Construction (Civil Engineering)

The purpose of Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals in Civil Engineering is to develop students as professional, self-reflecting individuals who are able to meet the demands of employers in the rapidly evolving civil engineering sector and adapt to a constantly changing world. The qualifications also aim to widen access to higher education and enhance the career prospects of those who undertake them.

The course is ideal for those wishing to progress within the civil engineering industry as it is designed to help develop a solid understanding of various civil engineering subjects within construction. You will gain the underpinning knowledge of the science, design principles and site procedures of civil engineering.

Higher Nationals in Civil Engineering gives students experience of the breadth and depth of the sector that will prepare them for employment, progression within employment or further study.

What are the benefits to students?

A stimulating and challenging programme of study that will be both engaging and memorable for students.

The essential subject knowledge that students need to progress successfully within or into the world of work or onto further study.

A simplified structure: students undertake a substantial core of learning, required by all Civil Engineers, with limited specialism in the Higher National Certificate, building on this in the Higher National Diploma, with further specialist and optional units linked to their specialist area of study.

Refreshed content that is closely aligned with employer, professional body and higher education needs.

Assessments that consider cognitive skills (what students know) along with effective and applied skills (respectively how they behave and what they can do).
Unit-specific grading and Pearson-set assignments.

A varied approach to assessment that supports progression to Level 6 and also allows centres to offer assessment relevant to the local economy, thereby accommodating and enhancing different learning styles.

Quality assurance measures to ensure that all stakeholders (e.g. professional bodies, universities, businesses, colleges and students) can feel confident in the integrity and value of the qualifications.

A qualification designed to meet the needs and expectations of students aspiring to work in an international setting.

• Science & Materials
• Applied Mathematics
• Construction Information
• Civil Engineering Technology
• Structural Analysis and Design

Just as variety of teaching is important to the planning of a programme structure, so too is the use of a range of assessment tools appropriate to the unit and its content.

Some of the assessment methods that could be used are:

work-based projects
written assignments – reports – briefing documents – planning documents – design documents – solutions to construction problems through discourse and/or calculation
presentations, vivas, role plays supported by an observer’s statement and/or video evidence
portfolios
reflective statements
production of artefacts
work logbooks
witness statements.