SITE CARPENTRY

Level 3

For students aged 19+ only

Apply Ask us a question

Course Level

Level 3

Duration

1 year FT

Entry

September

Fees

View fees
Discover more at our next open day

Wednesday 04 February 2026

Join an open day

Progress onto next level construction courses and apprenticeships

217,000 new construction workers needed in the UK by 2025*

*CITB, 2021

Have you got a passion for carpentry and working with wood? Want to turn this passion into a full-time career? The UK construction industry needs skilled new workers to support major development and regeneration projects throughout the country. By studying our Site Carpentry Level 3 course, you will develop the skills and knowledge you will build on the skills and knowledge for gained in your Level 2 course. This course is only open to those with a Level 2 in Site Carpentry.  

Carpenters work on creating and installing a huge variety of features such as roofs, floors, windows and staircases, supporting new construction, refurbishment and restoration projects. Our Level 3 carpentry course will build on your skills using handsaws, planes, chisels and other essential tools to selecting woodworking resources and how to mark and produce woodworking joints. You will also learn key construction topics such as health and safety, modern sustainable construction methods and green technology, alongside developing your English, maths and other transferable skills to prepare you for the workplace.

Your carpentry training will be hands-on, studying in our cutting-edge Centre for Sustainable Construction on campus, ensuring you have the practical skills to succeed. Once you have completed our carpentry course, you will have opportunities to progress onto further study, apprenticeships and careers in the industry.

Why choose this carpentry college course?

  • BOOST YOUR SKILLS – Build core skills and knowledge in carpentry and joinery, as well as other key skills including maths and English to get you work-ready
  • PRACTICAL APPLICATION – Get hands-on training using innovative facilities in our state-of-the-art Centre for Sustainable Construction
  • RECOGNISED QUALIFICATION – Gain a recognised Level 3 qualification to enable your progression onto further courses, apprenticeships or into industry
There are lots of reasons why we think you should study with us, but here are our top 5. View video.

Our facilities

Students on our construction and engineering courses learn in real-world training environments at University College Birmingham. Our Centre for Sustainable Construction at the iconic James Cond building offers state-of-the-art facilities specifically designed to develop skills that support employers and their supply chains, along with further new facilities at Camden House. These include:

  • Training rigs
  • Glulam workshops
  • Modular building workshop
  • Bench joinery workshops
  • Bricklaying workshops
  • Electrical workshops
  • Plumbing workshops
  • BIM labs
  • CAD studios
  • Enhanced IT facilities

Formerly the James Cond print works, this retrofitted building is now our Centre for Sustainable Construction.

State-of-the-art facilities specifically designed to develop skills that support employers.

Study in one of many modern classroom spaces across our James Cond and Camden House campuses.

Male lecturer teaching a smaller group of students who are on laptops.

Enhanced IT facilities to support you alongside your practical training.

Course breakdown

Topics you will study:

  • Health, safety and welfare construction
  • Principles of building construction, information and communication
  • Principles of organising, planning and pricing construction work
  • Carry out first fix flooring and roofing
  • Carry out second fixing operations
  • Carry out first fix roofing and stairs
  • Carry out second fixing double doors and mouldings
  • Set up and use fixed and transportable machinery

Please note: Units/topics of study are subject to change

You will also have an individual study programme to help you build the skills and experience you need to progress onto higher education or gain employment.

"As an employer, it is vital that our employees can access robust, fit-for-purpose qualifications that will address the skills shortage and provide our future and existing workforce with the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to demonstrate competency in their roles. We are passionate about recruiting and developing our own talent for the future, while ensuring we remain committed to sustainably delivering vital infrastructure to communities across the UK."

Tilbury Douglas tilburydouglas.co.uk

Entry requirements

Our construction lecturers are looking for students who are enthusiastic and passionate about construction, together with a keen determination to succeed in the construction and building sector, so please contact Admissions if you do not have the specific requirements outlined below. 

If you are unsure if your qualification is equivalent or if you wish to check if you meet the entry requirements for this course, please call 0121 214 2919, email feadmissions@ucb.ac.uk or use our live chat.

Age requirements

This course is funded for students aged 19+ only. If you’re aged 16-18 at the start of the course, you will not be able to enrol on this course and will need to find an alternative. 

Academic requirements

  • 4 GCSEs at grade 4 (grade C) or above including English (Language or Literature) and Maths, or equivalent and a successful completion of a Level 2 Site Carpentry.

Supporting documents required

  • School applicants will be required to provide a good school report, which must include attendance. This will be assessed in conjunction with your qualifications and application during the confirmation of your place at University College Birmingham.
  • If you are a school leaver (over 19), you will be required to provide a reference from a previous education provider or employer in support of your application.

Key information

Teaching and assessment

You will be assessed through a combination of externally-assessed exams, projects and practical assessments.

Our teaching and assessment is underpinned by our Learning and Teaching Strategy 2025-2030.

Additional qualifications and training

As part of our course, you will have the opportunity to complete a Level 2 Award in Understanding Domestic Retrofit.

Career opportunities

Note: Some roles below may require further study/training. The roles and salaries below are intended as a guide only.

Site carpenter

Average Salary: £40,000

Bench joiner

Average Salary: £36,000

Site manager

Average Salary: £45,000

Modular building fabricator

Average Salary: £32,000

HIRED

We are here to support your career goals every step of the way. 

 

Find out more

Engineering and construction at University College Birmingham

Discover more about our range of engineering and construction college courses, including Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 and T-level qualifications.

Find out more

Take the next step...

  

Other courses you may like

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 journey in this sector, offering valuable work experience in the industry alongside your studies.

View course
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, design, science and materials as well as focusing on sustainability, with a work placement to give you vital real-world experience.

View course
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 with a grounding of knowledge from design to project management and more, alongside building substantial experience on work placement.

View course
Back to top