Construction Management with Foundation Year

• Once you have completed your Foundation Year, you'll join a course accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), and the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (CICES)
• Take a major step towards membership of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), which paves the way for Chartered status and the chance to boost your earning power
• Gain a wide range of hands-on experience to put your learning into practice
• Develop a practical approach to problem-solving and decision-making within construction
• Choose to spend an optional year on an industry placement to strengthen your CV further still
• Take the opportunity to join UK and European study trips

Built Environments - your questions answered

In the below video, Programme Leader for Civil Engineering, Derek Spalton, answers some of the most frequently asked questions about Built Environments at the University of Derby. 

Foundation Year - helping you to achieve more

Including a foundation year as part of your four-year study programme will give you a head start in your academic and professional life. The foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence – with extensive support from our expert staff – before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change and want to get to grips with aspects of subjects which are new to you.

Our degrees with a foundation year are continuous, meaning that you won’t need to apply again once you have successfully completed the first year.

Offering substantial hands-on experience, our BSc (Hons) Construction Management is an excellent route into a career offering a high level of responsibility and rewards.

Build your skills on a foundation year

Taking a foundation year first is an ideal choice if you have the potential and ambition to study this BSc (Hons) programme but lack the formal entry requirements or feel you are not quite ready to embark on a full honours degree right now.

It is also a smart move if you have changed your mind about your career direction since you chose your A-levels or BTECs and need to improve your skills in a different subject area.

The foundation year focuses on general concepts in subjects such as design and construction science, together with essential scholarship skills for technologists.

Gain real-world experience

The first stage of the honours degree introduces you to practical skills in construction technology, develops your ability to interpret data and gives you an understanding of the theories of construction management. Throughout, we encourage you to challenge accepted ideas and analyse competing theories.

As you progress, you will gain a deeper knowledge of construction management through Interdisciplinary Professional Practice and Independent Study.

There is also an optional placement year which gives you the opportunity to gain the skills and knowledge employers are looking for.

You can also get involved with local projects, for example Down to Earth Derby's 'New Commons'. For the last several years we have been working with Down to Earth Derby, on nature-based regeneration and connecting communities with nature and growing food. A major project we are working on at the moment, with the Eden Project, is a community garden on part of Sturgess Fields, a site owned by the University between Kedleston Road and Markeaton Street sites. The plan is to create a New Commons that will be managed with the community. There are opportunities for you to work on this project, designing sustainable buildings and structures.

Expert Teaching

You'll be taught by expert staff who are conducting influential studies across a breadth of topics. This will benefit you as they bring the latest thinking and innovation to your studies, and in some cases, you will have opportunities to get involved in research projects yourself.

Our teaching team are also recognised in industry for example, our Head of Discipline for Built Environments, Dr Joanna Poon, has been ranked in the Top 100 for Most Influential Women in Construction 2024 by the National Federation of Builders.

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.

The course offers plenty of practical, hands-on experience and there is an emphasis on seminars, small group study and tutorials. We also offer an optional placement year between stages two and three.

In addition, you could take the opportunity to join UK and European study trips. We encourage you to display your work in exhibitions too.

How you are assessed

You will be assessed in a variety of ways including assignments, exams, presentations, class tests, case studies and portfolios. These assessment methods will help you develop your presentation and communication skills which are essential for professional practice.

Once you have completed the course, you will have every opportunity to pursue an exciting professional career in construction management, project management, site management or manufacturing. Because the degree is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), you will be eligible for membership (MCIOB).

Our graduates go on to take up roles with the main construction and civil engineering contractors for the public sector, including all the major companies. Some enter the teaching profession and others undertake further postgraduate study such as our MSc in Civil Engineering and Construction Management.

2025 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

2025/26

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

Additional information about your studies

Download programme specification

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

Other courses you might like

• Construction Management BSc (Hons)

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.