Mode of Study

Full-time

Start Date

13th Jan 2025, 1 year

Location

City Campus

Applications from International Students Welcome

Overview

This course is delivered by our highly professional teaching staff with significant construction industry experience and a proven track record of bringing out the best in their students.

The construction industry in Scotland offers a diverse range of technician level careers. This course offers you an entry-level qualification that enables you to pursue a career as an Architectural Technician, Construction Manager, Building Surveyor or Quantity Surveyor if you have neither the qualifications to directly enter higher national level courses nor the qualification and experience to secure a technician level modern apprenticeship.

The course provides an introduction to the knowledge and skills you’ll need for a professional career at technician level in the building industry. It is predominantly theory-based and delivered as classroom-based lectures and tutorials but builds up your knowledge gradually, thus easing you into the academic process. The course provides an ideal launch pad for a technician level career in the construction industry and is an ideal starting point if you:-

• Want to build your confidence about engaging in academic learning.
• Have previously failed to achieve the results that demonstrate your full potential.
• Are returning to learning after a break.

The course consists of the core units required to achieve an NC Built Environment but you'll also undertake some additional units that support you to build the core skills required to succeed in the academic environment and to gain employment.

Watch as our students and staff talk about the learning experience at the College.

The course will run for 6 months from January - June.

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements

• Three National 5 qualifications at Grade C or above preferably in Mathematics, English and a Science subject, OR
• Other equivalent qualifications or experience.

Additional selection requirements

You'll be invited for a group and/or individual interview where you can find out more about the course and tell us why you're interested in this subject area or we'll make an offer based on your application form.

ESOL entry requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English should have minimum SQA ESOL National 5 or equivalent for NC/NQ courses and ESOL Higher or equivalent for HNC/D courses.

What you study

• Domestic Building Services.
• Construction Technology: Groundworks and Substructure.
• Construction Technology: Superstructure and Finishes.
• Computer Aided Drafting: An Introduction.
• Construction Calculations.
• Construction Materials: An Introduction.
• Construction Site Surveying: An Introduction.
• Health and Safety in the Construction Industry.
• Built Environment Project.
• Sustainable Design for Architecture.

You will undertake units that will support you to develop your general skills in ICT and working with others; and a specific unit that prepares you to enter the job market.

After the course

Careers

This course prepares you for a career as a:

• Quantity surveying technician.
• Building control technician.
• Architectural technician.
• Building technician.
• Building site supervisor.

Continuing study

Successful students are guaranteed entry onto the first year of any of the College's construction-related HNC and HND programmes:

• HNC Built Environment.
• HND Architectural Technology.
• HND Building Surveying.
• HND Construction Management.
• HND Quantity Surveying.

Successful students can also progress on to other construction-related HNC and HND programmes at a number of Colleges across Scotland and are well equipped to apply for one of the higher level technician apprenticeship programmes run by the major construction firms and local authorities operating in Scotland.

Partial success also equips students to apply for entry-level technician posts within the industry, the range of technician level modern apprenticeships offered by the industry, and further academic study at national certificate level.

Teaching

How the course is taught

Assessment methods