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Programme Handbook
2016/17
BTEC Higher National
Certificate in Construction and
the Built Environment
CONTENTS
Contents ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
Welcome...................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
General Information About Your Programme ............................................................................................................................. 3
Qualifications Credit Framework ................................................................................................................................................. 4
Programme Overview .................................................................................................................................................................. 4
Programme Aims ......................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Programme Learning Outcomes .................................................................................................................................................. 6
Programme Structure .................................................................................................................................................................. 6
Assessment Overview .................................................................................................................................................................. 7
Where will I study? ...................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Getting started ............................................................................................................................................................................ 8
Teaching, Learning and Assessment ............................................................................................................................................ 8
Partners for Success .................................................................................................................................................................. 17
Careers Team ........................................................................................................................................................................ 18
Student Support and Wellbeing Team .................................................................................................................................. 20
Learning Resource Centre teams .......................................................................................................................................... 25
Student Union ....................................................................................................................................................................... 27
Being a partner in your own success ..................................................................................................................................... 28
The Student Charter .................................................................................................................................................................. 28
Absence reporting ..................................................................................................................................................................... 28
Safeguarding .............................................................................................................................................................................. 29
Student Identity Card ................................................................................................................................................................ 29
Food on campus ........................................................................................................................................................................ 29
Sports facilities and College teams ............................................................................................................................................ 30
Enrichment ................................................................................................................................................................................ 30
Getting Involved In the Quality of Your Programme ................................................................................................................. 30
Academic Appeals ..................................................................................................................................................................... 31
Graduation ................................................................................................................................................................................. 32
Unit Outlines .............................................................................................................................................................................. 33
Year 1 .................................................................................................................................................................................... 33
D/601/1245: Design Principles and Application for Construction and the Built Environment ......................................... 33
2
T/601/1252: Health, Safety and Welfare for Construction and the Built Environment ................................................... 34
F/601/1254: Construction and Maintenance of Buildings ................................................................................................ 35
H/601/1294: Computer-aided Design for Construction ................................................................................................... 36
Year 2 .................................................................................................................................................................................... 38
H/601/1246: SCIENCE AND MATERIALS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT ...................................... 38
T/601/1249: Management Principles and Application for Construction and the Built Environment .............................. 39
J/601/1255: Group Project in the Construction Industry ................................................................................................. 40
J/601/1255: Technology of Complex Buildings ................................................................................................................. 41
3
WELCOME
Welcome to Blackpool and The Fylde College and to the HNC in Construction and the Built
Environment.
This Programme Handbook aims to provide you with the key information you will need to settle into
and get the most out of your programme of study here at the College leading to successful completion
of your HNC in Construction and the Built Environment. It will provide you with an overview of the
programme content, how individual units are organised and delivered, how and when you will be
assessed and how overall grades final results are determined. In addition there is information on the
help and general support available to you as well as making it clear what you need to do if you should
encounter any specific difficulties in progressing as planned on the programme.
There is also further information available in the College Student Handbook which includes guidance
on term times, Travel to College, Attendance Expectations, College Facilities, Student Services, and
Student Representation amongst other useful information.
It is strongly recommended that you keep both this Programme Handbook and the College Student
Handbook readily to hand if you are to get the most out of the time you will have invested in
participating in your valuable and hopefully enjoyable learning experience.
We appreciate that as students in order for materials to be fully accessible you may have a preference
for a specific font size or colour of text/paper. To ensure that your needs are considered this handbook
is available electronically.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR PROGRAMME
Name of awarding body/institution Edexcel
Teaching institution Blackpool and The Fylde College
Details of Professional/Statutory body accreditation N/A
Name of the final award Higher National Certificate
Programme title HNC in Construction and the Built Environment (QCF)
UCAS code Not applicable
Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Statement Group(s)
Construction, Property and Surveying (QAA 240 03/08) (The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education 2008)
Mode of Study (FT/PT/Both) Part Time
Language of Study English
Academic Regulations Edexcel
4
QUALIFICATIONS CREDIT FRAMEWORK
The Edexcel HNC in Construction and the Built Environment programme offered by the College is
aligned with the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
published by the QAA. The table below shows the structure of this framework where there are eight
designated levels ranging from entry level which normally takes place at primary school; levels 1 and 2
which normally occur at secondary school; level 3 which is equivalent to a 6th form education. Levels 4
and above are regarded as higher education and usually take place at colleges and universities.
In addition to the academic content each qualification is measured in terms of credits which reflect the
amount of time spent in learning at that level. Each credit notionally represents around 10 hours of
learning time.
The table below illustrates where this qualification sits within the FHEQ.
LEVEL
8 Doctorate PhD
7 Master’s Degree (MA; MSc; MPhil)
6
University Degree
(BA; BSc; BEng)
Hons, Top-Up Degree (BA; BSc; BEng)
5
Foundation Degree
(FdA; FdSc)
HND
4 HNC
3 A-Level
A2 L3 Extended Diploma
(National Diploma)
L3 Diploma
(National Certificate) AS
2 GCSE
(Grades A-C)
L2 Diploma
(First Diploma)
1 GCSE
(Grades D-G)
L1 Diploma
(Foundation)
Entry Key Stage 3 E3 Diploma
(Foundation)
PROGRAMME OVERVIEW
The UK construction industry is dominated by small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) with a
relatively small number of larger companies. The private sector is a major source of employment, with
local government and government bodies also offering employment opportunities. Nearly three-
quarters of building and construction management graduates are employed six months after
graduating, going into roles such as Building Control Surveyor, Building Services Engineer, Facilities
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Manager, Quantity Surveyor and Site Engineer. By progressing to an HND, degree or relevant
professional qualification, you could increase your career prospects even further.
The Edexcel BTEC Level 4 HNC in Construction and the Built Environment provides you with a
specialist work-related programme of study which covers the key knowledge, understanding and
practical skills required in the construction sector and also offers you the opportunity to engage in
particular specialisms through the choice of specialist units.
Edexcel BTEC Level 4 HNCs provide a nationally recognised qualification offering you career
progression and professional development for those of you already in employment; opportunities to
progress further in higher education.
The Edexcel BTEC Level 4 HNC in Construction and the Built Environment offers a progression route
for those of you who are employed in the construction sector.
This HNC in Construction and the Built Environment programme works in close partnership with local
and regional contractors. This close working relationship has developed into structured planned site
visits and work experience available for you on the course leading to you being giving the opportunity
for employment within the industry. The programme is recognised by various professional bodies which
provides the facility for you to become student members of these institutions.
The programme is intended for those students who wish to pursue a career at higher
professional/technician level within the construction industry but who have not, as yet, decided upon a
specific construction career area. The variety of disciplines covered allows you to explore different
specialist areas and identify a career that best matches your individual strengths and aspirations.
The School has excellent, well-developed working relationships with a wide range of construction
employers, through which we help and support you into sustainable employment. These links to local
and national employers give you the skills and applied knowledge required for a career in construction
management. Many past students are now employed by companies such as Laing O'Rouke, BAE
Systems, FParkinson, Blackpool Borough Council and Eric Wright in a wide range professions.
Industry experienced tutors, aided by input from employers and partner organisations, ensure this
course is kept up-to-date and closely aligned to the needs of industry. The programme content is
delivered by highly-qualified tutors, all from industry and experienced in a variety of construction
disciplines who work to create a strong climate of student support.
PROGRAMME AIMS
The Aims of this HNC in Construction and the Built Environment are
• To prepare learners for a range of technical, professional and management careers in construction
and the built environment by providing specialised studies which are directly related to individual
occupations and professions learners are currently working in or in which they intend to seek
employment
• To enable learners to make an immediate contribution in employment in the construction and built
environment sector
• To provide learners with flexibility, knowledge, understanding, skills and motivation as a basis for
progression to graduate and postgraduate studies
• To develop a range of skills and techniques, personal qualities and attitudes essential for successful
performance in working life
6
• To provide further study, career development and progression from a Technical Certificate at level 3
within or following an Advanced Apprenticeship
• To provide a significant education base for progression to membership of professional bodies in
construction, building services engineering and civil engineering
• To provide a significant education base for progression to Incorporated Engineer level.
For the full aims and objectives, please look at the Programme Specification for the course which is
available on the web. These are quite technical documents that are prepared when a course is
validated and include full details of all aspects.
PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES
Programme Learning Outcomes are a set of statements which indicate what you will be expected to be
able to do on successful completion of your programme. The programme learning outcomes have
been developed using QAA subject benchmark statements for Construction, Property and Surveying.
There are Learning Outcomes for the whole programme, which are then developed into specific
Learning Outcomes for each unit. In that way you can be sure that the whole programme is consistent
and hangs together. Full details are included in the Programme Specification. The Learning
Outcomes for each unit are included here towards the back of the handbook.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
Year 1
Unit Title Level Credits
29 Computer-aided Design for Construction 4 15
7 Construction and Maintenance of Buildings 4 15
6 Health, Safety and Welfare for Construction and the Built Environment
4 15
1 Design Principles and Application for Construction and the Built Environment 4 15
Year 2
Unit Title Level Credits
2 Science and Materials for Construction and the Built Environment 4 15
8 Technology of Complex Buildings 5 15
4 Management Principles and Application for Construction and the Built Environment 5 15
5 Group Project in the Construction Industry 5 20
More information relating to the units delivered on your programme can be found in the Unit Outline Section of this handbook.
7
ASSESSMENT OVERVIEW
Year 1
Unit Code
Unit Title Credits Coursework %
Practical %
Presentation %
Exam %
LEVEL 4
1 Design Principles and
Application for Construction
and the Built Environment
15 100%
6 Health, Safety and Welfare for Construction and the Built Environment
15 75% 10% 15%
7 Construction and Maintenance
of Buildings 15 100%
29 Computer-aided Design for
Construction 15 100%
Year 2
Unit Code
Unit Title Credits Coursework %
Practical %
Presentation %
Exam %
LEVEL 5
2 Science and Materials for
Construction and the Built
Environment
15 70% 15% 15%
4
Management Principles and
Application for Construction
and the Built Environment
15 80% 20%
5 Group Project in the
Construction Industry 20 80% 20%
8 Technology of Complex
Buildings 15 100%
More information relating to aspects of teaching, learning and assessment can be found in the
Teaching Learning and Assessment section of this handbook.
WHERE WILL I STUDY?
The HNC in Construction and the Built Environment will be delivered at Bispham Campus. For
more information about our campuses please click here
8
UNIVERSITY CENTRE
The majority of higher education courses are delivered at our University Centre in central Blackpool,
within easy reach of student accommodation, shops, restaurants, bars and the promenade. This multi-
million pound complex provides higher education students with a dedicated campus, with the major
teaching and support facilities conveniently converging in an attractive central courtyard. The open-plan
Central Hub houses a refectory, chill-out zones and the central learning resource centre. A unique and
important addition to the Centre is our Gallery, housing works by both our own students and
independent artists.
BISPHAM CAMPUS
Courses in Construction, Computing, Engineering and Automotive are delivered at our Bispham
Campus. Here you can access a central reception, vital student support functions and a convenient
number of retail outlets all within one attractive Hub development. Bispham Campus has recently been
the focus of a stunning £3.5m upgrade, with the result that it is now dramatically more energy efficient,
along with the multi-million pound development of the Advanced Technology Centre. The Bispham
campus hosts a range of specialist equipment and facilities tailored towards engineering, science and
construction.
FLEETWOOD NAUTICAL CAMPUS
Fleetwood Nautical Campus is a leading provider training and educational development for the nautical
sector, attracting students from all over the world. Foundation degrees in Nautical Science and Marine
Engineering and HNC/D programmes are delivered from this campus to cadets employed by a range of
companies such as Carnival Cruises, Princess Cruises and BP. The campus hosts a range of cutting-
edge facilities including a state-of-the-art environmental survival training tank, a full-mission ship
simulator and an engine room simulator suite.
GETTING STARTED
At the start of your course, your tutors will guide you through an initial induction which is designed to
ease you into university life and higher level studies. Activities generally focus on helping you to find
your feet, make friends and plan your studies. It can also traditionally be the time when students get to
let their hair down and familiarise themselves with both the College and the local area before getting
down to the more serious business of studying.
Our annual Freshers’ Fair is a fun, vibrant event and a great chance to find out more about what’s on
offer locally, with representatives from the B&FC Student Union as well as local attractions,
restaurants, health and fitness centres, clubs, bars and more. Support organisations and charities are
also represented, along with B&FC’s own clubs and societies and sports teams.
TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT
The HNC Construction and the Built Environment programme combines theoretical and practical
elements. Vocational industry aligned content and methods feature strongly in the teaching and
learning strategy. You will learn about project management, construction techniques, design
considerations and science and materials and this will be through an enjoyable mix of lectures, group
tasks, interactive discussions and individual assignment and project work. You will be supported on
your programme by a highly effective tutorial provision which will help you to individualise your learning
and receive targeted support to ensure that you develop and achieve whilst on programme. The virtual
learning environment (VLE) Moodle is utilised to considerable effect in providing additional support in
9
the form of forums and tutorials. A wide range of learning activities allows you to participate at your own
individual pace and these learning activities include; site visits, presentations and contextualised
discussions alongside the more traditional modes of delivery mentioned above.
Each individual module has a detailed assessment strategy that reflects that module's aims and
objectives. The range of assessment techniques comprises of essays, reports, reviews, exams,
exhibition and poster presentations, presentations to groups, presentations for students and industry
representatives and student projects. Assignment work replicates the rigours and expectations of a
work-based setting. You will be given the opportunity to be assessed informally and receive feedback
on your progress as you work towards the completion of your assessed coursework and examinations.
This could be through short written tasks, calculations and design drawings through to questioning and
the submission of drafts.
We aim to ensure that you experience an enjoyable and at the same time vocationally relevant learning
experience which will prepare you for the demands of the Construction industry.
INDEPENDENT LEARNING
All higher education programmes are designed so that you are able to progressively develop
independent learning skills and aptitudes. Learning independently is a key skill of all graduates when
they enter the work place and one which we aim to develop further during your time with us.
As you begin your programme you will be more intensively supported to develop the skills of learning
and learning how to learn. As you progress you will be given the opportunity to apply these skills and to
manage your own study time and activities with the goal of becoming a truly independent learner ready
to get the most out of graduate employment opportunities.
Your Personal Development planning activities are a key component in developing these independent
learning skills and with support from your tutors, support mentors and peers can help you to organise
and structure this aspect of your learning and development.
WORKPLACE LEARNING
There is no formal work placement within this qualification, however students not employed within the
industry are encourage too engage in work experience. The School has excellent relationships with
local employers and opportunities for work experience frequently arise.
The programme is highly vocational in nature and uses industry examples and assignment briefs to
ensure that employability and work related skills are developed continually
DELIVERY
For the HNC in Construction and the Built Environment the academic year is divided into 2 semesters
of 16 weeks.
HOW MUCH WORK SHOULD I DO?
For each unit, you will have a number of hours timetabled each week where you will be supported by
an academic tutor in your studies. You are expected to attend all timetabled classes. If you wish to
see a member of staff at another time, either drop in or make an appointment in person, by phone or by
e-mail. In addition to your timetabled sessions, you will be expected to undertake further study
independently, outside of the classroom. This may be in the form of reading, research, revision or
completing assignments as directed by your tutor. The amount of time you will need to allocate to your
10
studies outside of the classroom will vary greatly from person to person, and the chances are that your
there will be times within your programme of study where your workload will be heavier than others.
Your tutors will work with you to ensure that you are aware of factors that may influence your workload,
such as assessment deadlines and examinations well in advance, to assist you in your planning.
HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?
You will be assessed on the extent to which you have mastered the content of each course or unit you
take. You will be given clear information about each assignment, what to include, and how many marks
are available for each question or task. Lots of support will be available both from your tutors and from
HELMs to help you understand how to go about each one.
WHAT KINDS OF ASSESSMENT WILL THERE BE?
Some assessments may already be very familiar, such as essays, exams, and reports. However, in
higher education there are a great many varieties of assessment depending on the subject, the level
and the type of course. Our higher education courses often integrate academic and work-based
learning so assessment may include aspects of personal reflection, portfolio building and case studies.
Here’s a bit more detail about some of the more common types of assessment:
Essay
An essay is an answer to a question in the form of continuous, connected prose, usually with a word
limit. Often these are set by the tutors but you may also be asked to formulate your own question with
the tutor’s help. Essays test your ability to organise your thinking, discuss, evaluate, analyse,
summarise and criticise. They also test your skills at making essay plans and reaching a robust
conclusion or decision.
Assignment or brief
An assignment or brief is a learning task that allows you to cover a fixed section of the curriculum
predominantly through independent study. Different methods of presenting the results can be used
dependent on the nature of the task - a report (oral or written), a design solution, a newspaper or
magazine article, a video, a poster, a research bid, a book review, a contribution to a debate, etc.
Group project or assignment
This is where either an assignment or project is undertaken by groups of students working
collaboratively, helping to develop team working skills and other graduate attributes. In some cases,
particularly where the same thing happens in industry, there are particular assignments that can by
definition only be achieved in a group. Such assessments will incorporate mechanisms which allow the
tutor to assess the contribution of individual members of the group or team in order to allocate
individuals with a personalised assessment grade.
Exams
Exams can take a variety of different forms, with the most common sort being done under timed and
observed conditions to ensure it is the student's own work. Exams test your ability to think critically, to
respond in a structured way to a question and to plan on the spot as well as your knowledge and
understanding of the subject. Some of the most common types of exams are:
11
'Seen' where the questions to be answered are given at a pre-specified date beforehand. The
intention is to reduce the need for 'question-spotting', to reduce the anxiety and to increase the
emphasis on learning
'Open-book', where you will have access to specified texts and/or your notes. the intention is to
reduce the emphasis on memorising facts, to reduce anxiety and allow more demanding
questions to be set
'Unseen' where you don’t know what the questions are until you sit the exam. Arguably these
make you focus on the whole syllabus because anything may appear on the paper
Multiple choice exams where you simply select from a bank of potential answers. These also
assess your decision making skills
Logs and Portfolios
These are an increasingly popular kind of assessment, and involve a collection of all sorts of evidence
of your work (often including others’ testimony about your work, and feedback you’ve collected).
Portfolios are intended to be a measure of the work of the ‘whole candidate’, rather than just particular
aspects of the candidate’s work. They also measure your ability to organise a collection of evidence, in
a readable, navigable way. Not least, they test your ability to stick to deadlines with a big, multifaceted
job.
Reports
There are many kinds of reports – laboratory ones, field-trip ones, business ones, and so on – each
has its own conventions and preferred formats – your tutors will tell you more. Assessed reports
measure your skills at finding out about, and adhering to, the expected report formats and conventions
in your subject discipline. They also measure your ability to put forward an organised piece of writing,
coming to conclusions, making suggestions for further work, and so on. They often test your skills at
interpreting data, making sense of your findings, and so on.
Calculations and problems
Usually given in sets – with a deadline for tutor marking, or to bring along completed to a tutorial.
These, unsurprisingly, tend to measure your ability to solve problems and do calculations.
Presentations
Lots of students worry about presentations – you normally build up to these as your course progresses
and you’ll be given lots of support and time to prepare. You may be involved in group or solo
presentations, perhaps to some or all of your class, usually with the tutor present. Sometimes peer
assessment is used. Presentations measure your ability to talk fluently about a topic, and to answer
questions from the group. They also measure your skills at preparing visual aids (overheads, handouts,
PowerPoint presentations) to support your presentation. On some courses there are very few
presentations. However, in the workplace, more and more people have to be involved in them, so
practising on your course is a very good way of developing your skills.
Self and peer assessment
There is strong evidence that involving students in the assessment process can have very definite
educational benefits. Not so much a type of assessment like those already listed, this is something
which can be done in conjunction with any type of assessment. The important aspect is that it involves
the student in trying to apply the assessment criteria for themselves. This might include: a marking
exercise on 'fictitious' or previous years' student work; the completion of a self-assessment sheet to be
handed in with your work; 'marking' a peer's work and giving them feedback (which they can then
possibly redraft before submission to the tutor); or really marking other students' work (i.e. allocating
12
marks which actually count in some way) - a seminar presentation, for example, or a written product
using a model answer. The evidence is that through trying to apply criteria, or mark using a model
answer, you will gain much greater insight in to what is actually being required and subsequently your
own work improves in the light of this.
WHEN WILL I BE ASSESSED?
In the majority of courses you will be assessed throughout your course and you will receive on-going
feedback to help you improve your future grades. This is sometimes called formative assessment and
is designed to help you learn as you go through your course. Some formative assessment is quite
informal; it may be your tutor asking specific questions in class, for example. Other types of formative
assessment can include written reports, essays, tasks for seminars etc., some of which are handed in
so that written feedback can be provided. You will also be assessed summatively. This just means that
once or twice in each unit, often at the end, you will complete work that is then graded, where the mark
counts towards your final qualification.
At the start of your course you will be given an assessment schedule which details the deadlines for
all the units you will be studying that semester. This will help you to plan your work effectively. Your
tutors understand that you have lots of commitments so will always try to spread the assignments out
as much as they can, although inevitably many will come towards the end of each semester.
ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE
The Schedule provided is indicative of when you will be assessed on this programme. The variations in
the timing of the Easter Holidays will also have an influence on the submission of work during March
and April. Your actual assessment schedule will be confirmed in induction week for each year of your
programme.
Module # Type
o > > > > > > > > > > x
o > > > > > > > > > > x
o > > > > > > > > > > > > x
1Assignment
75%o > > > > > > > x
2Presentation
15%o > x
3 Practical 10% o x
1Assignment
70%o > > > > > > > x
2 Practical 15% o > x
3 Exam 15% x
o > > > > > > > > > > > x
1Assignment
80%x > > > > > > > > > 0
x > x
1 Portfolio 80% 0 > > > > > > > > > > > > > x
0 > x2Presentation
20%
2Presentation
20%
1Assignment
100%
1Assignment
100%
06
Fe
bru
ary
20
17
13
Fe
bru
ary
20
17
Week Commencing
H/601/1294: Computer-aided Design for Construction
F/601/1254: Construction and Maintenance of
Buildings
20
Fe
bru
ary
20
17
27
Fe
bru
ary
20
17
06
Ma
rch
20
17
02
Ja
nu
ary
20
17
09
Ja
nu
ary
20
17
16
Ja
nu
ary
20
17
23
Ja
nu
ary
20
17
30
Ja
nu
ary
20
17
28
No
ve
mb
er
20
16
05
De
ce
mb
er
20
16
12
De
ce
mb
er
20
16
13
Ma
rch
20
17
20
Ma
rch
20
17
27
Ma
rch
20
17
03
Ap
ril 2
01
7
10
Ap
ril 2
01
7
29
Ma
y 2
01
7
05
Ju
ne
20
17
17
Ap
ril 2
01
7
24
Ap
ril 2
01
7
01
Ma
y 2
01
7
08
Ma
y 2
01
7
15
Ma
y 2
01
7
26
De
ce
mb
er
20
16
HE Programme Assessment ScheduleBTEC Higher National Certificate in Construction and the Built Environment
12
Se
pte
mb
er
20
16
19
Se
pte
mb
er
20
16
26
Se
pte
mb
er
20
16
03
Oc
tob
er
20
16
10
Oc
tob
er
20
16
17
Oc
tob
er
20
16
24
Oc
tob
er
20
16
31
Oc
tob
er
20
16
07
No
ve
mb
er
20
16
14
No
ve
mb
er
20
16
22
Ma
y 2
01
7
21
No
ve
mb
er
20
16
H/601/1246: Science and Materials for Construction
and the Built Environment
T/601/1249: Management Principles and Application
for Construction and the Built Environment
J/601/1255: Group Project in the Construction Industry
19
De
ce
mb
er
20
16
J/601/1255: Technology of Complex Buildings
D/601/1245: Design Principles and Application for
Construction and the Built Environment 15 Credits
T/601/1252: Health, Safety and Welfare for
Construction and the Built Environment
1Assignment
100%
1 Portfolio 100%
13
GRADING OF ASSESSMENTS
The grading of Edexcel BTEC Higher National qualifications is at both the unit and the qualification level. Grading at the Unit level Each successfully completed unit will be graded as a pass, merit or distinction. A pass is awarded for the achievement of all outcomes against the specified assessment criteria which will be indicated to you when attempting each assignment. Merit and distinction grades are awarded for achievement at a higher level than a pass. The generic merit and distinction grade descriptors listed below give you a general idea of what is expected of you to achieve the higher grades. They can be achieved in a flexible way, for example in a sequential or holistic mode, to reflect the nature of the sector concerned. Each of the generic merit and distinction “grade descriptors” will be further amplified by the use of use of “indicative characteristics”. The grade descriptors show what particular skill or attribute you are expected to demonstrate, whilst the indicative characteristics provide you with practical examples of what sort of evidence will be necessary to show you have met the grade descriptors. (Please see the merit and distinction tables below) Each individual assignment will show in detail what you will need to provide to achieve the pass merit and distinction grades. Pass grade A pass grade is achieved by meeting all the requirements defined in the assessment criteria for pass for each unit.
Merit descriptors Exemplar indicative characteristics
In order to achieve a merit you must:
Your evidence will show for example:
identify and apply strategies to find appropriate solutions
effective judgements have been made
complex problems with more than one variable have been explored
an effective approach to study and research has been applied
select/design and apply appropriate methods/techniques
relevant theories and techniques have been applied
a range of methods and techniques have been applied
a range of sources of information has been used
the selection of methods and techniques/sources has been justified
the design of methods/techniques has been justified
complex information/data has been synthesised and processed
appropriate learning methods/techniques have been applied
present and communicate appropriate findings
the appropriate structure and approach has been used
coherent, logical development of principles/concepts for the intended audience
a range of methods of presentation have been used and technical language has been accurately used
communication has taken place in familiar and unfamiliar contexts
the communication is appropriate for familiar and unfamiliar audiences and appropriate media have been used
Distinction descriptors Exemplar indicative characteristics
In order to achieve a distinction you must:
Your evidence will show for example:
14
use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify valid conclusions
conclusions have been arrived at through synthesis of ideas and have been justified
the validity of results has been evaluated using defined criteria
self-criticism of approach has taken place
realistic improvements have been proposed against defined characteristics for success
take responsibility for managing and organising activities
autonomy/independence has been demonstrated
substantial activities, projects or investigations have been planned, managed and organised
activities have been managed
the unforeseen has been accommodated
the importance of interdependence has been recognised and achieved
demonstrate convergent/lateral/ creative thinking
ideas have been generated and decisions taken
self-evaluation has taken place
convergent and lateral thinking have been applied
problems have been solved
innovation and creative thought have been applied
receptiveness to new ideas is evident
effective thinking has taken place in unfamiliar contexts
Summary of grades at the unit level
In order to achieve a pass in a unit All learning outcomes and assessment criteria have been met
In order to achieve a merit in a unit Pass requirements achieved
All merit grade descriptors are achieved
In order to achieve a distinction in a unit
Pass and Merit requirements achieved
All distinction grade descriptors achieved
THE RULES OF COMBINATION FOR OVERALL QUALIFICATION
The Edexcel BTEC Level 4 HNC in Electrical and Electronic Engineering is a qualification with a minimum of 120 credits of which 50 are mandatory core. The Edexcel BTEC Level 4 HNC programme must contain a minimum of 65 credits at level 4. The rules of combination specify the:-
total credit value of the qualification
minimum credit to be achieved at the level of the qualification
mandatory core unit credit
specialist unit credit
maximum credit that can be centre devised or imported from other QCF Edexcel BTEC Higher National qualifications
When combining units for an Edexcel BTEC Higher National qualification it is Blackpool and The Fylde College’s responsibility to ensure that the following rules of combination are adhered to:
For the Edexcel BTEC Level 4 HNC in Construction and the Built Environment.
1. Qualification credit value: a minimum of 120 credits. (A maximum of 30 credits may be at level 3; a maximum of 55 credits may be at level 5.)
2. Minimum credit to be achieved at the level of the qualification (level 4): 65 credits. 3. Mandatory core unit credit: 65 credits. 4. Specialist unit credit: 55 credits. 5. A maximum of 30 credits can be centre devised or imported from other QCF Edexcel BTEC
Higher National qualifications to meet local needs. Level rules and mandatory core units must not be changed.
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CALCULATION OF THE OVERALL QUALIFICATION GRADE
Pass qualification grade Those of you who achieve the minimum eligible credit value specified by the rule of combination will achieve the qualification at pass grade. Qualification grades above pass grade You will be awarded a merit or distinction qualification grade by the aggregation of points gained through the successful achievement of individual units. The graded section of the HNC Construction and the Built Environment is based on your best performance in units at the level or above of the qualification to the value of 75 credits. The number of points available is dependent on the unit grade achieved and the credit size of the unit (as shown in the ‘Points available per credit at specified unit grades’ table below). Points available per credit at specified unit grades
Points per credit
Pass Merit Distinction
0 1 2
Qualification Grades
Points range Grade
0 – 74 PASS P
75 – 149 MERIT M
150 DISTINCTION D
WHAT IF I EXPERIENCE CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH MEAN I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO COMPLETE AN
ASSESSMENT?
The Personal Mitigating Circumstance (PMC) procedure gives you the opportunity to inform the
College of serious medical or personal circumstances, which you believe, has affected your academic
performance in an adverse way before the meeting of the Board of Examiners.
You may have had genuine and unavoidable circumstances that have affected your performance in
coursework. These circumstances may have prevented you from being assessed or from submitting
coursework on time.
A Personal Mitigating Circumstance Application Form must be completed by you and is available via
the College website / Student Administration / Reception. It is your responsibility to complete and
submit the form to the HE Student Administration Manager within 10 days of the assessment deadline.
You cannot request an extension to the assignment deadline date. Assignments must be handed in
as soon as possible even if they are incomplete. For full details of this procedure please refer to
http://www.blackpool.ac.uk/he-regulations
WHAT IF I MISS A DEADLINE?
Managing your time effectively is a key graduate skill and you are therefore encouraged to plan your
programme workload alongside your other commitments. If you fail to meet an assessment deadline, it
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will be penalised. Work submitted up to three days late will receive a penalty of one full grade and zero
(non-submission) thereafter.
Deadlines are normally set on Mondays and Fridays to avoid the third day occurring at a
weekend. Where the third day does fall on a weekend, students will have until 10 am on Monday to
hand in without receiving further penalty.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I FAIL AN ASSESSMENT?
Most students pass their work, but if your mark for an individual unit is less than the minimum pass
grade you will be referred on that unit. This means that you will have to be reassessed in the relevant
work, however a second attempt will be subject to a penalty as specified within the B&FC regulations.
Where Personal Mitigating Circumstances are approved, this will typically prevent any penalties being
applied through reassessment.
MODERATION
All work that you submit for assessment is marked by your tutor. A suitable sample is then selected to
be moderated by another tutor. This is to ensure that the mark awarded is reliable and not just the
judgement of one marker. All of the work you submit is retained by the College to assist our external
examiners in the quality assurance of your programme. This may mean that the results you receive
during the year may change and should therefore be considered provisional.
EXTERNAL EXAMINERS
Every higher national programme has its own Standards Verifier (sometimes referred to as an external
examiner) whose role is to support the academic staff team in ensuring that the standard of your
programme of study is comparable to other programmes in that subject discipline. The Standards
Verifier will confirm that the work that you have produced is of a standard that is expected and identifies
any issues that the academic staff team needs to take into account to continually improve the
programme. The Standards Verifier also feeds back on the key strengths that make your programme a
really effective and valuable learning experience.
You can view the Standards Verifier reports and contact details for your programme on the Wider
Information Set Moodle page or details can be requested by email [email protected]
BOARD OF EXAMINERS
Once a module is complete, the marks for all assessments are compiled together to create an overall
module mark.
The module board of examiners sits at the end of semester 2 to consider semester 1 and 2 modules
and then your overall marks for the year are considered by a programme board of examiners that will
make recommendations regarding your progression between levels, reassessment and eventually the
award of your qualification. The majority of programmes within the college run an academic year
between September and June. Reassessment work will therefore normally be completed during the
summer months and submitted by July 31st.
The board of examiners sits again prior to the start of the next academic year in September where the
results of any summer reassessment work will be considered.
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Where programmes fall outside of the standard academic year, the timing of the board identified above
may vary, however the general process remains the same.
PARTNERS FOR SUCCESS
The Partners for Success framework has been developed from our considerable achievements and
successful review outcomes in supporting students and ensuring that they are provided with the best
possible opportunities to engage fully with their learning experience and the full life of the college. It
outlines how staff, students and the wider college community work to provide a seamless network of
support to enable all students to achieve their potential.
Studying at University level can mean quite a life change, particularly if you have to move away from
home, juggle study with work or have caring responsibilities while studying. You may also be returning
to study after a period away and feel unsure exactly what to expect. Most students new to higher level
study also comment on the fact that it can be quite different to their previous studies.
Our central aim is to enable all students to become confident and competent independent learners and
achieve to the maximum of their potential through the development of their academic skills, personal
well-being, literacies and professional employability attributes.
We will work in partnership with all stakeholders, students, staff and others to ensure and
assure personal change and development through mutual expectations, mutual agency and
clear communications.
We will provide students with a network of support to enable their development and
achievement of their personal, academic and professional goals
Key partners in your success are:
Your Progress Tutor and the programme delivery team
Careers team
Student Support and Wellbeing including HE Learning Mentors (HELMS)
Learning Resource Centre teams
Student Union
You!
YOUR PROGRESS TUTOR AND THE PROGRAMME DELIVERY TEAM
Here at Blackpool and the Fylde College every student is entitled to receive tutorial support on their
programme of study. Tutorials are an important learning activity; they give you the opportunity to
engage in dialogue with your tutor on matters of academic progress as well as personal and pastoral
issues which may impact on your learning experience.
The benefits of tutorials are that they help you to individualise your learning on programme and to
receive constructive feedback on your work specifically and progress generally. Tutorials are an
essential component of the B&FC Partners for Success framework which aims to enable your personal
and academic development, and maximize your opportunities for success, through coordinating the
range of support services available to you through your progress tutor. Tutorials can help you to
critically engage with your subject in a way that you may not be able to do in lectures and other forms
of learning. Your tutors will encourage creativity and originality of thought that will help you to gain a
better understanding of the subject discipline helping you to achieve your potential and experience high
levels of success.
You can ensure that you get the most out of tutorials by:-
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Proactively seeking out information before the tutorial to prepare yourself for the discussion and
dialogue
Not being afraid to actively engage in discussion with your tutor.
Using the tutorial opportunity to ask questions of your tutor and engage in critical discussion.
Receiving feedback and using this to plan your next piece of work or setting personal and
academic targets for future learning activities
CAREERS TEAM
STUDENT ADVISERS
Student Advisers provide you with confidential and impartial information on a range of areas, and work
to matrix quality standard to ensure excellence of support, advice and guidance to all our Students and
prospective Students. Quick-query interviews usually last approximately ten minutes. For example,
you might want to ask about job vacancies, for help with preparing for an interview, or advice on
financial assistance etc. If you have a more complex query the Student Adviser will make a mutually
convenient appointment with you for a longer interview. Careers Information Advice and Guidance and
financial Help Group sessions also take place throughout the academic year. Student Advisers are
based at:
University Centre Central Blackpool Campus (the Foyer, ground floor of South Building)
Monday - Thursday 8.45am to 5pm, Friday 10am to 4.30pm
Tel. 01253 504496 or 504474
Bispham Campus (opposite the main Reception area in the Hub)
Monday - Thursday 8.45am - 5pm, Friday 10am - 4.30pm
Tel. 01253 504351 or 504298
Student Advisers also provide a drop-in service at all Blackpool and The Fylde College Campuses, so
you don’t need to book an appointment to see an Adviser.
FINANCIAL HELP AND SUPPORT
Our Careers Student Advisers can also provide you with expert up to date professional assistance for
student finance, including any additional bursaries and grants that might be available to support you.
Advisers can also provide you with information on funding for equipment, how to access help with
transport, childcare while you study and can link you with specialist support staff and services
appropriate to your individual need. Our trained Advisers also provide personalised, independent and
confidential support on a wide range of financial issues. These include:
Links to support networks and services - internal and external.
Information on fees.
Government student loans and grants.
Previous study and how it will affect your funding entitlement.
Debt counselling and advice
ACCOMMODATION
If you are aged 18 years or over, our Student Advisers can help you find suitable accommodation
and provide advice on costs, legalities and other expenditure i.e. rent bond, gas, electric, TV, phone,
travel etc. They can also support you with any problems you may have with your accommodation
during your course of study.
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CAREERS INFORMATION, ADVICE AND GUIDANCE
The Careers Team are all highly qualified in careers information, advice and guidance and can help
you with UCAS applications for entry to Higher Education, with making decisions about progression to
other courses, job application, CV preparation and interview techniques alongside career and
further training pathways and opportunities. Our team of professional Student Advisers are available
to help you with all aspects of your career planning and decision-making, such as:
Making decisions about your future career
Planning your job search strategy
Curriculum Vitae (CV) writing
Getting relevant work experience - including volunteering
Making applications and preparing for interviews
Researching postgraduate study options
At Blackpool and The Fylde, our careers service extends far beyond helping you to pinpoint your ideal
career. The emphasis is on tailoring a ‘careers package’ to your particular aims and aspirations that
gives you the skills and experience needed to make you highly employable from the moment you
graduate.
That’s why all our degrees have a strong employment focus, with opportunities to try out your chosen
career area, learn skills that employers are specifically looking for and practice interview and
assessment techniques with representatives from industry. We also run an online job shop, backed up
by a highly trained team of staff dedicated to making your career goals a reality.
You may be starting your course already clear about what you want to do when you graduate or you
may not be sure at this stage. Our experienced and professional team of careers student advisers offer
careers and progression advice to guide you towards making the right decisions about your future.
Choose from e-guidance, telephone and face-to-face interviews within a small and supportive
environment. We also offer pre-course advice and guidance. Underpinning all of this is a vast range of
careers library resources together with access to internet-based resources, video resources and
computer-aided guidance packages.
ENHANCING YOUR EMPLOYABILITY
Employability skills are built into all our courses to ensure you graduate not just with subject knowledge
but with the ability to embark on your chosen career and hit the ground running. Our programmes also
provide an opportunity to discover more about your chosen career area through visits from external
speakers and trips to local employers and industry. Some programmes even contain a workplace
learning unit, where you’ll get to spend time with an employer, putting your knowledge into practice and
gaining valuable employability skills at the same time.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING
In today’s employment world both jobs and organisations are often temporary in structure and
constantly evolving and so it is now necessary for graduates to actively plan their own educational,
academic and career progression rather than rely upon organisations to provide established
progression routes.
With this in mind higher education programmes at Blackpool and The Fylde College encourage you to
undertake Personal Development Planning, whereby you are expected to reflect upon your own
learning and achievement whilst on the programme, and draw up a plan for short term and long term
personal educational and career progression.
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Personal Development Planning (PDP) is a process that is undertaken by an individual learner to
reflect upon their own learning and achievement and to plan for their own educational, academic and
career development.
PDP is a feature of all HE courses and it consists of a number of actions that are important in achieving
success at University Level education. These are:-
planning (how to achieve objectives or general change)
doing (learning through the experience of doing with greater awareness)
recording (thoughts, ideas, experiences, evidence of learning through writing, audio video,
visual or other means)
reviewing (reflections on what has happened, making sense of it all)
evaluating (making judgments about self and own work and determining what needs to be
done to develop/improve/move on)
These actions enable you to move forward with confidence to achieve your own personal educational
goals and to realise your potential.
GETTING READY FOR LIFE AFTER YOU GRADUATE
About a year before you’re due to graduate we will invite you to take part in our graduate employability
workshops, covering topics such as making the right career move, effective applications and successful
interviews. In addition, local employers run mock interviews and facilitate role-play scenarios for
students, which replicate the assessment centre experience for newly qualified graduates. These
experiences are vital for developing an awareness of your strengths (and playing to them) and gaining
an understanding of what graduate recruiters are looking for. Some of our students have even been
offered a permanent position on the strength of them.
STUDENT SUPPORT AND WELLBEING TEAM
The Student Support and Wellbeing team aim to enable you to gain different approaches and
techniques to reach your full potential independently through a range of study support and wellbeing
strategies. Support offered includes face-to-face on a one-to-one basis, in a workshop / drop in writing
clinic or remotely via telephone and online. The team is based at the University Centre and provides
support across all campuses Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm. Appointments can be made
outside these times by arrangement. Further information is available through the virtual learning
environment, Moodle. Higher Education Student Support and Wellbeing Services include:
Higher Education Learning Mentors (HELMs) email: [email protected] telephone
01253504494
Disability Support: email [email protected] telephone 01253504494
Counselling Support: email referral only [email protected]
Wellbeing Support: email referral only [email protected]
Care-leaver: email [email protected] telephone 01253504494
Carer Support: email [email protected] telephone 01253504494
Safeguarding College Hotline 01253 504444 (9am to 5pm)
For more information about choosing the right career please get in touch:
Tel: 01253 504 351/474
Email: [email protected] W: www.blackpool.ac.uk/support/careers
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HE LEARNING MENTORS (HELMS)
The HELM team can support with aspects of student academic life, from settling into university life,
helping you gain and enhance study and digital skills as well as to create your own health and
wellbeing strategies to work as independent learners. Examples of some of the study skills
development and enhancement that we can offer you include:
Support in settling into Higher Education study, learn how to study effectively and improve your
academic writing style.
Academic literacy skills from grammar, sentence structure through to developing and enhancing
expression, the use of language critical and reflective writing.
Information skills development, such as research, applying theory to your practice / study and
referencing.
Other support includes effective study techniques, planning, structuring and polishing
assignments, time management and organisation skills to work smarter not harder, in addition
to revision and examination techniques.
Digital literacy skills support for study
Providing feedback on your writing style
Support with Personal Mitigating Circumstances to help you get back on track and complete
Keeping in touch support for Care Leavers and Carers
Signposting to other Partner for Success services
In addition to individual support, HELMs deliver a range of study and wellbeing skills through
workshops including the ‘Flying Start’ and ‘Flying Further’ programmes. These are designed to help
you make the most of their course and complement the knowledge and information gained from your
course. If you wish for the HE Learning Mentors to deliver a workshop for you and maybe some friends
or your tutorial group, liaise with your tutor or direct with the HE Learning Mentors team.
For help, advice and information:
Phone: 01253 504494
Email: [email protected]
Drop in: to the University Centre South Building Entrance
DISABILITY SUPPORT
Disability services are for students with disabilities, such as an on-going, long term or progressive
medical condition; a mental-health condition such as depression, anxiety, bi-polar; Autistic Spectrum
disorder (ASD) such as Asperger’s Syndrome; or Specific Learning Difficulty such as dyslexia; a
sensory impairment or mobility difficulty or any other condition which has a “significant, long-term and
adverse effect” on your ability to carry out your day to day activities and study.
The Disability Support Service provides specialist guidance and support for prospective and current
students, enabling students to access their studies and College services. Examples of some of the
support that we can offer you include:
Advice and support to gain diagnostic evidence for medical, disability and mental health
conditions where required for exam arrangements and to access external funding.
Advice and support with applications for Disabled Students' Allowances (DSA) and other
funding.
Advice for learning and support, accessibility software on campus.
Duty of Care Plans, are for any student disclosing a medical condition where there is likelihood
that first aid intervention may be required in College, so we know how best to respond to your
needs.
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Guidance and advice on accessibility. If you wish to check the accessibility of our facilities
please visit http://www.disabledgo.com/en/org-results/blackpool-and-the-fylde-college/college-
view-all-venues
For help, advice and information:
Phone: 01253 504494
Email: [email protected]
Drop in: to the University Centre South Building Entrance
DISABLED STUDENTS' ALLOWANCE (DSA) FOR UK STUDENTS
Disability Services provides support in applying for an extra grant through the Disabled Students’
Allowance (DSA) this allowance provides extra financial help to Higher Education Students to meet the
extra costs of studying as a direct result of a disability and may include some equipment and support if
required. It is important you apply early as the Disabled Students’ Allowance process can take up to 13
weeks.
Further information on Disabled Students Allowance including eligibility criteria is available here:
https://www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowances-dsas/overview
Once you have received confirmation of your eligibility for the Disabled Students Allowance from your
funding body to go for an Assessment of Need you can use the Disabled Students Allowances Quality
Assurance Group (DSA-QAG) website post code finder to locate the nearest Assessment Centre.
http://www.dsa-qag.org.uk/
After the Assessment of Need your funding body will confirm your Disabled Students Allowance
entitlement, once you have this please contact the Disability Coordinator. If you have difficulty funding
the £200 computer contribution please see the Careers and Welfare team. Visit
http://www.blackpool.ac.uk/support/funding/bursary
If you are an International student with a disability please contact the Disability Team.
For help, advice and information:
Phone: 01253 504494
Email: [email protected]
Drop in: to the University Centre South Building Entrance
EXAM ACCESS ARRANGEMENTS
Exam Access Arrangements allow students who are unable to sit formal examinations under usual
examination conditions as a result of an evidenced disability or other conditions. Reasonable
adjustments can also be made through liaison with your Tutors, Disability Services and the
Examinations Office known as ‘Achievements’.
Examples of access arrangements depending on your assessed needs may include: Use of a reader, a
scribe, laptop, small group or separate room, assistive technologies and ergonomic devices such as an
ergonomic mouse, supervised rest breaks, additional time allowance, and signed communication.
If you feel you need more help in putting forward requests for individual arrangements in examinations,
you should contact:
HE Disability Support - [email protected]
Achievements Team - [email protected]
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WELLBEING SUPPORT
Have a go at HeartMath - this is a computer programme where you can learn different ways to quieten
the mind and relax the body through different breathing techniques. You can borrow designated
laptops with the HeartMath programme uploaded from the Loop at Bispham, University Centre and
Fleetwood campuses.
Explore the power of Mindfulness / resilience and life coaching and get techniques and tips to stay
calm and focused by joining workshops and drop in sessions.
Our Equality, Diversity and Wellbeing Coordinator can offer you support 1:1 or in groups with positive
wellbeing and support through difficult times including bereavement, bullying and harassment, faith and
belief signposting and equality and diversity issues.
For further information go to the Wellbeing area on Moodle for appointments please email
Visit the Contemplation rooms for a place to practice HeartMath, for quiet meditation, prayer or just
‘time out’.
The Contemplation rooms can be found at:
Bispham Campus - C307 - Third Floor Room - Cleveleys Building
University Centre - SB130 - Second floor Room - South Building
Fleetwood Campus- Room A33 Ground Floor- Halls of Residence
To use the contemplation rooms, visit the main campus reception and sign for the room key and
HeartMath sensor. (We are unable to offer the HeartMath facility in the Fleetwood Contemplation
room).
Wellbeing Support: email referral only [email protected]
COUNSELLING SUPPORT
B&FC Counsellors offer short term non-emergency support and the opportunity to talk over something
that may be causing you concern, is upsetting or distressing you and having a negative effect on your
academic work, as well as your enjoyment of College life. If you require a specialist or long-term
approach we will direct you to more appropriate services in the community, including the NHS.
Counselling appointments give you the opportunity to think, talk and explore positive steps to address
difficulties by helping you to explore different personal resources, choices and coping mechanisms.
Please e-mail [email protected] for an appointment. The Counselling email is accessed by
the Counsellors on a daily basis during working hours we endeavour to respond to your email within 2
days. So you need to check your email/phone for details of your Counselling support.
Be aware there is often a waiting list for counselling appointments. We aim to book you an initial
consultation within 10 working days and may be longer at peak busy times. A Counsellor will contact
you to arrange an appointment (during term time Monday to Friday) as soon as an appointment
becomes available or with alternative or interim support suggestions. In the meantime it is important
you contact your GP for immediate appropriate support.
The University Centre Counselling room is PA036B Palatine Building (By the entrance to the
Gallery)
The Bispham Counselling room is G002 Garstang Building (Within the Employability Coach area)
For other campuses the room will be indicated in the appointment correspondence.
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Counselling Services: email referral only [email protected]
Need help now?
B&FC Safeguarding - If you feel unsafe or at risk at College contact your tutor or the Student Direct
Safeguarding College Hotline: 01253 504444 9am to 5pm. If you require advice or assistance about
disclosing a safeguarding concern you should discuss this with your Progress Tutor or any member of
staff.
If you feel you are at risk of harm to yourself or others and need immediate help, contact the National
Health Services (NHS) such as your GP or alternatively ring 111 as soon as possible, if you are in an
emergency situation ring 999 or go to Accident and Emergency (24 hour) Victoria Hospital Whinney
Heys Rd, Blackpool, FY3 8NR and request a mental health assessment.
Alternatively go to your nearest Walk in Medical Centre:
Whitegate Health Centre,Blackpool,FY3 9ES
Fleetwood Health & Wellbeing Centre, FY7 6HP
Need to Talk?
The Samaritans offer a 24 hour all year confidential external support service for well-being, stress,
debt, loneliness, work, family and personal issues.
Freephone 116 123
Texting facility: 07725 90 90 90
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.samaritans.org/branches/samaritans-blackpool-fylde-and-wyre-branch
Drop in 16 Edward Street, Blackpool, FY1 1BA (usually until 9.00pm)
Other support network outside college hours includes the Mental Health Helpline telephone: 0800
616171
CARE LEAVER SUPPORT
If you're a Care Leaver there are extra funding options to help you to pay for your studies. All Care
Leavers are guaranteed a B&FC Access Scholarship
http://www.blackpool.ac.uk/support/funding/bursary
You have access to the dedicated HE Coordinator who offers support to determine Care Leaver
eligibility, to complete the required assessment forms and provide a link with other support services
such as Someone to listen - offer of regular catch ups with the HELM team or you can simply come to
see us for a chat when you like; Moral support - at every stage of your journey through B&FC;
Finance - support with budgeting and accessing and applying for financial support and Where to go -
help accessing internal and external services to make the most of your time at College.
We've been awarded the Buttle UK Quality Mark in recognition of the ‘exemplary level of support’ we
provide to all our students to raise aspirations and improve student success.
The Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 defines a Care Leaver as someone who has been in the care of
the Local Authority for a period of 13 weeks or more spanning their 16th birthday and is under the age
of 25 years at the start of a HE study programme.
For help, advice and information:
Phone: 01253 504494
Email: [email protected]
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Drop in: to the Careers areas around College
CARER SUPPORT
If you're a Young Adult Carer there are extra funding options to help you to pay for your studies. Carers
are guaranteed a B&FC Access Scholarship. This is a cash payment for students who are Young Adult
Carers and have caring responsibilities. http://www.blackpool.ac.uk/support/funding/bursary
You have access to the dedicated HE Coordinator who offers support to determine Carer eligibility, to
complete the required assessment forms and provide a link with other support services such as
Someone to listen - offer of regular catch ups with the HELM team or you can simply come to see us
for a chat when you like; Moral support - at every stage of your journey through B&FC; Finance -
support with budgeting and accessing and applying for financial support and Where to go - help
accessing internal and external services to make the most of your time at College.
A Young Adult Carer is defined as carers between the ages of 18 and 25 who care, unpaid, for a family
member who, due to disability, chronic/terminal illness, mental health problem or an alcohol or drug
addiction/dependency cannot cope without their support.
For help, advice and information
Phone: 01253 504494
Email: [email protected]
Drop in: to the University Centre South Building Entrance
LEARNING RESOURCE CENTRE TEAMS
Whichever campus you study on, the Learning Resource Centres (The Loops) will play an important
part in your studies. Our flexible learning spaces can provide you with a mixture of computer, group
work and quiet study areas. You should make maximum use of this facility to log-on to a PC, access
printing and copying facilities or ask the Resource Advisers for help and advice.
You will have access to a wealth of information through a wide range of physical and online resources
such as e-books and full text journal databases giving 24/7 support for your academic work. Our
search tool, Discovery, is linked to every course page of the college’s VLE, Moodle. Our online
catalogue - https://libcat.blackpool.ac.uk - is also available 24/7 allowing you to check reading lists,
reserve titles, renew borrowed items and provide direct links to the titles in our extensive e-book library.
We can also provide material from other libraries through our Interlibrary Lending scheme.
Our teams are always happy to offer help and advice. They have in-depth knowledge of your subject
area and can support you in finding good quality research material, as well as developing your IT and
research skills through one-to-one sessions. Interactive support materials are available through the
Learning Resources area on the virtual learning environment, Moodle. More information about The
Loops, including the opening hours for each centre, contact e-mails and phone numbers can also be
found on the college website.
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Term time opening hours
The Loop at UC
Monday – Thursday 8.30 – 21.00
Friday 8.30 – 17.00
Saturday 10.00 – 15.45
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01253 504414
The Loop at Bispham
Monday& Thursday 8.30 – 17.00
Tuesday & Wednesday 8.30 – 20.00
Friday 8.30 – 17.00
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01253 504290
The Loop at Fleetwood
Monday – Thursday 8.30 – 20.00
Friday 8.30 – 17.00
Saturday 10.00 – 3.50
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01253 504714
Self-issue / return facilities are available in the Bispham, Fleetwood and University Centre Loops.
There are drop-in IT-based facilities with networked computers (including Macs in the Loop at UC) and
wireless laptops, colour printing and scanning facilities and the Loop teams can help you get connected
to the Wi-Fi and other college systems. Help with IT issues is available through an online HelpDesk.
You can access computing and copying facilities at any campus, if this is more convenient for you
when engaged in independent study, but the majority of course specific materials will be located in the
Loop on the campus where your course is based.
You will find the essential texts for your course available in the Library stock and regularly updated.
Relevant journals and online resources are purchased on an annual basis.
Following an initial Welcome Tour of your local Loop, your tutor will arrange for us to work with you in
follow-up in-depth sessions on key skills such as effective searching of online resources and
referencing. Induction sessions are also provided at the start of your programme to help you find your
way around technology in the college. Additional one-to-one tutorials are available to all students.
LRC support is supplemented by a range of interactive resources on Moodle.
The services provided by the Learning Resources Centre will be an integral part of the Induction
Programme for this course.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES
Being able to access resources and materials to help you on your course when you need them is very
important. MOODLE is our virtual learning environment, and contains lots of key information about your
course accessible 24:7. As part of your induction we will make sure you are able to make the most of
this resource.
As a student at Blackpool & The Fylde College you will be provided with a web-based Microsoft Office
365 account. This account provides anytime, anywhere access to a suite of Microsoft programmes
including Outlook email and web-based versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint. You also get access
to your own online storage area so you can download, edit and save your college work wherever you
are.
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Included in your Microsoft Office 365 account is access to our MyDay portal. The portal provides you
with access to your calendar (including timetables), email and links to Moodle and eTracker. Timetable
data is updated every hour so you can see all room changes. It is accessible from a web browser and
as a mobile device app on Apple and Android devices. MyDay will be launched automatically whenever
you login into a College desktop computer.
To find your course materials, log-on to Moodle, the College’s virtual learning environment. Moodle
contains lesson notes, multimedia materials, quizzes, forums and lots of different tools to help you
achieve your academic goals. You may submit your assignments through Moodle and receive online
feedback from your tutors. Moodle also provides easy ways for you to communicate with your tutors
and fellow students using messaging, chat rooms and forums. You can access your Office 365 and
Moodle accounts by logging into one simple webpage MyHub which also contains useful college
information, news and links:
http://myhub.blackpool.ac.uk
Induction sessions are provided to all students at the start of their course to help you find your way
around technology in the college. ‘The Loop’ LRC’s are located on each campus. You can pop into The
Loop and log-on to a PC, access printing and copying facilities or ask the Resource Advisers for help
and advice.
STUDENT UNION
The Students’ Union (SU) at B&FC is your union. It’s made up of students that you elect each year,
who listen to the student voice and respond to your wants and needs. The SU represents students on a
range of issues, including equality and diversity, education and social activities, with the aim of
ensuring your time here is as interesting and enjoyable as possible.
As a student at Blackpool and The Fylde College, you are automatically free members of the Students’
Union and you are encouraged to play an active role. Our Students’ Union is actively engaged in
student affairs at local and regional levels so there are opportunities for you to become involved in
various campaigns and fund-raising activities. Our aim is to work for the good of the student community
and to take an active interest in the development of all students. As such the Union represents the
students on a number of academic and College committees where student involvement and comment
is welcomed.
The Union provides the framework and financial backing for students to organise trips and events,
which can be a great way to broaden your interests and meet new people. With a wealth of information,
our Students’ Union can also advise you on places to go and things to see and do.
The Students’ Union has offices at the University Centre and at our Bispham Campus. If you need to
get in touch, you can visit them in person or contact them by phone or email.
University Centre Office
Wednesday and Thursday 9.00am - 5.00pm
Tel: 01253 504 517
Email: [email protected]
Bispham Campus Office
Tuesday and Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm
Tel: 01253 504 374
Email: [email protected]
Contact the Student Enrichment Officer, Steve Stroud
Mobile: 07908 509 209
Email: [email protected]
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BEING A PARTNER IN YOUR OWN SUCCESS
Higher education is as much about personal change and development as it is about subject knowledge
and skills development. By facilitating your development we enable you to take responsibility for your
own learning. Students who are fully informed about the opportunities available to them, but who are
also aware of their responsibility to engage with those opportunities, are more likely to make effective
use of services and resources (QAA Quality Code Chapter B4). It is important that you take advantage
of every opportunity to facilitate your success, and to creatively engage with the knowledge you
encounter, constructing and reconstructing your own understanding. We will support you to set clear
goals, reflect on your progress and develop key graduate skills.
THE STUDENT CHARTER
At Blackpool and the Fylde College we believe that effective learning is always based upon a strong
mutual respect and co-operative partnership between those teaching and those being taught. In
consultation with students we have a five-point student charter which indicates what you can expect
from us during your programme and what we expect from you. The charter is also available on Moodle.
ABSENCE REPORTING
If for whatever reason, including ill health, you are going to be absent from College then you will need
to ensure that you make contact with us to discuss how we can support you. This is particularly
important if your absence could have a significant effect on your assessment requirements. Should
this be the case then you will need to consider the College Personal Mitigating Circumstances
procedure the full version of which is available at the link below.
http://moodle.blackpool.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=30688
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Any personal mitigating circumstances, such as ill health, which may have affected your studies or
performance in assessments and examinations, would need to be submitted to the HE Student
Administration Manager [email protected] formally by you with supporting
evidence, e.g. a medical certificate, following the procedures and in accordance with the deadlines laid
down in the College’s Personal Mitigating Circumstances Policy.
In the event that you are unable to attend an examination because of illness or other unforeseen
circumstances, you must immediately inform your programme leader before the start of the
examination. If you are absent from the whole or part of an examination because of illness, a Personal
Mitigating Circumstances application form together with a valid medical certificate or other appropriate
independent documentary evidence must be forwarded to the HE Student Administration Manager
normally within ten working days of the examination.
STAYING IN TOUCH
If you are unable to attend your scheduled sessions for a sustained period of time, there are a number
of ways that you can continue to engage with your programme. It is vital that you discuss your situation
with your course tutor at the earliest possibility to allow us to put a revised study plan in place to
support your individual circumstances. This may include distance support via e-mail, virtual learning
(Moodle or Illuminate), or alternative modes of attendance. Additionally, the HE Learning Mentor
service is available to support all students at any point of their studies regardless of their
circumstances. Each situation is different and we endeavour to provide a personalised plan to support
you in any way we can, therefore your engagement with your course tutor as soon as you are aware of
any challenges you face in your attendance is vital.
SAFEGUARDING
Safeguarding supports students in ‘Being Safe and Feeling Safe’. If you feel unsafe, in danger of
harming yourself or at risk whilst at College contact the Student Direct Safeguarding College
Emergency Hotline: 01253 504444 9am to 5pm. Alternatively at any time visit your GP or local Walk in
Medical Centre or Accident and Emergency (A&E) unit at the Hospital.
Other support networks also available outside College hours include the NHS crisis telephone: 0300
365 0300, the Mental Health Helpline telephone: 0800 616171 or the Samaritans 24 hours a day on the
local contact number of 01253 622218 or on the national number 0845 790 9090.
If you require advice or assistance about disclosing a safeguarding concern you should discuss this
with your Progress Tutor or any member of staff.
STUDENT IDENTITY CARD
You must wear your ID badge at all times whilst on College premises. Access to College facilities is
dependent on Students having their ID badge. You will also be asked to show your ID badge when
sitting exams. You will be challenged if you are not wearing your badge when on College premises.
This is to help students and staff feel safe in College.
FOOD ON CAMPUS
When you want to take a break for refereshments on campus, you’re well catered for. At the University
Centre’s Central Hub refectory, Café Grads, you can sit down and tuck into a proper meal or just grab
a bite and relax in one of the chill-out areas. A Starbucks outlet has also just opened in South Building.
A similar-style refectory, Retreat, is available at our Bispham Campus or if you fancy a little treat there
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is also a range of freshly made sandwiches and smoothies in the Grab and Go and a Starbucks. At
the Fleetwood campus the Refectory offers traditional breakfast, a wide range of hot food,
sandwiches, snacks and beverages. Visit http://www.blackpool.ac.uk/facilities/shops for more
information. At all our campuses, there are also plenty of vending points providing snacks on the go.
Get off to a great start every morning! All Blackpool and The Fylde College students are entitled to a
free healthy breakfast.
SPORTS FACILITIES AND COLLEGE TEAMS
Sports facilities are mainly based at the Bispham Campus where there is a sports hall, an all-weather
floodlit sports pitch and a well-equipped gym, Inspirations, with Fleetwood also having some facilities.
We have numerous College teams, both men’s and women’s, with other available sports ranging from
volleyball and five-a-side football to table tennis and canoeing. To find out more ask your progress
tutor.
ENRICHMENT
Enrichment is about providing you with opportunities to bring your learning to life, developing your
range of interests, meeting new friends and growing as a person. Some activities will be related to your
area of study whilst others may not be directly linked.
Curriculum-based activities
Whilst studying your chosen subject at College, you will have the chance to see how your subject
works in real life and apply that insight to your studies. We also aim, during your programme of study,
to develop your employability skills and interview techniques. To provide this valuable enrichment, your
programme may feature such activities as guest speakers, trips into industry and overseas visits, ‘real
life’ assignments, competitions, work experience and work placements (some of which can lead to
permanent positions).
Extra-curricular activities
College is also as much about the social side as it is about learning. At Blackpool and the Fylde
College we offer a vast range of activities, from discounted theatre trips to lunchtime sports activities
and book club. Activities are free to everyone enrolled on a course and in most cases, there’s no need
to book. For more information about what’s on, view our enrichment booklet online or available in hard
copy from the Careers team.
Fee-based activities
For those of you who wish to engage in a further range of activities there are fee-based sports
activities. For full details please see our online Sports Facilities page.
The Sports Team can also organise one-off fitness activities, such as trips to Manchester’s Chill Factor
for skiing or outings to Grizedale Forest for mountain biking. For more information please contact the
Sports Centre staff on 01253 590829. Don’t forget, that the Students’ Union may be able to help with
funding too.
GETTING INVOLVED IN THE QUALITY OF YOUR PROGRAMME
At Blackpool and the Fylde College we believe that you are a member of our higher education and
College community and as such your views and experiences are extremely important to us. We want
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to work in partnership with you to ensure that your experience is the best that it can be both for you and
others who study with you. To this end we work hard to engage all students in dialogue about the
quality of their learning experiences. You can engage by providing useful feedback on your
experiences of units through Module Evaluation Questionnaires, through being an elected course
representative attending student forums and college meetings and through surveys such as the
Student Perception on Course (SPOC) surveys and the National Student Survey (NSS).
ACADEMIC APPEALS
An academic appeal is a procedure which allows you in certain circumstances to ask for a review of a
decision relating to your academic progress or award. You can ask for a review of a decision by one of
the following:
A Board of Examiners, both Module and Programme Boards.
A Personal Mitigating Circumstances Panel
An application to the College
An Academic Malpractice Panel
It should be noted that students may only appeal against a decision if they can show that they satisfy
one or more of the grounds detailed in the academic regulations. The appeal process cannot be used
to challenge academic judgement or appeal simply because you disagree with the marks you have
been given.
An academic appeal is different from a complaint so appeals and complaints are looked at under
different procedures. A complaint is dissatisfaction about the provision of a programme or academic
service or facility or any other service provided by the College.
Students studying either a:
Lancaster University Validated Programme
Liverpool John Moores Validated Programme
Scottish Qualifications Authority Programme (SQA Higher National)
Edexcel Higher National Programme
To lodge an academic appeal, you must do so by submitting your appeal within 10 working days of the
publication of your results or decision of a panel either by writing to the HE Academic Registrar,
Bennett Avenue, Blackpool, Lancashire, United Kingdom, FY1 4EE or by email to:
The Academic Appeals regulations and application pro-forma can be found on The Blackpool & The
Fylde College website http://www.blackpool.ac.uk/apply/university
Students studying a:
University of Salford Validated Programme
To lodge an academic appeal (other than an appeal against an application to the College), you must do
so through the University of Salford by submitting your appeal in writing, within 10 working days of the
publication of your results or decision of a panel to the Senior Assistant Secretary, Governance
Services Unit, Ground Floor, Crescent House, The University of Salford, M5 4WT.
The Academic Appeals Procedure and pro-forma can be found on The University of Salford website
http://www.governance.salford.ac.uk/page/student_policies
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In all cases students are advised to consult their Programme Leader or Progress Tutor for advice and
guidance in the first instance.
GRADUATION
Our annual higher education awards event is a spectacular occasion, representing the culmination of
masses of dedication and hard work, and the gateway to an exciting and rewarding future.
The graduation ceremonies will take place at the Winter Gardens and Opera House, 97 Church Street,
Blackpool, Lancashire, England FY1 1HL.
Your graduation day may seem a long way off now, but you will be there quicker than you think!
Blackpool and the Fylde College’s Awards Ceremonies are a part of the celebration of your
achievement and we hope you will be able to attend. You will need to budget for the cost of guest
tickets, academic dress and photography. Awards Ceremonies are held each year at the Winter
Gardens. If you attend the Awards Ceremonies we publish the names and awards of all graduates in
the Awards Ceremony booklet and in a graduation supplement in the local press. If you do not wish
your name to appear, you must contact Student Administration to inform us. We will print the name we
have recorded for you on your degree certificate, so it’s important that you tell us in advance of any
spelling or other changes. After we have printed the certificate we will not be able to change it for you.
This is a very special day for all our graduates and their friends and families and is a marvellous
opportunity to share and celebrate your academic achievement and accomplishments.
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UNIT OUTLINES
The following unit outlines provide you with a brief overview of the units and their contents, together
with the intended learning outcomes and the recommended reading lists.
YEAR 1
D/601/1245: DESIGN PRINCIPLES AND APPLICATION FOR CONSTRUCTION AND THE BUILT
ENVIRONMENT
This unit enables learners to demonstrate an understanding of design considerations and the design process. Learners will develop their ability to evaluate the planning and design phases and consider the environmental impact of construction projects. Learners will explore the roles and legal responsibilities of all parties involved in construction projects. Learners will also gain an understanding of how emerging technologies affect the design and production phases of construction projects. INDICATIVE CONTENT The syllabus will include the following:- 1 Understand the planning and design phases of the construction process Planning phase: legal restraints; planning constraints; building regulations; building control; disabled access; current legislation eg Disability Discrimination Act 2005 Design phase: client brief; intended use; change of use; versatility; disabled access; relevant legislation; project aesthetics; influence of shape, size and proportion; position; location; structural considerations of building eg engineering project or plant installation; effects of green, brown and reclaimed land on planning and design; financial implications of design; sources of funding; lifecycle cost planning (costs of commissioning, costs in use, lifecycle costing, cost modelling, facilities management) 2 Understand the factors that affect the specification of materials and building services Factors: client requirements; constraints (technical, legal, environmental); financial implications (sourcing, funding, planning, maintenance) Specification of materials: aesthetics; performance in use; energy efficiencies eg production and processing of materials; environmental impact Specification of building services: requirements for temporary and permanent service installations; disposal of waste materials during construction process; disposal of waste materials during life of the building; impact of legislation on design of service installations; sustainable urban drainage systems 3 Understand how environmental factors affect the planning and design phases of the construction process Environmental factors: specification of sustainable materials; different forms of construction; new and renewable resources; use of recycled materials; safe and efficient disposal of waste materials; impact of construction process on environment 4 Understand the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved in construction projects Roles and responsibilities: of each party to the project; current legislation applicable to each stage of a project (planning, development, design, production); responsibilities (corporate, personal) under current legislation; different responsibilities of design, planning and production teams 5 Understand how technology affects the design and production phases of construction projects Technology: use of computer systems in the design process; modern methods of construction; effect of design on construction methods; development of new materials; use of construction plant LEARNING OUTCOMES You will be expected to:-
1. Understand the planning and design phases of the construction process 2. Understand the factors that affect the specification of materials and building services
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3. Understand how environmental factors affect the planning and design phases of the construction process
4. Understand the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved in construction projects 5. Understand how technology affects the design and production phases of construction projects.
Reading List
Your module reading list is available online through the link below and will give you access to the
library catalogue where you can check availability and reserve titles. It will also give you a direct link to
e-books and recommended web sites.
https://readinglist.blackpool.ac.uk/list.php?list_id=764
T/601/1252: HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE FOR CONSTRUCTION AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
On completion of this unit, learners will understand current health, safety and welfare legislation applicable to the construction and built environment sector. Learners will understand the main requirements of an effective health and safety policy and its successful implementation in the workplace. Learners will understand how to identify and record hazards, assess risks and select appropriate control measures to prevent or mitigate ill health and injuries on site. Work carried out for this unit will contribute to health and safety plans within project work and allows learners to contribute to the safety policy and arrangements. Learners will also gain an understanding of the need to review, revise and monitor risk assessments. INDICATIVE CONTENT The syllabus will include the following:- 1 Understand the health, safety and welfare legislation applicable to the construction and built environment sector Legislation and approved codes of practice: current relevant legislation to include The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007, approved codes of practice and guidance notes, The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 Implications of legislation: roles and responsibilities of individual team members; requirement for compliance with all relevant legislation; likely results of non-compliance; penalties associated with non-compliance 2 Understand the main requirements of an effective health and safety policy Health and safety policy statement: sections e.g. statement of intent, organisation section, arrangements Health and safety organisation and arrangements: health and safety procedures; legal requirement to report accidents; effectiveness of health and safety procedures; importance of training and competency e.g. induction training, Construction Skills Certificate Scheme (CSCS); statutory requirements for inspection of plant and equipment; recording of health and safety data to meet legal requirements; communicating procedures; recording findings of health and safety inspections and supporting data 3 Understand hazard and risk identification in design and construction Hazard identification: direct observation; examining records; conducting interviews Hazard ratings: quantitative grading of severity of hazards and risks Recording: scheduled recording; documentation of hazards and risks from a variety of perspectives e.g. physical, environmental, chemical, biological, psychosocial; chronic occupational health risks to include asbestos, lead and crystalline silica; hazards leading to risks in the workplace 4 Understand the need to review, revise and monitor risk assessments Reasons to review, revise and monitor risk assessments: changes to legislation; changes in workplace practice; impact of accidents and ill health; subsequent investigations; feedback from
35
employees and safety representatives (unsafe conditions, dangerous occurrences, near misses); other information and advice Recording and implementation of reviews, revisions and monitoring: revised risk and other assessments; alerting employees to new policies, procedures and findings; monitoring the effectiveness of new procedures 5 Be able to undertake risk assessments Types of risk assessment: nature of specialist knowledge required; generic and specific risk assessment requirements; assessment (level of risk, who is at risk; risk outcome from hazards that cannot be eliminated) Assessment of specific risks: effects of hazardous substances (short term, long term); needfor manual handling assessments; assessment of possible likelihood and severity of injury;use of quantifiable risk rating systems Undertaking of risk assessment: standard format; recording risk assessment findings; production of appropriate paperwork Reviewing preventative and protective measures: workplace precautions and risk control systems; risk control hierarchy; personal protective equipment LEARNING OUTCOMES You will be expected to:-
1. Understand the health, safety and welfare legislation applicable to the construction and built environment sector
2. Understand the main requirements of an effective health and safety policy 3. Understand hazard and risk identification in design and construction 4. Understand the need to review, revise and monitor risk assessments 5. Be able to undertake risk assessments.
Reading List
Your module reading list is available online through the link below and will give you access to the
library catalogue where you can check availability and reserve titles. It will also give you a direct link to
e-books and recommended web sites.
https://readinglist.blackpool.ac.uk/list.php?list_id=768
F/601/1254: CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF BUILDINGS
This unit introduces learners to the fundamental aspects of construction technology. This unit has been designed to enable learners studying construction-related programmes to understand and compare the standard design forms, site investigation and evaluation methods used in construction and the built environment. Learners will also gain an understanding of how decay, pollution and dilapidations can affect buildings. INDICATIVE CONTENT The syllabus will include the following:- 1 Understand the techniques used in site investigation and evaluation Site investigation and evaluation: survey of existing buildings and building services, topography of site; access to site; location of water table; nature, thickness and inclination of subsoil strata; classification of soils and sub-soils; testing of soils e.g. density, moisture content, void ratio, degree of saturation, permeability, porosity, shear strength, liquid limit, chemical nature; environmental issues associated with contaminated land 2 Understand how the techniques used in site investigation and evaluation influence the type of substructure Type of substructure: characteristics of substructure; types of foundation; functions of substructure and foundations
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Design of substructure: factors that influence selection of foundations; building control and regulations; structural considerations; soil type, effect of water and chemicals in soils; need for temporary and permanent dewatering; classification and characteristics of soils; issue of contaminated land; excavation techniques; disposal of soil; materials; sizing 3 Understand the types of superstructure design and construction Types of superstructure: walls; roofs; structural frames; claddings; finishes; services Walls and roofs: domestic, industrial and commercial; external and internal walls; flat and pitched roof construction and coverings; medium and long span construction techniques Structural frames: selection and type’s e.g. steel, concrete, timber, laminated timber Claddings: steel; plastic; concrete; glass; industrial and commercial roof construction and coverings; insulation; fire protection; issues of corrosion; protection from corrosion Finishes and services: internal and external joinery and ironmongery; internal structures; internal finishes; simple primary services design and installation 4 Understand the causes of decay and deterioration of buildings Decay and deterioration of buildings: causative factors eg human, chemical, biological, atmospheric, structural, thermal movement, moisture movement, fire, vandalism Maintenance: routine maintenance works and adaptation works; conservation of scarce materials; routine cleaning; cyclical and preventative maintenance; cause and effect of dilapidations Common faults: poor or inappropriate design; poor workmanship; inappropriate selection and use of materials and systems LEARNING OUTCOMES You will be expected to:-
1. Understand the techniques used in site investigation and evaluation 2. Understand how the techniques used in site investigation and evaluation influence the type of
substructure 3. Understand the types of superstructure design and construction 4. Understand the causes of decay and deterioration of buildings.
Reading List
Your module reading list is available online through the link below and will give you access to the
library catalogue where you can check availability and reserve titles. It will also give you a direct link to
e-books and recommended web sites.
https://readinglist.blackpool.ac.uk/list.php?list_id=735
H/601/1294: COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN FOR CONSTRUCTION
This unit develops the skills needed to use industry-standard CAD software. It is intended that the software should operate within the Windows environment, in order to maximise transferable skills to other IT units. This unit enables learners with no prior knowledge of CAD applications to develop their skills in basic 2D drawing, complex 3D drawings and solid modelling. Health and safety issues associated with the use of computer applications will be considered throughout the delivery and assessment of this unit. Learners will develop the ability to produce drawings, of a professional quality, using industry-standard conventions for a variety of construction-related situations. These drawings will use a variety of media and scales in order to highlight the versatility, adaptability and accuracy of CAD drawings. INDICATIVE CONTENT The syllabus will include the following:- 1 Be able to work safely when using computing and software facilities Working safely: health and safety; data protection (data loss, file protocols) Health and safety: The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992; hazards (eye strain, posture, repetitive strain injury); control measures associated with hazards
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Data protection: backing-up protocols; backing-up systems; power cuts; uninterruptible power supplies (UPS); closing-down applications and systems Folder structure: creating folders (hard drives, external drives); accessing existing folders; saving files to different folders; file management 2 Be able to produce 2D drawings using industry-standard CAD software applications 2D drawings: setting up; data input; drawing; modifying; text; dimension; insert; file formats; views Setting up: open software application; use of templates; entities; aids; snap; polar; User Coordinate System (UCS); layers; line types; units; model space; paper space; viewports; scale; drawing page; title block Data input: dynamic input; menu and icon input Drawing: line; multiline; polyline; spline; circles; arcs; rectangles; polygons; ellipse; hatching; boundaries; triangulation Modifying: erase; copy; trim; extend; scale; stretch; mirror; move; rotate; chamfer; array; fillet; break; join; lengthen Text: multiline; single line; text style Dimension: aligned; linear; ordinate; angular; diameter; arc length; baseline; continuation; dimension style Insert: blocks; attributed blocks; dynamic blocks; raster image; text; spreadsheets; images; copy/paste; explode; purge File formats: DWG; DXF; OLE; 3ds; Xrefs Views: zoom; pan; aerial; named; viewports 3 Be able to produce 3D drawings using industry-standard CAD software applications 3D drawings: setting up; data input; 3D surface models; 3D solids; solid modelling; modify; rendering; shade; views Setting up: open software application; use of templates; entities; aids; snap; Osnap; polar; UCS; layers; line types; units; model space; paper space; viewports; scale; drawing page; title block Data input: dynamic input; menu and icon input 3D surface models: edge; mesh; revolved; tabulated; ruled; edge; loft; sweep; 3D polyline 3D solids: box; sphere; cylinder; cone; wedge; torus Solid modelling: extrude; revolve; slice; section; union; subtract; interest; move; offset; delete; rotate; taper; copy faces; separate faces; shell; clean Modify: 3D array; 3D mirror; 3D rotate Rendering: scene; materials; background; lighting Shade: wireframe; hidden; flat; edges; gouraud Views: viewpoint; isometric; plan view; 3D orbit; viewports; UCS 4 Be able to plot drawings to various media and scales and export drawings to different formats Plot drawings: plotter selection; page set up; paper type; paper size; plot extents; plot window; scale; pen weights; pen colours; viewports; shaded viewports; styles Export files: different formats eg DXF, DWG; save and share; save as; publish LEARNING OUTCOMES You will be expected to:-
1. Work safely when using computing and software facilities 2. Produce 2D drawings using industry-standard CAD software applications 3. Produce 3D drawings using industry-standard CAD software applications 4. Plot drawings to various media and scales and export drawings to different formats.
Reading List
Your module reading list is available online through the link below and will give you access to the
library catalogue where you can check availability and reserve titles. It will also give you a direct link to
e-books and recommended web sites.
https://readinglist.blackpool.ac.uk/list.php?list_id=770
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YEAR 2
H/601/1246: SCIENCE AND MATERIALS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
This unit introduces scientific principles relevant to the study of construction and the built environment and provides learners with a fundamental understanding of the properties and use of construction materials. This unit has been designed to enable learners studying construction, civil engineering and/or building services engineering programmes to explore scientific principles and the behaviour of materials used in the construction and built environment sector. INDICATIVE CONTENT The syllabus will include the following:- 1 Understand the properties and use of construction materials Materials: metals and alloys e.g. iron, steel, zinc, copper, brass, aluminium, lead; timber and timber products; clay products e.g. bricks, tiles; cements and concretes; plastics and other artificial materials; coatings and finishes e.g. paints, clear finishes, wood treatments Properties of materials: as appropriate to field of study eg strength, elasticity, porosity and water absorption, thermal and moisture movement, thermal and electrical conductivity/resistivity, durability, workability, density, specific heat capacity, viscosity Uses of materials: construction; refurbishment; maintenance; replacement; energy efficiency; environmental issues; use of renewable resources 2 Understand the structural behaviour of construction materials Structural behaviour: relationship between behaviour and use; forms of loading; inherent properties of structural materials (timber, steel, reinforced concrete); behaviour of structural materials when formed into structural members eg beams, columns, frames, pads, bases, studs, steel brackets 3 Be able to apply scientific principles to the design and use of buildings Design and use of buildings: factors affecting human comfort levels; building services; thermal performance Factors affecting human comfort: thermal comfort (air temperature, mean radiant temperature, air velocity, relative humidity); lighting comfort (natural light, artificial light, minimum levels of illumination, glare); acoustic comfort (sound transmission, sound absorption, sound insulation, reverberation) Building services: cold water supply and distribution; gas supply and distribution; electricity supply and distribution; safe and effective disposal of waste products; refrigeration and air conditioning; fluid flow (hydrostatics, fluid dynamics) Thermal performance levels: thermal properties of materials; heat losses (fabric, ventilation, hot water); heat gains (solar, casual); required level of heat input; adequate levels of ventilation 4 Be able to solve scientific problems in construction and the built environment Scientific problems: experimentation relevant to the above as appropriate to field of study; use of scientific method (nature of experiment, intended aims and objectives, apparatus, method, results, calculations, analysis, conclusion) LEARNING OUTCOMES You will be expected to:-
1. Understand the properties and use of construction materials 2. Understand the structural behaviour of construction materials 3. Be able to apply scientific principles to the design and use of buildings 4. Be able to solve scientific problems in construction and the built environment.
Reading List
Your module reading list is available online through the link below and will give you access to the
library catalogue where you can check availability and reserve titles. It will also give you a direct link to
e-books and recommended web sites.
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https://readinglist.blackpool.ac.uk/list.php?list_id=765
T/601/1249: MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES AND APPLICATION FOR CONSTRUCTION AND THE BUILT
ENVIRONMENT
This unit introduces learners to the principles and application of management as they relate to the technical and professional disciplines of construction, civil engineering and building services engineering. It is based on the principles of the Latham Report of 1994, which advocated non- adversarial, multi-disciplinary team working. Learners will gain an understanding of how these principles may be applied to the management of construction, building services engineering or civil engineering activities through the application of recognised management techniques. INDICATIVE CONTENT The syllabus will include the following:- 1 Understand the evolution of management principles and their application to the construction and built environment sector Principles of management: management pioneers and thinkers eg McGregor, Maslow, Herzberg, Drucker; definitions; processes eg forecasting, planning, organising, motivating, controlling, coordinating, communicating Human resources management: individuals and teams (behaviour, motivation, leadership) 2 Understand the construction and built environment sector in terms of structures and activities Structure and activities: sectors e.g. construction, civil engineering, building services engineering; nature of services provided by each sector; general roles and responsibilities of members of project teams; specific roles and responsibilities of professionals within project teams Organisational structures and approaches: direct line; lateral, functional and staff relationships; chain of command; span of control; concepts of responsibility eg duty, authority, accountability, delegation; corporate theories e.g. mission, strategy, planning, policies, objectives, values; centralised and decentralised organisations; project-based organisations; job design; team structures; team working Influence of scale and size of contracts: project and contract procurement; contractual methods; impact of contract on management of organisations e.g. role of designer, main contractor, sub-contractor, supplier 3 Understand management techniques used in the construction and built environment sector Planning: project organisation (layout and accommodation, method statements, plans of work, safety plans) coordination; monitoring; control e.g. Gantt charts, critical path arrow diagrams, precedence diagrams, line of balance; manual and computer-based techniques Procurement scheduling and control: materials; plant; supply chain management; Just In Time; recycling and safe disposal of demolished materials; waste management; scheduling; resourcing and utilisation of sub-contracted and direct labour; budget and cost control (estimated cost, planned performance cost, actual cost, cash flow) Quality control: audit; inspection; statutory liaison Risk management: assessment; liabilities; risks; security; insurance requirements Other considerations: workforce recruitment; training; assessment and legislative requirements eg equal opportunities, health and safety; information verification and control; site meetings; communication and reporting; client liaison; public liaison; government initiatives 4 Understand the methods of procurement and contracting used in the construction and built environment sector Procurement methods: traditional methods of tendering; other methods e.g. partnering, public private partnerships, Private Finance Initiative (PFI); client and project objectives Contracts: legal definitions; forms of contract; stages within a contract; contractual obligations of performance (time, cost, quality, insurance, warranty arrangements); rights of parties to contract Practice of procurement: construction teams e.g. multi-disciplinary teams, integrated teams, partnering; government initiatives e.g. Latham Report, Egan Report; benchmarking; key performance indicators (KPIs); sustainability and environmental management issues; legislation; corporate values; professional standards
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LEARNING OUTCOMES You will be expected to:-
1. Understand the evolution of management principles and their application to the construction and built environment sector
2. Understand the construction and built environment sector in terms of structures and activities 3. Understand management techniques used in the construction and built environment sector 4. Understand the methods of procurement and contracting used in the construction and built
environment sector.
Reading List
Your module reading list is available online through the link below and will give you access to the
library catalogue where you can check availability and reserve titles. It will also give you a direct link to
e-books and recommended web sites.
https://readinglist.blackpool.ac.uk/list.php?list_id=766
J/601/1255: GROUP PROJECT IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
This unit will develop learners’ skills in terms of the evaluation and resolution of realistic practical problems and the ability to work as part of a team. This unit also enables the application of knowledge, understanding and skills developed in other units, and where possible experiences from work, to a major piece of work. This unit is designed to bring together small groups of learners into teams so that they can coordinate their individual skills and abilities. The scheme of work should give individual learners an opportunity to take responsibility for their contribution to the outcome, and demonstrate their ability to work as part of a team. The brief will include an agreed timescale, within defined constraints, with the team working towards an acceptable and viable solution to the agreed brief. Learners will also develop skills to carry out evaluations of the group project and be able to present solutions. INDICATIVE CONTENT The syllabus will include the following:- 1 Be able to devise a project scope and scheme of work Group roles and activities: team roles and responsibilities; record keeping processes e.g. logbook and team meeting minutes; assessment criteria Specification: client brief; technical and non-technical specifications (materials and components); constraints (environmental, sustainability, operational, cost, time); legislation, standards and codes of practice; quality control; health and safety Initial proposals: brainstorming; sketches; appraisal and review e.g. materials, sustainability, environment, cost 2 Be able to implement the scheme of work Developmental stage: field data; geotechnical information; statistical data; drawings and graphical displays; calculations; costing; feasibility analysis; risk and impact assessments; method statements Documentary evidence: logbook entries; team meeting minutes 3 Be able to evaluate the group project Evaluation: initial proposal; final proposals; conclusions; suggestions for improvement; keydecisions; group dynamics 4 Be able to present the group project Format and content of project: reports; calculations; costing; drawings; method statements; risk assessments; data; product and component specifications; minutes of meetings; correspondence; logbooks Presentation of project: preparation, documentation; suitable format; media appropriate to format; target audience; delivery
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LEARNING OUTCOMES You will be expected to:-
1. Be able to devise a project scope and scheme of work 2. Be able to implement the scheme of work 3. Be able to evaluate the group project 4. Be able to present the group project.
Reading List
Your module reading list is available online through the link below and will give you access to the
library catalogue where you can check availability and reserve titles. It will also give you a direct link to
e-books and recommended web sites.
https://readinglist.blackpool.ac.uk/list.php?list_id=767
J/601/1255: TECHNOLOGY OF COMPLEX BUILDINGS
This unit focuses on the erection of complex multi-storey buildings and the use of modern systems to provide flexible internal space planning and design. These themes are developed to include how the useful life of buildings can be extended by alteration and repair techniques. The principles of buildability in terms of health and safety, efficiency, economy and quality of construction projects are analysed. The importance of developing a sustainable construction strategy is emphasised and learners will explore the methods and procedures involved in the safe demolition of buildings. INDICATIVE CONTENT The syllabus will include the following:- 1 Understand the materials and construction methods used for multi-storey buildings Construction methods: structural frame; external envelope; structural floors; roofing; compatibility of materials and construction forms 2 Know the systems used to provide flexibility for internal layouts Internal layout systems: demountable partitioning systems; infinite access floors; temporary room division; suspended ceilings; under floor and vertical service ducting 3 Understand the features of buildability Features of buildability: dimensional coordination and standardisation; considerations of access; services coordination; specification of materials; components and assemblies; simplicity of construction; effective communications; The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM) 4 Understand sustainable construction strategies Sustainable construction strategies: environmental concerns; deforestation and manageable forestry; energy efficiency and insulation; alternative energy sources; embedded energy costs 5 Understand the alteration, remediation and safe demolition of complex structures Alteration and remediation: project feasibility; underpinning; temporary support; modern conversion; adaptation and refurbishment techniques Demolition methods and procedures: legal constraints e.g. building control constraints; health and safety considerations, CDM requirements LEARNING OUTCOMES You will be expected to:-
1. Understand the materials and construction methods used for multi-storey buildings 2. Know the systems used to provide flexibility for internal layouts 3. Understand the features of buildability 4. Understand sustainable construction strategies
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5. Understand the alteration, remediation and safe demolition of complex structures.
Reading List
Your module reading list is available online through the link below and will give you access to the
library catalogue where you can check availability and reserve titles. It will also give you a direct link to
e-books and recommended web sites.
https://readinglist.blackpool.ac.uk/list.php?list_id=769