Construction Management BSc (Hons)

You’ll move from classroom to construction zone frequently. You’ll plan sites, manage resources, collaborate, visit real-world projects, and apply theories to live settings. Along the way, you’ll be supported by labs, software, workshops, and a network of industry ties. Here’s how:

• Site Visits & Real Project Engagements
   • Frequent visits to construction sites around Birmingham to observe building methods, health & safety, progress tracking, and site logistics in action.
   • Modules like Construction Site Management Practice focus on planning site layouts, resource allocation, safety, materials management, and more — and include live-project tasks and site-based problem solving.
• Professional Placement Year (Optional)
   • After your second year, you’ll have the opportunity to spend a full year working in the industry — gaining direct experience, contacts, and practical insight.
   • BCU supports students to find placements through its employer networks and Careers team.
• Collaborative & Interdisciplinary Projects
   • Many assessments are group-based, echoing real construction teams (contractors, engineers, architects).
   • Workshops, seminars, peer review, and guest lectures from industry professionals help blend academic learning with real practice.
• Use of Industry Software & Digital Tools
   • You’ll get access to software like AutoCAD, Revit (for BIM), and other visualization tools as part of your curriculum.
   • Integration of ICT (Information & Communication Technology) is part of modules like site management practice (e.g. tracking, scheduling, digital records).
   • You’ll also use laptops, VR headsets, and industry-level equipment as part of the student experience.
• Technical, Managerial & Legal Modules
   • You’ll study legal, contractual, procurement, cost control, sustainability, health & safety, quality management, and environmental impact — all in contexts that demand practical application.
   • In Construction Site Management Practice, you’ll tackle real site challenges: material delivery, scheduling, resource management, progress tracking, and more.
• Proximity Advantage & Contextual Learning
   • Because BCU’s City Centre Campus places you in the middle of Birmingham’s redevelopment, your surroundings themselves become case studies you can observe, analyze, and sometimes engage with.
   • The Built Environment department emphasizes that students should be embedded in the evolving urban environment as a learning resource.
• Supportive Facilities & Infrastructure
   • BCU’s Built Environment students have access to software suites, workshops, computer labs, and digital tools.
   • The university organizes live-project opportunities, industry partnerships, and links to employers via its Industrial Advisory Group.

Graduates of this programme tend to move into roles where they manage building and infrastructure projects from planning through to completion. Typical job positions include:

• Construction Manager / Site Manager
• Project Manager
• Contract Manager
• Health, Safety & Environmental Manager

These roles often lead to senior leadership positions, especially in large contractors, consultancies, or infrastructure organisations. With experience, you may also work internationally or on high-profile projects in regeneration, sustainability, or smart cities.

🛠️ Employability, Accreditation & Key Features

Here’s what makes this programme strong in preparing you for those roles:

• University Services & Support:
  • The Careers+ and Employability Team helps with CVs, interview skills, placement sourcing, and building your professional network.
  • There is an optional Professional Placement Year between Year 2 and Year 3 to gain real industry experience.
  • Students benefit from being in Birmingham city centre, close to many live construction/regeneration projects (HS2, redevelopment, etc.), which becomes a “living lab” for observing real-world construction.
• Accreditation / Long-Term Professional Value:
  • The course is accredited by The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
  • Also recognised by the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE). Accreditation means the qualification is trusted by the industry and helps when applying for chartered or professional status later.
• Industry Connections & Real-World Experience:
  • Employers such as Willmott Dixon are partners, and there are live projects and opportunities to apply what you learn in a practical context.
  • The course uses relevant, industry-standard software tools (e.g. Autodesk suite, Navisworks, Synchro etc.) so you develop technical competency that employers want.
• Student Satisfaction & Course Strengths:
  • In the National Student Survey, 97% of students rated the teaching on this course as good or very good.
  • Strong feedback about the course preparing students with necessary skills.
• Salaries & Employment Statistics:
  • The median salary for graduates (in Building & Construction fields) 15 months after graduation is about £29,000, rising as experience grows.
  • By 3 and 5 years post-graduation, the median salary tends to increase, with a range depending on employer, specialization, and responsibilities.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the BSc (Hons) Construction Management, you can further your studies and credentials in a few ways:

• Pursue a Master’s Degree (e.g. MSc in Construction Project Management, MSc in Sustainable Construction, or other built environment management specializations) to deepen your knowledge and improve competitiveness for senior roles.
• Work towards professional chartered status with bodies like RICS or CIOB; often this involves meeting experience requirements and passing professional reviews.
• Consider postgraduate diplomas or certificates in niche areas: BIM (Building Information Modelling), sustainability / environmental management, digital construction, or infrastructure finance.