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The booming construction industry is an incredibly exciting option for a well-paid, rewarding career. There are so many different job roles we cannot list them all here. The T-Level, with it's in-depth content and brilliant work placement scheme, can lead to a well-paid job with great prospects for progression as soon as you leave college. If you wish, the UCAS points will allow you to go on to university and qualify in a profession such as Architecture, Surveying, Civil Engineering, Project Management or Town Planning.
What will I study in Construction: Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction T-level?
The T-Level is a big subject with a large amount of theory content. It is the equivalent of doing 3 A'Levels. The range of topics we cover is very wide, and no two days in college are the same. Construction employers have designed the content. See the specification for more detail. Please be aware, this is not a practical subject; you will not be learning a trade.
A small flavour of the areas we cover:
- Maths- especially trigonometry and areas/volumes/measuring/calculus
- Science- materials,forces,heat,light and sound
- Law- planning law, landlord and tenant and contract law
- Drawing- freehand sketching, 2D CAD, 3D CAD
- Surveying- using tapes, levels and a very high-tech "total station" with GPS
- Sustainability- low carbon buildings, alternative energy and heat sources, Passivehouse
- Construction techniques, modern methods of construction and project management
- Designing buildings to a client's specification
- Digital Technology
- Relationship management
Entry Requirements
Five GCSE's at Grade 4 or above, all from the Core Subjects and including English and Maths. Grade 5 recommended for English and Maths.
The T-Level is academically demanding and therefore we recommend you have a good range of GCSE passes. Good GCSE passes in Science and Art/Design will also be beneficial.
How will I learn?
The T-Level is very different to the average A'Level course. It can be very academically demanding at times. An aptitude for independent study is essential. Some of the activities you would do are listed below:
- Classwork with regular written assignments to do as homework
- Case studies of recent or on-going construction and civil engineering projects such as HS2
- Group work and solo/group presentations to the class and wider audiences
- Surveying practice on the college fields
- Work experience is a key part of the course and you spend at least 20% of your time with an employer
- Careers talks from construction industry professionals
- Trips to visit finished buildings or site visits to see construction taking place
How will I be assessed?
Year 1
2 written papers in the summer. 2 1/2 hours each
An employer-set project of 15 hours duration which requires you to design and draw a building.
Year 2
You will study an Occupational Specialism, chosen from Design and Surveying, or Civil Engineering. You will complete an assessed project of 30 hours duration in year 2, based on your chosen specialism.
You also need to have to have passed your GCSE Maths and English and have completed at least 315 hours of work placement to complete the T-Level.
Any trips?
We aim to visit as many local buildings and construction sites of interest as we can. Most trips will be fairly short and local. We are considering trips abroad in the future.
Are there any costs involved?
- You will need to supply your own drawing equipment such as sketch pads, pencils, fineliners, scale rulers etc
- There will be a requirement to purchase your own PPE (hard hat, hi-viz waistcoat or jacket and safety boots)for site visits. The jackets and hard hats can be purchased through college or you can source your own.
- There will be a number of mainly short duration trips, with a small cost attached.
- The college has a generous bursary scheme to assist with these costs - all details can be found on our website under Financial Support.
- It is now a requirement for construction students to have a "CSCS" card. This is a safety card that has to be shown when students do their placements. The test is £22, and the card costs £36, so a total of £58. Students have to pay for this themselves. Contact the college if you are in receipt of a bursary. This needs to be completed by the end of the first term.
FAQs
What type of career does this course lead to?
The T level is aimed at those who have a strong desire to work at management level in the construction industry. It can also lead to a degree course, in say, architecture, surveying or planning. It is NOT the right type of course if you wish to learn a trade such as carpentry, bricklaying or plumbing.
Do I have to find my own work placement?
Yes, we recommend you do. We cannot guarantee that we can find one for you.
Is the course practical?
No, the only practical work we do is using surveying instruments.
Can I do A levels alongside a T Level?
No, the T Level is the equivalent of 3 A Levels, so you would not have time to do even one A Level. For this reason, you need to be really sure it is the right choice for you.
Do I have to have some experience of construction?
No, but it helps if you know something about the industry as this is all you do!
Can I change my mind and change course if I don't like it?
Yes, of course, we are very flexible about this. You could move to a different T Level or even move to A Levels as long as you decide within a few weeks of starting. The official deadline is by half term, but for moving between T levels we would recommend changing within two weeks, because of the large amount of content that you would need to catch up on in your new course.
Awarding Body
Pearson
Available As
T Level
[168 UCAS pts. available]
[168 UCAS pts. available]
Add to Application
What can I do after I have taken this course?
Available As
T Level
[168 UCAS pts. available]
[168 UCAS pts. available]
Add to Application
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