Construction Management

Build a firm foundation of management skills to lead construction projects effectively and confidently. Our BSc (Hons) Construction Management is relevant, challenging and opens doors to high-achieving careers.

• This course is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
• 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
• This course is also accredited by the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (CICES)
• 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

If you have the potential and ambition to study with us, but feel you’re not quite ready to join the BSc (Hons) Construction Management right now, why not consider taking this course with a foundation year?

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. 

Our accreditations

There are many benefits to studying an accredited course. This course is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). RICS is a globally recognised and highly regarded professional body that promotes positive change in the built and natural environments. They advocate and enforce the highest professional standards in the development and management of land, real-estate, construction, and infrastructure around the world.

This prestigious RICS accreditation sets a quality benchmark which ensures that the BSc (Hons) Construction Management course is delivered to a high standard, includes content relevant to current industrial practice and is future ready, enabling you to tackle societal challenges and create better places to live.

Become a Chartered Surveyor in 2 years through APC-24

If you are aspiring to become a Chartered Surveyor, then this accredited course will put you on track to achieve MRICS status in just 2 years. Upon completing the course, you will be able to go on to complete the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC-24) which requires 24 months of structured workplace training prior to undertaking the final APC assessment.

The RICS Chartered qualification (MRICS) is a highly valued asset in built environment sector, worldwide. This status can provide many professional benefits including being part of a global professional network, access to jobs around the work, and expanding your skills and knowledge, future career prospects and earning potential.

Build your professional network and strengthen your employability

If you are enrolled onto a RICS accredited course, you can:

• Join RICS as a student member for free, where you'll be able to:
  • Access an elite network of 134,000 RICS professional worldwide and join the Surveying professional community via the RICS LinkedIn Group
  • Benefit from RICS Matrics which supports trainee or newly qualified surveyors to build your professional network, expand your skills set and develop connections with other like-minded professionals
  • Gain knowledge and view resources to keep you at the forefront of industry including RICS Journals, conferences and seminars, training, international practice standards and professional guidance, CPD resources, independent research and cutting-edge thinking
• Add value to your CV with an internationally recognised accredited degree and highly regarded qualification, valued by employers as the benchmark of quality

This course is also accredited by The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). The CIOB is the most influential professional body for construction management and leadership, and if you become a student member you'll receive:

• Invites to CPD, Hub networking and NOVUS events
• Members newsletters
• Access to the online CIOB library to gain the latest news and industry insights
• Public online CPD opportunities

As well as both of these accreditations, the course is also accredited by the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (CICES). This guarantees that the course meets the standards set by industry, which will provide you with an advantage in the job market after graduating. You can also subscribe to CICES student membership for free and for a year after graduating, where you can:

• Access electronic resources including the monthly journal 'Civil Engineering Surveyor'
• Log into the library of the Institution of Civil Engineers to receive invitations to regional CPD events, read the monthly eNewsletters and become eligible to enter the ICES student prize and awards scheme

BSc (Hons) Construction Management at Derby

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.

The first stage of the course 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 between stages two and three, 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.

If you want to ‘top up’ an existing foundation degree or HND qualification to gain the BSc degree, you can also join this course at stage three, subject to bridging requirements being met.

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.

How you will learn

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

Part time: 5 years minimum. Day release: 2 years part-time. (Day release mode only available for final year of the degree. Study may be more than one day a week).

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

• Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management BSc (Hons)
• Construction Management with Foundation Year 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.