IT and Study Skills
Construction Project Management with Foundation Year
School of Science, Engineering and Environment
Full-time
Four year
Five year
September 2021
In a nutshell
Construction is increasingly driven by economic and time pressures. By gaining the skills to successfully plan, manage and implement decision and process that keep built environment projects on track, you can open up some exciting career opportunities throughout the world.
The Construction Project Management with Foundation Year course is an excellent route if you’re from a non-industry background, new to higher education, or seeking to develop your career in a new direction. Providing immersion in construction, surveying and design techniques, the foundation year pathway is designed to help you meet the prerequisites for our BSc (Hons) Construction Project Management degree.
Salford is a great choice for construction project management. Located at the heart of the largest property and construction market outside of London. With our industry-focused learning approach, you’ll visit local projects and receive live industry briefs that enhance your real-world knowledge and understanding.
Our popular construction project management degree is accredited by both the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). You'll be educated to the highest industry standards, studying a range of tailored, industry-shaped modules that will develop your professional, technical and interpersonal skill set.
You will:
- Develop competence in essential areas of built environment professional practice
- Build technical, analytical and problem-solving skills, ready to progress to the honours degree
- Gain hands-on experience using built environment-focused IT equipment and software
- Build your confidence by strengthening team working, communication and study skills
- Be ready to progress on to the BSc (Hons) Construction Project Management degree
Course accreditations


This is for you if...
You’re passionate about developing and shaping the built environment
You want to study construction project management but don't meet the honours degree entry requirements
You're returning to education or seeking to develop your career in a new direction
All about the course
Construction Project Management with Foundation Year is delivered over four years via a programme of practice-focused modules. The introductory foundation year will build your understanding of situations and solving problems in the built environment, whilst also developing your practical and communication skills. On successful completion of the foundation year, you'll progress on to the full honours degree.
For a further three years of study - or four, if you choose an industry placement, you'll cover construction-focused modules about regulations, procurement, and LEAN techniques. You’ll use management and planning software tools, such as BIM and CAD. Staying true to the collaborative nature of the construction industry, you’ll complete projects and problem-solving activities. In your final year, you'll demonstrate the knowledge you’ve gained by completing a research-based dissertation.
This module is designed to equip you with a set of skills, knowledge and personal attributes that ensure the student is likely to be successful in their chosen route of academic study on a course within the School of the Built Environment. You will develop the ability to understand what and how they are learning, and to review, plan and take responsibility for your own learning.
Introduction to Built Environment Professional Practice
This module will allow you to create an awareness of key professional roles within the built environment sector and the responsibilities associated with the differing roles. It will provide you with an opportunity for investigative work to be undertaken via a case study or series of case studies to explore the nature of the built environment professions. You will develop awareness of the key professional skills required by the differing identified discipline areas. The module will also promote the on-going development of oral/written communication, team working and inter-personal skills.
Introduction to Design Practice
The aim of this module is to provide you with an appreciation and understanding of architectural design and the factors that influence it. You will gain an understanding of architectural design in the context of the overall building procurement process, and be introduced to the role of ICT as an essential tool in built environment professional practice. Through this module you will begin to develop your expertise in commonly used built environment design representation software applications.
Professional Practice Project
You will explore the concept of the practitioner and the alignment the personal and professional development. Using a project scenario, you will gain awareness of contemporary issues and developments in the built environment sector and understand their significance and impact on your future professional conduct.
Technology 1
You will gain the necessary knowledge and skills to describe, explain, evaluate, compare and apply building construction techniques and materials used in typical low-rise, domestic type buildings, with a focus on contemporary construction techniques. You will develop a systematic understanding of the sustainable practices involved in building construction.
Introduction to Law and Regulatory Frameworks
You will be introduced to English law and relevant statutory requirements for studying for vocational qualifications in the construction and property professions. The module also introduces you to the workings of the English legal system, to the law relating to contracts and to the regulatory framework affecting the use, management and development of land, in particular, planning, building control and the CDM regulations.
Introduction to Construction Management
Through this module you will gain experience of relevant management and planning software tools through the application of industry specific ICTs such as Microsoft Project, Building Information Modelling and appropriate design delivery software CAD. You will be able to demonstrate the importance of the legislative environment, including the consequences of health, safety and welfare, and apply current management tools and techniques to mitigate relevant issues that may occur on a construction project. You will understand ethnic and cultural diversity issues and current codes of practice in the industry and their implications for ethical practice. You will appreciate the relevance of social, economic and environmental sustainability and recognise the impact of this on a building’s carbon emissions and ability provide a comfortable environment for the end user. This module will also enable you to engage with industry through a series of industrial guest lectures supporting and enhancing the project brief.
Construction Management Project 1
This module will enable you to identify and use appropriate learning-how-to-learn strategies that are applicable for the programme of study. You will be able to recognise and apply discipline specific knowledge and practice to solve discipline related project tasks on an individual and team basis. You will identify and apply ethical codes of behaviour appropriate to built environment professional practice. You will also gain experience applicable ICT technologies relevant to their field of study.
Economics and Management
You will develop an understanding of basic economic concepts and principles and of the economic environment, in which the construction and property sectors operate. The module will develop your knowledge and understanding of the dynamics of the construction environment within which you will operate as well as management and organisational theories in the construction and property context.
Environmental Science and Services
You will develop your knowledge and understanding of the interactions between a building and its internal and external environments. You will learn about the principles involved in building heat transfer, occupant thermal comfort, illumination and acoustics. You will explore the need for mechanical and electrical engineering services in the building envelope and develop an understanding of typical building services systems technology.
Construction Process Management
You will develop a critical awareness and understanding of the construction process, at all stages, from inception to delivery. You will gain a practical understanding of the methods and techniques used in the planning and production stages of a construction project and competence in their application. This module will enable you to develop a comprehensive understanding of how effective planning and control of resources impacts on the control of a construction project and the supply chain. You will be able to understand and evaluate the concepts of risk and value and examine and apply techniques for their control and consider and review environmental impact, health & safety and other constraints on the construction process.
Lean and Offsite Production Management
Through this module you will be able to understand the role and responsibilities of the production manager in the context of the UK construction industry. You will develop knowledge and understanding of the key organisational management principles and issues involved in lean theory and its applications in design, production and operations. You will be able to demonstrate how risk management processes apply to production management practice. On this module you will evaluate current and future production processes and methods by which the production manager can control resource efficiency, quality, safety and environment. You will also develop knowledge and understanding of the implementation of offsite construction for an efficient and effective implementation of construction projects.
Construction Management Project 2
This project will provide you with an opportunity for discipline based project study on a range of built environment scenarios. You will develop detailed knowledge of discipline specific subject matter by applying relevant concepts and techniques to solve problems in project environments. You will also develop your project appraisal, collaborative team working, management, critical analysis and problem solving skills. This module will further develop and apply high-level communication and information technology skills to solve problems and present solutions to a competent standard appropriate for a built environment professional. You will also develop an understanding of the place of advanced ICT technologies within the sphere of the construction industry professional.
Multidisciplinary Project
This project will provide you with an opportunity to work in multi-disciplinary teams and to enable them to perform in a role/discipline in the context of a team based project. It will promote reflection on individual and team working and the multi-disciplinary nature of built environment projects. You will practice and further develop both discipline based and generic key skills required by a built environment professional. It encourages self-reflection and enable you to further your personal development plan, that aligns the learning needs and career aspirations and the requirements of the business sector and the professional institutions. You will also further develop written/oral communication, team working and inter-personal skills.
Technology 2
You will enhance your knowledge and skills to describe, explain, evaluate, compare and apply building construction techniques and materials used in typical medium to large span single storey buildings and multi-storey industrial/commercial buildings. You will develop an understanding of both historic and contemporary construction techniques for medium to large buildings. You will learn to identify and critically review alternative construction technologies, and make informed decisions and recommendations.
Procurement and Administration
This module enables you to explore and differentiate the principal types of procurement systems and associated contracts used in the UK, you will also explore the fundamental procedures related to contract administration.
Discipline Research Project
You will develop your knowledge of good research practice through the completion of a written research proposal and a research document. You will also develop data analysis skills through the collection and critical appraisal of different sources of data.
Project Management
Project management is an important and integral part of a business whether this is product or service based. This module will help you develop knowledge and critical understanding of the principles of effective project management in a global business context.
We will look at various aspects of Project Management through a variety of means such as lectures and practical seminars with input from our industry connections and the latest in research. We will examine the subject using theoretical approaches as well as the industry-recognised tools and techniques for planning and controlling projects
Professional Practice
You will examine the concept of the reflective practitioner, which looks at the alignment of personal and professional development with the future of professional practice.
The module aims to raise the level of awareness of major contemporary issues and developments in the built environment sector and to promote understanding of their significance and impact which will influence future professional conduct. It will encourage a deep level of understanding of corporate behaviour, the evolution of strategies and their implementation, and the significance for the built environment sector.
You will develop managerial skills and commercial acumen including the promotion of enterprise and innovation and its application in the built environment sector, and competencies in the research and interpretation of business information and accounting to assist business decision-making and objective setting.
You will also gain an understanding of the importance of the role of the professional in society, the relevance of ethical behaviour, and the social, economic, and commercial significance of corporate responsibilities, particularly in the context of the built environment.
Introduction to Design & Delivery Systems
You will develop knowledge and understanding of tools, techniques and key issues in construction project delivery using Building Information Modelling (BIM). On completion of the module you will be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of integrated project delivery and its impacts upon improved design co-ordination and information management and exchange amongst project stakeholders. You will also be able to critically appraise the business need for integrated project design and delivery systems and the benefits and impacts of integrated project delivery upon project management practice, as well as describing and critically evaluate the use of BIM tools in relation to integrated design and delivery systems.
Construction Law and Dispute Resolution
You will expand your knowledge of construction law, raise your commercial awareness and learn to consider risk management from a commercial perspective. You will explore the nature and causes of disputes between contracting parties and stakeholders in the construction industry, and the mechanisms for dispute avoidance and resolution.
Sustainable Design and Construction
You will develop comprehensive recognition of the principles of sustainable design and their application in the practice of construction. The module content aims to reinforce the relationship between sustainable design and construction processes.
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
School of Science, Engineering and Environment
From cyber security to biomedicine to architecture, our expanding suite of multidisciplinary courses shapes the next generation of scientists, engineers, consultants and conservationists. Through advanced research, we’re pioneering robotics and AI, smart environments and the appliance of data. With a team of over 200 dedicated academic, technical and administrative staff, you’ll experience a supportive, professional environment where you can realise your potential.
Facilities
Energy House
Salford is home to the unique Energy House – the only fully climate controlled research facility in the world. Built in 2011, this full-scale two-bedroom terraced house is inside an environmental chamber that can replicate almost any weather conditions. It is fully furnished and packed with a vast array of sensors that can monitor a wide range of variables.
Think Lab
Think Lab is our futuristic research environment. It leads the development of advanced technology platforms for smart city applications, collaborative engineering, industry collaborations, simulation and gaming applications, and interactive training and learning
What about after uni?
EMPLOYMENT
Once you complete the full honours degree, you'll graduate with exciting and rewarding careers opportunities ahead of you. There is large demand for qualified project managers both in the UK construction sector, and overseas in Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Middle East.
As a construction project manager, you can expect to find roles in a wide range of organisations, including construction companies, project management consultancies, and government departments.
Salford's construction project management alumni have progressed to work at leading construction industry organisations, including: Lend Lease, Kier, Laing O'Rourke, Simons Construction Ltd and Skanska.
FURTHER STUDY
You might find you want to learn more about the built environment, so we offer a range of specialism postgraduate study options to help you take your career and interests even further. Salford graduates and alumni will also receive a significant fees discount.
- MSc Quantity Surveying – Mechanical and Electrical
- MSc Project Management in Construction
- MSc Construction Law and Practice
- MSc Construction Management
Career Links
This course is extensively informed by collaboration between the university’s academics and industry partners from the built environment. Our experienced teaching team maintain strong links with the architecture, engineering and construction sectors, both local and international.
This collaboration with the professions ensures a stimulating range of external guest lecturers, as well as career networking opportunities. You will benefit from field visits, practitioner-led lectures and real-world problem-solving work developed for and by industry.
What you need to know
This course isn’t suitable for international students. If you are an international student and interested in studying a foundation year, please visit our International Foundation Year course page.
Applicants must satisfy both the University’s General Entry Requirement and the specific entry requirements.
Accreditation for Prior Learning (APEL) is not available for this course.
APPLICANT PROFILE
In addition to our academic entry requirements, we also look for certain characteristics in each applicant. Having these characteristics will not only help you to fulfil your academic potential, but they are also essential if you want a successful built environment career.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
If English is not your first language, you must demonstrate proficiency in English. An IELTS score of 6.0, with no band below 5.5, is proof of this.
Please note: The entry criteria below are related to entry onto this course in the 2021/22 academic year.
GCSE
English Language and Mathematics at grade D/level 3 or above (or equivalent). You must fulfil our GCSE entry requirements as well as one of the requirements listed below.
UCAS tariff points
64 points
A Levels
Typically two grade Cs
BTEC National Diploma
MPP (BTEC Extended Diploma), MM (BTEC Diploma)
BTEC Higher National Diploma
Please contact Admissions for further information
Foundation Degree
Please contact Admissions for further information
Scottish Highers
Please contact Admissions for further information
Irish Leaving Certificate
Please contact Admissions for further information
European Baccalaureate
Please contact Admissions for further information
International Baccalaureate
Please contact Admissions for further information
Access to HE
Please contact Admissions for further information.
Other Qualiications
Please contact Admissions for further information
Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)
We positively welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we receive your application, we'll assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.
There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.
Please contact Admissions for further information.
How much?
Type of study | Year | Fees |
---|---|---|
Full-time home | 2020/21 | £8,250 for Foundation Year and £9,250 for subsequent years. |
Full-time home | 2021/22 | £8,250 for Foundation Year and £9,250 for subsequent years. |
Additional costs
You should consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
Interested in starting university in September 2021? Book your place on our next Open Day.