Applicants must satisfy the Ulster University General Entrance Requirements as specified in the University General Regulations and at least one of the following:

1. A minimum of five passes at GCSE Grade C or 4 and above, which must include Mathematics and English Language (approved equivalents can be found at www.ulster.ac.uk/study/entrance-requirements), and either:

a) A minimum tariff of 56 UCAS points for Part Time to include at least one specified subject at Grade D or above at GCE/VCE A Level from the following list: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Maths, Engineering, Technology (including Environmental Technology/Science or Technology & Design), Geography, Business Studies or Economics. If a student doesn’t have one of the subjects stated please contact the course director to discuss alternative options.

b) A Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma or National Extended Diploma in Construction, Civil Engineering, Building Engineering or Engineering (Land Use and Surveying or Land Administration) or Applied Science with minimum Merit, Pass, Pass; or

c) A minimum tariff of 56 UCAS points for part time with a combination of A Level / BTEC Level 3 awards such as: BTEC Level 3 QCF Subsidiary Diploma (Merit); BTEC RQF National Extended Certificate; (Merit) BTEC Level 3 QCF 90-credit Diploma (Pass, Pass) BTEC Level 3 RQF National Foundation Diploma (Pass); BTEC Level 3 QCF Diploma or BTEC Level 3 RQF National Diploma (Pass, Pass). The subject requirement must be met either through the A Level or the BTEC award (see a and b above).

2. Irish Leaving Certificate: a minimum tariff of 56 UCAS points for part time with four subjects at Higher Level, including one subject at H3 from Physics, Maths, Technology, Chemistry, Biology or Engineering. Must include English and Maths at min grade H6 or O4.

3. Scottish Highers: a minimum tariff of 56 UCAS points to include one B from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Geography or a Technology or Engineering subject. Scottish Advanced Highers: a minimum tariff 56 UCAS points for part-time to include one subject from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Geography or a Technology or Engineering subject. Plus GCSE Maths and English at grade C or 4 and above.

4. Plus a minimum of five passes at GCSE Grade C or 4 and above, which must include Mathematics and English Language (or approved equivalents: see 1 above).

5. Minimum 45% in approved Access to HE Diploma course in Science, Mathematics, Physics or Engineering. Where an applicant does not hold the formal academic requirements for entry to the programme, but can demonstrate relevant experiential learning across a range of industries, they may apply for admission through the College Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) process. In such cases, contact the Course Director for the programme who will advise further.

To be eligible to commence study on the HLA Pathway, applicants must have secured full-time paid employment in a construction-related sector.

International students (for whom English is not their first language), must demonstrate their competence in written and spoken English at IELTS – Academic 6.0, with minimum 5.5 in all four elements of the test. Trinity ISE - Pass at Level 3 also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Assessment will be carried out via a variety of assessment methods. These will include: coursework assignments and end of module examinations as well as group activities and professional presentations. You will also be assessed in the workplace as part of your industrial placement.

On successful completion of this course and to the required standard, students can apply for entry to Year 2 of the following Ulster University Honours degree programmes:

• BSc Hons Construction Engineering & Management

• BSc Hons Building Surveying

Or Students who achieve the required entry criteria may apply to the following South West College Top Up course (1 year full time, 2 year part time)

BSc (Hons) Construction Engineering and Management (validated by The Open University).

Or progress into employment/self employment within the Construction sector in a range of roles including:

Career Opportunities:

Contracts Management

Project Management

Quantity Surveying

Building Surveying

Land Surveying

Building Control Officer

The course subjects form a broad basis for Construction Engineering. Subjects include Digital Construction to incorporate Computer Aided Design and Drafting CADD and Building Information Modelling BIM, Measurement, Law and Contract, Project Management and Surveying Technology. These modules will be enhanced by supplementary modules in Mathematics, Structures, Materials and Comfort. A Group project will form an integral part of the assessment where students will take a chosen project from inception through to completion, combining all their studies into a current construction project.

The programme also involves construction site visits, guest speakers, specialist workshops and field surveys using Drone and Global Positioning System GPS/Geographic Information System GIS technologies. The course of study also includes a work-based learning module giving you the opportunity to develop your professional skills in the workplace.

Fees Associated with the course

Higher Level Apprentices HLA student course fees are fully funded by the Department for Economy. Students must be employed in a relevant Construction related role to be eligible to join the programme as a HLA.

Higher Level Apprentices may incur the following costs during the course of their study.

CSR card (reduced fee for students - £35).

Students may be required to purchase steel toe-capped boots for the purpose of attending site visits.

During your course you may be required to purchase course text books and incur additional costs for printing, photocopying and binding. The overall additional costs incurred to support your studies may be in the region of £100 or more per year