BTEC National (RQF) in Construction and the Built Environment - qualification overview

Information about BTEC National (RQF) Construction and the Built Environment (Level 3), first teaching September 2017

This qualification is part of the suite of Construction and the Built Environment qualifications offered by Pearson. In this suite, there are qualifications that focus on different progression routes, allowing learners to choose the one best suited to their aspirations.

All qualifications in the suite share some common units and assessments, allowing learners some flexibility in moving between qualifications where they wish to select a more specific progressionn route. 

Access the qualification homepage

Qualification sizes and pathways

There are 4 sizes in this qualification suite. All levels of the the qualification are Tech Levels. 

The larger two sizes of the qualification, Diploma and Extended Diploma has separate pathways. 

Structure of the Qualification

The qualification includes both internally and externally assessed units. 

Externally assessed units

For the Extended Certificate, Foundation Diploma and Diploma, there are 2 externally assessed units.

Unit 1: Construction Principles (120 GLH)

• The unit is assessed with a written examination
• 1 hour 30 minutes
• Assessment Opportunities in January and May/June
• 75 marks

Unit 2: Construction Design (120 GLH)

• The unit is assessed with a set task by Pearson
• Marked by Pearson
• Two parts - Part A: 3 hours, Part B: 12 hours
• Assessment Opportunity: May/June
• This is a synoptic unit
• 63 marks

For Extended Diploma, there is an additional externally assessed unit

Unit 3: Tendering and Estimating (120 GLH)

• The unit is assessed with a set task by Pearson
• Marked by Pearson
• 12 hours supervised
• Assessment Opportunity: May/June

Internally assessed units

There are mixture of mandatory and optional units available for each size and pathway. Internal units are assessed with the utilisation of assignment briefs. 

Employer Involvement

BTEC Level 3 Nationals (RQF) in Construction and the Built Environment has been designed as Tech Level qualifications. As an approved centre you are required to ensure that during their study, every learner has access to meaningful activity involving employers. Involvement should be with employers from the construction and the built environment sector and should form a significant part of the delivery or assessment of the qualification.

Each centre’s approach to employer involvement will be monitored in two ways:

• At centre level in the first term each year as part of the annual quality management review process that addresses centre strategy for delivery, assessment and quality assurance.
• At programme level as part of the standards verification process to confirm that plans for employer involvement meet the requirements of the specification.

In order to give you maximum flexibility in creating and strengthening employer involvement, we have not specified a particular level of input from employers.

Requirements

In Exdended Certificate and Foundation Diploma, meaningful employer involvement should contribute to at least one mandatory unit.

For Diploma and Extended Diploma, at least two mandatory units should have employer involvement. 

You can find more information about employer involvement and units that are suitable in section 4 - planning your program section of the specification document.

Calculation of the qualification grade

Here you can find information about grades and points available for different unit sizes. For more information, please refer to section 9 of the specification document.  

Teaching and learning materials

We are developing new resources to support the delivery and assessment of the new BTEC National in Construction. From the link below, you will be able to access; delivery guides, delivery plans, schemes of work and teacher support materials.