Program Overview

Construction Engineering and Management - BSc (Hons)

Overview

The Construction Engineering and Management degree programme aims to equip graduates with the professional skills demanded by major construction companies worldwide. Our graduates are recognised as qualified to excel in the many disciplines of construction engineering and project management.

About this course

This highly regarded, professionally accredited course will develop your technical and managerial skills through an exciting blend of topics taught by experts. You will learn about the science, technology, and materials of buildings, the legal and contractual frameworks applicable to the built environment, and the financial, quality, and project management of complex construction projects.

Course Structure

The course is structured into five years, with each year comprising a range of modules that cover various aspects of construction engineering and management.

Year One

• Introduction to the Built Environment: This module presents a wide-ranging overview of the impact of public and private development, statutory legislation, procurement, building design, and construction on UK industry and society.
• Domestic Building Technology: This module provides a general introduction to construction technology with specific emphasis on the sustainable construction of small-scale, low-rise buildings.
• Digital Construction and Communication: This module develops an understanding of the key drivers and barriers to fully implementing Level 2 BIM and points towards the development of level 3 BIM working in the near future.
• Materials and Structures: This module will provide students with a basic understanding of fundamental material science and a comprehensive understanding of the composition, microstructure, and engineering behaviour of materials used in construction applications.

Year Two

• Analytical Methods and Quantification: This module introduces construction quantification (or measurement) and develops numerical and analytical skills.
• Surveying: This module is designed to facilitate learners in developing a working knowledge of the spatial principles and practices that are essential to the civil engineering and construction sectors.
• Ethically Aligned Safety, Health and Wellbeing: This module addresses international protocols and demonstrates how they impact upon local regulation and professional practice.
• Building Design: This module enhances the understanding of structural design of sub-structures, super-structures, and their elements made from various materials.

Year Three

• Commercial Building Technology: This module enhances the understanding of functions, principles, and sustainable methods in the design and construction of buildings.
• Quantification and Costing of Construction Works: This module provides a detailed understanding of how construction cost estimates are prepared and how strategic tendering procedures are implemented.
• Construction Law: This module defines the legal framework within which the operation and administration of building contracts is undertaken.
• Production Management in Construction: This module aims to equip students with a range of specialist management knowledge and skills adapted and applied within a construction management context.

Year Four

• Building Performance and Regulation: This module investigates the performance requirements of buildings, including environmental impacts and the technology required to ensure that the requirements are met.
• Construction Project Management: This module develops a thorough understanding by the students regarding the project development process from inception to completion.

Year Five

• Research and Dissertation A: This module enables the student to identify and undertake an independent in-depth research study of an area of particular significance relating to the course of study.
• Research and Dissertation B: This module facilitates students in developing creative, critical evaluative, and analytic research skills to enable students to undertake empirical data collection, perform appropriate data analysis, critically discuss findings, and lead to justifiable recommendations and conclusions based upon contemporary research and professional practices.
• Contractor Bid Management: This module shall enhance your knowledge of the multi-criteria approach used by clients/contracting authorities during the procurement/tender process.
• Green Building Design: This module will allow students to understand and critically appraise the factors affecting energy consumption in buildings.

Standard Entry Conditions

• A Level: BBC; or BCC including one form Maths or Physics at grade B.
• Applied General Qualifications: QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Construction, Civil Engineering, or Building Engineering.
• Irish Leaving Certificate: 112 UCAS Tariff Points to include a minimum of five subjects (four of which must be at higher level) to include English at H6 if studied at Higher Level or O4 if studied at Ordinary Level.
• Scottish Highers: BBCCC to include grade B in Mathematics, Physics, Technology, Chemistry, Biology, or Engineering.
• Scottish Advanced Highers: CCD to include grade C in Mathematics, Physics, Technology, Chemistry, Biology, or Engineering.
• International Baccalaureate: Overall profile is minimum 25 points (12 at higher level) to include minimum grade 5 in HL Maths and one other HL science subject. Grade 4 in English Language also required in overall profile.
• Access to Higher Education (HE): Overall profile of 63% to include 63% in each of the level 3 modules and to include 40% in NICATS level 2 Maths for Year 1 entry.
• GCSE: For full-time study, you must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements for admission to a first degree course and hold a GCSE pass at Grade C/4 or above in English Language, Mathematics, and Physical Science grade C, 4 (single/double award Science, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, Technology, Geography, ICT).

Careers & Opportunities

Graduates from this course are now working for:

• BAM Construction
• Farrans Construction
• FP McCann
• Geda Construction
• Graham Construction
• McAleer & Rushe
• McLaughlin & Harvey

With this degree, you could become:

• Construction Engineering
• Construction Management
• Site Management
• Facilities Management
• Project Manager
• Contract Management
• Building Control

Professional Recognition

Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), having been judged to meet the CIOB Education Framework. Prospective members holding these qualifications have full academic exemption and may enter CIOB membership without the requirement for an Individual Assessment.

Fees and Funding

Undergraduate fees are subject to annual review, 2026/27 fees will be announced in due course.

Scholarships, Awards, and Prizes

The Construction Programme is very well supported by industry - fabulous prizes for our students include:

• Chartered Institute of Building (Northern Centre) Prize (2 x prizes) for best overall students worth £50 each
• Concrete Society (NI Region) Prize for best overall performance in placement year worth £100
• Graham Construction Procurement Award for highest group mark for the tender in the collaborative project worth £250 per group member up to a maximum of £1250
• Graham Construction Scholarship for first and second highest aggregate mark in first year of the programme offering £2000 scholarship each for first and second placed student
• McAleer and Rushe Student Placement Prize, judged by selection interview worth 50% of the placement fee.
• Quigg Golden Construction Law Prize for second-year students taking the Construction Law module worth £150

Additional Mandatory Costs

There are several activities which may incur an additional cost to you during your course, in addition to your tuition fees. Site visits are arranged throughout the academic year, and you may be required to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) to use during the site visits. Investing in such PPE will benefit you during your studies, placement, and when you graduate. Other costs incurred on site visits, including travel costs, as you may be required to make your own way to the construction site. Site visits generally are identified within the central Belfast area for your convenience.