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Training, short courses and professional development for the built environment

Find out about courses that can accelerate your career.

How the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment can support your career development

 

Whatever your motivations, the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment (ADBE) offers a range of short courses to enhance your CV and help you continue your professional development (CPD) throughout your career.

Our courses take place at multiple times throughout the year and are designed to fit around work and other commitments – we offer daytime, evening and Saturday courses. Some offer credit points while others lead to a CPD certificate.

Classroom courses take place at the City Campus and are delivered by expert tutors with strong links to the construction, design and engineering industries. You can expect the highest quality teaching and access to industry-standard facilities.

We also tailor our courses to a company’s objectives. Our aim is to respond positively to your training needs with a flexible approach and content that matches today's modern built environment industry.

Short courses in digital skills for construction

These courses provide you with expert skills in computer software relevant to the construction industry. They are ideal for people who are new to the industry and want their CV to stand out, and also those in need of a refresh or who are looking for a career change.

AutoCAD 2D for the Construction Professional (ten weeks)

Professional; Short course | Short course

Introduction to AutoCAD 2D for Construction (three days)

Professional; Short course | Short course

Introduction to BIM (three days)

Professional; Short course | Short course

BIM for the Construction Professional (ten weeks)

Professional; Short course | Short course

Emerging Technologies for the Construction Professional (ten weeks)

Professional; Short course | Short course

Finite Element Modelling for the Construction Professional (ten weeks)

Professional; Short course | Short course

Introduction to Microsoft Excel for Construction (three days)

Professional; Short course | Short course

MS Excel for the Construction Professional (ten weeks)

Professional; Short course | Short course

Short courses in sustainability for construction

These courses are aimed at both those new to the construction industry, as well as those looking to develop their knowledge. They will help you stay updated about the many essential developments surrounding sustainability.

Introduction to Building Defects, Inspections and Survey Reporting (three days)

This course combines the practical and theoretical issues of building defects with their causes, diagnosis and remedial actions.

Introduction to Heritage and Conservation (three days)

This course will guide you through selecting and using appropriate heritage materials in the repair, care, maintenance and upgrading of heritage buildings and assets.

Building Control Inspections and Processes for the Construction Professional (ten weeks)

On this course you’ll learn about Building Control Inspection and the regulations for commercial and residential buildings in England and Wales. It will help you to apply this knowledge and carry out plan checking and site inspections.

Building Defects, Inspections and Survey Reporting for the Construction Professional (ten weeks)

This course combines the practical and theoretical issues of building defects with their causes, diagnosis and remedial actions.

Energy Management for the Construction Professional (ten weeks)

Learn how energy efficiency and overall sustainability can be achieved by exploring the strategies being applied to the design and construction of buildings.

Heritage and Conservation for the Construction Professional (ten weeks)

This course will guide you through selecting and using appropriate heritage materials in the repair, care, maintenance and upgrading of heritage buildings and assets.

Retrofit Coordination and Risk Management

By completing our course in Domestic Retrofit Coordination and Risk Management you will begin to play a vital role in the delivery of the UK's net zero ambition.

Sustainability for the Construction Professional (ten weeks)

On this course you’ll learn about sustainability in the context of the construction industry, its environmental impact and the opportunities for building a sustainable future. It’s useful for anyone in the construction sector who’s looking to develop their overall knowledge of sustainability.

Become TrustMark accredited with NTU

Become a registered Retrofit Coordinator, meet PAS 2035 standards, and join a TrustMark-approved scheme to access the TrustMark Data Warehouse and champion best practices in the retrofit sector.

Postgraduate level modules

Our postgraduate programme allows you to study an individual module as a stand-alone course, giving you the opportunity to study flexibly and choose subjects that suit your specific needs.

A CPD certificate will be issued upon successful completion of a course. Passing the assessed element (an exam or coursework) can also contribute credit towards a postgraduate award. Check each course description for details.

Entry Requirements

You should have a minimum of three years’ professional experience and have the support of your employer to integrate study and projects into your day-to-day work. If you wish to receive credit, you should also have a 2:2 honours degree.

Courses for 2024/25:

Short courses, bootcamps and workshops

Supply Chain Sustainability School short courses

We are pleased to offer four short modules that can benefit your business. These have been developed by NTU, Morgan Sindall and their supply chain.

  • NTU1: Collaborative Behaviours
  • NTU2: Collaborative Design and the Supply Chain
  • NTU3: Collaborative Risk Management using Flow Walks
  • NTU4: Innovation and Value in the Supply Chain

Find out more on the Supply Chain School website.

Other free resources, again co-designed by industry, can be found on the Construction Coach website. You'll find masterclasses and guides on themes such as brand and marketing, contracts, recruitment and retention, technology and innovation, and winning work.

CAD for Beginners

This course is for designers and professionals working in 2D and 3D who have little design software experience; if you’re CAD skills are in need of boost this course will show you how to bring your designs to life and allow you to present ideas to clients in a cohesive and coherent way.

CAD for Improvers

Aimed at those who have attended a beginners class at NTU or elsewhere, or have prior experience in the software through work or studies, this course will further extend your knowledge in the CAD programs. The course will concentrate on AutoCAD and SolidWorks with optional Photoshop and Illustrator lessons.

CAD for Interior and Spatial Design

This course provides you with technical skills related to interior design and, most importantly, the application of computer-aided design within the profession. It’s an ideal opportunity to enhance existing interior design skills, and is perfect if you’re new to CAD and want to add this valuable knowledge to your work and CV.

Furniture Making Workshop

On our furniture making courses you'll receive expert instruction and advice on how to fully utilise the specialist equipment in our workshops including wall saws, flat bed sanders, planers and a spray booth with gravity fed spray guns. You'll be provided with tips and tricks on restoration of furniture as well as advice on what equipment you should buy to continue to develop your skills at home.

Bespoke training for companies

We can arrange tailored programmes that run for a single day or longer, either at NTU or in-house at your premises. If you have any questions about bespoke training, contact Stephen Whalley on +44 (0)115 848 2373 or email stephen.whalley@ntu.ac.uk.

Training can focus on design, computer skills, model-making, 3D printing, protoyping, BIM, property market analysis, lean projects, soil and earthworks, and more. We also offer courses in media training, public speaking, business writing and foreign languages.

Examples of past bespoke projects we've worked on with clients include:

Construction company – Soil and earthworks appreciation

Based in our soil testing lab, the delegates from a major UK construction firm learnt about the different characteristics of soil types. They conducted a range of tests and learnt how this can then be useful on site.

Construction company – Surveying workshop

Delegates spent two days conducting surveys and producing drawings demonstrating levels and the verticality of buildings. They learnt how to use the appropriate equipment on location, with classroom exercises helping them understand the data they were creating.

Estates management team – BIM and Autodesk Revit

A university required an understanding of the key principles of BIM, and the impact it could have on their work in the future. Ten delegates attended a three-day course which involved Revit software and modelling, led by a BIM expert who runs his own consultancy business.

Lucerne University (Switzerland) – Design thinking

Faculty and students were looking for something creative involving design thinking, problem-solving and product-making. In contrast to their usual work, the delegates spent a week immersed in smart materials and created business proposals for the next generation of wearable technology.

Access NTU Expertise

We help businesses of all sizes to develop products and ways of working that can boost profitability, efficiency and innovation. Our teams will work with you to transform your business through a combination of academic and professional expertise, world-class facilities, and funding support.

Find out about our services for businesses

Industry short courses and professional development opportunities

Want more information? Read our brochure to discover the short courses on offer at Nottingham Trent University.

Download our short courses brochure (PDF, 393.8 KB)

Upcoming events

04

Feb

Business Leaders Lecture with Rob Barker

Lecture Theatre 5, Newton Building, Goldsmith Street, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG1 4BU

12

Feb

Nursing and Allied Health Professions Recruitment Fair

Pavilion Building, Clifton Campus, College Drive, NG11 8NS

12

Feb

Health and Allied Professions Apprenticeships Event

Clifton Campus, College Drive, NG11 8NS

13

Feb

Clinical Associate in Psychology Apprenticeships: Stakeholder Event for potential employers and Lead Consultant Psychologists (February 2025)

19

Feb

Innovation Community Lab (Wednesday 19 and Wednesday 26 February 2025)

Nottingham Trent University, City Campus, Newton Building, NG1 4BU

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