Overview

Built for construction

Site supervisors have a responsibility to manage staff on building sites, helping to bridge the gap between senior managers and on-site teams by ensuring projects are completed on time. These professionals are also responsible for health and safety and monitoring costs on construction projects.

This Level 4 apprenticeship will introduce individuals to the underlying principles of simple construction and a foundation of knowledge on site operations, legislation, management and technology. It’s ideal for trainee site supervisors who need to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours to demonstrate their capability in the role.

Reasons why apprenticeship is for you

Apprentices will:

Build skills in leadership and management

Develop resilience and commitment to the sector

Understand how to prioritise sustainability in projects

Keep up-to-date with ever-changing legislation

About this apprenticeship

What can you expect?

This Level 4 apprenticeship provides individuals with the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to become a construction site supervisor and leads to a Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) in Construction and Built Environment.

Apprentices will spend their time learning through a combination of on-the-job and off-the-job training, constantly putting their new skills into practice in the workplace. During their studies they will gain the skills needed to communicate effectively with stakeholders, understand legislation within the built environment, and apply foundational construction techniques to their work.

Course accreditations

End-point assessment

UCEM has selected Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) as the End Point Assessment Organisation (although other providers are available upon request). Unless stated by the employer, the end point assessment will be overseen by the CIOB who will enable apprentices to use the portfolio of evidence they develop during the apprenticeship to count towards the evidence required to achieve Technician Status (TechCIOB).

Structure

Award

On successful completion, students will be awarded:

  • Certificate in Higher Education Construction and Built Environment
  • Apprenticeship Completion Certificate

Delivery structure

This apprenticeship will be delivered online and include 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 120 credits, plus an 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.

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.

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.

Introduction to Construction Practice

Develop an understanding of the management, resourcing and supervision of construction processes. Consider the impact of time, cost, quality and sustainability on a project and recognise the importance of financial controls and monitoring progress against planned schedules and budgets.

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 Site Operations

Gain insight into the practical skills associated with managing, planning and controlling the production of building projects. Combine theories of management and knowledge with practical aspects of site management by assessing and evaluating key areas of practice in your own working environment and applying them to a case study scenario.

Course Leaders

Meet Rob
Rob Otter

MSc, BSc (Hons), CIOB, FHEA

Rob is an experienced construction manager with a wide range of experience in a range of different types and sizes of construction projects. He has spent over twenty years in the construction industry moving into education in 2017. He has worked on a number of construction projects including several PassivHaus type residential, residential developments and light commercial projects.

Rob started his teaching career at Peterborough Regional College/University Centre Peterborough delivering HNC/HND and Degrees in conjunction with Anglia Ruskin University.

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

64 UCAS tariff points or equivalent

English and mathematics requirements

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

Requirements of the apprenticeship
  • 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

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 Construction Site Supervisor standard. Eligible organisations are able to use their levy fund for the £9,000 fees.

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
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