Designed for built environment professionals, this Postgraduate Certificate in Civil Engineering and Construction Management course aims to provide you with vital skills necessary to address the technological and environmental issues facing the civil engineering and construction industry sectors today and in the foreseeable future.
The course content investigates and examines the links between legislation, the environment, and the technical innovations required to address contemporary concepts of sustainable urban and rural development of property and infrastructure.
Modules on this course are highly relevant to professionals working in the field of Civil Engineering or Construction. The combination of core and optional modules enables you to tailor your studies to meet your personal and professional interests. Modules address topics such as flood risk engineering management, sustainable development, and environmental performance management, which are all important in successfully achieving and maintaining sustainable built environments.
A stepping-stone to a Masters award
This Postgraduate Certificate in Civil Engineering and Construction Management is the first stage of our Civil Engineering and Construction Management MSc, giving you 60 credits at level 7. Upon completing the PG Cert, you may wish to continue your studies by completing a further 120 credits including the Independent Scholarship, a major research project or academic paper, to achieve the full Master's award in Civil Engineering and Construction Management.
You can also study this course, full or part-time, on campus.
Real-world learning with our UK-based residential
As part of the Postgraduate Certificate, you will be required to attend a three-day field-based residential in Derbyshire if you choose the Geomatic Monitoring and Asset Engineering optional module. This is extended to a five-day block residential week if you also take the Advanced Geotechnical Engineering module which involves laboratory work at our campus in Derby.
You will be able to apply the skills and knowledge you have acquired in a practical setting and gain experience using state-of-the-art equipment found on site. The residential is also a great opportunity to network and make industry links, meeting others from your course as well as your tutors.
A talk from our academic
Our Programme Lead for Civil Engineering and Construction Management, Derek Spalton, talks about our online Civil Engineering and Construction Management postgraduate courses.
If you have any further questions you can contact-us.
The Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) in Civil Engineering and Construction Management can be obtained upon passing one core 20 credit modules, and two optional 20 credit modules, totalling 60 credits. This course is the first part of the MSc Civil Engineering and Construction Management, meaning you will study alongside the rest of the programme student cohort.
You can view the study plan for this online course.
You can also study the Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) Civil Engineering and Construction Management full-time or part-time on campus.
Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.
Pace of study
The academic year is made up of three 10-week terms, known as trimesters. We recommend about 20 hours of study per week to complete one 20-credit module over a 10-week trimester for the standard study plan.
If you opt to undertake the accelerated study plan whereby you will study two modules in one trimester, we recommend 40 hours of study per week.
Should you decide to study on the accelerated rate you should ensure that you have the capacity to fully engage with your studies and achieve the best grades and final award. If you choose to study on the accelerated rate, you will need to balance approximately 40 hours of study per week alongside your professional and personal life and commitments.
It may be useful to consider studying one module at the standard rate of study before deciding whether to then increase to the accelerated rate of study.
There will be 1/2 virtual classrooms over the 10 week trimester and if you are unable to attend you will be able to download the session to view in your own time.
Study Skills
Many of our students are mature learners and have not studied academically for many years. To help you to become an effective student, able to study at postgraduate level, there are a number of advanced study skill resources available to you covering areas such as research skills, critical evaluation in an academic context, literature search, referencing, plagiarism, and so on.
Assessment method
You will undertake formative and summative assessments to demonstrate that you have met the module and programme learning outcomes.
Formative assessment activities provide the opportunity for structured learning and feedback, such as self-assessment, peer review or feedback directly from your tutor.
More formal summative assessments which count towards your grades, such as project design work and design briefs, project reviews and portfolios, assignments, case studies, presentations, team-work projects and examinations.
The following three modules involve a time-constrained exam which will be taken online.
- Project Planning Value Engineering and Risk Management
- Transport and Infrastructure Engineering & Sustainable Design
- Advanced Geotechnical Engineering
Theoretical concepts and practical application will be covered in live lectures, tutorials and seminars.
Residential opportunities
Two optional modules, the Geomatic Monitoring and Asset Engineering module and the Advanced Geotechnical Engineering module, incorporate a short residential held in Derbyshire. During the residential, you will undertake practical sessions and assessments to gain hands-on experience of a range of civil engineering processes whilst learning to identify significant logistical and management constraints.
If you select a module involving the residential, you are required to attend at least 75% of the residential to pass the programme.
Details for residential costs can be found in the fees section.
Personal Development Planning (PDP) and Employability
Personal development planning (PDP) is embedded throughout this course. During your studies, you will be encouraged to identify how aspects of the programme will both benefit your development and future practice.
Professional development opportunities exist throughout each module, such as: live projects, industry links and case studies, conferences, professional body CPD courses, proposals, presentations and student delivery of seminar topics.
You will be actively encouraged to adopt a developmental and reflective attitude towards understanding transferable skills and their potential for employment opportunities. To help you reflect on your current competencies, you will have access to reflective self-assessment and personal diagnostic tools and a wealth of resources.
As you set out or develop in your professional career, you will be required to continually develop your skills as technologies can become obsolete or be superseded. At postgraduate level this is effectively the beginning of your PDP or Continuing Professional Development (CPD) journey.
Student support and guidance
Whilst we encourage our students to become independent, life-long learners, we also recognise that offering the right support and guidance will help you to achieve your goals. There is a wealth of support available to you at the University, from your dedicated Personal Tutor and Online Learner Advisor, through to our:
All these services, and more, are available to you as an online student at the University of Derby.
Who will teach you
Derek Spalton
Programme Leader
Derek Spalton
Derek was in the Civil Engineering Industry for over 20 years undertaking Design and Supervision of Highway and Drainage Projects in the UK. He has been at the University for 15 years and is the Academic Lead for the Civil Engineering ...
View full staff profile →
Get a taste of the course content
Our Civil Engineering and Construction Management course taster will give you an idea of how online learning works. It includes a selection of content from a course module so you can see what some of our learning material looks like.
You will need to complete a short form to access the course taster.
Try our course tasterTry our course taster
The Postgraduate Certificate Civil Engineering and Construction Management will be of value to those pursuing careers in the Civil Engineering and Construction Management profession seeking a postgraduate level qualification for their CPD.
The course is designed to support you in your career development within the profession, however, you may wish to progress onto the full Master's award before considering further qualifications such as a PhD.
This course will provide valuable skills and knowledge to support your career growth and development in a wide range of roles such as planning, site management, quantity surveying, project design, and project management. Or you may pursue more specialist disciplines such as: Geotechnical Engineer, Structural Engineer, Highway Engineer, Engineering Surveyor, Facilities Manager and Asset Management Engineer.
Throughout the course, you will be able to apply knowledge learnt on the programme directly into your workplace helping you to make a positive impact quickly which will be rewarding on a personal level and will be of great value to your employer or to your own business.
Utilise our Careers and Employment Service
Whilst you are a student at the University of Derby, and for 3 years after you graduate, our Careers and Employment Service can assist you with job search advice, CV creation, workshops and events, as well as one-to-one appointments with employment advisers to help with career planning and interview preparation.
You will require at least a 2.2 degree or equivalent in a Civil Engineering or Construction-related discipline.
If you don’t have a degree or an accredited degree, we can consider your application if supported by significant industrial experience within the engineering sector. Please include evidence of all experience you have in your application. While the University guidelines on recognition of prior learning (RPL) will be followed, RPL will only be recommended where applicants can present a portfolio of professional work that is deemed to be of an appropriate level.
Professional membership
To get the most out of the programme, you are expected to be a member of a professional engineering body. Before you join this master's degree, you should contact the membership department of your professional body to ensure that they will recognise this programme as part of your application for chartered engineer status.
English language qualifications
If English is not your first language, or you have not successfully completed your highest level of qualification in English, you will need an English language qualification*. For this course you will need at least one of the following:
- IELTS 6.0 (minimum of 5.5 in any areas)
- TOEFL 580 (paper based) 237 (computer based) or 92 (internet based)
- Pearson Test of Academic English: 58
- Cambridge Advanced Certificate: Pass
- London Tests of English: we accept level 5 for postgraduate courses
- International GCE O Level English Language: Grade C
- International GCSE English/English as a Second Language: Grade C.
Find out more about our English language requirements
‡2024/25 for new entrants
Starting between September 2024 and August 2025.
| | Modules | Cost |
|---|
| UK/EU/International |
4 (two 10-credit modules and two 2 0-credit modules) |
£3,000 |
2025/26 for new entrants
Starting between September 2025 and August 2026.
| | Modules | Cost |
|---|
| UK/EU/International |
4 (two 10-credit modules and two 2 0-credit modules) |
£3,165 |
About your fees
This figure would be the total cost of this course based on the fee in the current academic year. However, please note that fees normally increase in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The total fee you pay may therefore increase if your course lasts longer than one year.
If you are required to undertake any associate study or additional study as a condition of your offer for the programme, please be aware that the cost for this may be in addition to the programme cost stated above.
Residential costs
The Geomatic Monitoring and Asset Engineering module and the Advanced Geotechnical Engineering module contain a short residential which is taken in during a block week. To undertake the residential, there is an additional cost of £150 which is not included in your course fees.
If you choose to study the Geomatic Monitoring and Asset Engineering module or both the Geomatic Monitoring and Asset Engineering module and the Advanced Geotechnical Engineering module, the total cost of the course is £3,150 (new students in AY24/25) and £3,315 (new students in AY25/26).
The full programme fee quoted does not include the cost of the residential as it depends on your module choices. Please note, if you opt for the residential, you will be responsible for arranging and paying for your own travel, short-term study visa (if required), accommodation and other incurred costs. The University will assist, where possible, with these arrangements.
Find out more about obtaining a short-term student visa.
Flexible payment plans available
Choose from two payment plan options:
How to apply
Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.
Apply directly to the University.
Apply now
For support with completing your application, view our guide to the application process.
Documents to support your application
In order for your application to be assessed, you will need to provide the following documents when you apply:
- Official photo identification such as a passport or driving licence
- Current CV
- Written reference supplied on headed paper from either a manager, supervisor, tutor or teacher
- Copies of certificates and transcripts or a letter of testimony for previous qualifications*
*Documents not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by a certified translation by a professional translator/translation company. Each translation must contain:
- Confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document
- The date of the translation
- The full name and signature of the translator, or an authorised official of the company
- The translator’s contact details
A list of approved translators can be found on the UK Government website.
Please note: failure to submit any documentation when requested, may result in your application being withdrawn.
Application deadlines
All of our online courses have set start dates throughout the year. We require time to review your application and get back to you with a response before your course starts. Take a look at information regarding applying for an online course to see full details of deadlines and term dates.
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