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Construction Management for England (Construction Site Supervisor) Level 4 Apprenticeship Higher National Certificate

Start year

Information for 2025

About this course

The shift to low carbon described in the governments Low Carbon Transition Plan will revolutionise the way in which we all live and work. Britain needs to be ready to meet that challenge, but also to secure a share of the skilled jobs and global trade it will create in every region of the uk. That includes securing jobs and trade in emerging low carbon sectors such as off-shore wind energy and zero-carbon homes, as well as increasing the resource efficiency and sustainability of traditional industries across our economy.

This course will enable you to develop as a professional, self-reflecting individual, focusing specifically on Site Supervision. During the course you will be able to meet the demands of employers in the construction and the built environment sector and adapt to a constantly changing world; with specific emphases on the design, manufacture, and installation of housing, using off-site, factory-built and new digital technologies such as BIM and construction management programmes.

  • You'll study at NTU in Mansfield, where you'll have access to fantastic buildings, and all of the tools and technology you need for studying on this course.
  • The course is delivered part-time, enabling you to fit learning around your work and other commitments. You'll also have opportunities to undertake additional placements during the year.
  • This course prepares you to progress to a range of roles in the construction industry and the opportunity to continue your studies on a university degree course.
  • Developed in collaboration with a range of employers, students and subject experts, this course is designed to meet the changing needs of industry.

Accreditation

Higher Technical Qualification Certified

This course contains a Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ), which means that it has been quality marked by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education to indicate their alignment to employer-led occupational standards and to ensure that you will be receiving a prestigious education met by employer needs.

Find out more by visiting the HTQ page.

  • HTC Cog Logo
Top
10
In the UK for Building in Complete University Guide 2025.

What you’ll study

The modules will give you the skills, knowledge and understanding you need to achieve high performance in the international construction environment. The course aims to give you the abilities and confidence to work across different business functions and to lead, manage, respond to change, and tackle a range of complex construction situations.

You'll explore the core skills required for a range of careers in construction, specifically those related to management and operations, as well as developing your understanding of the major impact that new digital technologies have on the construction environment.

Digital Applications for Construction Information (15 Credit Points)

  • As part of this module, you'll develop the skills to needed produce accurate and consistent construction information using industry-standard software.

Construction Technology (15 Credit Points)

  • This module introduces you to the different technological concepts used to enable the construction of building elements, and the functional characteristics and design considerations when selecting the most suitable technological solution.

Legal and Statutory Requirements in Construction (15 Credit Points)

  • This module introduces the different areas of law that are relevant to the construction industry throughout the development process. This includes applying for planning approval to undertake construction activities and using building control regulations to evaluate building design and alterations at the preconstruction stage.

Financial Management & Business Practices in Construction (15 Credit Points)

  • You'll be introduced to the concepts of business management and financial control. They will examine a range of factors that influence the ways in which companies grow, raise finance and control their costs and resources.

Construction Environment (15 Credit Points)

  • As part of this module, you'll explore the make-up and the impact of the construction industry on the environment and society. You will gain an overview of the organisational and the personal ways in which the sector works to continue to improve the built environment and limit its impact on the environment.

Site Supervision & Operations (15 Credit Points)

  • As part of this module, you'll develop the skills and techniques needed to manage the people and processes of a building site, ensuring the quality of work, safe working practices and the interactions of different ‘trades’.

Construction Design Project (Individual Project) (15 Credit Points)

  • This module will support you in using and applying the knowledge and skills developed through other areas of your study, to complete and present an individual construction design project.
  • Through your project, you'll learn how to formulate and manage a project within agreed timescales, evaluate potential project management solutions, and produce and present a project report with your final project outcomes.

Surveying, Measuring & Setting-out (15 Credit Points)

  • Surveying is an essential function in the construction industry, providing services throughout a project’s lifecycle. On completion of this module, you will be able to obtain an estimate for a client’s project, at the design stage, using a suitable procurement method.

End Point Assessment April - August

  • Assessment 1: Online test
  • Assessment 2: Project
  • Assessment Method 3: Professional discussion

Completing your Apprenticeship

To achieve the apprenticeship, all apprentices must complete an End-Point Assessment (EPA). The EPA is an independent assessment that ascertains whether an apprentice is competent in their occupation.

Gateway

Gateway is the period of time between the end of the off-the-job training (practical period) and the beginning of the assessment period when EPA will take place.

At Gateway, the apprentice, employer and training provider will review the apprentice’s knowledge, skills and behaviours to determine whether they are ready to take their EPA. This is normally done at a Gateway review meeting which takes place near the end of the apprenticeship. At this meeting, all three parties will check that the mandatory aspects of the apprenticeship have been completed and that the apprentice is ready to take their final assessment(s).

Apprentices must meet the Gateway requirement set out in the assessment plan before taking their EPA.

End-Point Assessment

This apprenticeship is non-integrated. This means that the end-point assessment is administered and assessed by an external organisation. For this apprenticeship standard there are four End-Point Assessment Organisations (EPAO), the preferred EPAO is the Chartered Institute of Building but employers may choose to select an alternative.

Details of the assessment elements can be found in the assessment plan.

There are three elements to this end-point assessment:

  1. Online test
  2. Project
  3. Professional discussion

We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.

How you're taught

The course is delivered part-time, delivered one day a week over two years. This enables you to fit learning around your work and other commitments.

Most modules involve a series of different methods to explain and develop the subject concepts. These include seminars, tutorials, laboratory sessions, and workshops. You'll also be involved in self-directed project work with the support of NOW, our virtual learning environment.

Outside of timetabled sessions, you'll need to undertake self-directed independent study. This will include preparing for seminars, researching, completing coursework, developing a portfolio, and directed reading to expand your knowledge.

Seminars and lab sessions

You'll have seminars and lab sessions, where you'll apply theory learned to real-world situations. These sessions involve active learning and are driven by collaboration with your tutors and classmates. Due to the smaller class sizes, this approach enables individualised support to ensure you reach your learning potential.

How you're assessed

You'll be assessed through a mix of diverse methods, including practical and written types. These may include reports, presentations, portfolios, and collaborative group projects. Some modules involve an element of seminar contribution through online or in-person interaction, and some others will provide employer-set themes for the coursework which will enable you to apply the knowledge to real-world scenarios as you will be expected to do in employment.

The range of assessment methods will provide a variety of ways in which you can demonstrate achievement and develop the communication skills valued by employers. You'll receive feedback throughout each module.

Staff Profiles

David Walker - Principal Lecturer

School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment

David Walker is Principal Lecturer in Construction and Course Leader on the BSc (Hons) Level 6 Chartered Surveyor Degree Apprenticeship (Quantity Surveyor Pathway).

Careers and employability

Further study

Students who successfully complete the HNC Construction Management for England (Construction Site Supervisor) Level 4 Apprenticeship course will have the opportunity to progress to one of the following courses:

  • BSc (Hons) Construction Management full-time, part-time or sandwich routes (Year Two entry)
  • BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management full-time, part-time or sandwich routes (Year Two entry)
  • BSc (Hons) Building Surveying full-time, part-time or sandwich routes (Year One entry)
  • Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship Pathways:
    • Level 6 Chartered Surveyor Degree Apprenticeship (Quantity Surveyor Pathway) (Year Two entry)
    • Level 6 Chartered Surveyor Degree Apprenticeship (Building Surveyor Pathway) (Year One entry)
    • Level 6 Chartered Surveyor Degree Apprenticeship (Real Estate Pathway) (Year One entry)

Employment opportunities

The course's focus on specialist technical skills and knowledge provides students with a clear set of skills and goals for entering employment. Typical jobs related to this course may include:

  • Housing Design Technician
  • Housing Project Manager
  • Off-site Construction Manager
  • BIM Technician
  • Digital Design Technician
  • Architectural Technologist
  • Planning Officer
  • Building Control Officer

Employability team

Our expert Employability team will work closely with you at every stage of your career planning, providing personal support and advice. You can benefit from this service at any time during your studies and for up to three years after completing your course.

NTU Enterprise

You'll also have the opportunity to turn your ideas into a viable business with help from NTU Enterprise, NTU's purpose-built Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, a support centre to help students create, develop and grow their own businesses.

Campus and facilities

As an NTU Mansfield student, you’ll benefit from the latest facilities and modern technology to support your studies and help you get the most out of student life.

We are continually investing in our facilities and enhancing our learning and teaching environment to make it an inspiring place for students.

Plus, as a construction student, you'll have access to our Construction Lab and CAD suite with the latest industry specific design and software throughout your studies.

Facilities and services include:

  • University Centre
  • Teaching and Learning Centre
  • Construction Lab
  • CAD suite
  • Library
  • Dedicated study zones, including PC suites
  • On-site café
  • Social spaces
  • Sports facilities
  • Student Support Services
  • Nottingham Trent Students Union (NTSU) drop-in events.

Entry requirements

UK students

  • 64 UCAS Tariff points or equivalent; or
  • BTEC Level 3 qualification in construction or a related subject - MPP; or
  • A Levels - DDE; or
  • Level 3 T Level in one of the following:
    • Craft and Design
    • Design and development for engineering and manufacturing
    • Design, surveying and planning for construction
    • On-site construction
    • Science

and

  • GCSEs – English and Maths grade C / 4.

The following qualifications will also be considered:

  • Other related Level 3 qualifications
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma from an approved further education institution
  • Relevant work experience, or an international equivalent to the above qualifications.

International students

This course is not suitable for tier 4 visa applicants.

Policies

We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.

Fees and funding

UK students

- see the fees for this course, as well as information about funding and support.

To undertake an apprenticeship, you must be employed. Your employer will pay your tuition fees.

If you or your employer have any questions regarding the fees and funding available for this apprenticeship, please see our Apprenticeships pages, email our Apprenticeships team, or call  +44 (0)115 848 2589.

International students

- see the fees for this course, as well as payment advice and scholarships.

This course is not suitable for applicants who require a student visa.

However, we do accept qualifications from schools, colleges and universities all over the world for entry onto our Bachelors and Masters degrees. If you’re not sure how your international qualification matches our course requirements please see our information about international qualifications.

Additional costs

Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses. There are just a few additional things you may need to budget for:

Textbooks and library books

Most modules will recommend one or more core textbooks, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential textbooks, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) - meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.

Printing and photocopying costs

The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the printing and photocopying information on the Library website.

How to apply

Applications to this course can be made through NTU Applicant Portal.

To apply for this course you must have secured your employer's agreement to support you through the degree apprenticeship course and have been allocated an architecturally qualified Employment Mentor from your place of work.

Firstly, your employer should contact our Apprenticeships team to discuss next steps in the applications process, and support available.

As part of your application, you’ll submit a personal statement. Tell us about your ambitions, skills and experience. You have 4,000 characters to impress us – here’s how to make your words count.

Writing your application

Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. Make sure you include as much information as possible, including uploading evidence of results already achieved, as well as a personal statement.

Keeping up to date

After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process - so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.

Getting in touch

If you need more help or support, you can call our Apprenticeship team on +44 (0)115 848 2589, or email apprenticeships@ntu.ac.uk.

Good luck with your application!