CE3CLP1: Construction Live Project

Module code: CE3CLP1

Module provider: School of Construction Management and Engineering, School of Built Environment

Credits: 20

Level: 6

When you’ll be taught: Summer / Semester 1

Module convenor:

Pre-requisite module(s): Before taking this module, you must have taken part in the Construction Live Fieldwork the preceding summer. (Open)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

Through a live construction project, this module provides students will the opportunity to experience the challenge of managing and building a real construction project. The module is a two-week intensive project in which students work, supported by a team of academics and staff industry, to plan, schedule, cost, manage the health and safety, and finally build a scaled version of an iconic build or building. The first week is an on-campus project-planning week. The second week is an on-site project build week. The experience provides an exciting, dynamic project to link knowledge gained elsewhere in the curriculum with onsite experience. 

The module aims to provide students with an opportunity to:  

• Have a ‘hands on’ authentic experience of the construction process and plan a real construction project.  
• Create a point of reference for reflection that draws on a wide body of technical, practical and academic knowledge. 
• Share in a unique activity that will enrich their student experience.  
• Undertake teamwork which breaks the traditional silos created by academic years. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Effectively plan, monitor and control a small-scale construction project in a team environment.
2. Demonstrate they can maintain accurate, appropriate documentation for a construction project including managing a health and safety system.
3. Produce a completed building within the parameters set out by the client at the start of the project.
4. Prioritise tasks, and allocate limited resources, against a project goal.
5. Evaluate the project team’s performance and approach to problem solving.
6. Identify and synthesis opportunities for improvement and make corresponding recommendations.

Module content

The construction live fieldwork course runs for ten days. Five days spent on campus planning the project (the ‘project planning week) and five days on site, on a full-time residential basis building the project (the project build week). Over the two weeks student teams, supervised by academics and professionals, undertake a real construction project to produce a scaled version of a well know build or building for example a 9m tall steel and concrete replica of the Barcelona Communication Tower. 

In the project-planning week students are introduced to the complexity generated by the scale and scope of even a modest construction build. The range of roles needed to successfully execute the build mirror those on a commercial build. Students are challenged with the question “How will this work on site?” with the knowledge that on the Monday morning of the build week they will find out! 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Students will experience a ‘live project’ environment with a problem-based learning pedagogy. They will be given a goal and have the freedom to create an approach to meet this goal.  

Throughout students will be supported closely by academic and industry staff. 

Please note that the fieldwork course, which forms a significant proportion of the in person delivery, takes place in the summer preceding Semester 1.  It is not possible to study this module without fully taking part in this fieldwork course.