Our dual award BSc (Hons) Facilities and Built Asset Management (Senior/Head of Facilities Management Degree Apprenticeship Route) allows you to invest in your workforce by combining university education, work-based learning and ongoing professional development. While working as a valuable part of your team, apprentices can develop a solid understanding of the theories, principles and practical disciplines required to solve complex facilities management problems.

Key information

Award:

BSc (Hons)

Mode of Study:

Part-time

Duration:

3 years

Location:

University of Bolton

UCAS points:

Start date:

To be confirmed

Course Details

The Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship Standard for Senior/Head of Facilities Management was developed by a consortium of consultants, contractors and employers within facilities management across a variety of sectors. The University of Bolton's programme offers an excellent combination of theory and practice by complementing learning in the workplace with academic development, supporting apprentices to gain the core knowledge, skills, and behaviours required to effectively and efficiently strategically manage the building services, environmental services and processes that support your organisation's core business.

Leading to an internationally recognised qualification in facilities and built assets management, this structured training programme supports apprentices to achieve and satisfy the requirements for registration with the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) at the Member grade, and academic requirements at Certified grade^. By integrating study into the workplace, your apprentices will have opportunities to put their new skills and understanding into practice without delay, building their confidence and experience and benefitting your organisation immediately.

Our expert team will support your apprentices as they undertake structured training in essential areas such as property asset management, service management, compliance, management systems, procurement and contract management, finance, and business continuity. We'll guide them to gain key skills in developing and managing strategy and policy, change and programme management and operational and technical leadership. With a focus on helping apprentices develop the behaviours required for occupational success, such as collaboration and influencing skills, leadership and a systematic approach, you can be assured that we'll work hard to support your apprentices as they develop into senior facilities management professionals.

^Three years of management and facilities management experience are required to meet the full requirements of this grade of membership.

Highlights

Delivered on a block workshop, blended learning basis – your apprentices will attend three one-week workshops per semester. One will be face-to-face in Bolton, while the remaining will be held virtually.
Dual award programme – your apprentices will gain both the BSc (Hons) Facilities and Built Asset Management degree awarded by the University of Bolton and the Level 6 Extended Diploma in Facilities Management awarded by IWFM.
When apprentices successfully complete the end point assessment for this apprenticeship, they will be eligible for Member grade with the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) and will have met the academic criteria for Certified grade.
Our team of highly knowledgeable and enthusiastic built environment and management lecturers offer face-to-face and virtual group sessions as well as one-to-one support.

Key Features

This apprenticeship course skilfully combines study with practical and focused work-based learning and experience in your organisation.
Our approach to teaching and learning is student-centred, so we'll work closely with your apprentices, providing them with tailored help and support on an individual basis throughout their studies.
The programme design and curriculum benefits from consultation with our Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) which includes representatives such as consultants, building engineers, contractors, local government and government agencies.
Quarterly reviews, where each apprentice, their workplace mentor and a member of our team meet to assess your apprentice's progress, promote continuing conversation between your workplace and the University. This helps to ensure the success of your apprentices and maximise the value of their studies to your organisation.

Professional recognition

The University of Bolton is an IWFM-recognised centre. On successfully completing this programme and the end point assessment, graduating apprentices receive the IWFM's Level 6 Extended Diploma in Facilities Management and the University's BSc (Hons) in Facilities and Built Asset Management. They will also meet the full requirements for Member grade with IWFM and the academic criteria for Certified Membership. Three years of management and facilities management experience are required to meet the full requirements of this grade of membership.

96 UCAS points. We accept a full range of qualifications that carry UCAS points, including A-levels, BTECs and T levels. Please see our guide to the UCAS Tariff for examples of how to achieve these points. For most courses, we are also able to consider non-tariffable qualifications.
Applicants must hold an appropriate Level 4 qualification such as an HNC in Construction and the Built Environment or have achieved MIWFM status (or equivalent) with an industry recognised professional body (for instance, the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM)).
Applicants should have five GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent), including English and Mathematics. If an applicant has yet to achieve appropriate Level 2 English and Mathematics qualifications, then with their employer's support, they can complete suitable equivalents locally or with assistance from the University before commencing the apprenticeship. Please contact apprentices@bolton.ac.uk for a list of acceptable GCSE equivalents, further information and support.
We’re happy to consider applicants with non-traditional entry qualifications provided they can demonstrate relevant experience or a suitable portfolio of work that is deemed a reasonable substitute for the above qualifications. We'll consider such applications in line with the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) procedures, as appropriate.
Applicants will attend a joint discussion with their employer and the University of Bolton. This combined interview and onboarding discussion fosters trust and sets the tone of the relationship between the applicant, their employer and our tutors. As part of the interview, applicants may be asked to undertake additional assessment(s) or provide a portfolio of appropriate work to determine their suitability for the course.
Admission to this programme is only available to applicants who meet ESFA eligibility criteria, including the following: 1) They are employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week in a role relevant to the apprenticeship. 2) They have the right to live and work in the UK. 3) Their employer is willing to sponsor them to spend a minimum of six hours per week of their time in off-the-job training, including attending the University (times and dates to be determined) for the duration of their course. Please note that an apprentice cannot be self-employed. ESFA eligibility criteria may change so please contact apprentices@bolton.ac.uk for up-to-date information.
If English isn’t the applicant's first language, they will also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
To be eligible for tuition fee funding through the Apprenticeship Levy, candidates should not normally have already completed a qualification at the same level as the proposed apprenticeship, unless that qualification was gained in a completely unrelated discipline.

Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.

The BSc (Hons) Facilities and Built Asset Management (Senior/Head of Facilities Management Degree Apprenticeship Route) programme is designed to meet the Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship Standard for Senior/Head of Facilities Management Apprenticeship Standard (Institute for Apprenticeships reference number ST0410). Developed by a consortium of employers, consultants and contractors, the standard underpins a highly relevant qualification and professional development pathway. It supports apprentices to achieve the technical knowledge required for a career as a senior facilities manager, head of facilities, head of estates or head of facilities management operations.

Successful apprentices will develop their understanding of best practice in delivering and developing a variety of integrated operational services across multiple sites or a portfolio of property assets and facilities management services. After graduation, apprentices will be ready to take responsibility for such diverse areas as building and grounds maintenance, catering and vending, cleaning, procurement and contract management, space management, health and safety, security, and utilities and communications infrastructure. Among their many skills, they will be able to coordinate and lead teams for service provision, keep staff safe, plan the best use of space and resources, project manage the work of contractors, and respond appropriately to emergencies or urgent issues.

In addition to subject-specific knowledge and skills, apprentices will have the opportunity to develop transferable skills that include problem-solving, analytical and research skills, critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and commercial awareness.

What can I do with this qualification?

Graduate apprentices from this programme should be well prepared to progress their careers in the facilities and asset management industry, and roles in the wider business, management, and financial sectors. BSc (Hons) Facilities and Built Asset Management graduates from the University of Bolton can expect to be employed by facilities management outsourcing companies or employers in sectors such as healthcare, education, manufacturing, retail and finance with large estates and significant numbers of non-facilities management staff.

This degree apprenticeship aims to support the development of the next generation of facilities and asset managers. On successfully completing the end point assessment, apprentices will be well prepared to take on demanding roles in this hugely varied field. Responsibilities will depend on the size and structure of the organisation but are likely to involve strategic planning and day-to-day operations.

Graduate apprentices may choose to continue their studies at the postgraduate level to build specialist knowledge in a particular area, such as building surveying, business management, security or retail.

Course fees

Apprentices will need to be employed by your organisation for a minimum of 30 hours per week. Your organisation will also need to commit to sponsoring apprentices to complete this qualification.

For further information on how your organisation can access funds to support apprentices, please e-mail apprentices@bolton.ac.uk.

Whether you’re an employer, employee or school leaver, please visit our Apprenticeship web page for support and advice regarding apprenticeships.

International applications are not possible for this course

As an international student you are not allowed to study this course because of the restrictions on your visa.

We offer a wide range of full-time courses in lots of different subjects, many of our courses start in September and January. If you would like to see what courses are available please visit our Course Search.

Useful information

Apprentices will not be expected to pay tuition fees towards this programme. If your organisation has a wage bill of more than £3 million per annum, then it may be able to fund this apprenticeship through its Apprenticeship Levy contributions. If your organisation does not pay the levy, it will be eligible for government support to fund apprenticeships. This support, called co-investment, covers 95% of the apprenticeship's tuition fees, with your organisation funding the remaining 5% of the fees.

Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2023-2024 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.

The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.

For details of how to apply for this course, please choose your status from the options below:

Please contact the programme leader for details of the application procedure. You can find their name, email address and phone number in the Programme Contacts section of this page.

For support and advice regarding apprenticeships, please visit our Apprenticeship web page.

International applications are not possible for this course

As an international student you are not allowed to study this course because of the restrictions on your visa.

Facilities management is a diverse and multi-faceted discipline, so we use a wide range of teaching and learning methods. These are designed to fully engage apprentices, helping them develop the skills, knowledge, self-awareness and behaviours essential to become a Senior/Head of Facilities Management, with particular reference to your organisation and their place within it. Learning focuses on your workplace environment and builds the transferable body of knowledge and skills needed to meet the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) requirements at the Member grade and apply this expertise within your organisation. Your apprentices will spend the majority of their time gaining on-the-job knowledge and experience. They will also complete at least six hours per week in off-the-job learning, including studying at the university.

As well as attending timetabled lectures, seminars, workshops, practical sessions and tutorials, we'll expect apprentices to allocate significant time to independent and self-directed studies. For example, background reading, revisiting practical work, attending lectures and technical meetings provided by professional bodies, preparing for seminars and working on assignments will support their timetabled learning and develop good habits for lifelong learning. Our friendly and supportive tutors will be here to guide them and will gladly help them devise an independent study regime focused on their individual development needs. Learning will also be supported by the University's virtual learning environment, Moodle.

Your organisation will need to provide each apprentice with a workplace mentor to support their development. The workplace mentor, University tutor and apprentice will work together to create the individual learning plan required to progress the apprentice's development towards the apprenticeship standard and end point assessment.

For the degree element of this programme, we'll assess each apprentice's performance through a strategic blend of practical work, essays, presentations, and other assignments. Assessments contribute to their final module marks as well as their end point assessment.

Modules

The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.

Governance and Risk Management
Compliance with Health and Safety
Financial Management
Human Resources
Building and Environmental Technology
Work Related Project and Professional Practice
Sustainable Technology and Product Innovation
Interdisciplinary BIM Project
Maintenance, Asset Management and Property Law
Work-based Project and EPA
Work-based Portfolio and PDP 2
Work-Based Portfolio and PDP 3

Assessment methods

Level	Assesment method
Level one	Coursework 75%, Practical exams 8%, Written exams 17%
Level two	Coursework 36%, Practical exams 56%, Written exams 8%

Learning activities

Level	Learning activity
Level one	Guided independent study 77%, Scheduled learning and teaching activities 23%
Level two	Guided independent study 84%, Scheduled learning and teaching activities 16%

Disclaimer

The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.