CIOB-backed group plans to hold discussion event soon
Further details have emerged on a CIOB-backed proposal to offer a new cross-disciplinary undergraduate degree course — the so-called “Bachelor of the Built Environment”.
A working group initiated by Ryder Architecture, with the backing of a spread of industry employers and professional institutions, has drawn up an outline of the proposed course.
It has already had discussions with the Bartlett at University College London, and the Universities of Northumbria and Strathclyde have also expressed interest.
All students would take six modules in their first year: economics, property development and planning; architecture, urban design and landscape; environmental science and engineering; structural and civil engineering; construction; and property management.
In the second year, students would narrow their focus to four modules, allowing them to select an employer relevant to their likely specialism in their sandwich year. In the fourth year, students would take three larger modules.
"We’re changing the ways we do business so I think the education process should change to reflect that."
Mark Thompson, Ryder
After graduation, students find a job, then complete a masters degree on a day release basis over the following three years. This would lead to chartership in their chosen discipline, eg MCIOB, MRICS, MCIBSE. Each institute could vary the amount of study in the masters phase.
Mark Thompson, managing partner of Ryder, told CM: "We know this model has been looked at in Australia, I think the whole world has similar issues. In terms of BIM and offsite manufacture worldwide we’re changing the ways we do business, so I think the education process should change to reflect that.”
He added: “The normal routes [to MCIOB and others] would still exist — this is aimed at people who might not know yet which discipline they want to be in on day one.” The Ryder working group now plans to host an event in the near future to bring together all the interested parties.
