Construction Management with Foundation BSc Honours

The module aims to explore the construction methods, materials, and technologies used when designing, constructing and operating built environment assets. It will look at new build, refurbishment and infrastructure projects, traditional and modern construction techniques across a wide range of sectors, including the residential, commercial, educational and hotel sectors. It considers the building materials used and the benefits of sustainable sourcing during the project lifecycle.

Critical thinking is fundamental to our ability to progress in an increasingly complex and changing world. It is an essential skill across a range of academic and practice-based disciplines. 

This module helps you understand the importance and function of critical thinking both at university and beyond. By working in partnership with academic staff and peers, you will explore how critical thinking aligns with disciplinary practices, shapes scholarly knowledge, and addresses inequalities. Through problem-posing education and anti-racist practices, you will engage with real-world problems, fostering the ability to create a more just and sustainable world.

The module aims to explore the building lifecycle, including the design, development and operation stages. Breaking the lifecycle into stages, it will explore the functions and stakeholders who engage, along with the outputs from each stage, including the production of scaled plans, initial quantities and budget costs. It considers how different stakeholder groups influence the development process.

This module introduces you to the key academic, professional, and personal skills essential for success at university. It encourages good practices in writing, presentation, and time management, while also fostering reflection to help you build confidence as you transition to higher education. Open to all students enrolled in courses delivered through Westminster Foundation Pathways, the module provides a creative and supportive environment where you can reflect on and develop your academic and professional journey. You'll work with specialist facilitators who play a crucial role in guiding your academic and professional development. 

With a focus on managing academic choices in a higher education setting, the module emphasises the importance of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), using methodologies that prioritise equality, diversity, and inclusion. Through these lenses, you'll explore topics that prepare you to address real-world challenges as highlighted in the SDGs in a socially conscious, inclusive, and responsible manner.

The module aims to investigate both the residential and commercial markets. It will enable you to explore the processes involved in buying, selling, leasing and renting a residential and/or commercial property. The module will also provide you with an opportunity to gain understanding on the responsibilities of owning and managing buildings, outlining the five valuation methods and three approaches, considering both the economic and the social aspects within the markets.

The module aims to introduce the basis of sustainability and sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the light of planning, and land use. You will acquire knowledge about various types of communities which establish themselves as sustainable, considering the social, environmental and economic sustainability impact of community developments through environmental assessment models. You will develop an understanding of the basis of development regulatory system as well as implications for the Built Environment on globalisation, urbanisation and megacities.

The module focuses on understanding building materials used in construction, such as concrete, steel, timber, and masonry. You'll learn about the properties and sustainable applications of these materials, enabling you to make informed selections based on environmental impact, cost and performance.

The module is designed to provide students with a robust foundation in the legal aspects of construction. This module focuses on key legal concepts, including forming contracts, obligations and liabilities, and the specific laws governing construction projects, such as safety, planning, and environmental regulations. Students will delve into the structure and interpretation of construction contracts, with particular emphasis on key terms and their implications for project outcomes. The module covers offer and acceptance, torts and negligence, ethical considerations, and compliance, alongside types of contracts like JCT, conditions, payments, and the relevance of liquidated damages. Students gain practical insights into navigating legal frameworks effectively through a blend of lectures, interactive workshops, and real-world case studies. This module prepares students to handle legal challenges proficiently, making them valuable assets in the construction industry.

The module integrates essential environmental principles with practical construction management applications to enhance students' understanding of sustainability, environmental impact assessments, and climate change. Students will focus on building services—such as HVAC, lighting, and plumbing—and their role in promoting energy efficiency. They will explore regulations and standards like BREEAM and LEED, learning how these guide eco-friendly practices. Through lectures, seminars, site visits, and hands-on activities, students will develop skills to identify key environmental concepts, demonstrate proficiency in building services, and apply environmental science to construction planning while analysing sustainability aspects in real-world scenarios

The module provides a practical and comprehensive understanding of site management essentials. It focuses on various crucial aspects such as site engineering and management principles, land surveying, health and safety regulations, risk assessment and site setup. 

You engage in hands-on activities, including conducting surveys, risk assessments and site layouts. The module equips you with the skills to manage construction sites confidently. This practical exposure ensures that you are well-versed in the latest industry practices and safety standards, significantly boosting your readiness for the construction industry. The focus on real-world applications helps bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical execution, preparing you for successful careers in construction site management.

This module focuses on low-rise building construction, emphasising sustainable methods to minimise environmental impact and enhance energy efficiency. Through theoretical learning and practical application, the module equips you to address contemporary challenges in construction management and understand the role of construction in achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals. A key component involves reflecting on 35 hours of work-based learning, applying real-world scenarios to develop reflective practitioner skills, and demonstrating an understanding of efficient building techniques and their sustainability implications on energy efficiency. Engagement and preparation of the materials for the Westminster Award is encouraged to formally recognise extracurricular activities and further develop employability skills.

The module aims to equip Construction Management students with essential skills in architectural design and drafting. This module integrates practical skills in creating building layouts and detailed architectural drawings using traditional tools and CAD software. The module includes an overview of architectural design principles and the design process, providing a foundation for understanding building layout and functional zoning. Students will learn to use drawing scales, annotations and symbols to create accurate and comprehensive architectural drawings. By engaging in practical workshops and theoretical knowledge, students learn to produce detailed architectural plans and sections that adhere to current building regulations and sustainability practices, preparing them for professional roles that require advanced drafting and design skills.

The module profoundly dives into the principles of retrofitting within the context of sustainability, aligning closely with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The module's core focus is on understanding and applying retrofitting methodologies to enhance environmental performance in existing structures, aiming to transform them into sustainable, energy-efficient buildings.

The module offers an in-depth understanding of construction project management, focusing on planning, scheduling, budgeting, and risk management. Students gain practical skills using tools such as Gantt Charts, Critical Path Analysis, and project management software. Leadership and communication are emphasised through group work and real-world case studies. Key outcomes include evaluating management strategies, applying risk and quality control measures, and engaging with stakeholders effectively. Practical workshops and industry insights provide hands-on experience. The module enhances employability by equipping with industry-aligned skills, preparing for roles such as project schedulers, site supervisors, and construction managers.

The module explores how digital technology improves efficiency and productivity in the construction industry. It focuses on key tools such as Building Information Modelling, Digital Twins, drones, robotics, and automation. Students will critically evaluate these technologies and their impact on construction processes. Through practical workshops, site visits, and industry insights, learners gain hands-on experience and problem-solving skills. The module enhances employability by equipping students with essential digital skills and industry knowledge. It prepares for careers in digital design, project coordination, and technology implementation, making graduates valuable assets in the rapidly evolving construction sector.

This module is designed to develop expertise in the construction industry's strategic and practical aspects of procurement, tendering, and contract management. The module covers advanced topics, including sustainable procurement strategies, tender preparation and evaluation, and effective contract administration, emphasising contemporary issues, legal frameworks, and dispute resolution. The module equips students with the knowledge and practical skills, preparing them for the challenges of a competitive industry. Students will engage in dynamic learning activities, such as guest lectures from industry experts, site visits, interactive workshops, and practical exercises, including a simulated tender submission. Assessments are designed to enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills through real-world scenarios.

The module offers a detailed understanding of structural principles, focusing on how beams, columns, trusses, and frames perform under static and dynamic loads. Students gain the ability to analyse structural behaviour, assess material properties, and utilise design principles aligned with British Standards and Eurocodes. The module highlights the use of sustainable materials, lightweight design, and efficient structural solutions. Through lectures, lab work, and site visits, students link theoretical knowledge to real-world applications. The module enhances employability by equipping students with essential analysis and industry knowledge to provide sound judgements in the field.

The module introduces students to the practice of conducting building surveys, taking them through the processes for completing RICS Survey reports, the identification of defects (from damp and structural movement to problems with steel and concrete frames), following the trail of evidence in order to provide reasoned professional advice on appropriate action to be taken with a sustainable approach to rectifying defects and the correct reporting procedures during surveying buildings. Students will be introduced to the concepts of building developments for various projects with the emphasis on sustainability and innovation.

The module provides comprehensive knowledge of UK health and safety regulations and skills to manage risks on construction sites. Students learn how to identify hazards, develop safety systems, and use technologies such as Virtual Reality and Building Information Modelling to improve safety.

Interactive activities, including workshops, guest lectures, and site visits, help students understand real-world practices.

The module improves employability by offering essential safety knowledge, practical experience, and problem-solving abilities that are highly valued in the industry which facilitates safer and more efficient project management.

The module focuses on ethical and sustainability challenges in construction and urbanisation. It covers topics such as poverty, inequality, climate action, fair wages, labour laws, and ethical practices, while promoting diversity and inclusion. Students learn to address ethical issues, make responsible decisions, and propose sustainable solutions. The module enhances employability by developing skills in research, teamwork, communication, and ethical thinking, preparing to manage socially responsible and sustainable projects in the construction industry.

The International Construction module is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of construction practices, challenges, and opportunities in a global context. Through exploration of international construction projects, regulations, cultural considerations and sustainability development initiatives, students will develop the knowledge and skills required to effectively navigate and contribute to the international construction industry.

The Deep Retrofitting module focuses on the comprehensive changes necessary to achieve deep retrofit standards, significantly reducing energy consumption in buildings to meet national climate change targets. It compares low-energy building methodologies such as BREEAM, Passivhaus (including Enerphit), and AECB standards. You will critically review the built environment’s impact on carbon emissions, analyse whole-building retrofitting considerations, and explore the unintended consequences of retrofitting. The module includes case studies, hands-on activities, and workshops, culminating in a group pitch proposal and individual critical reflection. Emphasis is placed on sustainable, ethical practices in construction and preparing you for challenges in the industry.

The module explores sustainable construction technologies for medium to large-scale projects, focusing on high-rise and long-span buildings. It covers key areas such as substructures, superstructures, cladding systems, and sustainable practices such as refurbishment and retrofitting, in line with Building Regulations and BREEAM standards. Students develop skills in structural analysis, earthwork support, and evaluating cladding for performance and sustainability. The module enhances employability by equipping learners with expertise in energy-efficient design, environmental impact assessment, and BREEAM certification, preparing for leadership roles in sustainable construction.

The International Building Challenge Project module immerses students in global construction challenges and solutions, offering two pathways: participation in the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Global Student Challenge or undertaking an individual dissertation. The module focuses on key areas such as international project management, cross-cultural collaboration, and ethical considerations in construction. You will gain practical experience, engage in innovative problem-solving, and explore sustainability and global best practices. Emphasis is placed on teamwork, leadership, and critical thinking. Through flexible assessment options, the module fosters industry-relevant skills, preparing you for international roles in construction management by addressing complex real-world scenarios and enhancing your adaptability, creativity, and cultural competence.

This module focuses on current construction issues, exploring sustainable and innovative techniques, technologies and materials.

This module focuses on developing advanced skills in client relationship management and stakeholder engagement within the construction and quantity surveying sectors. It covers key topics such as customer relationship management (CRM) principles, negotiation techniques, supply chain management, stakeholder analysis, conflict resolution, crisis management, and ethical responsibilities. The module emphasises the application of these concepts through practical case studies, industry guest speakers, and experiential activities. You will also explore strategies for balancing competing stakeholder interests, managing client expectations, and fostering long-term relationships. Additionally, the module highlights the importance of equality, diversity, and inclusivity in stakeholder interactions. Overall, it aims to equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate complex project environments and successfully manage client and stakeholder relationships in the construction industry.

The Sustainability Practice (Carbon Measurement and Management) module is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to design and implement sustainable initiatives to reduce carbon footprint, enhance environmental performance, and promote Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within construction practices.

Through a combination of theoretical study and practical application, students will develop a comprehensive understanding of carbon measurement techniques, sustainability standards, and green building certification schemes.

The module aims to prepare students to evaluate carbon emissions critically, design cost-effective sustainability initiatives, analyse their financial impact, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive sustainability strategies aligned with industry standards and best practices.

The module provides context to the definition of facilities management as the comprehensive approach to the provision of a building’s functionality, comfort, safety, sustainability and efficiency of the built environment - the buildings we live and work in and their surrounding infrastructure. You will develop skills and appropriate management techniques for the maintenance and upgrading of building fabric and building services systems, meeting legislation and a sustainable approach. Devise and develop recognition of the role of building fabric and building services management in meeting corporate objectives, consider the decision-making processes associated with the management of the life cycle, and critically analyse the different systems of organisation and management of maintenance and refurbishment of building fabric and building services systems.