Built Environment Foundation

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Researching the Built Environment (15 credits)

  What topic fascinates you about cities and their development? Explore new research skills, how and where to collect data, review existing reports and write a research paper yourself. With this module, you are prepared for writing high quality reports with skills that will stay with you through-out your career. 

• Study Skills & Professional Development for the Built Environment (15 credits)

  Who are the professionals in the built environment? What do they do and why are they needed? How can I start to make a career of my foundation studies? You will find your place in the built environment through this module, where you will learn to think critically about the built environment, appraise the built form and get introduced to the professionals in the field. 

• Digital Skills for the Built Environment (15 credits)

  In this module, you will learn how to create 2D site layouts and simple 3D models of buildings using Sketch-up. You will also learn how the use of the internet, emails, online meeting skills and collaborative learning opportunities through platforms such as Zoom will support your studies. You will also be supported in learning how to use important word-processing and spreadsheets tools, which will remain integral to your studies throughout foundation and undergrad. 

• Sustainability in the Built Environment (15 credits)

  What does sustainability mean for the built environment and what are professionals doing about this? In this module, you will be introduced to the sustainability mindset and explore issues that affect, or are affected by the built environment. You will learn how professionals in your chosen profession deal with the environmental problems of the past, today and the future. This module will bring you to date on how cities that are vibrant, just and safe can be re-created. 

• Foundation Planning (15 credits)

  This module aims to introduce you to basic planning issues, mainly within the UK but also touching on global issues as well. You will develop a knowledge of what needs to be planned for and how planning impacts on society. The topics you will learn will link together themes in policy, theory and practice to give you a clear context within which planning operates and the interactions that take place. You will see how developments and cities are shaped by planning regulations, and also be able to connect how different disciplines within the Built Environment contribute to shaping the environment that we live and work in.

• Introduction to Urban Design & Architecture (15 credits)

  Are you interested in studying and having a career in urban design or architecture? This module introduces you to the nature and role of urban design and architecture in the built environment. It aims to promote awareness of design considerations and approaches to the creation of good places having regard to the design process and stakeholders involved. You will carry out a site analysis drawing on the principles and concepts you will learn to develop, and data you would have collected during field trips. 

• Introduction to Construction (15 credits)

  Our introduction to construction module introduces you to the key principles of construction and their application through real-life case studies of various kinds. The aims of this module are that, on completion, you should be able to understand the basic principles of sustainable construction from materials manufacture and transport through, construction, building occupation and use and ultimately to demolition. Each week different construction elements will be examined through lectures and seminars and a day-long field trip. You will ultimately be able to understand building construction and use from a more holistic and sustainable point of view.

• Introduction to Real Estate (15 credits)

  This module introduces you to the full range of studies included within the BSc (Hons) Real Estate degree, including development, valuation, investment, agency and management of all urban real estate. It will identify both the similarities and differences with the other disciplines in these processes. Taking this module will give you solid support to complete your foundation course and move on to a successful completion of your preferred degree.