Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
There is a growing need for managers who have expertise across construction, engineering and management. Currently there is a shortage of such managers and so this course will give you excellent career prospects. You will study a number of business and management modules to give you the skills you need to manage a range of construction projects. These include Commercial Management, Law and Procurement, and Management of People.
A particular strength of the course is the opportunity to undertake a year-long work placement with a construction/engineering company. The course’s relevance and rigour is reflected by its accreditation by the Chartered Institute of Building.
Northumbria University Newcastle holds Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Accredited Centre Status.
This Programme has been designed to meet the CIOB Education Framework.
Prospective members holding these qualifications have full academic exemption and once they have gained three to five years’ relevant work experience may enter CIOB membership as an applicant to progress towards Chartered Membership without the requirement for an Individual Assessment.
See other similar courses you may be interested in: Quantity Surveying BSc
UCAS Code
K255
Level of Study
Undergraduate
Mode of Study
3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad
Department
Architecture and Built Environment
Location
City Campus, Northumbria University
City
Newcastle
Start
September 2025
Fees
Fee Information
Modules
Module Information
Architecture and Built Environment encompasses all of our teaching, research and enterprise in Architecture, Interior Architecture, Quantity and Building Surveying, Real Estate and Housing.
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Visit an Open Day to get an insight into what it's like to study Construction Management. Speak to staff and students from the course and get a tour of the facilities.
Visit an Open Day to get an insight into what it's like to study Construction Management. Speak to staff and students from the course and get a tour of the facilities.
Visit an Open Day to get an insight into what it's like to study Construction Management. Speak to staff and students from the course and get a tour of the facilities.
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Visit an Open Day to get an insight into what it's like to study Construction Management. Speak to staff and students from the course and get a tour of the facilities.
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Visit an Open Day to get an insight into what it's like to study Construction Management. Speak to staff and students from the course and get a tour of the facilities.
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Visit an Open Day to get an insight into what it's like to study Construction Management. Speak to staff and students from the course and get a tour of the facilities.
112 UCAS Tariff points
From a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A-level, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas, or the International Baccalaureate.
Find out how many points your qualifications are worth by using the UCAS Tariff calculator: www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator
Northumbria University is committed to supporting all individuals to achieve their ambitions. We have a range of schemes and alternative offers to make sure as many individuals as possible are given an opportunity to study at our University regardless of personal circumstances or background. To find out more, review our Northumbria Entry Requirement Essential Information page for further details www.northumbria.ac.uk/entryrequirementsinfo
Subject Requirements:
There are no specific subject requirements for this course.
GCSE Requirements:
Applicants will need Maths and English Language at minimum grade 4/C, or an equivalent.
Additional Requirements:
There are no additional requirements for this course.
International Qualifications:
We welcome applicants with a range of qualifications which may not match those shown above.
If you have qualifications from outside the UK, find out what you need by visiting www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry
English Language Requirements:
International applicants should have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or an approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades in our English Language section: www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications
UK Fee in Year 1: £9,535
* The University may increase fees for subsequent years of study at our discretion in line with any inflationary uplift as decided by the UK Government up to the maximum amount for fees permitted by UK law or regulation for that academic year. To give students an indication of the likely scale of any future increase, the UK government has recently suggested that increases may be linked to RPIX ( Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments)
International Fee in Year 1:
ADDITIONAL COSTS
Occasionally field trips are arranged. Not participating will not adversely affect your course performance but if you do want to participate, you may need to contribute approximately £200 per annum.
* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here
Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.
KA4031 -
The Construction Industry and its Management (Core,20 Credits)
This module aims to provide an introduction to the UK and global construction industry. You will appreciate the project-based and uniquely structured construction industry, and the professional roles that operate in it. You will develop an understanding of how the construction industry is structured, how it operates, and its economic significance. The module will also provide knowledge about the roles and responsibilities of the key project team members, how they relate to each other and how they influence the construction project outcomes. In addition, you will gain an appreciation of core construction project deliverables and constraints, including how these are managed on a project, how they are linked together, and how they are connected to the client. The module will also develop your awareness of the academic theory and the industry best practices fundamental to the successful management of a construction project. Overall, the module will develop your skills as a reflective practitioner to support your future personal and professional development.
More informationKA4032 -
Construction Technology (Core,20 Credits)
On this module you will learn about the fundamental principles of the construction of new buildings set within the context of a typical domestic property, from the perspective of a construction manager. As you explore the construction of new buildings, you will discover how each stage contributes to providing a comfortable and safe building, considerate of the environment and while being cost-effective.
More informationKA4033 -
Built Asset Management (Core,20 Credits)
On this module you will learn about the fundamental principles of the management of buildings from design and build to operation and maintenance/refurbishment, and ultimately through to demolition or deconstruction with a circular economy. As you explore the principles of Built Asset Management you will discover the importance of balancing operational, financial, and engineering issues to ensure the provision of the most cost effective, functional, and sustainable building solutions. Furthermore, the importance of building information management using digital technologies to ensure the safe and efficient management of assets is explored.
More informationKA4034 -
Academic & Professional Skills (Core,20 Credits)
In this module, you will learn and develop the key intellectual, professional, and numerical skills, as well as personal attributes required for effective study and future graduate employment. Teaching, learning, and assessment activities are tailored towards your degree programme, linking to substantive core modules; thus, providing an appropriate subject context for your studies. The module aims to consolidate the process of induction onto your degree programme; thus, supporting your transition from further to higher education. As part of this shift in academic culture, you will be encouraged to take increasing responsibility for your learning and through the development of reflective practice, develop ways of monitoring your academic performance and progress
More informationKA4035 -
Sustainable Future and Construction (Core,20 Credits)
On this module you will develop a critical appreciation of the Sustainable Development Philosophy, its principles and the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These general sustainability concepts and developments are then addressed within the specific context of the construction sector and the built environment covering both old/existing and new/planned/prospective buildings and infrastructures.
More informationKA5041 -
Academic Language Skills for Architecture and Built Environment (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)
Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.
The topics you will cover on the module include:
• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.
KB4023 -
Land Surveying (Core,20 Credits)
Surveying refers to the determination, representation, and analysis of the positions of key features in both the natural and built environment. It is a fundamental skill, based on accuracy and precision, that underpins all engineering and construction projects. You will learn this through our introduction to the principles of surveying. In lectures, we will explain the theory and concepts of surveying, and help you to develop practical and mathematical surveying skills. We will help you to understand how engineering surveying can contribute to the successful design and completion of engineering projects through discussion in class. Your surveying skills will be developed through practical work. You will start by using automatic levels, learning about booking procedures, error check, and calculations. You will then progress by using total stations, collecting angular surveys for key engineering applications and checking, assessing, and correcting your work to optimise the survey quality. Finally, we will introduce you to a range of cutting edge, high precision surveying instrumentation such as terrestrial laser scanners, and differential GPS. We will take you from data collection, through processing and analysis to interpretation of results.
More informationKA5003 -
Advanced Construction Technology (Core,20 Credits)
You will learn the principles and practical application of building technology used for design and construction of complex and multi-storey buildings. This will include advanced construction techniques and materials that emphasise the repetitive nature of large-scale construction projects, associated aesthetics and building user-related considerations.
You will learn how to work both individually and as part of a team to produce technical reports for real building projects. On completion of the module, your improved ability to link theory, with appraisal and evaluation will serve to enhance your future employability.
KA5032 -
Contract Administration and Procedure (Core,20 Credits)
The aim of this module is to build upon and ultimately practice the QS skills introduced to you at level 4. The common theme of the module will be to develop an understanding of the consultant’s (Quantity Surveyor) role in managing or administering the contract between the client (employer) and the contractor on construction projects. You will be able to undertake (i) pre-contract activities including deciding on the type of procurement route and building contract and examination of priced tender documents and selection of contractors/consultants; and (ii) both agency and decision-making functions following commencement of a construction project. You will be able to apply and develop skills through a range of seminar activities and online tasks which will provide verbal and written formative feedback in preparation for summative assessments. You will learn to carry out a range of standard contract administrative procedures. The summative assessment will comprise a coursework at the end of the semester.
More informationKA5041 -
Academic Language Skills for Architecture and Built Environment (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)
Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.
The topics you will cover on the module include:
• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.
KA5054 -
Construction Project Management with BIM 1 (Core,20 Credits)
You will learn about typical management practice and activity necessary at the early stages of construction projects. There is a strong emphasis on the key pre-construction aspects of such projects in this module. Themes can include: the planning for, and management of, construction project-level organisations and resources; the use of construction production information, the management of design during the construction process, the role that Digital Construction solutions including Building Information Modelling (BIM) have in this process; construction project planning processes; and the production of construction solutions for specific project challenges.
More informationKA5055 -
Building Environmental Science and Services (Core,20 Credits)
In this module you will learn about the important role of the mechanical and electrical (M&E) systems installed into buildings which typically account for between 30 to 40% of a project cost and which can be challenging to schedule and manage on site. A range of techniques will be used to help you build a solid awareness of the most common M&E systems and their installation options within buildings. You will also learn how the building form and façade design have a significant impact upon the need for M&E systems and the buildings future energy use and carbon emissions. To further strengthen your understanding in this area we will explore the difference between a regular building, designed to comply with the requirements of our UK Building Regulations, and a low carbon building, built to the Passivhaus Standard, both in terms of the implications on building fabric and M&E systems design. In addition to legislative approaches, financial incentives and sustainability schemes are potential drivers of change and will be discussed in relation to how they influence construction industry projects.
You will also learn about the sequence of M&E system installation and how this fits within the overall project plan. Special focus will be placed on systems that have a greater than normal impact upon the delivery of other tasks on site so that you are aware of some of the considerations that need to be held in mind. We will also spend time learning to read a range of types of common M&E drawing so that you able to interpret them and ask intelligent questions when necessary. Overall, the aim of this module is to help you understand that M&E systems are not a black box that can never be understood and to equip you with the knowledge and vocabulary to be able to hold meaningful discussions with all members of the design and construction teams, including the Building Services Engineer.
KA5056 -
Commercial Management (Core,20 Credits)
You will learn how the construction industry functions as a business and how finances are managed by construction organisations. You will learn the processes construction organisations engage in throughout the project lifecycle which have implications for commercial outcomes for individual projects, firms, and the industry at large. These processes will include procurement and contractual strategies, estimating and tendering practices, procurement of subcontractors and suppliers, payment for works and services, and cost management.
More informationKA5057 -
Health, Safety and Wellbeing (Core,20 Credits)
You will learn about the key requirements and management practices relating to health, safety and wellbeing within the context of the construction industry. These include the likes of assessing risk, and ensuring safe systems of work are operationalised.This is a vital topic for the construction profession and is essential for future graduate employment.
More informationKA5058 -
Employability Skills (Core,0 Credits)
You will learn interpersonal and work ready skills that will prepare you for placements and future employment within the construction industry.
More informationKA5044 -
Work Placement Year (Optional,120 Credits)
This module is designed for all standard full-time undergraduate programmes within the Faculty of Engineering and Environment to provide you with the option to take a one year work placement as part of your programme.
You will be able to apply and evaluate placement experience to develop and enhance appropriate areas of your knowledge and understanding, your intellectual and professional skills, and your personal value attributes, relevant to your programme of study, as well as to accreditation bodies (e.g RICS, CIOB, RIBA) within appropriate working environments. Due to its overall positive impact on employability, degree classification and graduate starting salaries, the University strongly encourages you to pursue a work placement as part of your degree programme.
This module is a Pass/Fail module so does not contribute to the classification of your degree. When taken and passed, however, the Placement Year is recognised both in your transcript as a 120 credit Work Placement Module and on your degree certificate.
Your placement period will normally be full-time and must total a minimum of 40 weeks. This may comprise more than one placement, where appropriate.
KA5045 -
Study abroad year (Optional,120 Credits)
This module is designed for all standard full-time undergraduate programmes within the Faculty of Engineering and Environment and provides you with the option to study abroad for one full year as part of your programme.
This is a 120 credit module which is available between Levels 5 and 6. You will undertake a year of study abroad at an approved partner University where you will have access to modules from your discipline, but taught in a different learning culture. This gives you the opportunity to broaden your overall experience of learning. The structure of study will be dependent on the partner and will be recorded for an individual student on the learning agreement signed by the host University, the student, and the home University (Northumbria).
Your study abroad year will be assessed on a pass/fail basis. It will not count towards your final degree classification but, it is recognised in your transcript as a 120 credit Study Abroad module and on your degree certificate in the format – “Degree title (with Study Abroad Year)”.
KA5046 -
Work Placement Semester (Optional,60 Credits)
This module is designed for all standard full-time undergraduate programmes within the Faculty of Engineering and Environment to provide you with the option to take a one semester work placement as part of your programme.
You will be able to apply and evaluate placement experience to develop and enhance appropriate areas of your knowledge and understanding, your intellectual and professional skills, and your personal value attributes, relevant to your programme of study, within the appropriate working environments. Due to its overall positive impact on employability, degree classification and graduate starting salaries, the University strongly encourages you to pursue a work placement as part of your degree programme.
This module is a Pass/Fail module so does not contribute to the classification of your degree. When taken and passed, however, the placement is recognised both in your transcript as a 60 credit Work Placement Module and on your degree certificate.
Your placement period will normally be full-time and must total a minimum of 20 weeks.
KA5059 -
Study Abroad Semester (Optional,60 Credits)
This module is designed for all standard full-time undergraduate programmes within the Faculty of Engineering and Environment and provides you with the option to study abroad for one semester as part of your programme.
This is a 60 credit module which is available between Levels 5 and 6. You will undertake a semester of study abroad at an approved partner University where you will have access to modules from your discipline, but taught in a different learning culture. This gives you the opportunity to broaden your overall experience of learning. The structure of study will be dependent on the partner and will be recorded for an individual student on the learning agreement signed by the host University, the student, and the home University (Northumbria).
Your study abroad semester will be assessed on a pass/fail basis. It will not count towards your final degree classification but, if you pass, it is recognised in your transcript as an additional 60 credits for Engineering and Environment Study Abroad Semester.
KA5041 -
Academic Language Skills for Architecture and Built Environment (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)
Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.
The topics you will cover on the module include:
• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.
KA6050 -
Management of People (Core,20 Credits)
You will learn through understanding the key requirements and practices related to the management of people within the context of the construction industry.
More informationKA6051 -
Construction Project Management and BIM 2 (Core,20 Credits)
You will learn about typical management practice and activity necessary during the delivery stages of construction engineering projects. There is a strong emphasis on the impact that effective project management can have during the actual construction of a project. Topics that will be covered include construction engineering project management theory, project control methods, appreciation of the impact that delays and disruption have upon project success and awareness of available project recovery strategies.
More informationKA6052 -
Data Centric Construction and Digitalisation (Core,20 Credits)
Information and data have become critical and perpetual assets on construction projects. The increasing adoption of digital technologies in construction projects are also changing the way assets are designed, constructed and operated. This trend is changing the way existing processes/decisions are performed and is also enabling new decisions and capabilities that were not previously available to construction managers before now. In this module, you will be introduced to the latest trends in data-centric construction and digitalisation. You will understand how these support construction management decisions in projects and how they affect your role as a construction manager. You will appreciate the performance gains they bring, and you will understand their adoption with organisations and projects.
More informationKA6053 -
Sustainable Construction Technology (Core,20 Credits)
On this module you will develop a critical appreciation of the technologies used to construct sustainable and contemporary buildings. You will consider the criteria that dictate the appropriateness of building form and constructability within the constraints imposed by the context of user requirements, how the building functions, and the legislative requirements under which the building is constructed.
More informationKA6054 -
Dissertation (Core,40 Credits)
This module is designed to support you in independently pursuing an original piece of research on a construction management topic of your own choice and aims to provide you with an opportunity to design and conduct a substantive piece of investigative work that is directly related to your programme of study. You will draw upon and develop your independent research skills to answer a research question or test a hypothesis of your choosing. You will assemble and review relevant scholarly literature and data and to present a cogent, reasoned and objective critique of published scholarly work on your chosen topic, in order to define a precisely focus for your research.
You will develop expertise to achieve the following:
• identify an appropriate research topic
• critically review relevant academic literature;
• formulate research questions/hypotheses and appropriate methods of inquiry;
• collect your own data and/or using existing datasets and literature
• analyse and interpret your results using appropriate quantitative, statistical and/or qualitative techniques,
• relate your findings to existing and up-to-date literature and theory;
• objectively appraise the ethical considerations of conducting research; and
• independently manage and implement your own research project.
To start your application, simply select the month you would like to start your course.
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