Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction with a specialism in Surveying and design for construction and the built environment – Level 3 T Level

Level: 3 T Level | Duration: 2 Years | Details: September

Why study this course at Cronton Sixth Form?
This course is designed to meet the needs of industry and prepares you for work. It provides the knowledge and experience needed to progress onto highly skilled employment, an apprenticeship or higher-level study, including university.

You will have access to state-of-the-art digital technology, which will underpin all your learning on the course and be taught by an award winning digital built environment team.

You will be studying in our outstanding ‘IDEA Centre’ which houses cutting edge Construction facilities including surveying equipment. The T Level Industry written elements of the course are designed to support students in exploring a wide range of opportunities linked to Construction and the Built Environment.

Learners will develop their understanding of career opportunities in the sector and will benefit from regular trips and site visits, workshops and careers support from our industry partners.

What is this course about?
The course provides you with the fundamental knowledge and skills required for careers in surveying, design, civil engineering, or construction planning. Learners will gain knowledge and practical skills that develops a broad understanding of construction, including building design, surveying and planning, construction science and mathematical techniques, digital technology and data management, as well as sustainability and environmental impacts.

It also covers core topics such as health and safety, measurement, building technology, project management, commercial principles, and law, along with specialist content in surveying and design for construction and the built environment. It combines classroom learning with a substantial industry placement.

How will I be assessed?
In year 1, you will study the core knowledge topics, and you will be formally assessed through two examinations and an employer set project. The examinations test your understanding of the big ideas, concepts and principles across design, surveying and planning. The employer set project is set by industry experts, and you will complete a project based on a real-industry scenario, demonstrating problem solving, research, planning, report writing and technical understanding.

In year 2, you will study the specialist occupational content; surveying and design for construction and the built environment and be assessed through a series of practical, competency-based tasks.

Learners will need to complete a minimum of 315 hours industry placement, evidenced through a logbook demonstrating skill development and application of knowledge. Learners receive a grade for the core content (A*–E), a grade for the occupational specialism (Distinction–Pass) and an overall T Level grade, combining both components.

Entry Requirements
5 GCSEs at grades 9-4 including Science and English Language and a 5 in maths. English Language 4, Maths 5, Science 4.

Enrichment Opportunities
Students will have opportunities throughout the course to engage with enrichment activities led by the built environment tutors, industry partners and educational establishments.

The friendly and supportive team of staff in the IDEA Centre are continually finding ways for our Engineering and Built Environment students to engage with enrichment activities. These have included celebration of seasonal events, charity fundraisers and professional presentation evenings. There are also many opportunities to join us on international trips; to San Francisco, Berlin and Cern in Switzerland.

Students interested in progression on to Architecture, Interior Architecture or Landscape Architecture will have access to support sessions aimed at generating a professional portfolio; desirable to universities and employers in these fields.

Female Engineers and Built Environment students are encouraged to join our Women in STEM club, run by female tutors in the IDEA Centre. Learners will have the opportunity to meet and network with likeminded students, as well as further trips and visits and opportunities. The Women in STEM team frequently enter competitions and complete cross curricular projects, as well as focussing on encouraging the next generation of female learners onto STEM courses.

What can this course lead on to?
The T Level is designed for students who want to build a future in the construction and built-environment sector. It develops the technical knowledge and practical skills needed for skilled employment in areas such as surveying, architectural or structural design support, civil engineering, building services design, and hazardous materials surveying.

The qualification also provides a strong foundation for progression into higher-level apprenticeships—such as Surveying Technician, Civil Engineering Technician or Building Services Engineering Technician—or into university-level study. Many students continue to degrees in subjects including Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Building or Quantity Surveying, Architectural Technology and wider built-environment disciplines.

Outstanding Facilities
The IDEA Centre is a unique STEM facility which offers students innovative training facilities including an advanced manufacturing workshop, a digital and electronics suite, a metrology suite, a process control workshop, a health and fitness suite, a project management suite, meeting rooms, a 3D modelling suite and an Industry 4.0 suite which all prepare students for the Industry 4.0 trend of automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies.