course structure is aimed at eliminating potential barriers, particularly for mature students who may lack a formal level 3 qualification. Recognising the diverse backgrounds of applicants, especially those with extensive industry experience, the course team aim to ensure accessibility to education by avoiding unnecessary hurdles, such as mandatory interviews, that might deter potential candidates from applying.
International applicants
If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 6.0, with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking), or an equivalent English Language qualification.
Additional requirements for International Students:
- You must provide evidence of having been in general education for at least 10 years and of having studied within the last five years
- a face-to-face or video call interview is required before an offer is made
Our students go on to a wide range of careers within the construction industry. These career sectors include, but are not limited to, commercial management, construction (supervising and operations), design (residential and commercial), electrical technology, building control, along with architectural technicians, building surveying, restoration and estimating roles.
Course Progression
Individual modules can be built up to complete the full CertHE, leading to possible progression opportunities onto a variety of courses e.g. DipHE, BSc (Hons) Construction Management, specialist or professional training courses.
Timetables: Timetables are normally available one month before registration. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week. Part-time classes are normally scheduled on one or two days per week.
Teaching and Learning: You are taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and practicals. Seminars enable smaller group discussions to develop understanding of topics covered in lectures.
When not attending lectures, seminars and practicals or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-directed study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, learning zone or technical learning resources, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for examinations
Assessment: The course provides you with opportunities to test your understanding of the subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module normally contains at least one piece of practice or ‘formative’ assessment for which you receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark.
There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. Assessment methods include written examinations and a range of coursework assessments such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations and your final year major project. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.
Feedback: You will receive feedback on all practice assessments and on formal assessments undertaken by coursework. Feedback is intended to help you learn and you are encouraged to discuss it with your module tutor.
Course Overview
The CertHE in Construction Management course will develop knowledge and understanding of construction processes, commercial management skills, building technology and environmental and sustainability issues. Key aspects of the programme are the work-based modules that allow the students to apply their learning in the workplace.
Primarily designed for on-site learning, there is an acknowledgement that alternative methods can be explored by the course team and influenced by student/employer preferences or needs. Modules are likely to be a semester in duration unless an alternative structure has been agreed.
Modules offered can be selected as stand-alone, grouped to meet LLE requirements or combined to meet the 120 credits for the CertHE qualification (the 30-credit professional practice module is mandatory for the CertHE).
Disclaimer
All Fees and prices shown on the website are for courses starting in the 2024-25 academic year and are correct at the time of entering/printing information, however these may be subject to change. The College cannot accept legal or financial liability as a result of any such changes.
The course information describes programmes offered by University Centre Colchester at Colchester Institute. The College takes all reasonable steps to provide courses as described, but cannot guarantee provision. The information is for guidance and does not form any part of a contract.
The College reserves the right to update and amend information as and when necessary. University Centre Colchester at Colchester Institute will do its best to provide the courses shown, but may have to modify or withdraw a course depending on customer demand and other factors.
