Construction and the Built Environment

The Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment covers a wide range of different industries such as architecture, structural steelwork, painting and decorating, glazing and surveying. The Diploma has been developed by industry and education specialists to help you gain the right mix of skills and understanding. The range of topics you will study brings together these related industries, so that you get to understand how they work from the inside.

Students taking a Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment will complete a series of compulsory and optional elements. This includes a project, which could, for example, be designing a new structure using a range of materials and producing a plan that would enable others to build it. To get a really good understanding of the industry, you could get involved in site visits as well as the planning and building of prestigious projects. There’s also an opportunity for mentoring by professionals working in your chosen field.

Diploma students will also develop a good standard of English, Maths and ICT and vital skills like teamwork and self-management.

Compulsory elements

1. Design the Built Environment explores the nature of the built environment, factors that influence its design and construction and its impact on people and communities. It also examines how history, politics and economics affect our built environment.
2. Create the Built Environment looks at what different people in the industry do, and helps you to develop a range of skills and knowledge needed to create the built environment.
3. Value and Use of the Built Environment analyses maintenance and management requirements and how built structures affect the community that uses them.

All Diploma students study the same core elements but in more or less detail depending on the level.

Along with core elements, you’ll also learn how to work with other people and express yourself confidently in a work environment. And at the end, you’ll complete a final Student Project to show that you can apply the skills you’ve learnt in a work context.

Diploma students also develop a good standard of functional English, maths and ICT. This broad mix of knowledge, understanding and skills will equip you for college and university or employment.

"The new Diploma is a breath of fresh air as it has been developed specifically for the built environment sector. It's a fantastic opportunity for young people to acquire valuable skills and really make a difference in the workplace."

Julia Cook, Training and Development Manager, RLF London

• Learning I choose to do
• Learning I have to do