This top-up course - designed for international students who want to earn a university qualification here in the UK - will help you to turn your existing experience into a valuable bachelor’s degree. You’ll study a curriculum that is tailored to the needs of international students, improving your understanding of built environment roles and their application within the global construction industry.
Core topics frame an in-depth study of sustainability and environmental impact. By working on industry projects and case-studies, you will have the opportunity to apply the things you’ve learned to real workplace scenarios. Additional training covers communication, resilience, self-awareness and teamwork; all of which are applicable to the professional construction environment.
The course team come from a range of professional backgrounds, holding many years’ experience in both higher education and the construction industry. They are actively involved with their industry colleagues, working on academic research and holding committee positions at a range of professional bodies. Opportunities to shadow professionals in the workplace have been built into the curriculum
As an overseas student, you will be well supported as you adapt to life in the UK. You’ll benefit from regular contact with both a student ‘buddy’ and an allocated course tutor. Your course tutor will assess your skills and knowledge, providing you with tailored support throughout the year.
The course is part of a well-respected and recognised programme, endorsed by our large network of employers. Many of our past students have found work through this network, putting future graduates in a good position to confidently seek employment.
Who is this course for?
This course is specifically designed to help international students to advance their career in construction.
Applicants should have either:
a foundation degree or HND in a relevant built environment subject area,
a Chinese Associate/Ordinary Diploma with a suitable profile in key subjects, or
a portfolio of equivalent qualifications.
Applicants who do not have English as their first language will be required to demonstrate an appropriate level of proficiency in the use of the English language.
What does this course lead to?
The construction programme here at Solent has been running for over 30 years. The course draws on a wide alumni network to improve relationships with employers. Many of our alumni are now employers themselves.
Construction is a major source of employment both in the UK and abroad. There are opportunities for global travel and no two jobs are the same.
YEAR ONE
CORE MODULES
The Built Environment Professional
International Sustainable Design and Construction
Research Project
Integrated Project
You may be assessed at the end of each block by:
Coursework
Portfolios
Reports
Individual presentations
Group work
Practical exams
Solent’s curriculum framework builds on our unique, creative and applied approach to teaching. The transformation of students’ lives is at the heart of our mission as a university, and our curriculum – informed by the latest theory – reflects this shared educational vision.
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
Southampton, Solent University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
The following entry points are available for this course:
Applicants should have either:
A foundation degree or HND in a relevant built environment subject area, a Chinese Associate/Ordinary Diploma iwth a suitable profile in key subjects or a portfolio of equivalent qualifications.
Applicants who do not have English as their first language will be required to demonstrate an appropriate level of proficiency in the use of the English language.
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | with a minimum of 5.5 in each component |
TOEFL IBT tests taken from 21 January 2026 Minimum overall score of 4.5 with a minimum of 4 in each individual component. TOEFL IBT tests taken prior to 21 January 2026 Minimum overall score of 80 with a minimum of 20 in each individual component. Duolingo English Language Test - 115 overall with minimum of 95 in each component or equivalent.
We understand that each student is unique. At Solent we encourage individuality and have adopted a balanced approach to Admissions, by considering exam results alongside portfolios / interviews or auditions.
Our contextual offer scheme allows offers below our standard academic entry criteria to those who have faced challenges which has impacted their performance and predicted higher grades, by taking into account additional selection criteria such as a strong portfolio, interview or audition.
This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).
It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.
Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
This report uses your grades to show how students with similar results have done when applying to this course in the past. Sometimes, there isn’t data for every possible set of grades. When that happens, universities and colleges occasionally fill in the gaps for sets of grades that are typically accepted.
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland & Channel Islands | £10050* | |
| EU | £10500 | |
| International | £18508 |
* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Solent University offers a number of bursaries, grants and scholarships. For more information, please visit https://www.solent.ac.uk/finance/grants-bursaries-scholarships/bursaries
Email:admissions@solent.ac.uk
Phone:+44 (0) 23 8201 5066
Email:student.funding@solent.ac.uk
East Park Terrace
Southampton
SO14 0YN
At Southampton, Solent University
