How the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment can support your career development
Whatever your motivations, the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment (ADBE) offers a range of short courses to enhance your CV and help you continue your professional development (CPD) throughout your career.
Our courses take place at multiple times throughout the year and are designed to fit around work and other commitments – we offer daytime, evening and Saturday courses. Some offer credit points while others lead to a CPD certificate.
Classroom courses take place at the City Campus and are delivered by expert tutors with strong links to the construction, design and engineering industries. You can expect the highest quality teaching and access to industry-standard facilities.
We also tailor our courses to a company’s objectives. Our aim is to respond positively to your training needs with a flexible approach and content that matches today's modern built environment industry.
Short courses in digital skills for construction
These courses provide you with expert skills in computer software relevant to the construction industry. They are ideal for people who are new to the industry and want their CV to stand out, and also those in need of a refresh or who are looking for a career change.
Short courses in sustainability for construction
These courses are aimed at both those new to the construction industry, as well as those looking to develop their knowledge. They will help you stay updated about the many essential developments surrounding sustainability.
Introduction to Building Control Inspections and Processes (three days)
Professional; Short course | Short course
Introduction to Building Defects, Inspections and Survey Reporting (three days)
Professional; Short course | Short course
Introduction to Energy Management (three days)
Professional; Short course | Short course
Introduction to Heritage and Conservation (three days)
Professional; Short course | Short course
Introduction to Retro-Fit Technologies (three days)
Professional; Short course | Short course
Postgraduate level modules
Our postgraduate programme allows you to study an individual module as a stand-alone course, giving you the opportunity to study flexibly and choose subjects that suit your specific needs.
A CPD certificate will be issued upon successful completion of a course. Passing the assessed element (an exam or coursework) can also contribute credit towards a postgraduate award. Check each course description for details.
Entry Requirements
You should have a minimum of three years’ professional experience and have the support of your employer to integrate study and projects into your day-to-day work. If you wish to receive credit, you should also have a 2:2 honours degree.
Our courses for 2024/25 will be announced soon. In 2023/24 we ran the following:
- Advanced Construction Materials
- Advanced Hydraulics and Hydrology
- Advanced Strength of Materials
- Advanced Structural Analysis
- Advanced Structural Engineering
- Analysis and Design of Surface Structures
- Condition Assessment and Health Monitoring of Civil Infrastructures
- Contemporary Themes in Structural Engineering
- Current Practices in Civil Engineering
- Finite Element Analysis
- Geophysical and Geotechnical Investigation and Design
- Sustainable Transport Planning and Engineering
- Building Pathology
- Building Technology
- Construction and Planning
- Conversion Adaptation and Care of Buildings
- Development Practice
- Heritage and Conservation
- International Property Markets Analysis: Analysis and Performance
- International Property Markets Analysis: Mechanism and Structures
- Law for Surveyors
- Planning Practice
- Project and Contract Management
- Property and Construction Economics
- Real Estate Funding and Finance
- Real Estate Investment
- Real Estate Management and Agency
- Real Estate Valuation and Appraisal
Short courses, bootcamps and workshops
Supply Chain Sustainability School short courses
We are pleased to offer 4 short course modules to benefit businesses working within the ADBE sector:
- Module 1: Collaborative Behaviours
- Module 2: Collaborative Design and the Supply Chain
- Module 3: Collaborative Risk Management using Flow Walks
- Module 4: Innovation and Value in the Supply Chain
Register your interest via the Innovation Driven Procurement website.
Green Skills Bootcamps
Our Green Skills Bootcamps are funded by The Department for Education, granting eligible learners across the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire regions access to the technical training required to secure employment within the low-carbon construction sector. These are free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks for adults aged 19 or over.
CAD for Beginners
This course is for designers and professionals working in 2D and 3D who have little design software experience; if you’re CAD skills are in need of boost this course will show you how to bring your designs to life and allow you to present ideas to clients in a cohesive and coherent way.
Furniture Making Workshop
On our furniture making courses you'll receive expert instruction and advice on how to fully utilise the specialist equipment in our workshops including wall saws, flat bed sanders, planers and a spray booth with gravity fed spray guns. You'll be provided with tips and tricks on restoration of furniture as well as advice on what equipment you should buy to continue to develop your skills at home.
From Idea to Prototype: Rapid Prototyping Techniques for Businesses
This training is for teams within businesses who are interested in rapid prototyping techniques. Which of the technologies is suitable for you or your business, what are the relative merits of these different techniques, do you need to buy a machine, or could an online bureau service fulfil your prototyping needs? Our experts will help you address these questions.
Bespoke training for companies
We can arrange tailored programmes that run for a single day or longer, either at NTU or in-house at your premises. If you have any questions about bespoke training, contact Stephen Whalley on +44 (0)115 848 2373 or email stephen.whalley@ntu.ac.uk.
Training can focus on design, computer skills, model-making, 3D printing, protoyping, BIM, property market analysis, lean projects, soil and earthworks, and more. We also offer courses in media training, public speaking, business writing and foreign languages.
Examples of past bespoke projects we've worked on with clients include:
Construction company – Soil and earthworks appreciation
Based in our soil testing lab, the delegates from a major UK construction firm learnt about the different characteristics of soil types. They conducted a range of tests and learnt how this can then be useful on site.
Construction company – Surveying workshop
Delegates spent two days conducting surveys and producing drawings demonstrating levels and the verticality of buildings. They learnt how to use the appropriate equipment on location, with classroom exercises helping them understand the data they were creating.
Estates management team – BIM and Autodesk Revit
A university required an understanding of the key principles of BIM, and the impact it could have on their work in the future. Ten delegates attended a three-day course which involved Revit software and modelling, led by a BIM expert who runs his own consultancy business.
Lucerne University (Switzerland) – Design thinking
Faculty and students were looking for something creative involving design thinking, problem-solving and product-making. In contrast to their usual work, the delegates spent a week immersed in smart materials and created business proposals for the next generation of wearable technology.
Industry short courses and professional development opportunities
Want more information? Read our brochure to discover the short courses on offer at Nottingham Trent University.
Upcoming events
23
Apr
What is Intellectual Property (and why is it important)?
23
Apr
DEC Connect Breakfast
Dryden Enterprise Centre, Dryden Street, NG1 4FQ
09
May
Female Founders Club: Playing to your Strengths | Discover the Possibilities for your Business
13
May
Senior Leader Apprenticeship (SLA) and Executive MBA Briefing
MS Teams Online Session, MS Teams Online Session,
21
May
DEC Connect Breakfast
Dryden Enterprise Centre, Dryden Street, NG1 4FQ