Are you fascinated by building design and construction? Are you looking to pursue a career in this particular sector? If this is the case, then perhaps this would be the perfect course of study for you.

However, building design and construction not only requires students to attend lectures, but also to work an individual project during non-contact times. Similarly, students will also assessed on these projects, so it is those with a strong work ethic and capable of independent studies who achieve high grades.

However, it is also important that potential students to have a natural aptitude for maths, drawing and history. As part of the course, you will be expected to learn about the history of design as well as using and developing plans and drawings in order to showcase your abilities in personal projects.

There are a number of career prospects available to students wishing to pursue a career in this particular field. Many graduates opt to pursue job opportunities in architecture with a starting salary of £15,000 - £20,000 per year in the UK which will increase as experience is gained. Similarly, many graduates also pursue careers as a civil engineer specialising in construction.

Lots of graduates in this particular field also find roles as quantity surveyor, minimising the cost of building and construction projects earning an entry level salary of £19,000 - £25,000 per year. There is also the option to work as a building surveyor earning £18,000 - £26,000 per year making construction work easy to maintain and sustainable.

However, as part of your course, you will not only acquire the skills needed to undertake a practical role within the construction industry, but also gain an understanding of the industry as a whole which will be applicable to roles in finance, HR and contract law within construction industries.

Undergraduate degree programmes in construction last for a minimum of 3 years, although many will extend the programme to four years in order to allow students the chance to gain hands-on industry experience.  Those wishing to study on this course, will be expected to have high grades in a minimum of 3 A-levels or equivalent and to be able to demonstrate a passion for the subject matter.

Postgraduate programmes can last anywhere from 1-4 years and will already expect students to have achieved a minimum of 2:1 in their Honours degree. Similarly, those who do not speak English as their first language will have to score 6.0-6.5 in an IELTS test in order to showcase that there are no language barriers preventing their learning.

The majority of courses will expect students to attend lectures as well as work on their own independent projects that will be assessed to showcase their progression on the course. Undergraduate students will also have to complete a minimum of 2 work placements before graduating as part of their course in order to gain hands on experience working within the building and construction industry

Irrespective of which course you decide to study, the location of the university itself should also be taken into consideration when deciding where to study. You will be studying for at least a year, so it is important that you choose somewhere you can be happy on both a social and academic level. While some students prefer to study at smaller establishments with a more communal focus, others will thrive in larger bustling Universities.

You should always look at the entry requirements and your own finances before submitting an application to your university of choice, particularly for a course such as architecture. There is a reason that the entry requirements are so high, and if you can’t meet them, you are unlikely to be accepted onto the course. Similarly, you should also look at your finances. If you’re planning on taking a long course of study, you should look at the fees – can you afford them? If you’re struggling financially then have you considered applying for a grant or scholarship?

It is important to ensure that you attend a University that is both prestigious and has strong links within the building design industry. Many top firms cultivate relationships with certain academic establishments and these links will be useful if you need to find a work placement as part of your course, or are simply looking for some extra hands-on experience. A lot of firms will give priority when recruiting to those who have previously worked for them, or for students of specific Universities, so this will have an essential impact upon your ability to get a job post-graduation.