The document is a student handbook for the Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Construction and the Built Environment course at Gloucestershire College. It provides information about the course structure, units of study, assessment methods, support services, policies and procedures. Key details include that the course is made up of 8 units worth 15 credits each, units will be assessed through internally and externally set assignments, and grades will be determined based on performance across all units. Important contacts and resources are also listed to help students succeed in their studies.

1. HE Student Course Handbook
2019 2020

2. Welcome
Welcome to the Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Construction and the Built
Environment
We hope you find your study both challenging and enjoyable.
We look forward to supporting you with your studies.

3. Principal’s Welcome
“At Gloucestershire College we provide a learning experience like no other;
one that is engaging, challenging and inclusive, and one that achieves
results. We deliver learning that works, leading to both industry-recognised
qualifications and successful careers for our students.
You can look forward to learning from industry experts in a nurturing and progressive
environment, equipped with excellent facilities you would find in the world of work. This will
ensure you can make the most of your time here and leave prepared with new knowledge
and skills to successfully develop your career or passion for your subject.
Our unique relationship with employers enables you to get the best experiences and
opportunities to build your professional networks.
Enjoy your time at Gloucestershire College.
Your journey starts now!”

4. Course Details

5. Qualification Aims
Pearson Level 4 Higher National Certificate in
Construction and the Built Environment
The Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Construction and the Built
Environment offers you a broad introduction to the subject area via a mandatory core of
learning, while allowing for the acquisition of skills and experience through selected
optional units across a range of occupational sectors at Level 4. This effectively builds
underpinning core skills, while preparing you for subject specialisation at Level 4. You will
gain a wide range of sector knowledge tied to practical skills gained in research, self-
study, directed study and workplace scenarios.

6. Programme Structure
The Pearson BTEC Higher National
Certificate (HNC) is a Level 4 qualification
made up of 120 credits.
It is made up of 8 units, each with a value of
15 credits.
The table here lists the units that you will
need to study.
All units are at Level 4.
You must complete the correct combination of
core, specialist and optional units, (totalling
120 credits), to achieve the BTEC Level 4
Higher National Certificate in Construction
and the Built Environment.

7. Your Timetable

8. Term Dates
Term 1: 16th September 2019 – 24th October 2019
Term 2: 4th November 2019 – 18th December 2019
Term 3: 6th January 2020 – 14th February 2020
Term 4: 24th February 2020 – 3rd April 2020
Term 5: 20th April – 24th May 2020
Term 6: 1st June – 3rd July 2020

9. Contact Details
Role Name Email Telephone
Director of
Centre
Mike Lawson mike.lawson@gloscol.ac.uk
Course
Lecturer
Craig Bloxsome craig.bloxsome@gloscol.ac.uk Ext 3365
Course
Lecturer
Rachael
Capener
rachael.capener@gloscol.ac.u
k
Ext 3365
Course
Lecturer
Gordon Tolmie gordon.tolmie@gloscol.ac.uk Ext 3365
Gloucestershire College telephone number: 0345 155 2020
Website address: www.gloscol.ac.uk

10. Assessment and Grading

11. How is my course assessed?
This course is assessed using a combination of:
❑ internally assessed Pearson-set assignments
(which are set by Pearsonand marked bycollege lecturers)
❑ internally assessed college-devised internal
assignments
(which are set and marked by college teacher / assessors)
You will need to complete a Pearson-set assignment which is
mandatory and targets particular industry-specific skills. For the
HNC you will need to complete ONE core 15 credit unit at Level
4 (Unit 01 Individual Project) which is assessed by a mandatory
Pearson set assignment.
You will need to complete internally assessed college-devised
internal assignments for all other core and optional units.

12. How is my course assessed?
Pearson issue an annual THEME and (for Level 4) a set
of related TOPICS.
Your assignment for this unit is based on the current
theme. This will enable you to consider the types of risk
that are present within modern construction and explore
methods of assessing, managing and mitigating those
risks.
For this assignment you will need to submit a research
report.
Current Theme: Managing Risk in Modern
Construction
Topic: Minimising risk through design and specification
Pearson-set assignment – Unit 01 Individual Project

13. How is my course assessed?
College-devised internal assignments
You will have to complete college-devised
assignments for all other units you are studying.
These will be issued with a hand-out date,
a hand in date and clear requirements for the evidence
that you are expected to provide.
There may be specific observed practical components
during the assignment period.
Assignments will usually be divided into separate parts
and may require several forms of evidence.

14. Assessment Schedule
Your assessment schedule will show you when unit assessments will be handed out
and need to be handed in. See table below.

15. Calculation of the final grade
To achieve a BTEC Level 4 Higher National
Certificate in Construction and the Built
Environment you must have:
❑ completed units equivalent to 120 credits at
Level 4
❑ achieved at least a Pass in 120 credits at Level 4

16. Calculation of the final grade
The calculation of your overall qualification
grade is based on your performance in all units
to the value of 120 credits.
You will be awarded a Pass, Merit or Distinction
qualification grade using the points gained
through all 120 credits, at Level 4 for the HNC,
based on unit achievement. For the point
boundaries see table here.
All units in valid combination must be attempted
120 credits).
At least 105 credits must be Pass or above.
All 120 credits count in calculating the grade.

17. Calculation of unit grades
Points per credit:
Pass: 4
Merit: 6
Distinction: 8
The calculation of the points you receive for a unit is based on
how many credits the unit is worth. Most of them are worth 15
credits.
The number of points per credit are shown in the table below.
Example: if you achieve a Merit for a unit that is worth 15
credits then you will get 90 points for that unit.

18. Calculation of unit grades
To achieve a Pass in a unit you must have satisfied all the Pass criteria for the Learning
Outcomes, showing coverage of the unit content and providing evidence for all the ‘command
words’ in the assessment criteria.
To achieve a Merit in a unit you must have satisfied all the Merit criteria (and therefore the Pass
criteria) through high performance in each Learning Outcome and providing evidence for all the
‘command words’ in the assessment criteria.
To achieve a Distinction in a unit you must have satisfied all the Merit criteria (and therefore the
Pass and Merit criteria) through outstanding performance in each Learning Outcome and
providing evidence for all the ‘command words’ in the assessment criteria.

19. Command Verbs
When you are completing unit assignment tasks it is important that the work that you
produce provides evidence for all the ‘command words’ in the assessment criteria
that you are being assessed against.
If, for example - as in the diagram below - D4 is EVALUATE, you need to make sure
that your work is an evaluation rather than just a description to achieve D4. It
should therefore include, for example, strengths and weaknesses and areas for
improvement of the use of and effectiveness of interpersonal skills while delivering
a training event rather than just a description of the interpersonal skills used to
organise the event.

20. Assignment submission
Assignments must be handed in on time by the
hand in date stated on each unit assignment brief.
In exceptional circumstances, if you require an
extension then you need to complete an AE1 form
to request an extension. This needs to be approved
by the Head of School.
When you have completed each unit assignment, they need to be uploaded to the
Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) for all units that you are studying by the hand in
date on the assignment brief.
Your assignments will be graded by your assessor and feedback given. Feedback
will be given on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). The feedback your
assessor gives must be timely, supportive and identify areas for improvement and
developmental points.

21. Pearson Assessment Submission rules
Pearson have strict rules on how many times you can hand in your assignments.
The rules are:
❑ if after the 1st assessment opportunity you failed to achieve a Pass for a
unit you can do ONE resubmission when the unit has been completed
❑ resubmission of assignment briefs will normally involve reworking the
original task
❑ if you do a resubmission the grade will be capped at a PASS for that unit
❑ you are NOT allowed to redo any component of an assignment for which
a Pass grade or higher has already been awarded

22. Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a
method of assessment that considers whether
students can demonstrate that they can meet
the assessment requirements for a unit
through knowledge, understanding or skills
they already possess, through experiences
whether at work, home or at leisure, as well as
in the classroom so do not need to develop
them through a course of learning.
Provided that the assessment requirements of a given unit or qualification have
been met, the use of RPL is acceptable for accrediting a unit, units or a whole
qualification.
If you think you could provide possible evidence for RPL please contact your
teacher/assessor who will be able to advise you further on what to do next.

23. Referencing and Plagiarism
It is important that the assignment work that you submit is your own work.
This means that any phrases, sentences (even part sentences) that appear in
your assessments are either your own words or if you have used the words
of others that they are referenced appropriately.
To do this you need to use referencing conventions: Harvard Referencing.
It is expected that you will reference all sources correctly.
Plagiarism detection software will be used by the teaching team to
check your assignment submissions.

24. What is Plagiarism and Collusion?
Cheating is a serious offence and takes many forms including:
Plagiarism – passing off the work of someone else as if it is
your own.
Collusion – working closely with someone else to produce an
assignment that is meant to be the work of an individual.

25. How to use Harvard Referencing
For more information click on this link for the virtual library:
https://gloscolac.sharepoint.com/sites/VirtualLibrary/SitePages/Study%20Skills.aspx
Citing (in text referencing) -
when you refer to another author's work
within your text ‘cite’ your source by
providing the last name of the author and
the year of publication.
Here are a few examples:
Cottrell (2013) states that….
“Quotation” (Cottrell, 2013, p.104)
As noted by Elliott and Quinn (2014) …
Referencing (at the end of your work) -
under the heading References or
Bibliography, write a full description of each
source you have cited, listing them in
alphabetical order by the author's last name.
Here is an example:
Books
Format: FAMILY/SURNAME, Initials. (Publication year in
brackets) Book title—italicised or underlined. Series title and
volume if applicable. Edition—if not the first. Place of
publication: publisher.
Example: Cottrell, S. (2013) The Study Skills Handbook. 4th
Ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

26. Assessment Appeals
If you don’t agree with an assessment decision that
your teacher/assessor had made that you have the
right to appeal against it. If you would like to appeal
contact the Course Leader or Head of School for your
qualification. They will advise you about the next steps
in the process.
A copy of the college Appeals Policy – the Academic
Appeals and Extenuating Circumstances Procedure
(PROC-09-01) and the student guide shown here can
be viewed on the college intranet.
If you are not satisfied with the appeal outcome at
college level, you can appeal to the awarding body
Pearson and the Office of the Independent Adjudicator.

27. Quality Assurance of
Assessment

28. Quality Assurance of Assessment
Internal verification of assessment
Internal verification is the quality assurance system that monitors assessment practice. All
assignment briefs are internally verified, before they are issued to students to ensure that
they are ‘fit for purpose’. This ensures that students are given the opportunity to complete
tasks that will generate the required evidence for Pass, Merit and Distinction assessment
criteria. Sometimes these assignments are also checked by Pearson.
A proportion of marked students’ work is checked by an Internal Verifier for each unit,
assessor and range of grades students have achieved. This ensures that assessors are
marking to national standards and grading is consistent across the qualification nationally.
External Sampling
External Sampling is Pearson’s quality assurance system that monitors assessment practice
and internal verification of assessment in centres. An External Examiner from Pearson will
visit once a year to check a proportion of learners’ marked work to ensure that assessors are
marking and grading to national standards and that internal verification is effective. They also
meet learners and staff to get their views on the management of the qualification, teaching,
learning and assessment. After the visit they produce a report which is available to students
on the VLE.

29. Quality Assurance of Assessment
Examination boards
Examination boards are held three times a year.
The main purpose of the interim exam boards is to confirm learner progress / achievement of
individual units.
The main purpose of the final exam board is to confirm learner achievement and grades for a
whole qualification.
Exam boards also monitor academic standards, include discussion and review of any cases
of cheating and plagiarism, progression of students onto the next stage of qualification and
student resubmissions.

30. Academic Study

31. Student Induction
Before you start the course you will have an induction which will guide you
through the most important aspects of being a student at Gloucestershire College
and details of the qualification that you will be studying.
You induction will include information about:
❖ your qualification
❖ the teaching team
❖ your timetable
❖ term dates
❖ the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
❖ how your qualification will be assessed
❖ student support services

32. Academic Writing
The process of academic writing
Research – primary and secondary sources
Plan – list, organise, outline or mindmap
Write a draft – take time to write a number of drafts, with revisions,
based on further reading and reflection
Peer review – review by ‘critical friend’
Edit and proof read – formatting, spelling, punctuation and
references
Submit assessment
Adapted from (Stella Cottrell, 2003)

33. Academic Writing
Helpful hints:
Write clearly and concisely:
• Try to avoid long, awkward sentences that risk losing the interest of the
reader;
• Avoid a showy display of ‘jargon’ to hide a poorly structured assessment.
Understand the structure of paragraphs
• A paragraph tends to develop a single idea, a series of which forms an
essay.
Leave out needless words
• Try to avoid phrases such as ‘It can be seen at this point of the enquiry
that...’.
Include a reference list in all assignment work

34. The qualification specification can be
found here:
https://qualifications.pearson.com/cont
ent/dam/pdf/BTEC-Higher-
Nationals/Construction-and-the-Built-
Environment/2017/specification-and-
sample-assessments/btec-hn-cbe-
2017.pdf
Useful Resources

35. Essential Reading List

36. Other resources available
www.vle.glocol.ac.uk
The VLE is used to support your learning experience and communicate with you.
It is essential in developing you as an independent learner.
The UWE Construction Website
Access to the University of the West of England’s website dedicated to
construction.
• Username: erbe23glouc
• Password: 7na5wXre
HN Global – Support for HN students from Pearson
https://hnglobal.highernationals.com/

37. Terms and Conditions
Click here for the HE terms and conditions:
http://www.gloscol.ac.uk/media/995058/higher-education-terms-and-
conditions-201819.pdf
Click here for the Access and Participation Plan:
http://www.gloscol.ac.uk/media/995106/gloucestershirecollege.pdf

38. Campus information

39. Gloucester Campus parking information
Gloucester Campus
Terms & Conditions apply 24/7
Parking is restricted to staff and official visitors
before 16:30 term-time weekdays.
The car park operates at Pay & Display to
students and the general public after 16:30 term-
time weekdays, and from 07:00 weekends, bank
holidays and during College holidays.
•Students are required to display a valid Pay &
Display ticket in their vehicle windscreens.
•Parking is only available after 16:30
We are unable to offer student parking in
the College car parks during the day,
however we have a limited number of
spaces at the Council’s Castlemeads Car
Park. Please note – Castlemeads Car
Park is available 07:00-19:00 only, the car
park is locked outside of these
times. Permits cost £3 per day and can
be purchased on a weekly, monthly or
termly basis from Student Services.
All users of the car park must abide by
the Terms and Conditions. Failure to do so
could result in you being issued with a
Parking Charge Notice of £80, reduced to
£40 if paid within 14 days.

40. Cheltenham Campus parking information
Cheltenham Campus
Terms & Conditions apply 24/7
Students are required to register their vehicle details on
the College Authorised Vehicle Database*, and display a valid
Pay & Display ticket in their vehicle windscreens or hold a valid
Pay by Phone session.
*Student parking registration request form available at
enrolment or on main reception.
All users of the car park must abide by the Terms and
Conditions. Failure to do so could result in you being issued
with a Parking Charge Notice of £80, reduced to £40 if paid
within 14 days.

41. Forest Campus parking information
Forest of Dean Campus
Students are required to register their vehicle details on the
College Authorised Vehicle Database*.
*Student parking registration request form available at
enrolment or on main reception.
All users of the car park must abide by the Terms and
Conditions. Failure to do so could result in you being issued
with a Parking Charge Notice of £80, reduced to £40 if paid
within 14 days.

42. Student Support

43. Student Support
Gloucestershire College offers you a wide range of
help and support while you are studying here.
Here are brief details and contact numbers for
services that you may want to access.

44. Student Support
Student Services
Our friendly Student Support team can help you to realise your full potential and
make the most of your time at college.
They can...
❖ answer your questions about courses, applications, facilities and enrolment
❖ offer financial advice and provide access to financial assistance
❖ take payment of course fees
❖ refer you to Academic teams
If you have a question and you’re not sure who to talk to contact us.
Telephone no: 0345 155 2020
Email: info@gloscol.ac.uk.
Office opening hours: Monday to Friday 9.00am to 4.00pm

45. Student Support
HE Study Support sessions: Whilst these aspects
are covered on your course and via supportive online
materials (e.g. HN Global) some students do require
more individual face to face support. There is a
named HE study support mentor based in the learning
resource centre who runs sessions with groups and
individuals to support their academic study skills.
These are sessions on request according to the
subject needs of the group or individual.
Access to Learning support: HE learners have access to learning support from onsite
specialists. This includes advice on coping strategies and help with completing DSA claims.
These students get access to assisted technology provision through this team. There are study
mentors on each campus who provide support on a drop in basis, to include time management
skills, English and maths skills and using assisted technology.

46. Student Support
Counselling support: From 2018/9 18 years+ students have been able to access
an on-site counselling service to support with their mental wellbeing whilst studying at
college. This bookable service will be positioned in the entrance of the HE zone in
Cheltenham.
Extra mentoring support: The College
delivers mentoring support to all students, but extra
one-to-one sessions can be arranged for students to
improve retention, achievement and employability for
specific student groups. This mentoring may be
provided by the course tutor, Head of School, study
mentor or counselling service depending upon the
need of the individual.
Email: Counsellors@gloscol.ac.uk

47. Student Support
Student hub: There is a student hub on each college campus. This is a
very visible drop-in area with a focus upon careers, work placements
and employment coaching. Job and work placement opportunities are
displayed and learners can access support from professional
development coaches and employment coaches

48. Student Support
Childcare
Gloucestershire College has franchise nurseries on site.
Details can be found on the website or through Student
Services.
Accommodation
The Accommodation Office is based
in Student Services at Cheltenham
Campus.
This service is available to all
students who need help finding
accommodation or who have any
other accommodation issues.
Drop in or telephone 01242 532007
(24-hour voicemail).
Chaplaincy
A Faith area is available on both main sites for
your use, this is open to people of all faiths.
The Cheltenham Chaplaincy is resourced by
churches within Cheltenham. A team of
chaplains from Gloucester City centre
churches resource the Gloucester Chaplaincy.
You can discuss personal and communal
issues with students and staff or get involved
in tutorial and discussion groups on a wide
range of ethical issues.

49. Student Voice

50. Student Voice
Student Engagement
Gloucestershire College is keen to engage HE students individually and
collectively, as partners in the assurance and enhancement of their educational
experience. GC provides opportunities for students to engage through the HE
Student Association.
All HE students at Gloucestershire College automatically become members of the
HE Student Association.
The HE StudentAssociation aims to:
• Offer students opportunities to provide feedback on their experience and
contribute to our evaluations of HE delivery and activities relating to access and
participation.
• Ensure students are at the heart of their teaching and learning experience.
HE Students and Staff will work in partnership to enhance the learning experience
as Gloucestershire College values students’views and opinions.

51. Student Voice
The HE Student Associationincludes two main initiatives:
1. HE StudentReps
A student can becomean HE Student Rep for their course. Students should speak to their Course Leader
about volunteering for this opportunity.
A student rep will get involved by:
• Collecting views of students from their course and liaising with Course Leaderand Head of School.
• Informing and improving the student educational experience.
• Contributing to developments in student-centred learning and teaching.
2. HE StudentVoice
As a memberof the HE StudentAssociation,all students will be invited to individually feedbackthough the
HE & ProfessionalStudent Voice Cycle:
• Non-finalYear– AllHE students not in their final year will be invited to complete the First Impressions
and Internal Student SatisfactionSurvey.
• FinalYear – All HE students in their final year of study will be invited to completethe National Student
Survey. This is a nationally recognisedindependentsurvey, which asks students to reflecton their
course experience.
• Focus Groups– All HE students are invited to participate in course and campus focus groups.

52. Progression
Opportunities
Your qualification could lead to?
The Pearson BTEC HNC in Construction and the Built Environment level 4
provides a solid grounding in construction at Level 4 and can lead to higher
level study at level 5, 6 and beyond.