Your route to a degree
with Francis James
Study for a BSc (Hons) Construction and the Built Environment degree entirely online with live lectures, interactive workshops, and everything you need to succeed, on one dedicated learning platform.
Francis James unlocks career potential for working construction professionals.
Gain the technical expertise, professional recognition, and confidence to advance your Construction and the Built Environment career. Study a BSc (Hons) degree programme built on the latest industry knowledge and academic excellence via distance learning.
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Why choose an exam-free Construction and the Built Environment degree?
All of the courses are delivered online; evening lectures, interactive workshops and a dynamic virtual campus.
For each course, there are:
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4 lectures, 3 hours per online session - twice a week for two weeks
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Assessment workshop online, 3 hours - one workshop the week after lectures have finished
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Self study - it is advised 2 weeks of self-directed study (this includes completing assignments) is needed per course.
You continue working while studying, for a validated UK degree, in your own time, to accelerate your career.
FRANCIS JAMES CONSTRUCTION AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
DEGREE PROGRAMME DELIVERED ONLINE
Certificate of Higher Education
Level 4 (8 courses)
The Certificate of Higher Education is the first level of
BSc (Hons) in Construction & the Built Environment.
Diploma of Higher Education
Level 5 (8 courses)
The Diploma of Higher Education is the second level of
BSc (Hons) in Construction & the Built Environment.
BSc Hons) Degree
Level 6 (9 courses)
Level 6 is the final level of BSc (Hons) in Construction & the Built Environment. The degree programme is validated by RA University London (RAUL) which was founded in 1972. In 2018, RAUL was granted Taught Degree Awarding Powers by the UK Privy Council, enabling it to validate the awards of other Higher Education providers in the UK.
Thoughts from the Industry
The greatest threat to our built environment is not a lack of money, but a lack of skilled people who understand the soul of a building. You can’t buy craft off a shelf; you have to train it.
Kevin McCloud, Grand Designs
Thoughts from the Industry
We need to stop thinking about retrofit as just 'building work.' It is a highly technical intervention. Without a long-term plan to upskill our workforce, we risk poorly installed energy efficiency measures that could actually damage the fabric of our historic buildings.
Thoughts from the Industry
You cannot just tell a traditional builder to go and make a house 'green.' If they don't understand the physics of moisture and airflow in an old building, they will create mould and rot. We don't just need more builders; we need a new generation of qualified specialists who understand the science of the home.
The People Behind Francis James
Sarah Graham
Vice-Chancellor
Blane Judd
Chair
Alison Allden
Non-Executive Director
Robert Campbell
Non-Executive Director
Helen Barratt
Academic Director
Paul Montgomery
Lecturer
Matthew Stewart
Lecturer
Melissa Ling
Lecturer
Francis James Legacy
Sarah Graham, MBA FCIOB FRSA MIoD MCGI, founded Francis James after many years working at the heart of the UK construction industry and over a decade of delivering further education, construction qualifications.
Francis James was built to give construction professionals the opportunity to progress into higher education, achieve a degree online, and unlock their pathway to chartered status.
Francis James Values
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Learner‑centred provision: Educational quality, learner support, and outcomes take precedence over short‑term commercial objectives.
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Academic integrity: Provision is delivered in accordance with recognised UK higher education standards and regulatory expectations.
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Accessibility and inclusion: Flexible delivery models are used to widen participation and support diverse learner cohorts.
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Continuous improvement: Teaching, assessment, and support are reviewed regularly to ensure relevance and effectiveness.
Francis James Vision
To enable learners in the construction and built environment sectors to achieve recognised higher education qualifications that support professional progression, social mobility, and lifelong learning.
Francis James Mission
To deliver inclusive, accessible and industry-aligned higher education that supports learners to succeed academically and professionally.
