Students studying a Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment can now choose from over 31,815 undergraduate university courses across the country. Young people who started studying the Advanced Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment in September 2008 will begin applying to university from this autumn. Universities’ admissions requirements for undergraduate courses from 2010 will include the Diploma for the first time. Many universities have been directly involved in developing course content for the Diploma, and more than 80% recognise that the qualification provides students with the knowledge and skills they need to achieve success. 

Information about entry requirements for individual courses can be viewed on the UCAS website.

UCAS Points

In Jan 2008 Schools Minister Jim Knight accepted the recommendation that the new Diplomas should be judged equivalent to 5 GCSEs grade A*-G at the foundation level, 7 GCSEs grade A*-C at the higher level and 3.5 A Levels grade A*-E at the advanced level in the achievement and attainment tables.

Schools Minister Mr McKnight said: "Diplomas are the first qualification to be developed with such a high level of input from employers and universities. QCA and UCAS are confirming these are rigorous and challenging qualifications. Pupils can now be confident they will study valuable, first class qualifications when they take a Diploma, and universities and colleges can be assured of their quality”

For more information visit the Diploma page on the UCAS site

Maths in the CBE Diploma

All Diplomas, from Construction and the Built Environment to Creative and Media, will require students to demonstrate competency in maths, English and ICT. In addition, students who wish to pursue a degree in a subject requiring a high level of competency in maths - such as civil engineering or architecture - will not be prevented in doing this by taking a Diploma.  This is because the qualification allows the student to broaden their study by focusing on a particular topic such as maths.  In fact, if a maths A-level is required for entry into a particular degree course, the student can choose to take it as part of their Diploma. The Diploma has been designed to be flexible, giving students a good grounding in core skills but also allowing them to focus their study on certain areas. Both employers and academics have come out in support of this qualification, which has the potential to transform education in this country and give young people the skills they need to succeed. 

For more information visit the Royal Academy of Engineering website showing the maths exemplars for the Diploma in C&BE.