Construction and the Built Environment (Graduate Apprenticeship) BSc (Hons)
Course code K200
What is special about this course?
The programme is based on industry-defined needs and has been developed in collaboration with employers, the education sector, and professional bodies to allow knowledge, understanding, skills and competence to be developed with the necessary attributes industry expects from graduates. The degree content will be delivered via work-based learning, meaning that learning will occur in the workplace and at University. Workplace evidence will form teaching, learning and assessment material enhancing the students’ experience.
This BSc (Hons) Construction and the Built Environment (Graduate Apprenticeship)* is fully funded by Skills Development Scotland and provides the skills, knowledge, experience, academic qualification, and professional recognition for candidates starting out in their career or looking to progress as graduate in Construction and the Built Environment. Providing skills, experience and qualifications to the Scottish workforce is a key objective of the Scottish Government built on the success of the apprenticeship family (Foundation, Modern, Technical and Graduate Apprenticeship Frameworks).
Construction and the Built Environment is an exciting sector best placed to adapt to the climate emergency, automation and digitisation of construction and provide skilled workforce to support growing population and aging workforce. This programme has been developed to provide an opportunity for graduate apprentices to learn and earn qualifications whilst gaining experience and developing professionally.
The University of the Highlands and Islands have extensive experience delivering the apprenticeship family and in providing distributed learning. The programme will be delivered with a blend of live delivery, on-line delivery and support when learning in the workplace. We pride ourselves in the personalised delivery and support when can offer our students and employer partners.
*subject to validation
Special features
- Work-based learning
- Fully funded by Skills Development Scotland
- Blended delivery
- Supportive and industry connected lecturers
- Supported by industry
Accommodation
We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.
Entry requirements
- 3 Scottish Highers at grade BBC or above OR
- 2 A levels at grade BC or above OR
- NC Built Environment; Foundation Apprenticeship Civil Engineering
You must also be:
- employed in a business setting for a minimum of 21 hours per week
- at least 16 years of age
- in employment for a minimum of 21 hours per week and have approval of your employer prior to application
- resident in Scotland at the start of the GA and your employer’s working premises must also be located in Scotland
- Suitability for entry onto this course will be decided by your employer and your learning provider partner
Advanced entry into year 2 may be possible with:
- HNC in: Architectural Technology; Built Environment; Construction Management; or Quantity Surveying; at Grade B (Graded Unit 1) PLUS 1 year industry experience OR
- Modern Apprenticeship HNC in: Architectural Technology; Built Environment; Civil Engineering; Construction Management; or Quantity Surveying; at Grade B (Graded Unit 1) PLUS SVQ (SCQF Level6/7)
Advanced entry into year 3 may be possible with:
- HND in: Architectural Technology; Built Environment; Construction Management; or Quantity Surveying; at Grade B (Graded Unit 2) PLUS 2 years' industry experience
Year 1 - CertHE
You will study the following core modules:
- GA CAD and digital collaborative practice
- GA Calculations for construction
- Construction and the built environment professional practice 1*
- GA Construction project and delivery management 1
- GA Construction technology 1
- GA Design and technology 1
Year 2 - DipHE
You will study the following core modules:
- GA Construction business management 1
- Construction and the built environment professional practice 2 (40 credit)*
- GA Construction project and delivery management 2
- GA Construction technology 2
- GA Design and technology 2
Year 3 - BSc
You will study the following core modules:
- GA Construction business management 2
- Construction and the built environment professional practice 3 (40 credit)*
- GA Construction project and delivery management 3
- GA Construction technology 3
- GA Design and technology 3
*Subject specified based on professional practice modules, to reflect employment position (architectural technology, building control, construction management, or quantity surveying)
Year 4 - BSc (Hons)
You will study the following core modules:
- Construction and the built environment professional practice 4 (40 credit)*
- GA Dissertation (40 credit)
- Planning and project management
- Sustainable development
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- You will learn through a combination of video-conference lectures and tutorials, and online study via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors
- Work-based learning activities may be developed and assessed by UHI or in collaboration with your employer
- You will attend blocks of 5 days a week, for no more than 3 weeks at a time. This will be held at UHI Inverness, where you will be engaged in lectures, practical workshops and tutorials. During these blocks you will meet others from your programme and have the support of lecturers, assessors and peers developing a learning network. The total duration of 'blocks' reduces from years 1 through to year 4, similarly the option to attend blocks remotely increases from years 1 through to 4 as you become more familiar with the requirements of your course
- In between blocks, delivery will be via our VLE where you will work towards assessment, participate in discussion boards and quizzes, and be supported in your learning. Your workplace mentor will be able to link your learning to your work activity to help you generate work-based evidence for your professional portfolio
How long will my course last?
Full-time: 4 years @ variable hours per week
Block release schedule:
- Year 1: 3 x 3-week blocks (9 weeks attending UHI Inverness)
- Year 2: 2 x 3-week blocks and 1, 2-week block (8 weeks attending UHI Inverness)
- Year 3: 4 x 2-week blocks (8 weeks attending UHI Inverness or accessing live delivery remotely - you must be available for the timetabled sessions but can 'dial in')
- Year 4: 3 x 2-week blocks (6 weeks attending UHI Inverness or accessing live delivery remotely - you must be available for the timetabled sessions but can 'dial in')
Where can I study my course?
- Inverness
Start date
- September
Fees
For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes
- EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
- EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
- EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Study Mode | 2023-24 | 2024-25 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (120 credit modules) per year | £1,820 | £1,820 |
| Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year | £915 | £915 |
| Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) | £305 | £305 |
Rest of UK students
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term-time address in Scotland, studying full time, the following fees apply:
| Year | Level | 2023-24 Full-time | 2024-25 Full-time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | CertHE | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| Year 2 | DipHE | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| Year 3 | Degree | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| Year 4 | Honours | free | free |
4th year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Part-time (per 20 credit module) - £1,542.
Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.
There are a number of funding options available to UK and EU students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying (see the Funding section opposite).
EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK
Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes. Students will get an automatic scholarship of £4,000 per annum and the 4th year of study will be free for those studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Year | Level | 2023-24 Full-time | With scholarship | 2024-25 Full-time | With scholarship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | CertHE | £15,360 | £11,360 | £15,996 | £11,996 |
| Year 2 | DipHE | £15,360 | £11,360 | £15,996 | £11,996 |
| Year 3 | Degree | £15,360 | £11,360 | £15,996 | £11,996 |
| Year 4 | Honours | £15,360 | Free | £15,996 | Free |
Students will need Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.
International students
For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
| Study Mode | 2023-24 | 2024-25 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time per year (120 credit modules) per year | £15,360 | £15,996 |
| Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year | £7,680 | £7,998 |
| Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) | £2,560 | £2,666 |
Part-time study is not open to international student requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.
Further information on international course fees.
A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.
Funding
The course fees will be funded by SAAS, for more information please refer to this graduate apprenticeship guide.
What can I do on completion of my course?
Once you have successfully completed this course, you might like to consider careers in:
- Architectural technology
- Building surveying and standards
- Construction buying and procurement, and management
- Estimating and tendering
- Facilities management
- Planning and development
- Project management
- Quantity surveying
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
Apply for Construction and the Built Environment (Graduate Apprenticeship) BSc (Hons)
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We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.