Graduate Diploma Programme

The programme has been established for graduates without construction-related degrees who are currently working within the construction industry. The route was developed by a consortium of CIOB, CITB-ConstructionSkills, employers and universities to meet the industry demand for qualified construction managers and surveyors. The main purpose of the programme is to convert candidates to corporate membership of the CIOB.

The route in outline
There are increasing numbers of graduates entering the industry without construction-related degrees (termed ‘non-cognates'). The Graduate Diploma Programme is a conversion course designed to fulfil the technical and managerial components required to support their potential role within a construction firm. There are two areas which underpin this progression route:

• Knowledge and skills
• Obtaining a qualification which will provide relevant academic requirements towards gaining membership of a professional institution and associated recognition.

CIOB Corporate Membership
The majority of employers are aware of the requirement for graduates to obtain membership of a professional institution. In order to satisfy the knowledge criteria towards CIOB membership, non-cognate graduates can opt for the following options:

• CIOB Graduate Diploma Programme
• CIOB accredited honours degree (three years full time/five years part-time on average)

Together with appropriate experience and completion of the Professional Review either of these routes can lead to full corporate membership of the CIOB (MCIOB). In undertaking the Graduate Diploma Programme, graduates will also need to complete either a Level 4 NVQ or the CIOB Professional Development Programme (PDP). Employers will decide which of these two is most relevant and at what point graduates should make a start.

Eligibility
To register on the Graduate Diploma Programme, a candidate must have already gained an honours degree (the level of the degree shall depend on the employer, but as a guide most would expect a 2:1) and either be accepted for employment or already appointed within the industry.

Programme Details
The modules are designed to cover Levels 1,2 and 3 of the CIOB Education Framework. The programme consists of 12 modules. The majority of modules have a one-week residential ‘taught' block followed by a week work-based phase. The programme is run over three years with four modules per year delivered by the universities participating in the programme. Full details can be found in the Graduate Handbook.

Employer commitment
Where the graduate is involved in the CIOB Graduate Diploma Programme, the employer has a number of commitments which are outlined in the Employer Handbook.

What next?
For more information about the programme, contact Michelle Ryder, Higher Education Officer, Tel: 01344 630791, or Email: mryder@ciob.org.uk  

2008 entry
The waiting list for 2008 entry to both the residential and distance learning programmes has now opened. For more information, or to be added to the list, please contact Michelle Ryder.