Staff​

Mr F Hughes

Mr C Maguire

Mr M McGovern

Mr C McDonagh

What is a BTEC National Certificate?

This is a practical, work related course. Learning takes place through completing projects and assignments that are based on realistic workplace situations, activities and demands. As well as learning about the employment area you have chosen, you develop the skills you need to start a career.

How does it compare to GCE A Levels?

• It is the equivalent to two levels (or a double award advanced Applied course)

• It is worth 12 units of study. So you must choose another subject to do alongside it to achieve 18 units of study

• it is accepted by the Universities for entry onto compatible courses

• It is accepted by employers and Further Education Colleges for entry onto other courses

What other subjects can i do this with?

You can combine it with other subjects as follows:

​

BTEC + 1 A Level = 18 units

BTEC + Applied Single advanced award Business = 18 units

What is the course structure?

The BTEC National Certificate in Construction consists of six core units plus specialists units.​

Core Units​

Unit 1

Health, Safety and Welfare in Construction and the Built Environment

Unit 2

Construction and the Environment

Unit 3

Mathematics in Construction and the Built Environment

Unit 4

Science and Materials in Construction and the Built Environment

Unit 5

Construction Technology and Design in Construction and Civil Engineering

Unit 6

Building Technology in Construction

Unit 7

Planning, Organisation and Control of Resources in Construction and the Built Environment

Unit 8

Graphical Detailing in Construction and the Built Environment

Unit 10

Surveying in Construction and Civil Engineering

Unit 15

Building Surveying in Construction

Unit 17

Building Regulations and Control in Construction

Unit 20

Property Valuation in Construction

How is the course assessed?

All units (12) are internally assessed and graded and an overall grade for the qualification is awarded.​

​

• To achieve a 'pass' a learner must have satisfied all the pass criteria

• To achieve a 'merit' a learner must additionally have satisfied all the merit criteria

• To achieve a 'distinction' a learner must additionally have satisfied all the distinction criteria

​

Learners who complete the unit but who do not meet all the pass criteria are graded 'unclassified'.

Pass (P)

6 points

Merit (M)

12 points

Distinction (D)

18 points

The points are added together to give your final grades as follows:

Universities then provide a conversion table in their prospectuses that transfer these into grades AA, BB, CC, DD or EE. These may differ slightly between the universities.

What can i do at the end of the course?

You are likely to be employed in a construction discipline and the skills acquired during your studies should enable you to achieve success and progression into a technical or professional position in industry. Areas include:

Architectural Design- Estimating- Planning- Buying- Surveying- Property- Housing- Site Engineer- Site Technician- Site Supervision- Valuation- Building Control- Land Surveying- Town Planning

If you decide to go to university or college you could take a degree or BTEC higher Nationals in subjects such as:

Architectural Design- Construction Management- Building Surveying- Quantity Surveying- Property Management- Land Administration- Land Surveying- Town Planning

To find out more

Use the website- www.edexcel.com/quals/nat/construction