Our degree apprenticeship courses
We currently offer a range of degree apprenticeship courses. For the full range of courses visit our apprenticeships page for applicants or for business partners.
Course summary
This apprenticeship provides the technical, practical and professional skills required to assist with management of the commercial aspects of construction projects, including financial management of construction contracts and site production management.
| Duration | Start date | Location | Entry level | End Point Assessment Organisation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 years part-time day release | September 2024 | Marylebone Campus, Central London | Level 4 | CIOB |
Combining current industry practice with associated quantity surveying and construction theories, this apprenticeship leads to a Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) in Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management, equivalent to Level 4, the first year of a traditional undergraduate degree. This offers progression to gain a full BSc Honours in Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management on our Level 6 Construction Quantity Surveyor degree apprenticeship.
Apprentices spend a minimum of 30 hours in work each week and 20% of their time learning outside the organisation, supported by their employer to ‘earn while they learn’ without paying course fees. Real-life case studies, problem- and work-based learning bring professional practice to the classroom, while apprentices apply their learning to workplace projects.
The University is ranked 14th in the UK for Building by The Times Good University Guide 2021, placing Westminster 2nd in London. Our central London location and numerous industry contacts, which include Great Portland Estates, Mace, Lendlease, The Portman Estate, Wilmott Dixon, Multiplex, Transport for London and The Crown Estate, enable us to invite practising professionals to speak and visit major construction and infrastructure projects.
Course structure
This is a two-year course. Apprentices must be employed by a construction employer. Time spent on work and training is split 80/20, meaning the apprentices spend 20% of their time learning, which can include time at the University and work-based training, linked to the apprenticeship, provided by the employer.
Year 1 introduces the principles that underpin the study of construction, specifically in relation to simple building forms, building science, construction technology, site surveying and project and commercial management.
Year 2 considers how to manage building design and procure construction services, including measurement, quantification and estimating of building costs together with the principles underlying contractual and site management. Apprentices take an end point assessment, based on the apprentice’s work experience, comprising an online test, project and professional discussion.
Subjects of study include:
- Building Science and Structures (Technology 1)
- Construction Technology and Services (Technology 2)
- Site Engineering and Management
- Introduction to the Built Environment (Management 1)
- Project, Commercial and Organisational Environment (Management 2)
- Building Design
Credit level 4
Accreditations
This apprenticeship will include the knowledge, skills and behaviours typically required to achieve technician status or the equivalent with the industry’s recognised professional bodies. The final assessment process for this apprenticeship will typically be representative of the review process required for professional registration.
On completing and passing the End Point Assessment, apprentices will automatically qualify for TechCIOB-L4.
Programme specification
For more details on course structure and modules, and how you will be taught and assessed, see the programme specification.
To request an accessible version of the programme specification, please email [email protected].
Download the Programme Specification
Entry requirements and eligibility
Our apprenticeships are only available to those employed as part of an agreed apprenticeship scheme in a related role, who are aged 18 or over on the first day, are not in full-time education and meet the ESFA funding eligibility criteria. Further details are available on our How to apply page.
Applicants must also meet the academic entry requirements of the course:
- A Levels – BCC to BBB
- International Baccalaureate – 104 to 120 UCAS Tariff points from the IB
- BTEC Extended Diploma – DMM to DDM
- BTEC Diploma – D*D to D*D*
- Access – 104 to 120 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course
In addition to the above, it is a requirement that all applicants can demonstrate competency at a Level 2 standard in English and maths. This will be assessed during the application process, as part of the initial assessment stage.
It is a mandatory requirement, that in order for an apprentice to reach End Point Assessment, they must hold a Level 2 achievement in English and maths and be able to provide a copy of the original certificate of achievement.
Current acceptable evidence can be found on the Education and Skills Funding Agency's list of acceptable qualifications for English and maths requirements.
Those who are able to demonstrate competence at Level 2 but who are unable to provide evidence of prior attainment, such as a GCSE at grade C or 4 and above in English and Maths, will be required to obtain this during their first year of the apprenticeship. The University of Westminster will support any apprentice this affects, by facilitating an option to study for Level 2 Functional Skills English and maths with a partner organisation, in order to meet the requirement to progress to year two of the apprenticeship.
Fees
Employers who pay the levy are able to use their available levy funds to cover the training and assessment costs. Employers who do not pay the apprenticeship levy share the cost of training and assessing their apprentices with the government – this is called 'co-investment'. Non-levy paying employers will contribute 5% towards the cost of apprenticeship training and the government will pay the rest (95%) up to the funding band maximum.
University module retakes are not included in apprenticeship levy funding. Employers will be charged separately. The current fee is £1,540 (price per 20-credit module).
One End Point Assessment (EPA) attempt is included in the apprenticeship levy funding. Any EPA resits are payable by the employer outside the levy. The EPA resit fees are:
- Knowledge Test £50 (first resit fee)
- Appendix B and C (Project) £200
- Professional Discussion £400
Careers/professional development
This course complements and enhances workplace knowledge and experience, boosting the apprentice’s career prospects, on-the-job performance and satisfaction. It also demonstrates the employer’s commitment to staff development, enhancing their appeal to future employees.
Apprentices must be in full-time employment, as a trainee or assistant quantity/construction surveyor. They will develop a well-rounded understanding of the construction process and how to monitor and control costs and contracts.
On successful completion, they can progress to the Level 6 Construction Quantity Surveyor degree apprenticeship and obtain a BSc Honours in Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management.
Course Leader
Aravinda Adhikari
Dr Aravinda Adhikari joined the University of Westminster as a Lecturer in Quantity Surveying, bringing with him a diverse background in both academic research and industry practice. He previously served as a Teaching Assistant at the City University of Hong Kong, where he also completed his PhD in Architecture and Civil Engineering. His doctoral research focused on Building Damage Detection and Quantification using machine learning and point cloud analysis, highlighting his expertise in integrating advanced technologies with construction practices.
Aravinda holds an MSc in Construction Management from the City University of Hong Kong and a BSc (Hons) in Quantity Surveying from the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. His academic journey reflects a deep commitment to advancing the field of Quantity Surveying through both teaching and research.
With professional experience as a Quantity Surveyor in Bahrain, Aravinda has applied his technical skills and industry knowledge to real-world projects, further enriching his teaching practice. At Westminster, he leads the L4 Construction Quantity Surveying Technician and L6 Construction Quantity Surveyor (CIOB) courses and serves as the Module Leader for several L5, L6, and L7 modules in Construction Management and Project Management.
In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Aravinda supervises Master's level students, guiding their research and helping them develop critical skills for the construction industry. He is also a Graduate member of the Institute of Quantity Surveyors Sri Lanka (IQSSL), reflecting his active engagement with the professional community.
Teaching and assessment
This is how you can expect to be taught and assessed at the University of Westminster. Your apprenticeship will include additional requirements, agreed in partnership with your employer, designed to develop and evidence your skills in the workplace.
How you'll be taught
Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application.
Learning typically falls into two broad categories:
- Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
- Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision
How you'll be assessed
Our undergraduate courses include a wide variety of assessments.
Assessments typically fall into three broad categories:
- Practical: examples include presentations, videos, podcasts, lab work, creating artefacts
- Written exams: end of semester exams
- Coursework: examples include essays, reports, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertations
Course location
Our Marylebone Campus has benefitted from a multi-million-pound refurbishment resulting in new workshops, digital studios and development of the Marylebone Library. The campus is home to Westminster Business School and our award-winning Architecture, Planning and Tourism courses.
For more details, visit our Marylebone Campus page.
Contact us
We are keen to establish new relationships with employers from a wide range of sectors and welcome enquiries. For more information please contact our dedicated apprenticeships team on:
+44 (0) 207 911 5027
[email protected]