Building Success for Higher Education with SERC

Simon Cummings, Deputy Head of School of the Built Environment at South Eastern Regional College (SERC) is keen to highlight the range of pathways open to students following successful completion of the BTEC Level 3 Construction and the Built Environment course at SERC.

Simon said, “Following a particular course that interests you after your GCSEs, does not mean everyone on that programme at college will choose the same pathway into higher education.   BTEC Level 3 programmes are designed to give the student opportunities for progression for work or for further studies.”

He explained, “This past year, whilst we have had many students progress to higher education, with SERC and with local universities, the pathways have been different depending on the students’ own interests and career aspirations – the one thing they did have in common was the BTEC Level 3 Construction and Built Environment course they completed at SERC.   Three such students have progressed to degrees in Building Surveying, Architecture and Quantity Surveying.”

Adam Murray (18), from Bangor, progressed from SERC to a BSc (Hons) in Building Surveying at Ulster University.   He said, “I was keen to pursue a career in construction, and after attending an open day at the College I felt that the construction courses would give me a sound basis in construction and the opportunity to progress to university. I enrolled onto the Level 3 Construction course and started in September 2022."

He added “The Level 3 BTEC in Construction provided me with a good understanding of the construction industry which will hopefully give me a head start at university. The breadth of the topics covered by the course opened numerous degree opportunities and pathways including my choice of Building Surveying.”

Kurtis Roberts, (18), also from Bangor, progressed to the BA (Hons) in Architecture at Ulster University. He said, “The computer aided design (CAD) skills I learnt and developed at SERC mean I can present my work the way it is expected, so I feel I have hit the ground running at university.” 

He added, “Both the course and getting involved in the Entrepreneur Club at SERC meant my presentation skills were developed.  This has been very useful as the practice and experience has given me the confidence to get up and speak in front of an audience.  A big part of architecture is communicating your ideas – even your mistakes - to illustrate your learning and the process you have followed.”

Currently completing the BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management at Ulster University, Ben Edmonds, (19), from Downpatrick said, “The course at SERC allowed me to gain valuable work experience and I particularly liked the practical elements. I feel like I was better prepared for university as I covered the foundations of what I am doing now when I was at SERC.

Find out more about the BTEC Level 3 Construction and the Built Environment.