Building Services Engineer Degree Apprenticeship

Apply the skills and knowledge gained in other modules to a major project, where possible from your work experience, that reflects the performance expected of a construction technologist.

Explore how the success of any project depends on developing a robust design and providing detailed technical information for construction. You cover key topics such as project phases, construction drawing, detailing, Computer Aided Design (CAD), Building Information Modelling (BIM), schedules, specifications, bills of quantities, and information collaboration.

Learn to analyse scenarios, make informed decisions, and produce drawings and specifications that lead to appropriate, creative and innovative home design proposals.

Explore how Building Information Modelling (BIM) and data use have become standard practice in planning, constructing and operating built assets in both large and small projects. Examine how managing projects throughout their lifecycle using a common data set can improve efficiency, reduce costs and drive sustainability. Consider the importance of ensuring data is consistent, accurate and accessible in order to realise these benefits.

Learn how to use digital applications to produce the data and construction information needed to support the BIM process. You may have the chance to gain vendor certification in industry-standard BIM systems.

This module develops your underpinning mathematical knowledge and techniques relevant to studies in construction and civil engineering. You are introduced to mathematical methods and statistical techniques in order to analyse and solve problems within a construction engineering context. It has been designed to enable you to develop your knowledge of algebra, trigonometry, calculus, statistics and probability, for the analysis and solution of realistic construction problems.

Buildings use about 40% of global energy, 25% of global water and 40% of global resources in their construction and operation. Governments around the world have recognised the importance of tackling energy consumption in the built environment, and have instituted legislation to address these issues. These have often been supported by financial incentives to implement alternative energy systems and processes. They are also governed by rigorous targets and deadlines. 

Technologies that harness solar, wind and hydro energy are now established systems for generating power and heat. Along with other innovations such as heat pumps and bio-fuel, these are often incorporated into the design for new construction projects. You develop knowledge of current and future energy technologies and apply that knowledge in analysis and assessment of its effectiveness. You also apply that knowledge and research to a design activity. 

You gain a broad understanding of electrical machines, distribution of electric energy and lighting design basics, and develop the skills needed to design simple electrical and lighting installations in compliance with relative legislation and standards.

Develop your skills in applying the principles behind the design and installation of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems for non-domestic buildings. Gain hands-on experience by completing air conditioning designs for complex industrial and commercial applications.

Build your understanding of the components and systems used in building services installations. Carry out key calculations and learn how to effectively size and specify non-domestic HVAC systems and their components.

Learn the scientific principles and mathematical concepts you need to design and specify building services plant and equipment. Explore topics such as heat transfer, fluid flow, acoustics, electrical networks and control systems. Examine how these scientific principles underpin the relationship between building services and human comfort.

Gain an overview of the construction industry, exploring its scale, operations and the structure of construction companies. Analyse key areas, such as health and safety performance, and examine how Building Information Modelling (BIM) influences various construction processes to deepen your understanding of industry practices.

Investigate the construction industry's impact on the environment and society, and explore the roles and relationships of individuals and organisations within the sector. You develop insight into how the industry works to improve the built environment, minimise environmental impact, and support economic sustainability and growth.

You develop mathematical knowledge in differential equations and numerical methods and extend your base of techniques to solve a variety of problems which arise in engineering domains. The emphasis is on developing competence in the identification of the most appropriate method to solve a given problem and its subsequent application.

Discover the principles and practices by which efficient and effective electrical and lighting services within buildings are designed, and examine the influences that affect optimum design, under normal and fault conditions. You explore energy efficient lighting, emergency lighting, final and sub-main circuits, fire and alarm systems, photovoltaic systems, all to be designed to meet current regulations.

Explore computer aided design techniques used to analyse the thermal performance of a commercial building, including detailed consideration of the building façade in association with the effects of thermal mass, passive solar control and variations in casual heat gain.

Develop your knowledge of the design of commercial heating and air-conditioning systems used in a variety of buildings, and your understanding of engineering issues related to the specification, design and operation of low temperature hot water heating systems including heat emitter technologies, component sizing and system selections.

You work in teams and develop key skills required to plan and manage civil engineering/construction projects. You consider a problem-solving scenario to identify and evaluate a range of alternative options to meet the Client’s requirements and the project objectives. This includes analysis of site/project constraints, planning process, buildability and sustainability considerations.

You expand your employability skills such as group work, project management and presentation skills to support problem solving in a technical engineering context.

The module features an intensive project week, where you work solely on this group project. Key milestones are set, including progress meetings with tutors acting as clients and, where possible, meetings with professionals involved in the construction industry acting as expert consultants and offering constructive feedback on your proposals.

You will study technology, people, policy and process change required to adopt BIM as enabler of the future of construction. 3D visualisation, Virtual Reality, Augmented reality, offsite construction, 3D prototyping and component printing as opportunities for the Construction industry to adopt. You will consider different design processes in the construction industry in the advent of BIM and information as a technological and methodological breakthrough.

You explore heating and air conditioning control applied to building services engineering systems, and develop an understanding of the interaction of control elements and system behaviour. Control strategy is developed through consideration of system objectives and building performance leading to the development of plant and systems schematics. And you gain an understanding of the selection and specification of final control elements, and the appreciation of control characteristics and intelligent control systems.

Explore an area of theory that influences your practice, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to become an effective higher education work-based learner. Foster personal insight into learning and development, critically reflecting on your professional practice.

Gain the knowledge and skills you need to become an information manager, or Building Information Modelling (BIM) manager, in your future career. Learn how to manage digital BIM-based projects for the construction and engineering fields following the ISO 19650 standards.

Manage the different aspects of information including 3D model, time and cost to create, and coordination of construction projects within the BIM collaboration platform using software like Revit and Naviswork.

You learn project management principles and practices specific to engineering projects. Topics include project planning, scheduling, budgeting, risk management, and team dynamics.

You complete the End Point Assessment (EPA), following the assessment methods set out in the Degree Apprenticeship standard:

• Project
• Professional discussion

You carry out a technical project in line with the EPA plan and PSRB requirements. You must submit a project report (around 10,000 words) and supporting presentation materials by the end of week 24 of the EPA period. Independent assessors then assess your work through a presentation with questions.

You also take part in a professional discussion based on your portfolio of evidence, submitted earlier as part of the Preparation for Gateway module. Two independent assessors conduct this discussion.

You prepare for the End Point Assessment (EPA) gateway required for Integrated Degree Apprenticeships. You gain a clear understanding of the gateway requirements, compile a portfolio of evidence aligned with the Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours (KSBs), and formally agree your EPA project’s title and scope in collaboration with your academic supervisor, employer and the End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO).

The demand for energy continues to grow and places strain on the natural environment. The pressures of supporting economic growth, while minimising our environmental impact, has driven the research and development of new sources of energy.

You gain the knowledge and skills to implement alternative energy technologies and understand their economic, social and environmental benefit.

This is a 20-credit module.