Department of Sustainable Construction

School of Engineering, Digital and Sustainable Construction

Welcome to our Department of Sustainable Construction

Thank you for taking the time to come and check out what we offer at University College Birmingham, the highest ranking university in the region as voted by students at the 2023 Whatuni Student Choice Awards. Our student support is award-winning too, as is our provision for international students.

If you are looking at joining us to carve out a career in construction, here is a glimpse into our student and staff community - with insight into the placements and enrichment we offer - to see if we are right for you.

Find out about our Whatuni awards

Deborah Bunce
Head of the Department of Sustainable Construction

Welcome from Deborah Bunce

Construction is a rapidly growing sector locally and internationally in both new build and retrofit. And we have sustainable construction running through all our qualifications, with options including trade skills at Level 1 through to higher levels for those looking to progress in management.

Whether you want to learn a trade such as carpentry or electrical installation or go into a professional role such as quantity surveying, you will be taught at our new construction skills centre, and we are very proud this building itself has sustainable retrofit credentials.

Here, industry experts will teach you how to meet the challenges of a low carbon world through a blend of theoretical and practical work. We look forward to welcoming you to our new department.

eavy structures and large-scale sustainability projects before moving into education.

“If you're anything like me, you'll have always been fascinated by how things work and are built, and if you are joining our university, you really will get the very best, most advanced training, with access to incredible networks and opportunities."

Rosa Wells Executive Dean, School of Engineering, Digital and Sustainable Construction

What’s happening

Development continues at pace on University’s Sustainable Construction Skills Centre

Work on the new Sustainable Construction Skills Centre for University College Birmingham is making excelle…

University collaboration opens new training hub for engineering and manufacturing

A brand new hub dedicated to developing the next generation of engineering and manufacturing workers has been…

Budding technician flies flag for female engineers at opening of new facilities

A college student whose goal is to become an air technician with the Royal Navy flew the flag for female engine…

Partnership with Warwick enters new phase to support regional development

The partnership aims to provide a new approach to social mobility by opening up access to education for people in som…

Contractors move in to develop University's new sustainable construction centre

Work on University College Birmingham's new state-of-the-art sustainable construction skills centre is now offi…

Site visits and learning experiences

Our college students have visited the Watkin Jones Sherlock Street live site, which is delivering 551 build-to-rent homes with a gym, working space, social lounges, landscaped podium and a sky lounge. They are also set for a site visit with leading builders and contractors John Sisk & Son. Scroll for more >>>

Site visits and learning experiences (cont'd)

Learning enrichment experiences include sessions with Make UK manufacturers organisation and the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology (GBSIoT), one of our key educational partners.

Beyond the classroom

At University College Birmingham, we offer education and training that goes far beyond everyday classes and lectures. We are committed to providing additional enrichment opportunities for our students, from industry trips and expert visits to linkups with local charities, entry into competitions and much more.

Scroll through the slides to find out more about what's been going on recently in our department:

Edward Bird
Deputy Dean (Engineering, Digital and Sustainable Construction)

Meet Edward Bird

My role across the School of Engineering, Digital and Sustainable Construction is quite broad, with responsibilities for quality, teaching and learning as well as curriculum development and innovation, ensuring that we are at the cutting edge of our subject sectors.

The school is developing rapidly and there has been a huge amount of interest in our courses both at college and university level. We are currently expanding our postgraduate offer to include an MSc in Computer Science and MSc in Engineering Management, both from September 2023.

We have worked closely with the West Midlands Combined Authority, the Institute of Technology and employers to ensure that all of our courses offer excellent opportunities for students to progress into fulfilling careers in STEM or further study.

*Edward has a background in software and web development.

Our teaching and learning

Whether you are studying to be an electrician or quantity surveyor, or are learning the ropes for management, our aim is simple - to turn you into a stand-out professional. We have an award-winning reputation for the highest quality courses and a learning experience that sets us apart from bigger universities.

Our degrees are designed to develop you personally and professionally, with graduate advantage, employability and enrichment sessions threaded throughout the curriculum, sitting alongside really interesting theory modules. Our partnership with the University of Warwick, a top-ranking Russell Group university, also brings extra opportunities including access to guest speakers and additional resources.

Theory

Our courses are developed and taught by experienced lecturing staff, meaning they can draw on their industry expertise and years of experience to make scenario-based discussions, debates and concepts come to life, supporting the linking of theory to practice.

You will learn so much from our lecturing teams, who are passionate about their profession and eager to inspire and nurture the next generation of construction professionals.

We also have many invited guest lecturers from industry participate in our courses, sharing their knowledge and experiences to enhance your learning.

Students also have a lot to bring and as a team, we will also learn a lot from you! We encourage you to share your perspectives and viewpoints, especially when reflecting on your own life and placement experiences.

Practical

Placements are key to success as employers want you to have real experience. We have excellent links with organisations such as the GBSIoT across the region and beyond, as well as globally, so we can allocate you to a diverse range of placements.

This exposure to different learning environments opens opportunities for you when you qualify. And you will get plenty of real-life experience learning in our retrofitted Sustainable Skills Centre.

Support

Our support is exceptional, so much so, our students voted to make us the winner of the Student Support award at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2022 and we came a close second in 2023.

Throughout your studies, you will not only have a personal tutor, but a link tutor during placements and module leaders to support you through academic modules. And we have a whole range of additional support services available, providing you with as much or as little support as you need to succeed in your degree. Our smaller teaching groups enable all students to grow and flourish, with strong peer support and friendship.

Our Learning and Teaching Strategy 2021-24 is key to how we approach the educational journey, focusing on three main pillars that set out our commitment to your learning and teaching experience while you are studying with us.

Pillar 1 – Provide accessible and inclusive teaching and learning across a wide range of vocationally-led courses
Pillar 2 – Develop next generation opportunities and skills through innovative, future-focused curriculum and pedagogy
Pillar 3 – Shape local and global sectors, promoting sustainable futures and global citizenship

Read our Learning and Teaching Strategy

Sustainable Construction Skills Centre

Opening in September 2023, our brand new Sustainable Construction Skills Centre will offer state-of-the-art facilities specifically designed to develop skills that support employers and their supply chains. These will include:

Training rigs
Retrofit zone
Housebuilding zone
Enhanced IT facilities
Glulam workshops
Modular building workshop
Bench joinery workshops
BIM labs
CAD studios
Modern methods of construction workshop
Green technologies workshop

Find out more about our facilities

Our courses

Bricklaying Level 1

Lay the foundations for a hands-on career in the construction industry with our Level 1 course. You will learn the fundamentals of bricklaying, blocklaying and cavity wall…

Carpentry and Joinery Level 1

Passionate about carpentry and woodworking? This hands-on Level 1 course provides an introduction to professional carpentry and joinery, alongside preparing you…

Construction and the Built Environment Level 2

If you’re considering a career in construction, our Level 2 course will lay the foundations of knowledge and skills for you to start your journe…

Construction and the Built Environment Level 3

Start building your career in the construction industry. Our Level 3 course will teach you the essentials such as construction mathematics, desi…

Construction Multi-Skills Level 1

Want to learn a hands-on trade but not sure what path to take? Our multi-skills course will train you in everything from plumbing, carpentry and joinery to e…

Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction T-level

Want to be part of the future of sustainable construction? This T-level course is equivalent to three A-levels and will provide you wit…

Electrical Installation Level 2, Level 3

Switch on to a career as an electrician. Our Electrical Installation course will provide you with the essential skills and knowledge of everything fro…