Teaching and Learning
The School of Construction Management and Engineering comprises a vibrant community atmosphere which is proud of being the destination of choice for students from the UK, EU and internationally. Our international reputation has been achieved through the provision of excellence in teaching and research.
Our programmes are designed to educate those who aspire to professional careers in surveying or construction. Many of our graduates progress to senior leadership roles. In consequence, the adopted learning methods are specifically designed to develop in students the qualities of self-reliance and independence. The content of our taught programmes is continuing developing to reflect leading-edge practice within industry and the wider professions. Of particular importance are the integrating themes of building information modelling (BIM), sustainability and internationalisation.
In addition to the intellectual capabilities developed during your degree, you will also acquire, through practical project work based on real or virtual projects, an understanding of the current practices of project development. Students visit construction facilities and exhibitions and gain competence in skills vital to the surveying and construction workplace.
All of our staff are involved in teaching and research. Their research specialisms cover a broad range, including: international construction markets, procurement, construction economics, building pathology, digital technologies and renewable energy. The research-intensive nature of the School allows the latest research findings to be delivered directly to our students, providing a unique learning experience across a broad range of individual subject areas. Students interact directly with internationally leading academic figures, which is an essential part of the Reading experience. Lectures are supported by tutorials and a range of project-based teaching allows individual and group work to develop with several modules involving group presentations. All of our teaching is supported by a virtual learning environment.
The School has a dedicated Resource Centre which provides access to a substantial range of physical and on-line material in an environment which is recognised as the academic and social heart of the School. An adjacent computer suite enables students to utilise a range of industry-standard software linked to colour printers and plotters. A range of engineering laboratories and portable equipment make it possible for students to test and measure materials and environmental conditions. All of these resources, and those of the wider University, are utilised within the programmes. As a Reading student you will also have access to an extensive range of Student Support services to allow you to realise your potential.
The links we have with many of the world-leading surveying consultancies and construction companies continue to provide opportunities for work-placements to individual students. Some of these placements allow students to take one year out in industry. Our industry contacts are engaged in the planning of an optional Part 3 module which will involve an Industrial Placement of between four and six weeks in the Summer vacation period. Our strong links with industry also allow us to engage leading practitioners to lecture on current issues across all our programmes.
The undergraduate programme structure allows our students to make their choice of degree specialism at the end of their second year. All of our undergraduate programmes are accredited by The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) which allows our graduates to make informed career choices. Our international stance is shown by the accreditation of the undergraduate Quantity Surveying programme by the Institute of Surveyors Malaysia (ISM).
The School supports and encourages the student-managed Construction Society. This award-winning Society plays an important role in the social and academic life of the School through sporting events, site visits and interaction with the wider University.
The ethos of the School of Construction Management and Engineering is something rather special. We are keen to attract the best students to Reading, to engage with them in ways which they find academically challenging and to create graduates which will leave the School confident of their career choice. This approach allows our graduates to develop their chosen career path in ways which enable them to make a difference.