Construction, Building Services/Plumbing

The BTEC First qualifications have four mandatory units and eight optional specialist units. For these qualifications, learners will need to complete all the mandatory units and, where appropriate, a selection of optional specialist units. This is to ensure that all learners have broad and balanced coverage of the vocational sector.

Mandatory units

Mandatory units are designed to cover the body of content that employers and educators within the sector consider essential for 14–19-year-old learners. There will be both internal and external assessment.

  • Construction Technology
  • Construction Design
  • Scientific and mathematical applications for construction
  • Sustainability in construction


    Optional specialist units

    The remaining units in these qualifications are sector-specific, optional specialist units. These units focus on a particular area within the vocational sector and give learners an opportunity to demonstrate knowledge, skills and understanding.
  • Construction and operations
  • Construction drawing techniques
  • Exploring surveying
  • Exploring Civil engineering
  • Exploring Building services engineering
  • Entry requirements
    • Four GCSEs at grades 3 and/or above
    • or a relevant BTEC qualification(s) at Level 1
    • Achievement in English and mathematics through GCSE or Functional Skills.
  • Who is the course for?

    These qualifications are intended primarily for learners in the 14–19 age group, but they may also be used by other learners who wish to gain an introductory understanding of construction when taken as part of a balanced curriculum.
    There is a clear progression route onto a Level 3 course or an Apprenticeship.

  • Study methods

    The programme uses a combination of traditional classroom teaching, open learning and research-based experiential learning, laboratory experiments and demonstrations, use of modern surveying equipment, industry standard IT applications and group activities, tutorial directed study and site visits.

    To cover the required Guided Learning Hours (360 GLH) you will study 6 supervised hours per week to cover 13 hours theory and 1hour tutorial.

  • How is the course assessed?

    The Pearson BTEC Level 2 First Extended Certificate in Construction and the Built Environment include two externally assessed units. This will help learners as they progress either into higher levels of vocational learning or to related academic qualifications.
    The remaining units are internally assessed. Internal assessment allows learners to develop a wider range of skills and provides evidence towards meeting the unit assessment criteria. Evidence for assessment can be generated through a range of activities, including role play, practical performance and verbal presentations.

  • Where Next – Job Opportunities

    There is a clear progression route onto an Apprenticeship.

  • Where Next – Further Studies

    The BTEC Level 2 First Certificate, Extended Certificate and Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment provide the knowledge, skills and understanding for Level 2 learners to progress to:

    • Other Level 2 vocational qualifications and related competence-based qualifications for the Construction and the Built Environment sector
    • Level 3 vocational qualifications, such as BTEC Nationals, specifically the Pearson BTEC Level 3 National in Construction and the Built Environment.
  • How to apply

    To apply for a course either click the APPLY NOW button - fill out the form online and submit

    OR download an application form here and post it to the address on the form.
    When we have received your application we will contact you to arrange an interview time.

Course starting Sep 2024

Starts 2 September 2024

Duration 1 Year(s)

Location Uxbridge Campus

Days/Time Monday-Friday
09:00 - 17:00