Built Environment

Course Structure and Streams

The Graduate Apprenticeship (GA) in Built Environment BSc (Hons) offers a dynamic learning experience tailored to real-world practice. With four specialised streams, apprentices can focus their studies on the areas that matter most to their career ambitions:

• Construction Management
• Architectural Technology
• Building Surveying
• Quantity Surveying

The course offers a practical education that enables students to develop the knowledge and skills for application in their specialised field. The course content and delivery reflect the prominence of personal and interpersonal skills, professional practice and behaviour, environmental, sustainable, and digital practices, together with health and safety.

Throughout their academic journey, students will apply the knowledge and skills gained to design and manage real-life construction projects providing the springboard to a career as a professional within the built environment.

Year 1

All streams

Year one is a common year for all streams. Apprentices will be introduced to the construction industry, the environment in which it exists, the technology involved, the systems and processes which operate within it and the basic skills required by construction professionals.

Year 2

Construction Management

In Year 2 Construction Management, apprentices build core skills in planning and managing construction projects, integrating learning across disciplines and applying techniques to real workplace scenarios through problem-based and enquiry-led approaches.

Architectural Technology

In Year 2, apprentices deepen their skills in building technology, retrofit and sustainability, and BIM, applying integrated learning across disciplines through problem-based and enquiry-led approaches.

Quantity Surveying

In Year 2, you will be introduced to the essential skills of quantity surveying and develop your construction knowledge. You'll learn how to produce various levels of cost plans, measure buildings based on drawings, and become familiar with construction law and sustainable construction practices.

Building Surveying

In Year 2, apprentices will be introduced to the role of procurement and the legal framework that underpins all construction projects. You'll gain an understanding of how we design and build with Building Information Modelling (BIM). The ever-evolving role of technology in creating a better built environment will be investigated and then applied to how we reuse and adapt existing buildings to meet the needs of the future.

Year 3

Construction Management

In Year 3, apprentices will develop advanced skills in risk, financial, and safety management while leading interdisciplinary teams. The course focuses on the strategic application of these skills for the successful completion of a project.

Architectural Technology

In Year 3, you'll take greater ownership of project delivery through an integrated design project. The focus is on applying skills in building pathology to diagnose and solve problems, while mastering construction contracts and contract administration in a simulated Professional Practice setting.

Building Surveying

In Year 3, you will apply your knowledge of building pathology to diagnose defects and ensure effective maintenance. The course focuses on mastering construction contracts and the financial management of projects, all culminating in an integrated project.

Quantity Surveying

In Year 3, you'll apply your learning to a more complex quantity surveying practice. We will prepare you for your industrial placement by developing your skills in contract administration, procurement, and estimating, as well as the detailed measurement of framed buildings.

Year 4

All streams

In your final year, apprentices of all streams study together to undertake advanced study in construction. A major component of the year is the Professional Practice Project, a dedicated integrated project where you will apply all the skills from previous years to a real-life scenario. You will also use independent, self-directed research to justify solutions, evaluate a business case, and provide professional advice.

Each stream will concentrate on relative areas of learning.

Student stories

Hear from our students and graduates about their experiences studying this course:

Learning Methods

Your learning is work-based where you work full time for a partner employer while studying with us towards a fully accredited degree. The core curriculum is focused on participation and proactivity to work-based learning developed through ongoing collaboration between RGU staff, workplace mentors, and line managers in the workplace. Learning will include online live lectures and tutorials, recorded lectures, workshops, private study, weekly engagement and reflecting. The course will utilise the technology investment that the University has made in lecture capture and delivery through our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) CampusMoodle.

Activity Summary

This is a work-based learning course delivered via a combination of practical learning activities in the workplace complemented by learning delivered online through our virtual learning environment (VLE) and including one on campus session per module of study.

Each year, students can expect:

• Lectures - 12-20 students per group, 1-2 hours per week
• Seminars - 12-20 students per group, 1-2 hours per week
• Webinar - one-to-one, 1-2 hours per module
• Tutorial - 12-20 students per group, 1-2 hours per module
• Project Supervision - 12-20 students per group, 1-2 hours per week
• Placement/Work Based Learning - 8-10 hours per week

Independent Study

The majority of the learning will be taking place at work and as you progress from Year 1 – 4, the level of independent learning increases significantly within specialist areas of the course. You are expected to have the confidence to apply your knowledge to more complex contexts and work on your own initiative as you progress towards graduation.

Staff Delivering on This Course

We have a variety of expert staff who hold different backgrounds teach in this course, their expertise is relative to the course contents and particularity of modules, some of whom had a long teaching experience and others who joined us from long years of industrial experience. Guest lecturers from the construction industry also visit to deliver and share related knowledge. Staff with research knowledge also teach in year 4 when students undertake a graduation research project.

Two of the course's staff recently featured in the annual Support and Teaching staff with Appreciation and Recognition (STAR) awards voted by the students and organised by RGU:Union.

Employers assign a Workplace Mentor whose role will be to oversee the work-based learning undertaken by the student. In addition to mentoring support for students, supplementary support may be provided by the employer, for example when subject matter experts are brought in to provide specific business or technical expertise or through access to other departments within the organisation. This ensures that the curriculum is fully covered as the student progresses in their studies.

During the first year of study, access is provided to a dedicated Graduate Apprenticeship Success Coach to help make the most of all learning opportunities.

Assessment

All streams of the Graduate Apprenticeship in BSc (Hons) Built Environment course have the same assessment methods and quantities each year. Typically students are assessed each year:

Year 1

• 4 written assignments, including essays

Year 2

• 3 written assignments, including essays and reports
• 1 presentation
• 1 project output - coursework

Year 3

• 3 written assignments, including essays and 1 report
• 1 project based - coursework

Year 4

• 1 written assignment
• 1 dissertation
• 1 project output

Feedback

We aim to provide feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.

Placements

Students will be in full-time employment throughout the duration of the course, therefore extensive use is made of work-based learning.

Job Prospects

Students joining the Graduate Apprenticeship course in Construction and the Built Environment will already be employed. Students may range from new entrants to the industry to mature experienced individuals interested in formalising their experience. The career progression options may include graduate construction manager, contract manager, project manager, health and safety officer, and risk manager.

The course combines workplace training with a programme of education designed to meet students' career ambitions and dreaming big of their future employment.

Entry Requirements

Employment: All applicants must be employed full-time in a role related to the course of study, must have the right to live and work in Scotland and be working in Scotland. The employer must commit to providing a suitable workplace environment and to offering guidance and mentoring support to the apprentice. In addition, the company must be willing to partner with the university via a Collaboration Agreement to create a setting in which the student will be able to achieve the required experience and learning outcomes.

SQA Higher:  BBBC 

Alternative Qualifications

We welcome applications from those with equivalent qualifications or work experience which equip them with an equivalent starting point for the course. For those applicants who do not meet our Standard Course Entry Requirements, applications may be considered from those who possess one years’ relevant work experience and where the applicant has demonstrated the development of key skills evidenced through a detailed CV. Applications from students with non- standard qualifications (including Foundation Apprenticeships, Modern Apprenticeships, SVQs/NVQs and access programmes) or work experience will be considered on an individual basis.

Advanced Entry

Applicants who are interested in applying for advanced (or flexible) entry will be considered on an individual basis. Attention is drawn to the university's process for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

For Academic Year 2025/2026

• £1,820 per academic year

For Academic Year 2024/2025

• £1,820 per academic year

Additional Costs

Graduate Apprenticeship courses include an on-campus induction, together with one on-campus day per module, therefore employers supporting Graduate Apprenticeship students need to plan for this time away from the workplace together with any associated travel and accommodation costs.

The following course-related costs are not included in the course fees:

• The cost of books that you may wish to purchase.
• Accommodation and living costs
• Printing
• Re-sit fees, fees for re-assessment opportunities in a repeat year

Student Funding

Subject to meeting course entry and employer eligibility criteria, a number of fully-funded places are available for this course. 

Students should apply to SAAS to have their tuition fees paid:

As a paid employee, apprentices would not be eligible for other SAAS funding such as bursaries and student loans.  

Find out more information about funding and other frequently asked questions: