Overview

Built for safety

Legislation around the safety of buildings is of crucial importance. If businesses and building owners fall foul of these regulations, they could face significant legal, financial penalties and, at worst, place the lives of a building’s inhabitants in serious risk. The industry is crying out for more qualified inspectors to take on this responsibility and business must get better at succession planning for this to happen.

This apprenticeship has been designed to align with the Building Safety Act competency framework and the responsibilities of building control professionals. Upon completion, apprentices will be able to apply for professional membership of Chartered Institute of Building (MCIOB) or Chartered Association of Building Engineers (MCABE).

Reasons why apprenticeship is for you

Apprentices will:

Gain the competencies critically needed by the industry

Keep up-to-date with relevant and changing legislation

Become skilled Building Control Surveyors

About this apprenticeship

What can you expect?

Apprentices will spend their time on this apprenticeship learning through a combination of on-the-job and off-the-job training.

The academic learning combines an understanding of construction and design with a conception of the laws and compliance that govern the built environment, giving apprentices the confidence and authority to enforce the crucial standards needed to keep their stakeholders safe.

Course accreditations

 

End-point assessment

The End-Point Assessment (EPA) is designed to assess the knowledge, skills and behaviours that an apprentice has developed during their academic and workplace learning.

The EPA for the Building Control Surveyor Degree Apprenticeship is integrated and is typically undertaken in the last six months of this apprenticeship, once the employer is happy that the apprentice is ready. It is taken as a 20-credit module, at the end of which an exam and interview are taken. UCEM are the End-Point Assessment organisation for this apprenticeship.

Professional membership of Chartered Institute of Building (MCIOB) or Chartered Association of Building Engineers (MCABE) may be offered as a result of an apprentice’s performance in the End-Point Assessment. If not offered, apprentices will be provided with information on the further actions required to achieve this.

Structure

Degree award

On successful completion, students will be awarded:

  • BSc (Hons) Building Control
  • Apprenticeship Completion Certificate

Delivery structure

This apprenticeship will be delivered online and includes guided discussions and workshops as well as independent learning and reading.

Development of the required knowledge, skills and behaviours for all apprenticeships happens through a combination of workplace training provided by the employer and off-the job training provided by UCEM.

The apprenticeship is 360 credits, including an 20-credit End-Point Assessment (EPA). The employer must be able to provide their apprentices with relevant workplace experience for the requirements of the EPA to be met.

Due to the nature of the apprenticeship, apprentices will only be awarded BSc (Hons) Building Control once they have successfully completed 360 credits, including the EPA.

Modules you will study

Year 1

Introduction to the Built Environment 1

Appreciate how legal, political and social issues shape our sector and its role in the economy. Understand the project lifecycle and the RIBA Plan of Work. Identify the industry’s stakeholders and professions and your chosen profession’s key responsibilities in meeting client objectives.

Introduction to Sustainability

Explore the causes of climate change and the challenges of sustainable development, with particular focus on the construction and property sector. Examine the relationship between property and the environment along with the criteria used to measure sustainability in relation to finished construction projects.

Professional and Business Practice

Gain an understanding of the organisational structures within the sector. Appreciate the role of business planning and the accounting concepts that support decision making. Consider the importance and benefits of client management, professionalism, ethical practice and diversity in the workforce.

Construction Technology 1

Establish a foundation knowledge of buildings, the environment and technology, also considering them from a sustainability perspective. Develop your communication skills and construction literacy with real-world examples of construction projects, including traditional masonry and roof construction.

Year 2

Introduction to Regulatory and Built Environment Law

Dive into the legal and regulatory requirements that relate to the construction and property sector, along with the legal environment in the context of planning, design and occupation and health and safety as it relates to both design and construction activity.

Introduction to the Built Environment 2

Gain familiarity with your chosen discipline and develop basic discipline specific knowledge and skills. Undertake a discipline specific task that will develop your understanding of client’s objectives, industry sources of information and the benefits of collaborative practice.

Construction Technology 2

The relationship between a building’s design, environment and occupants is complex. With the overarching theme of human comfort, break down the individual factors – heat, air moisture sound and light within these aspects of a building, and how each of these factors affect one another, in the context of domestic or office environments.

Retrofit Concept and Practice

Retrofit is a crucial function for keeping existing buildings in use and fit for purpose. Explore the range of different retrofitting project types and associated issues while developing the knowledge and skills required to appraise and develop retrofit and refurbishment solutions.

Year 3

Building Control

Explore the core competencies of building control you’ll need to become a member of relevant professional bodies. Examine requirements for site inspections of building work, with reference to legislation like the Building Safety Act 2022, and apply these standards to different scenarios.

Building Pathology and Conservation Principles

Build an understanding of building pathology – the study of building decay, defects and performance failure. Develop your ability to effectively diagnose and evaluate a range of common building defects through inspection, testing, survey and analysis.

Design and Environmental Science

The relationship between a building’s design, environment and occupants is complex. With the overarching theme of human comfort, break down the individual factors – heat, air moisture sound and light within these aspects of a building, and how each of these factors affect one another, in the context of domestic or office environments.

Commercial Building Pathology and Practice

Analyse building pathology and surveying technologies in the context of commercial structures. Identify, examine and provide technical solutions to key defects in commercial buildings. Understand the role of technology and information management as they apply to building surveying services.

Year 4

Fire Safety

Fire safety is a key competency in the industry . Study the nature of fire, the relevant regulations and standards, methods of protection and means of escape in relation to domestic and commercial buildings.

Public Safety in Buildings

Assessing the use of a building or venue to ensure public safety is a core skill of building control surveyors. Examine legislation and guidance and apply these principles to scenarios involving sports grounds, licensed premises and concert venues.

Case Study Project

Develop your research skills and present your self-directed investigation and research in the form of a case study. Reflect on the knowledge, skills and behaviours you have developed during your studies and the experience and training you’ve received from your workplace.

Integrated Design Project

Consolidate your knowledge and skills by working in multi-disciplinary groups in a project scenario. This project will help you identify the procedures required for the adaptation and refurbishment of a building based on a client’s brief.

Building Surveying and Maintenance Practice

Explore building surveying practice and enhance your ability to recognise, analyse and remedy building maintenance issues, so that you can provide professional advice regarding different types of surveys, and maintenance and building adaptation.

Case Study Project

Develop your research skills and present your self-directed investigation and research in the form of a case study. Reflect on the knowledge, skills and behaviours you have developed during your studies and the experience and training you’ve received from your workplace.

Year 5

Building Control End Point Assessment

Having achieved the mandatory requirements of the integrated apprenticeship programme, prepare for and undertake the EPA. Collate and present evidence to demonstrate your achievement of the Standard’s KSBs competencies. Attend a panel interview led by an independent assessor and industry expert.

Course Leaders

Programme leader

Programme leader

Jonathan Hubert

BSC (Hons) PGCert (Research) ACIAT

Jon is the archetypal career-changer, having worked in the private sector for over 25 years prior to reading for a degree. Presently learning and teaching as a programme leader in the Construction faculty, Jon is a graduate in Architectural Technology from the University of West London (UWL) and has started a PhD programme at the University of Portsmouth on the evaluation of building performance. The topic is based around predicting building performance in a changing climate, using dynamic simulation modelling to create and test environmental scenarios in a virtual environment.

Online learning

The future of study

1 2 3 4 5

Flexible study

Balance your study, work and home commitments, all while working towards your career goals

e-Library access

Full access to a comprehensive and valuable e-library with a wealth of resources to support your studies

Interactive

Study using a diverse range of interactive, modern and dynamic learning resources

Expert-led

Learning activities that have been designed by UCEM tutors and subject matter experts

Stay connected

Learn alongside a diverse community of students from all over the world

Time commitment and study breakdown

Studying two modules per semester requires an expected time commitment of 15-20 hours per week. If you study only one module per semester, the weekly time commitment will be less, depending on the module’s credit size. Most modules are typically 20 credits.

45

Directed study time (%)

25

Self-directed study time (%)

30

Assessment study time (%)

Support

For your studies

Entry

Qualifications required

Academic requirements

96 UCAS tariff points or equivalent;

OR

  • Completed an Advanced Apprenticeship in Surveying or an Advanced Apprenticeship in Construction Technical through which a Construction and Built Environment Diploma with a minimum DD profile was obtained or through which a Construction and Built Environment Extended Diploma with a minimum MMM profile was obtained, or an equivalent qualification;

OR

  • A current Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Associate qualification (AssocRICS) and be in relevant employment;

OR

  • Successfully completed the UCEM BSc Access module programme
English and mathematics requirements
  • Apprentices must have the right to work in England and meet the Education and Skill Funding Agency (ESFA) residency status requirements
  • Spend at least 50% of their working hours in England
  • Be 18 years or over at the start of the programme and be directly employed in a job role that will enable the requirements of the apprenticeship to be achieved

Find out more about how apprenticeships work

Providing evidence

Evidence is required in the form of certificate or statements. You should send photocopies that have been verified by someone in a professional occupation.

Applications are assessed in accordance with the UCEM Code of Practice on Admissions and Recognition of Prior Learning.

Requirements of the apprenticeship

GCSE Grade 4 (or C) or above in English and Mathematics or equivalent qualification

SDG's

Sustainability

Sustainability

How does this apprenticeship align?

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is the United Nation’s economic, social and environmental plan to achieve sustainable development. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) are central to this ambition, and must therefore be a critical part of built environment curriculums.

UCEM is currently undergoing an evaluation of how SDG’s relate to modules. This will be updated shortly.

Funding

and commitment

Time commitment for apprentices

The academic element of the apprenticeship requires 15-20 hours of study a week, based on studying two modules per semester. This is for a typical 20 credit module.

Time commitment for employers

You will need to provide your apprentice with the equivalent of one day off a week to study and to ensure that their job role enables them to fulfil the requirements of the apprenticeship.

Funding

This apprenticeship meets the criteria of the Building Control Surveyor standard. Eligible organisations are able to use their levy fund for £24,000 of the £25,000 fee.

Why choose UCEM?

UCEM is a leading university for the built environment, providing flexible and accessible supported online education to all. Our commitment to become the most sustainable university in the world has led us to develop the way we teach, operate, and collaborate with others to ensure that sustainability is integrated into everything that we do.

Our apprenticeship offering is constantly growing to keep up with the demands of the sector. We are proud to have gained a reputation with our clients and industry partners for the excellent support we provide apprentices and employers.

  • Rated 13th in the top 50 apprenticeship providers, Rate My Apprenticeship
  • The largest provider of Chartered Surveyor apprenticeships, Gov.uk
  • 'Good' Ofsted rating, 2021
  • 91% of apprentices agreed that UCEM gave relevant training to help them perform their job better, ESFA
  • 12.5% of all current building control surveyors have studied or are studying with UCEM, 2024 UCEM LS research
Case Studies Slide 2
Online learning is
the future

Find out how it's right for you and your studies.

Application process

For employers

If you’re interested in developing your workforce with this apprenticeship, then please get in touch with our Business Development Team who will be able to guide you through the application process and support with any queries. Find the right apprenticeship candidate for your role through UCAS Talent Finder.

For prospective apprentices

If you are considering an apprenticeship but are not currently employed, you will need to search for an apprenticeship before applying.

Application deadlines

Spring 2025

24 February 2025

Autumn 2025

25 August 2025

Contact us

To find out more about working with us you can email businessdevelopment@ucem.ac.uk or call one of our team.

You can also fill out the contact form below and someone will get back to you:


Meryl Bonser

Director of Business Development

+44 (0)7557 384942

Martin Cawley

Associate Director of Business Development

+44 (0)7747 030777