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Certificate of Higher Education in Construction

Key Details

  • Available at:
    Llangefni, Rhos-on-Sea
  • Study Mode:
    Part-time, Full-time
  • Course Length:

    Full-time: 2 days a week for 1 year or part-time: 1 day a week for 2 years. No evenings.

    Llangefni: Thursday, 9:10am - 5:45pm

    Rhos: Monday, 9am -5pm

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Certificate of Higher Education in Construction

University-level Courses

Full Time

There are two ways to apply to study for a full-time higher education course - either through UCAS or directly to the college.

Applying through UCAS:
You should apply through UCAS if you are currently studying for A Levels, a vocational Level 3 course (i.e. BTEC) or an Access to Higher Education qualification, or if you wish to apply to more than one higher education provider.

Apply via UCAS

Applying to College:
If you only want to study at the college, or if you already have the qualifications/experience to meet the requirements for your course, you should apply directly to the campus of your choice.

The application system is currently closed.

Part Time

If you are applying to study part-time you can apply directly to the campus of your choice.

The application system is currently closed.

Course Description

This course is currently under revalidation in consultation with employers and stakeholders, in order to refresh course content for delivery from September 2025

These courses are designed to provide a route for professional advancement within the Construction Industry and its allied professions. It is considered the minimum requirement for anybody wishing to enter management in the industry.

Additional information

More detailed information on Modules is to be found in the ‘Additional Campus/Course Information’ section.

Fees

Visit our course fees page for information on full and part-time degree course fees.

Financial Support

Visit our financial support page for information on the range of support available.

Additional Costs:

Additional costs may be associated with the following:

  • Materials for independent study, such as laptop or desktop computer
  • Textbooks that are considered essential reading
  • External visits such as construction sites, city centres, monuments, stadia, museums/galleries/exhibitions.
  • Software to be able to work from home
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), budget estimate £30 - £150
  • Scientific Calculator
  • Apps which are generally free but have costs for upgraded versions

More detailed information on other costs associated with your course and work placements/work experience (if applicable) will be outlined in the programme validation document and explained to you at your interview.

Module information

More detailed information on modules is to be found in the ‘Additional Campus/Course Information’ section.

Start date

September

Entry Criteria

Language Requirements

  • GCSE in Welsh or English as first language, grade C/4 (or equivalent) or above
  • Any degrees, diplomas or certificates eligible should have been taught and assessed in Welsh or English
  • For overseas applicants, for entry onto Level 4, English fluency to IELTS 5.5 or higher (with no element less than 5.0)
  • For overseas applicants, for entry onto Levels 5 or above, English fluency to IELTS 6.0 or higher (with no element less than 5.5)

Academic requirements:

  • a minimum of 64 UCAS tariff points in a main level 3 qualification, gaining a pass, grade C or higher in at least one relevant subject which could include: A Levels, BTEC, International Baccalaureate, ACCESS to HE; many additional qualifications from Wales, England and Scotland are accepted to support the UCAS points in addition to the relevant subject, such as the Welsh Baccalaureate.
  • GCSE Mathematics/Numeracy, grade C/4 or above, or Key/Essential Skill equivalent level.

For applicants without these qualifications, evidence of numeracy skills at a suitable level to meet the demands of the programme successfully, will need to be demonstrated.

Equivalent international qualifications are acceptable

Examples of acceptable academic entry requirements include:

  • Two A levels, gaining a pass in at least one relevant A2 subject at grade C or higher. Minimum grades accepted D. Examples of A Levels appropriate for the course entry are the following: Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Design Technology, Geography, Geology, Economics, Business.
  • Or a BTEC Extended Diploma or equivalent with grade MPP or higher.
  • Or a BTEC Diploma or above, or equivalent with grade MM or higher with 2 years industry experience.
  • Or a BTEC Subsidiary Diploma or above, or equivalent with grade M or higher with 3 years industry experience.
  • Or Experience in the industry of more than 5 years that show competent managerial expertise

For individuals who do not meet the above academic requirements we will consider a wide range of non-standard or professional qualifications and experience, through the submission of a portfolio for accreditation of prior learning (APL/APEL/RPEL), in accordance with GLLM regulations and policies.

If your qualifications do not meet the entry requirements listed above, we would still encourage you to apply for the course you're interested in, as many of our courses will consider learners based on their previous work and skills experience rather than their qualifications.

Delivery

The course is delivered through a blend of the following:

  • Lectures
  • Workshops and practical work
  • Tutorials
  • Employment based modules
  • Guest speakers
  • Student centred learning
  • Virtual learning environment (MOODLE)

Timetable:

  • 2 years, 1 day per week

Contact:

For specific course enquiries, please contact:

Llangefni campus:

Rhos-on-Sea campus:

For general enquiries about our degrees, please contact: degrees@gllm.ac.uk

Assessment

The methods of assessment aim to develop the students' intellectual ability and confidence in problem solving and presentation.

All modules require the submission and passing of written assignments plus, in some specific modules oral presentations, group work and projects are required.

Feedback

Where relevant, assessments will be marked and returned to students with constructive and developmental feedback. Effective feedback combines information which enables students to understand the strengths and limitations of their past performance, and information which enables them to recognise how future performance can be improved. Students will be provided with feedback in a timely manner and this feedback will justify how the grade has been awarded. Students will have the opportunity to reflect on the feedback given and identify their strengths, things they found challenging and areas for development that they will feed forward to their next assessment. Feedback will include linking evidence to assessment criteria to demonstrate how the student will have met the learning outcomes.

Progression

After completing the course you may choose to progress onto Level 5 and 6 programmes at Coleg Llandrillo. You could complete the full BSc (Hons) in Commercial Construction Management. Or you could choose from a wide range of Built Environment degrees at other universities and colleges. Other graduates may secure new jobs in the construction industry or gain additional responsibilities and increased status within their existing organisation.

Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work as Quantity Surveyors, Architectural and Engineering Technicians, Building Control Officers and Environmental Services Officers, among other roles in both the public and private sectors.

Campus Information Llangefni

These courses are designed to provide a route for professional advancement within the Construction Industry and its allied professions. It is considered the minimum requirement for anybody wishing to enter management in the industry.

For every 10 credits, students should engage with around 100 notional hours of learning. This will be approximately 30% direct learning contact and 70% independent student learning.

Level 4:

Employer Based Learning (10 credits, compulsory)

The construction industry is constantly changing in terms of technology, materials, processes, legislation and practice. Learners have the opportunity to reflect upon and contextualise the learning that they gain from working within the industry to assess their personal learning needs in order to plan for the future. (Portfolio 100%)

Environmental Science and Materials (20 credits, compulsory)

This unit supports learners to select and evaluate material choices to achieve the desired outcomes of a brief. It will enable them to justify if materials being fit for purpose; as defined by testing standards and properties and their impact on providing the human comfort requirement. Demonstrate awareness of the environmental impact and sustainability of materials and the health and safety considerations to meet current legislative requirements. (Presentation / proposal / poster 40%, Case study 60%)

Hand Drafting and CAD (10 credits, compulsory)

This module aims to enable learners to develop their understanding of construction principles and methods associated with low rise domestic buildings using the vehicle of hand sketching and technical drawing skills suitable for communication on site and with clients during stages 0 to 1 of the RIBA POW (Plan Of Work). (Presentation / proposal / poster 100%)

Mathematics for the Built Environment (20 credits, core)

This module aims to provide students with confidence in numeracy and mathematics by reinforcing and revising basic numeracy and being able to transform and resolve equations algebraically and graphically. (Exam 40%, Exam 60%)

Research and Study Skills (10 credits, compulsory)

This unit will enable you to identify and develop academic writing and information research skills, apply a range of research methodologies and instruments. (Portfolio 100%)

Site Surveying (10 credits, compulsory)

This practical module is designed to provide the student with the ability to use modern surveying equipment and to undertake a range of site surveying procedures typical of today’s construction industry. (Report 50%, Exam 50%)

Construction Site Operations (20 credits, core)

This module aims to introduce students to the fundamental aspects of developing and operating a construction site operation. (Report 75%, Presentation / proposal / poster 25%)

Legal, Contractual and Procurement Procedures (10 credits, compulsory)

This module aims to develop students’ understanding of the national legal system and different areas of law that are relevant to the construction industry. (Essay 100%)

Management Principles (10 credits, compulsory)

This module aims to relate management principles within the built environment to contemporary and historic theories and relate them to current practices nationally and internationally by looking at the role of a manager within the construction industry and linking this through to management theories.(Presentation / proposal / poster 50%, Essay 50%)

Campus Information Rhos-on-Sea

These courses are designed to provide a route for professional advancement within the Construction Industry and its allied professions. It is considered the minimum requirement for anybody wishing to enter management in the industry.

For every 10 credits, students should engage with around 100 notional hours of learning. This will be approximately 30% direct learning contact and 70% independent student learning.

Level 4:

Employer Based Learning (10 credits, compulsory)

The construction industry is constantly changing in terms of technology, materials, processes, legislation and practice. Learners have the opportunity to reflect upon and contextualise the learning that they gain from working within the industry to assess their personal learning needs in order to plan for the future. (Portfolio 100%)

Environmental Science and Materials (20 credits, compulsory)

This unit supports learners to select and evaluate material choices to achieve the desired outcomes of a brief. It will enable them to justify if materials being fit for purpose; as defined by testing standards and properties and their impact on providing the human comfort requirement. Demonstrate awareness of the environmental impact and sustainability of materials and the health and safety considerations to meet current legislative requirements. (Presentation / proposal / poster 40%, Case study 60%)

Hand Drafting and CAD (10 credits, compulsory)

This module aims to enable learners to develop their understanding of construction principles and methods associated with low rise domestic buildings using the vehicle of hand sketching and technical drawing skills suitable for communication on site and with clients during stages 0 to 1 of the RIBA POW (Plan Of Work). (Presentation / proposal / poster 100%)

Mathematics for the Built Environment (20 credits, core)

This module aims to provide students with confidence in numeracy and mathematics by reinforcing and revising basic numeracy and being able to transform and resolve equations algebraically and graphically. (Exam 40%, Exam 60%)

Research and Study Skills (10 credits, compulsory)

This unit will enable you to identify and develop academic writing and information research skills, apply a range of research methodologies and instruments. (Portfolio 100%)

Site Surveying (10 credits, compulsory)

This practical module is designed to provide the student with the ability to use modern surveying equipment and to undertake a range of site surveying procedures typical of today’s construction industry. (Report 50%, Exam 50%)

Construction Site Operations (20 credits, core)

This module aims to introduce students to the fundamental aspects of developing and operating a construction site operation. (Report 75%, Presentation / proposal / poster 25%)

Legal, Contractual and Procurement Procedures (10 credits, compulsory)

This module aims to develop students’ understanding of the national legal system and different areas of law that are relevant to the construction industry. (Essay 100%)

Management Principles (10 credits, compulsory)

This module aims to relate management principles within the built environment to contemporary and historic theories and relate them to current practices nationally and internationally by looking at the role of a manager within the construction industry and linking this through to management theories.(Presentation / proposal / poster 50%, Essay 50%)

Rhos-on-Sea Teaching Team

  • Dave Roberto: BEng, MEng (East London), PGCE, SFHEA, Grad ISE.
  • Simon Carder: BA (Hons), BArch. Part 2 RIBA, MA Architecture and Urbanism (Manchester), PGCE, SFHEA.
  • Wyn Roberts: BSc Construction Management, PCET.
  • Alex Roebuck: BSc (Hons) Construction Management, BSc (Nautical Science), ACIOB, PCQI, APS, PGCE.
  • Colin James-Davies: BSc (Hons) Construction Management, Management Diploma, PGCE.

Other details

Course type: University-level Courses

Level: 4

Programme Area:

  • Construction and the Built Environment
  • International

Awarding Body: Bangor University

Bilingual:

n/a

Awarding Body