by constructaquote - 27 June 2017
The construction industry is rapidly growing in the UK and as a result, employs millions of people with thousands of new employees every year. With a wide variety of career options available for students interested in studying degrees as well vocational training for those already in work – there are plenty of opportunities in the construction industry.
Like any industry, getting the right qualifications will help your chances to secure the best job. Here’s 5 great degree choices for a career in construction…
1. Construction Management
The role of a construction manager is to ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to an agreed standard of quality. Construction managers must have strong managerial skills as well as a wide range of knowledge in construction and engineering.
Whilst a degree is not compulsory for construction management, it will help you stand out against other candidates in the industry and win your preferred job. A degree with the appropriate experience can lead to full chartered status (MCIOB)
2. Land & Property Management
Whether it’s forestry, a housing estate, or a block of flats – when it comes to creating, enhancing and managing the world’s physical assets, land and property management covers it all. Many people think this career is about being a residential estate agent, but there is a lot more to it than that. Land and property management is about anything in the built environment: shops, houses, commercial buildings, etc.
Most Land & Property Management courses will include work placements as either an optional or mandatory module, meaning you’ll enter working life with more than just a good degree under your belt.
3. Building Surveying
From supervising large developments to planning residential extensions, building surveyors are a key role in all aspects of property and construction. Roles as a surveyor can vary and you can choose to specialise in a specific area if you prefer (building design, alteration or refurbishment). However, the main role of a Building surveyor is to make sure buildings are maintained and taken care of correctly as well as resolving and potential disputes between landlords, tenants and neighbours.
The course of becoming a building surveyor includes modules in technology, building design, building pathology, surveys, management, law, professional practice and heritage buildings.
To qualify as a chartered surveyor, you must gain a RICS-approved academic qualification, such as a degree, and successfully complete structured training, which ends in an assessment.
4. Civil Engineering
Engineering degrees offer a huge range of specialisations but if you’re interested in working in the construction industry, a civil engineering degree could be the one for you. With a growing economy, there is a high demand for engineer graduates around the world meaning you should be able to find the job that’s right for you soon after graduating.
Civil engineers are experts in design and construction of roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges and water supply or sewage systems.
You can also improve the level of salary you earn as an engineer by completing a graduate-level degree as these qualifications tend to result in higher earnings than those with just a bachelor’s degree. There is a wide choice of civil and structural engineering programs are available at both master’s and PhD levels.
In the UK, some universities offer Doctor of Engineering (EngD) programs, which leads to a qualification that is the equivalent to a PhD, conducted mainly within an industry placement.
5. Architecture
Architecture degrees are highly popular and there is a competitive choice when it comes to finding a job after graduating.
A combination of mathematical skills and engineering is required for a career in architecture as well as knowledge in science and technology and an artistic ‘eye for detail’. Under graduate degrees teach students everything they need to know from how to draw the most detailed 3d designs to how the mechanics of a beam work.
An architecture degree can take anything from 3 to 4 years to complete depending on the university programme. After completing the degree, graduates are officially licensed architects.
Are you considering a career as a tradesperson? Checkout our blog on The Best Paid Construction Jobs For Aspiring Tradespeople
by Charlotte Houghton - 7 October 2020
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