Design and construction management (degree)
Level 6 · DegreeConstruction and the built environment 4 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
This degree apprenticeship develops construction professionals who can manage both the design process and the construction of complex buildings or infrastructure projects. You will spend time on site and in the office, learning to coordinate architects, engineers, and contractors while controlling cost, programme, and quality. Graduates typically work as project managers, design managers, or construction managers for major contractors or client organisations.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Construction technology, structural principles, and building systems
Project management methods including programme planning and risk management
Design management: coordinating multidisciplinary design teams
Contract law, procurement routes, and NEC/JCT contract administration
Cost planning, budgeting, and value engineering
Health, safety, and environmental management on construction sites
Building information modelling (BIM) and digital construction tools
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Coordinate design information between architects, engineers, and specialists
Attend site progress meetings and track works against programme
Review drawings and specifications for buildability and clashes
Monitor project costs and report variations to the client
Manage subcontractor packages from procurement to final account
Carry out site inspections and quality assurance checks
Prepare reports and presentations for client and senior stakeholders
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 6 (Degree) - roughly Bachelor’s-degree level. Usually needs A-levels or a Level 3 qualification (employers set UCAS-point targets). You earn a full degree while you work - with no tuition fees to pay.
What’s next: Leads into professional roles, sometimes with a Level 7 (Master’s) apprenticeship after.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
No employer videos yet for this apprenticeship. Employers offering it can add one to show young people what the role is really like.