BSc CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT K220

Develop an expertise in the planning and programming of construction operations with this BSc Construction Management course.

This course is designed to prepare you for a successful career in construction management and you will benefit from the Department’s strong links with industry. Additionally, the degree is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building and by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. (Accreditation is reviewed periodically. Successful completion of courses accredited by CIOB and RICS satisfies the academic requirements for membership of CIOB and RICS.)

As with all of our surveying and construction courses, the programme structure provides an opportunity to explore a range of construction-related disciplines prior to specialising in the final year. You will be able to transfer onto other programmes, such as BSc Quantity Surveying or BSc Construction Management and Surveying, at the end of your second year if you wish to do so. A particular emphasis is placed on transferable skills, and University of Reading graduates frequently progress into management roles within contracting firms, taking responsibility for all aspects of project management.

The University of Reading is ranked 3rd in the UK for research impact in Architecture, Built Environment and Planning. (Times Higher Education Institutions Ranked By Subject, 2014, based on its analysis of REF 2014.) Many members of staff within the School have direct industry experience and continue to be active in research and consultancy. This ensures that the course reflects not only the very best of current practice, but also the latest developments in areas such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and sustainability.

Your first two years are designed to develop a comprehensive understanding of the disciplines which underpin construction management and the surveying professions. These include subjects such as economics, law, industry practice and building technology. Recurring themes throughout the course include the application of digital technologies, sustainability and internationalisation. There is an especially strong focus on project work and on interdisciplinary collaboration. For example, during your second year, you may work with a real client to plan a live construction project overseas. Furthermore, we place a strong focus on employability and you will have the opportunity to network with industry professionals throughout the course.

You will also be encouraged to take up a placement over the summer between your second and final years, for which you will gain credits which contribute towards your degree. Additionally, there is the option to spend a year in industry, in the UK or abroad. (Placements and study abroad opportunities are subject to availability and eligibility guidelines.)

The final year of the BSc Construction Management course is designed to develop the technical knowledge and practical skills needed for the management of construction operations. You will also complete a dissertation on a research topic of your choice and a construction management project, in which you will plan the construction operations for a building project. Additionally you can explore areas of interest through optional modules on subjects such as intelligent buildings, historic built environment, construction contract law, and modern languages.

Placements

Between your second and final year you can carry out a paid industrial training placement, lasting a year or a shorter period. This experience not only provides you with an insight into industry, but is also a valuable opportunity to get to know a range of industry professionals.

Placements can be located anywhere in the UK, and sometimes take place abroad, in locations such as the USA, the Far East or the Caribbean. Firms offering places to our students in the past include AECOM, Kier Group, MACE, Morgan Sindall, Taylor Woodrow, and Vinci.

You will be given advice and support in finding the ideal placement, writing a CV and interview skills, by our dedicated placements officer (Placements and study abroad opportunities are subject to availability and eligibility guidelines).