Construction Engineering with Surveying - Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA)

Essentials

Duration: 3 Years Part-time
Start date: 15th September 2025
End date: 16th June 2028

Course fee: FREE

Course Content

As an Higher Level Apprentice you will gain valuable work experience from your employer as well as gaining a recognised professional qualification and earning a regular salary (at least the national minimum wage). In addition you or your employer are not required to pay tuition fees for the HLA programme.

For more details on Higher Level Apprenticeships (HLA) at the College including the benefits and eligibility criteria please refer to our Higher Level Apprenticeship page.

The course will be delivered on a part-time basis over three years with attendance in college on one day per week. The remaining four days will be spent with the employer. Students must source and secure eligible employment themselves, the college may be able to assist by directing you to current vacancies and employers who are actively recruiting HLA. 

The Foundation Degree in Construction Engineering with Surveying (Validated by Ulster University) is designed for students who are interested in a career in the construction industry and require a Foundation Degree to enhance employment prospects and/or to progress to higher academic study.  This course focuses on the principles and technical aspects of building design and construction.  Assessment is by a combination of coursework, practical and written examination.

Key areas of study:

• Construction Technology
• Surveying Technology
• Digital Construction
• Mathematics and Structures
• Material and Comfort
• Construction Measurement
• Construction Management
• Project Development
• Supervised Work Based Learning (Placement) 

If you are not eligible for the HLA programme you can still complete the Foundation Degree part-time as a fee-paying student.

Meet the Apprentice - David and Alex

Meet the Employers
 

Applications

Companies recruit directly for this course.  

Course Aims

This course is ideal for those who wish to pursue technical and professional careers in the Built Environment such as Building Surveying, Quantity Surveying, Construction and Project Management and Building.

Course content includes Construction Technology, An introduction to Building Information Modelling (BIM), Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Building and Site Surveying, Building Design and the Development Process.

Special Features

How Can Your Career Benefit from a Higher Apprenticeship?
Employability
You will gain lots of valuable knowledge, practical skills and work experience as well as a recognised qualification - just the combination that can help increase your future employability, boost your CV and open new career opportunities for you.

Earn While You Learn
You will gain valuable work experience from your employer as well as gaining a recognised professional qualification and earning a regular salary.

Debt-free
This Higher Apprenticeship programme will allow you to start your highly-skilled career without the student debt that your university peers will have accumulated during their degree course - providing a real alternative to university.

Mentoring
All apprentices will be allocated a Workplace Mentor whose role will involve supervising their work within their workplace in addition to their College Mentor.

All Higher Level Apprentice applicants must be 18 years of age and be in full time employment in a relevant construction environment.

All applications are subject to an interview and must satisfy the general entry requirements as indicated below:

• A minimum of three passes at GCSE Grade C or 4 and above, which must include Mathematics and English Language (approved equivalents can be found at www.ulster.ac.uk/study/entrance-requirements), and either: 
• A minimum tariff of 56 UCAS points to include at least one specified subject at Grade D or above at GCE/VCE A Level from the following list: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, Biology, Geography, Applied Science or Double Award Science, Life and Health Science (single or double award), Technology (including Technology & Design, Design & Technology, Environmental Technology, Environmental Science and Digital Technology), Art/Art & Design or Media Studies; 

OR 

• A Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma or National Extended Diploma in Construction, Civil Engineering, Building Engineering, Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering or Applied Science with minimum grade of Merit, Pass, Pass; 

OR 

• A minimum tariff of 56 UCAS points with a combination of A Level and/or BTEC Level 3 Awards.  The subject requirement must be met either through the A Level or the BTEC award (see a and b above).   
• Irish Leaving Certificate: a minimum tariff of 56 UCAS points with four subjects at Higher Level, including one subject at H3 from Physics, Maths, Technology, Chemistry, Biology or Engineering. Must include English and Maths at min grade H6 or O4. 
• Scottish Highers: a minimum tariff of 56 UCAS points to include one B from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics or a Technology or Engineering subject. Scottish Advanced Highers: a minimum tariff of 56 UCAS points to include one subject from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics or a Technology or Engineering subject. Plus GCSE Maths and English at grade C or 4 and above. 
• Evidence of an ability to undertake the programme through the accreditation of prior experiential learning which must be submitted in accordance with the College Policy Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) Higher Education Process available on the college website. Plus a minimum of five passes at GCSE Grade C or 4 and above, which must include Mathematics and English Language (or approved equivalents: see 1 above). 
• Minimum 45% in approved Access to HE Diploma course in Science, Mathematics, Physics or Engineering. 

International students must also refer to https://www.ulster.ac.uk/global/apply/entry-requirements for entry requirements.

NOTE: Entry requirements are to be confirmed.

Third country nationals, including European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss Nationals and their family members, are eligible to undertake a HLA provided they have a right to live and work in the UK.  See HLA page for further details.

Where students wish to have prior education and/or experience taken into account, in lieu of meeting the full course entry requirements, they should contact the relevant Course Director or Admissions. APEL applications must be submitted at least 2 weeks before the start date of the programme. More details can be found in the APEL Policy.

In the event of oversubscription, the college will use the enhanced criteria:

• Date on which the applicant has provided and uploaded evidence to meet all of the HLA entry criteria.
• Level 3 academic grade profile based on the total UCAS points.

Apprentice employment criteria

To be eligible you must meet each of the following criteria:

• Be a new employee in, or about to take up a permanent remunerative employment offer, including a specific start date and documented evidence from the employer of the actual job offer, or an existing employee in a new job role that requires a substantial amount of learning and skills development commensurate to the apprenticeship pathway.  An exception may be made if an individual is already on an apprenticeship pathway at a lower level, with the HLA providing a progression route without the need for a new job role. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure this criteria is met.
• Be employed by a company with a permanent base in Northern Ireland, and be contracted to work a minimum of 21 hours per week (which includes day release/off-the-job directed training) with one employer, and in receipt of the appropriate wage. 
• Have the potential to successfully complete the requirements of the appropriate Higher Level Apprenticeship.
• Meet any health requirements, e.g. colour vision, specific to the occupation of their choice.
• Have achieved all necessary entry academic qualifications determined by the relevant sector for the Departmental approved apprenticeship; and
• Pass any entry tests specified by the relevant sector for the Departmental approved apprenticeship.

NOTE: you may start your employment up to a maximum of 6 months prior to the commencement of your off-the-job training.  The College will require a copy of your contract of employment and a wage slip to provide evidence that you are employed.

Depending on successful completion and grade achieved, progression is by articulation to the second year of Ulster University’s BSc Hons Construction Engineering and Management or BSc Hons in Building Surveying. Alternatively, you can undertake further study for a degree in another construction-related discipline or progress to employment within the construction industry. There is also the option of studying a 'top up' degree course at a FE college.