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.
Who is this course for?
Our apprenticeships are only available to those employed as part of an agreed apprenticeship scheme in a related role, who are aged 16 or over, are not in full-time education and meet the ESFA funding eligibility criteria. They must also meet the academic entry requirements of the course.
To be eligible for funding apprentices must:
- have the right to work and study in England
- be in relevant employment and work for a minimum of 30 hours per week. The employment contract must cover the entire duration of the apprenticeship
- spend at least 50% of their working hours in England over the duration of the apprenticeship
- have been ordinarily resident in the UK or EEA for three years before the apprenticeship start date
- only apply if the apprenticeship leads to substantive new skills and if learning is materially different from any prior qualifications
Course summary
This integrated degree apprenticeship is ideal for those wanting to begin or enhance their career as a Building Control Surveyor, ensuring buildings and public spaces are inclusive, safe and sustainable.
| Duration | Start date | Location | Entry level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 years part-time | September 2023 | Marylebone Campus, Central London | Level 4 |
The course offers the chance to gain a competitive edge and improve interpersonal skills and professional knowledge – more relevant than ever following significant changes to building regulations and increased emphasis on training and qualifications.
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.
Complementing the technical knowledge needed to assess building regulations compliance, additional skills developed include the performance of materials, public and venue safety and the ability to act impartially, with integrity. Real-life case studies, problem- and work-based learning bring professional practice to the classroom, while apprentices apply their learning to workplace projects.
The course is taught by staff with considerable high-level industry experience. The University is ranked 14th in the UK for Building by The Times Good University Guide 2021, placing Westminster second in London. Our strong links to the construction industry give access to experienced external speakers, site visits and live developments for coursework.
Course structure
This four-year part-time integrated level 6 degree apprenticeship includes a BSc Honours in Building Control Surveying. Apprentices must already work in Building Control (public or private sector). 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 provides an introduction to the fundamentals of construction, academic skills, such as research, finding credible sources, critical writing, debating and presentations, alongside work-based learning relating to the apprentice’s role in building control.
Subjects of study include:
- Construction Technology and Services
- Building Design
- Building Control in Context (Work-based Learning)
Credit level 4
Year 2 develops existing building control knowledge and understanding around the legislation and regulations. This includes studying fire safety in relation to the spread of fire and behaviours in fire situations. Apprentices undertake work-based learning around the performance of certain materials.
Subjects of study include:
- Introduction to the Built Environment
- Building Science and Structures
- Building Control and Inspection
- The Performance of Building Materials (Work-based Learning)
Credit level 4 and 5
Year 3 introduces tall and long span buildings, structural frames and cladding, alongside sustainability and innovative construction. Apprentices will also look at building defects in a pathology module, learning about structural problems, component failure and deleterious materials.
Subjects of study include:
- Construction Engineering Technology
- Fire Safety
- Structural Principles
- Building Pathology
- Construction Technology and Innovation
Credit level 5 and 6
Year 4 covers conservation of buildings, particularly compliance with building regulations in their adaption and refurbishment. Apprentices study public safety in respect of sports stadia, public venues and dangerous structures. The second half of Year 4 focuses on the end point assessment, based on the apprentice’s work experience, comprising a logbook, panel interview and exam.
Subjects of study include:
- Care and Adaptation of Buildings
- Logbook of Experience (Work-based Learning)
- Public Safety
- End Point Assessment
Credit level 6
Accreditations
Successful apprentices will be eligible to apply for membership of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and/or the Institute of Fire Engineers (IFE) having met the academic requirements for membership. Apprentices will also need to meet any additional requirements set out by the CIOB and/or the IFE as part of their membership application processes at the time.
The course is also accredited by the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE). All of the apprentices completing the Building Control Surveyor Degree Apprenticeship who are CABE student members (student membership is free) will receive advanced standing to become a Chartered Member of the Chartered Association of Building Engineers provided that a CABE member is part of the EPA professional interview panel.
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
To be eligible for our apprenticeships, applicants must be aged 16 or over, employed as part of an agreed apprenticeship scheme and must meet the ESFA funding eligibility criteria.
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.
Careers/professional development
This degree apprenticeship 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, working either in the public sector for Local Authority Building Control (LABC) or the private sector as Approved Inspectors (AIs). Skills gained are transferable between the two sectors. For example, AIs will learn about enforcement work usually undertaken by LABC.
Course Leader
Niall O'Dwyer
My 3rd level education began in 1996 at Limerick Institute of Technology, where I graduated with a diploma in civil engineering in 1999. I took some time out to work in the construction industry, returned to education at Kingston University, and graduated with a degree in civil engineering in 2002. Pursuing further education while working in industry, I took up a day-release post-graduate course in project management at London Southbank University, and I graduated with a master's in 2005.
My professional career in construction has been focused mainly in contracting, including site engineering, planning, project management and dealing with contractual issues on projects around London in all matters of structural works on commercial and residential projects, both new-build and specialist refurbishment. In 2021 I was awarded full membership to the Chartered Institute of Building.
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]