Advanced Diploma of Building and Construction Level 6
At BOLC Academy, our Advanced Diploma of Building and Construction helps you develop a thorough understanding of how complex building projects are planned, resourced, coordinated and controlled. This Level 6 Diploma in Construction Management brings together commercial decisions, site operations, team leadership, construction quality and contractual awareness across 17 carefully structured modules.
Whether you already work in construction or want to develop an understanding of management responsibilities, you can study these connected subjects through our flexible online learning approach. Explore our full course catalogue to compare professional study options and select the level that suits your existing experience.
For a wider view of available programmes, browse our construction management course collection. This advanced programme concentrates on the coordination of the entire construction project, from early assessment and work breakdown through to vendor relationships, quality systems and construction contracts.
Why Study Construction Management?
Construction managers help turn plans into safely delivered, functioning projects. Their decisions connect programme schedules with budgets, suppliers, site conditions, people and the requirements of clients and other stakeholders. An apparently small delay in equipment delivery, incomplete site information or an unclear division of responsibilities can affect multiple activities; effective management therefore requires a whole-project perspective.
Through this diploma you will examine how practical systems help teams anticipate constraints, communicate priorities and maintain control as projects change. The learning is relevant to building and civil works contexts, although the exact legal duties and technical requirements applicable to any project will depend on its jurisdiction, scale and contract arrangements.
About the Level 6 Construction Management Diploma
The course is organised into 17 modules and is listed at approximately 500 learning hours. You will progress from the structure of the construction sector and the project lifecycle into planning and cost estimation, site investigation, equipment and materials, personnel, procurement, quality and contracting. Online study provides a flexible way to explore the subject alongside professional and personal commitments.
Rather than concentrating solely on construction techniques, the programme explores management decisions: how to establish reliable estimates, how to sequence work, when to review a risk or supplier, and how to coordinate site resources without losing sight of quality and safety. It is a comprehensive foundation for discussing operational challenges with colleagues and evaluating established workplace processes.
What You Will Learn
Explain construction management responsibilities and the main stages of a project lifecycle.
Break down project scope into manageable activities and connect resources to realistic programmes.
Compare cost estimating approaches and recognise the need to update budgets as new information emerges.
Identify important site, workforce, equipment, material and operational risks.
Evaluate purchasing, vendor, storage and quality control decisions in a construction setting.
Understand the management implications of construction contracts and project communication.
Study Format and Course Information
Study this Level 6 programme online with BOLC Academy and develop your understanding through the approved 17-module syllabus. The catalogue lists approximately 500 hours of study, giving the programme substantial breadth across project management and construction operations. Online assessments are described on the existing course page, allowing learning to be considered alongside the associated subject content. Our approach supports flexible progression through the material without requiring attendance at a physical classroom.
Professional Development and Further Study
Understanding project schedules, resource allocation, risk, procurement and contracting can strengthen discussions across construction teams and support more informed management decisions. If you are comparing learning routes, our Level 4 construction management diploma provides a narrower syllabus, while this Level 6 course extends into a broader set of management and operational subjects.
You can compare this programme with the Level 4 Diploma in Construction Management or review the complete construction subject collection to select a study route aligned with your goals.
For additional career context, explore our guide to the construction manager role and compare the responsibilities discussed with the learning outcomes of this programme.
Develop Your Construction Management Knowledge
Explore the full syllabus and ENROL with BOLC Academy to build a more systematic understanding of how projects are planned, coordinated and reviewed. The programme offers a detailed route into the management principles that connect people, resources and successful construction delivery.
The programme follows the 17-unit learning sequence below. Each module develops a distinct element of the decisions and coordination responsibilities involved in construction management.
Module 1 - Construction Management - An Introduction
Begin with the structure of the contemporary construction industry and the purpose of construction management within a project team. You will consider how managers coordinate clients, designers, contractors and specialist personnel, and why clear accountability matters when cost, safety, schedule and quality objectives compete. The module also explores the difference between supervising individual activities and directing the wider project, including how leadership and timely communication help teams work towards shared goals.
Module 2 - Organisation of Construction Projects
Examine the major phases through which construction projects typically progress, from early consideration and planning to delivery and close-out. You will explore how activities depend on approvals, information, resources and decisions made at earlier stages. Understanding the project lifecycle helps you recognise why a construction manager must track milestones, clarify responsibilities and maintain a realistic view of what needs to happen before work can proceed.
Module 3 - Understanding Work Breakdown Structure
Learn how a work breakdown structure divides a complex scope into manageable components and makes a project easier to estimate, schedule and monitor. The module introduces terminology used to describe deliverables, work packages and component activities, and discusses the relationship between a clear scope definition and effective accountability. You will consider how an incomplete or poorly structured breakdown can lead to missed tasks, unclear ownership and unreliable resource estimates.
Module 4 - Estimation Process and Aligning Resources for a Project
Explore the relationship between estimating work and identifying the labour, plant, materials and time required to complete it. You will review the information needed to develop sensible estimates, the assumptions that affect their accuracy and the need to align resources with the sequence of planned activities. The module explains why estimates require judgement and periodic review, particularly when designs, quantities, site conditions or availability change.
Module 5 - Effective Project Planning
Develop a clearer understanding of how an overall construction plan becomes a working schedule. The module introduces planning tools, activity relationships, network diagrams and the critical path method, showing how project teams identify tasks that influence overall completion. You will examine the importance of realistic durations, progress reviews and coordination across trades, so that planning is treated as an ongoing management activity rather than a document created only at the beginning.
Module 6 - Project Risk Management and Communication Plans
Investigate how risks are identified, classified, prioritised and addressed within a construction project. Examples include supply disruption, changing ground conditions, workforce availability and unclear instructions. You will consider the difference between likelihood and impact, the selection of proportionate responses and the importance of reviewing risk exposure as work advances. The module also explores communication planning: who needs which information, at what stage and through what reporting channel.
Module 7 - Cost Estimation
Study the categories of expenditure that influence project budgets and the methods used to produce and revise construction estimates. The module examines how quantities, resource rates, indirect costs and allowances contribute to an overall cost picture. You will consider the importance of documented assumptions, version control and comparisons between estimates and emerging project information. These principles support stronger financial conversations and more timely recognition of potential budget pressure.
Module 8 - Preliminary Site Investigation and Assessment
Learn why early site investigation is fundamental to feasibility, planning and risk management. The module considers the effects of ground conditions, access, local restrictions, zoning, environmental factors and flood exposure on construction decisions. You will explore the role of environmental impact assessment and engineering geology as sources of evidence for choosing and evaluating sites. The emphasis is on understanding how incomplete early information can create avoidable problems during construction.
Module 9 - Site Organisation in the Construction Industry
Examine the practical organisation of a working construction site, including movement routes, delivery access, working areas, welfare facilities, offices and the separation of activities. You will explore why site layout influences productivity, communication and health and safety, particularly when several contractors share limited space. The module considers the manager’s role in coordinating site logistics, maintaining clear arrangements and responding when project conditions or the sequence of work change.
Module 10 - Construction Equipment Planning
Understand how equipment requirements are matched to project activities, site constraints, duration and budget. This module explores important considerations when choosing plant and machinery, including availability, capacity, productivity and the trade-offs between leasing, hiring and purchasing. You will consider why equipment planning must be linked to the project programme and the broader resource plan rather than decided independently for each task.
Module 11 - Management of Construction Equipment
Move from selecting equipment to managing it throughout its use on a project. You will study the implications of maintenance schedules, storage arrangements, repairs, movements and the availability of spare parts. The module explains how a breakdown or poorly coordinated equipment transfer can affect dependent work and create additional costs. You will explore the value of clear equipment records and planned maintenance as elements of reliable site operations.
Module 12 - Management of Construction Materials
Explore the movement of construction materials from ordering and receipt through handling, use and control on site. You will consider how quality checks, suitable storage conditions, stock visibility and safe handling practices reduce damage, shortages and unnecessary waste. The module highlights the relationship between material delivery schedules and planned work, as well as the role of communication between purchasing, stores and site teams.
Module 13 - Human Resources Management
Consider workforce planning as an essential component of construction delivery. The module examines recruitment and selection, labour requirements, roles and responsibilities, and the allocation of people to tasks at appropriate project stages. You will explore the management value of clear instructions, competent supervision and coordination between teams. The focus is on creating a workforce plan that responds to changing project demands while maintaining suitable working arrangements.
Module 14 - Storage Management
Study how construction stores support productivity, material protection and cost control. The module introduces storage systems, record keeping, stock movement and procedures for receiving and issuing materials. You will consider the implications of poor storage conditions, inaccurate inventory and incomplete communication with procurement personnel. It also explains the benefits of connecting purchasing and material information so that resources can be located and made available when needed.
Module 15 - Purchasing and Vendor Management
Examine how supplier selection, purchasing decisions and vendor relationships influence project delivery. This module considers comparing proposals, assessing vendor capability, monitoring performance and managing disagreements constructively. You will explore the importance of clear purchase requirements, practical negotiation and decisions based on whole-project value rather than price alone. The module also discusses when a supplier relationship may need review if performance no longer meets project needs.
Module 16 - Quality Control for Construction Works
Learn how quality management connects agreed specifications with the work actually delivered. The module addresses checks, inspections, documentation, correction of defects and responsibility for identifying non-conforming work. You will examine the management implications of addressing quality problems promptly, and why incentives or penalties require careful consideration. The objective is to understand quality as an organised process spanning planning, execution and review.
Module 17 - Legal Aspects of Contracting
Conclude by examining the contractual foundations of construction projects and the practical importance of clear agreements. You will consider common contract types and the essential elements involved in forming binding obligations, alongside responsibilities, scope, terms and procedures for dealing with changes. The module emphasises the need for managers to understand contractual commitments, maintain accurate records and recognise when specialist legal advice is appropriate; it does not substitute for jurisdiction-specific legal training.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Advanced Diploma of Building and Construction cover?
It brings together 17 modules on construction management, project planning, estimation, risk, site and equipment organisation, materials, human resources, procurement, quality and contracts. The aim is to build a connected understanding of how construction projects are managed.
Is this diploma suitable for someone already working on construction sites?
Yes. Site-based personnel who want to understand wider coordination, budget and planning responsibilities can benefit from the subjects covered. The programme is also relevant to project support and operational management roles.
How many modules are included?
There are 17 approved modules. The syllabus begins with the foundations of construction management and concludes with legal aspects of contracting.
How long is the course?
The BOLC Academy catalogue the programme at approximately 500 hours of learning. Your individual pace will depend on your familiarity with the subject and the time you can devote to study.
Can I study the construction management diploma online?
Yes. BOLC Academy offers the programme as online learning, allowing you to work through its management and construction subject matter remotely.
Does the course cover construction project scheduling?
Yes. You will study project organisation, work breakdown structures, effective planning, network diagrams and the critical path method as part of the approved syllabus.
Will I learn about cost control and estimating?
Yes. The course addresses estimating processes, resource alignment and cost estimation, including the need to review estimates and budgets as project information changes.
Does this diploma include construction health and safety?
Site organisation and risk management introduce health and safety considerations in the context of managing construction operations. The programme should not be treated as a substitute for any legally required site-safety qualification or competency assessment.
What will I learn about equipment and materials?
Separate modules examine equipment planning, ongoing equipment management, construction materials and storage systems. Together they explain how availability, maintenance, handling and records affect site performance.
Are there assessments?
The existing BOLC Academy course describes online assessments alongside its 17-module curriculum. These support review of the course content as you progress.
What certificate or diploma does the programme relate to?
The programme is titled Diploma in Construction Management Level 6. The live course information also refers to CPD accreditation in its endorsement section. Specific award documentation and recognition are governed by the course terms; this is not presented as a university degree or regulated professional licence.
How is this course different from shorter construction management courses?
This Level 6 programme covers 17 modules and links project-level decisions to equipment, people, procurement, quality and contracts. Shorter introductory programmes typically focus on a smaller number of construction management fundamentals, so the best choice depends on the depth of learning you need.
This course is particularly relevant to construction supervisors, project coordinators, personnel working with building projects, procurement or site operations professionals, and managers who want a more integrated view of construction delivery. Learners approaching the sector from another professional background may also find the broad curriculum useful, although responsibility for live construction activities requires the appropriate experience, supervision and role-specific competence.
