This course has been designed with employers to give you the ideal start to a career in the construction industry.
Equivalent to 3 A Levels, this course will give you a strong general understanding of construction, and the opportunity to develop your specialism in either design and surveying, civil engineering, building services design, or hazardous materials analysis and surveying.
As with all T Level courses, you'll spend 80% of your time learning in our industry-standard facilities, and 20% gaining valuable work experience on a relevant industry placement.
This course is designed to prepare you for employment in the construction industry by providing you with hands-on experience as well as theoretical knowledge about the construction industry and how it works.
As a T Level student, you will spend 80% of the course time in the classroom, learning the skills that employers need. The other 20% of your time will be taken up by a meaningful industry placement, where you will be able to put these skills into action.
You'll develop a general understanding of construction, including:
- Health and safety
- The science behind building design, surveying and planning
- Making accurate and appropriate measurements
- Construction methods
- Building regulations and standards
- Data management and information standards in construction
- Relationship management and customer service
- How the Internet of Things (IoT) impacts construction
- Digital engineering techniques
- Mathematical techniques to solve construction problems
- Construction design principles and processes
- The construction industry and its role in the economy
- Sustainability and the environmental impact of construction
- Business, commerce, and corporate social responsibility
You will also learn about topics specific to design, surveying and planning, including:
- Project management
- Budgeting and resource allocation
- Procurement
- Risk management
The overall grade you'll receive for this course is subject to the successful completion of all T Level requirements – not just the components of the technical qualification.
Some core units will be set by the awarding body and will involve the completion of simulated projects in a specified timeframe.
As well as passing the relevant technical qualification, the following elements are required to achieve an overall T Level grade:
- Industry placement: This will be arranged and verified by the college and its construction partners who are affiliated with the T-level programme.
- GCSE grade 9 to 4 or a functional skills level 2 pass in English and maths or other equivalent qualification: This will be verified by the provider offering the T Level.
Students who pass all the elements of their T-Level will receive a nationally recognised certificate showing the overall grade achieved and will include the following.
- An overall pass grade for the T Level, shown as pass, merit or distinction
- A separate grade for the occupational specialism, shown as pass, merit or distinction
- A separate grade for the core component, using A* to E
- Grades for maths and English qualifications
- Details of the industry placement
To study on this course you'll need to have 5 GCSEs at grade 4 - 9 (C) or above including Maths, English Language and Science.
Expert Tutors
You'll learn from members of staff who are not only qualified to teach the relevant subject areas and modules, but have real relevant industrial experience. This means you'll have access to the technical expertise and professional practice needed to learn the skills employers will look for when you enter the workplace.
Learning and teaching methods will differ between modules, but all teaching will be delivered in our industry standard facilities. Enhanced construction visualisation will also be provided through our BIM lab and VR studio.
Learning doesn't just take place in the classroom. Interactive resources will be available on Google Classroom, the college's online learning system.
You will be expected to attend lectures, maintaining excellent attendance and punctuality, use independent self-study skills and complete the industry placement in a professional manner.
There are several different pathways which are available to you following the successful completion of your Design, Surveying and Planning T Level.
Options to consider include:
- Applying to university - Your T Level will be worth UCAS points. A T Level Distinction* is worth the same as 3 A levels at A* – and will be recognised by universities and other education providers so you can choose to continue studying if you wish.
- Level 4 HNC Construction and the Built Environment which is recognised by industry employers and professional organisations
- Opportunities to specialise with a Higher Apprenticeship.
