Sustainable Construction Foundation Degree (FdSc) Level 5 (part-time)
This course will equip you with the up-to-date skills and knowledge required for the buildings of tomorrow. The course provides career development or a route into professional employment in the construction industry.
I was looking to progress from my Apprenticeship so that I could learn more about the technical side of Construction, and be up-to-date with the latest trends in sustainability. This course at Bedford College was the only suitable one in the local area.
The tutors are very friendly and encouraging and they’ve all worked in industry, so know what they’re talking about. One is a building surveyor and another is a qualified plumbing engineer who knows about mechanical services within buildings. I’m enjoying most of what we do, including construction physics, learning how to accurately calculate loading weights, plus the CAD design and 3D modelling elements.
There are lots of opportunities to get experience in real construction projects. For example we’ve just finished presenting our recommendations to a village hall committee in Westoning near Flitwick. They wanted advice on how they could improve the 100 year old building from a sustainability point of view to make it more efficient and reduce their utility bills and overall running costs. We took on the role of a construction company and every student from the course had a different job. I did the building survey and some of the design, and other students looked at the sustainability options, such as rainwater harvesting.
There’s no doubt that the skills I’ve learnt on the course have also helped my career. I’m a building surveyor at MK Surveys and the skills have made me more efficient at estimating the age of the buildings. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to get on in the Construction industry.
Joe - Sustainable Construction Foundation Degree (FdSc)
Entry requirements
You will need:
- 48 UCAS points with 32 points from one A-Level qualification OR
- 48 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification OR
- Building Services, Civil Engineering or Construction BTEC Level 3 Diploma or NVQ
We welcome applications from mature students who will be considered individually on experience rather than qualifications.
Course content
During the course you will study the following units:
Level 1
- Energy in Buildings
- Fundamental Mathematics for Constructions
- Introduction to Health, Safety & Environment
- PPAD
- Heating & Power Systems
- Introduction to Building Services
- Waste Management Systems
- Work-based Learning 1
- Applications of Principles
Level 2
- Building Science 2
- Carbon Neutral Buildings
- Fundamentals of Building Regulations
- Land Utilisation
- Introduction to Building Design of the Future
- Sustainable Construction Materials
- Work-based Learning 2
- Practice & Innovation in Building Services (double unit).
Specialist modules at Level 2 will enable you to decide which pathway you take, depending on your experience and future skills requirements.
Assessment methods
The course utilises a variety of assessment methods depending upon the module being studied. These include exams, assignments, and practical assignments used largely, but not exclusively, in the work-based learning modules.
Further study and career options
You can progress straight on to the third year of a course delivered at the University of Bedfordshire, to achieve a full Bachelor’s degree. Typical career progression includes design, design consultancy, production management, implementation, commissioning, cyclic maintenance management, or senior management.
Additional information
This course can be delivered on a full-time basis over two years, or part-time over three years. If studies on a part-time basis the course requires one day or evening per week attendance (release from employment) for the duration of the course.
Each year of the course begins at the end of September with formal lessons, but candidates are expected to carry out substantial research and assignment work outside of the course hours.