UCAS code
K220Mode of Study
Full-time, Full-time sandwich with work placementDuration
3 years full-time, 4 years sandwich with work placementStart date
September 2023, September 2024Overview
Build your leadership potential in the construction industry with management skills that encompass the full process of construction, from financial planning and technical possibilities to safety on site, personnel management and sustainability of your structures.
On this BSc (Hons) Construction Management degree course, you'll develop the skills you need to manage innovative projects and teams that contribute to the built environment and to best practice in the construction industry. You'll visit potential future workplace environments and apply your knowledge to practical scenarios from real companies, working through development proposals and examining the suitability of suggested designs, simulating the responsibilities required of a successful construction manager.
Graduate with the technological, interpersonal and management skills you need to launch into a career in this rapidly changing field.
Course highlights
- Focus on new construction technologies that offer new solutions to building site challenges.
- Become confident in key theories and principles that contribute to construction practice, through practical work on field studies and labs in areas including measurement, materials and site surveying
- Develop your understanding of financial methods and managerial logistics, from health and welfare to procurement, delivery and safe disposal of site waste.
- Have the option to study modules that match your interests and career ambitions such as practical diving and underwater engineering, sustainability, heritage property and applied building information modelling (BIM)
- Benefit from the expertise of our Industrial Advisory Committee, a network of construction organisations and senior practitioners who inform your modules and offer placement opportunities
- Have the opportunity to take a work placement year abroad
Accreditation
We are seeking accreditation of this course from the Chartered Institute of Building.
Entry requirements
BSc (Hons) Construction Management degree entry requirements
Typical offers
- A levels – ABB–BBC
- UCAS points – 112–128 points (calculate your UCAS points)
- T levels – Merit
- BTECs (Extended Diplomas) – DDM–DMM
You may need to have studied specific subjects – see full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
See alternative English language qualifications
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Typical offers
- A levels – ABB–BBC
- UCAS points – 112-128 points from 3 A levels, or equivalent (calculate your UCAS points)
- T-levels – Merit
- BTECs (Extended Diplomas) – DDM–DMM
- International Baccalaureate – 29–30
You may need to have studied specific subjects – find full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept at UCAS.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
See alternative English language qualifications
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
If you don't meet the entry requirements, you may be able to join this course after you successfully complete a foundation year.
Your facilities
Concrete Laboratory
Design, mix and test different concrete mixes, and observe and record all stages of the concrete production process via a built in camera system and live stream in this lab.
Design Studio and Modelling Workshop
The studio and workshop host integrated AV projection systems, a dedicate model-making workshop, a refitted modelling room and space for model building and large format poster design.
Surveying Store
Get practical experience with all the equipment you'll need to develop your skills, including automatic levels, theodolites for measuring angles between designated points, computer-aided design and drafting software as well as a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers for surveying and marking land.
Structures lab
Study how different materials behave under different stress levels in our Structures Lab.
Dr Nikos Nanos
Welcome to the structures lab. What we are going to do today is run a test that will allow us to look at the behaviour of a very important material. So let's get started with that.
Right now, we are using two grips and we are pulling apart steel bar reinforcement. We are seeing the strain in terms of displacement for a given force. The important thing for us is to understand how materials behave under stress.
So we can see the material starting in its elastic behaviour, this is indicated by the linear part of this graph where we are seeing that as we apply load, we have an equal and constant increase in strength.
There comes a point where we have introduced so much force into the material that it started developing internal cracks. This is called the yield point, and this is indicated by this plateauing of the line.
The material, despite the fact that it cannot take any more load, does get longer and longer without failing in a brittle manner, is what works miraculously well when it is combined with material like concrete. The way these two materials work together when you have a reinforced concrete beam, for example, would be to start seeing the cracks. It will give ample warning because of steel's capacity to maintain the load bearing capacity of steel while it elongates.
Which means that instead of a sudden failure, it would give a progressive failure that would be easier to see and easier to avoid.
Careers and opportunities
Working in the construction sector means joining a continually changing profession with an enormous impact on our economy and society. You’ll graduate with the skills to contribute to this £117bn sector, and with the knowledge to enter many graduate engineering programmes.
You can expect a starting salary from £26,000 (Prospects 2022), which can increase considerably with experience. You could earn over £50,000 as a senior or chartered construction manager, depending on the project scale and location.
What areas can you work in with a construction management degree?
Previous construction students have gone on to work in areas such as:
- project management
- site engineering
- site management
Construction graduates have also achieved membership of the Chartered Institute of Builders, the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers, and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors
Graduate destinations
Our construction graduates have worked for companies such as:
- Balfour Beatty
- Ministry of Defence
- Peter Marsh Consulting
- Multiplex Construction Limited
- British Army
What jobs can you do with a Construction Management degree?
Roles they've taken on include:
- civil engineering contractor
- construction engineer
Ongoing career support – up to 5 years after you graduate
Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.
Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.
What you'll study
Modules studies
Core modules
- CAD and BIM
- Construction Management & Practice
- Introduction to Construction Measurement
- Introduction to Law for the Built Environment
- Materials in Construction
There are no optional modules in this year.
Core modules
- Procurement & Pre-Contract Practice
- Introduction to Project Management Principles
- Numerical Skills and Economics
- Safety Management on Site
Optional modules
- Applied BIM
- Diving and Underwater Engineering A
- Diving and Underwater Engineering B
- Energy Resources & Infrastructure
- Fieldwork for Construction
- Heritage Property
- International Built Environment Fieldwork
You can boost your employability by taking an optional placement year between years 2 and 3 of your degree. You could gain industrial and commercial experience through a placement with a company, or by undertaking self-employment or starting up a business.
Core modules
- Individual Project
- Corporate and Contract Management
- Sustainable Construction (Ft)
- Project Evaluation & Development
- Project Management for Construction
There are no optional modules in this year
Term dates
The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.
Supporting your learning
The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
You'll have help from a team of faculty learning support tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study in one-on-one and group sessions.
They can help you:
- master the mathematics skills you need to excel on your course
- understand engineering principles and how to apply them in any engineering discipline
- solve computing problems relevant to your course
- develop your knowledge of computer programming concepts and methods relevant to your course
- understand and use assignment feedback
All our labs and practical spaces are staffed by qualified laboratory support staff. They’ll support you in scheduled lab sessions and can give you one-to-one help when you do practical research projects.
As well as support from faculty staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University's Academic Skills Unit (ASK).
ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:
- academic writing
- note taking
- time management
- critical thinking
- presentation skills
- referencing
- working in groups
- revision, memory and exam techniques
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
The Maths Cafe offers advice and assistance with mathematical skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your mathematics skills at a workshop or use our online resources.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees (2023 start)
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £9,250 a year (including Transition Scholarship – may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £19,200 per year (subject to annual increase)
Tuition fees (2024 start)
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £9,250 a year (including Transition Scholarship – may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £20.200 per year (subject to annual increase)
Funding your studies
Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.
Funding your studies
Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.
Additional course costs
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Our accommodation section show your accommodation options and highlight how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
We will provide you with hard hats and Hi-Vis vests. You will need to buy your own safety boots costing approximately £35.
If you go on the optional residential field trip in year 2, you’ll need to contribute around £230 to the cost.
If you do the optional Energy and Resources Infrastructure module, you'll need to contribute £100 to the cost of a field trip.
If you take either of the 2 optional Diving and Underwater Engineering modules in year 2, you’ll need to contribute to the cost.
This is approximately £858 for the Diving A module and approximately £768 for the Diving B module.
During your placement year or study abroad year, you’ll be eligible for a discounted rate on your tuition fees. Currently, this discount amounts to 90% of the year’s fees.
Tuition fees for that year are:
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £925 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £925 a year, including Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £1,800 a year (subject to annual increase)
The costs associated with your specific destination will be discussed during your second year, as well as possible sources of additional funding.
Apply
How to apply
To start this course in 2023, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – K220
- our institution code – P80
If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form.
You can also sign up to an Open Day to:
- Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
- Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
- Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
To start this course in 2024, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – K220
- our institution code – P80
If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form.
You can also sign up to an Open Day to:
- Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
- Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
- Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
How to apply from outside the UK
See the 'How to apply' section above for details of how to apply. You can also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.
To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.