Your route to chartership
with Francis James Degrees
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 is shaping the future for construction professionals.
Our programmes are shaped by industry priorities and underpinned by academic excellence, giving you the knowledge, recognition and confidence to move your career forward to chartership.
.png)
OUR DEGREE PROGRAMME
Certificate of Higher Education
Level 4
The Certificate of Higher Education is the first level of our
BSc (Hons) in Construction & the Built Environment.
Diploma of Higher Education
Level 5
The Diploma of Higher Education is the second level of our
BSc (Hons) in Construction & the Built Environment.
BSc Honours Degree
Level 6
Level 6 is the final level of our BSc (Hons) in Construction & the Built Environment. The degree programme is validated by Richmond American University London (RAUL).
Kevin McCloud, Grand Designs
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.
Brian Berry, CEO Federation of Master Builders
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.
Lord Deben, Chair of the Climate Change Committee
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
Helen Barratt
Academic Director
Alison Allden
Non-Executive Director
Robert Campbell
Non-Executive Director
Blane Judd
Chair
Paul Montgomery
Lecturer
Matthew Stewart
Lecturer
Our Legacy
Sarah Graham, MBA FCIOB FRSA MIoD MCGI, founded Francis James Degrees after many years working at the heart of the UK construction industry and over a decade of delivering further education, construction qualifications.
Francis James Degrees was built to give construction professionals the opportunity to progress into higher education, achieve a degree online, and unlock their pathway to chartered status.
Our Values
-
Learner‑centred provision: Educational quality, learner support, and outcomes take precedence over short‑term commercial objectives.
-
Academic integrity: Provision is delivered in accordance with recognised UK higher education standards and regulatory expectations.
-
Accessibility and inclusion: Flexible delivery models are used to widen participation and support diverse learner cohorts.
-
Continuous improvement: Teaching, assessment, and support are reviewed regularly to ensure relevance and effectiveness.
Our 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.
Our Mission
Francis James delivers inclusive, accessible and industry-aligned higher education that supports learners to succeed academically and professionally.
