I’m a good student, and I know I can do well academically. But I want my education to be more than just learning facts.

I go to an inner city comprehensive school, and am doing well with my studies there. What I’d really like is to get out and about, and do something in the ‘real world’ next. Hopefully something that could make a difference to society.

Studying for an Advanced Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment will mean learning in and outside the classroom – and about real things.

What will I learn?

When I heard about the Diploma, it was as if the course had been designed for me! This kind of study is exactly what I wanted to do next.

There are seven units that I have to study as part of the Diploma. They teach me everything I need to know about the construction industry, from design and planning to environmental, community and health and safety issues.

What’s really good is that my course doesn’t just tell me things. I get to see for myself how it all works, and what kind of things I can expect to do in real life.

I’ll also be taking an A level in Geography and an AS level in Psychology for my additional / specialist learning.  

What am I looking forward to?

Work experience will be fantastic. I’m going to do my placement with a voluntary group to turn a derelict city plot into a public garden. It’s hands-on, which is what I wanted.

My extended project is about the same thing. I’ll be doing a people traffic survey to see where to lay a paved pathway in the new garden. I’ll do costs and designs, and show them to the charity’s board members.

What will I do afterwards?

The garden project is what I want for a career, eventually. So if I do well in my Diploma I want to go on to do a BA Honours Degree in Planning and Geography. 

By the time I get to university, I’ll have my Diploma qualification and real life experience of actually doing the job I want to end up in.

This case study is an illustration of how and why a student might decide to do a Diploma; it does not refer to a real individual. To talk through your own specific study or career goals, you can seek further advice and check local availability with your teacher or Connexions Adviser.