Introduction to Legislation for the Built Environment

Certificate

Course Details

Course Code	GA_ELBEG_N09
Level	9
Duration	1 semester
Credits	10
Method of Delivery	Blended
Campus Locations	Galway City – Dublin Road
Mode of Delivery	Part Time

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Introduction to Legislation for the Built Environment

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Course Overview

This module introduces, explains, and evaluates the legal foundations of the Built Environment Legislation in Ireland. On completion of the module, learners should be able to demonstrate as far as reasonably practicable their understanding and competence in relation to distinguishing and understanding in general the foundations of the legal obligations involved in the Built Environment Framework.

This level 9 blended course which is predominantly delivered online 4 hours a week over one semester in the evenings to suit a working cohort.

Course Details

Year 1

Semester	Module Details	Credits	Mandatory / Elective
1	Introduction to Legislation for the Built Environment This module introduces, explains and evaluates the legal foundations of the Built Environment Legislation in Ireland.On completion of the module, learners should be able to demonstrate as far as reasonably practicable their understanding and competence in relation to distinguishing and understanding in general the foundations of thelegal obligations involved in the Built Environment Framework. Learning Outcomes 1. Evaluate as far as reasonably practicable theLegal system in Ireland,Built Environment Statutory Instruments, Enforcement Authorities and Stakeholders in relation to Built Environment. 2. Analyse and evaluate as far as reasonably practicable, the legal obligations in relation to the law of contract and Construction Contracts. 3. Demonstrate a knowledge and competence as far as reasonably practicable the Health and Safety requirements, the legal understanding of a Competent person in relation to Health & Safety Legislation -with emphasis on applying to Construction Duty holders underSafety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations (2013). 4. Evaluate and demonstrate as far as reasonably practicable an understanding of the key foundations and principles of the Building Control Act Regulations 1997-2020. 5. Evaluate and demonstrate as far as reasonably practicable an understanding of the key foundations and principles of the Building Control Regulations with emphasis on Certificates of Compliance with practical BCMS commencement notice assessment. 6. Evaluate and demonstrate as far as reasonably practicable an understanding of Building Control Legal Interpretations and Definitions.	10	Mandatory

Image description: This is an image of the full time (18 months) MSc Built Environment Regulation learning pathway for a September cohort of students. It uses the identifying colours from the legend to outline the full-time learning pathway on this course for 12 embedded programmes including 7 micro-credentials. Year 1 Semester 9 contains four modules as follows: Introduction to Legislation for the Built Environment (10 credits); Energy Conservation (Part L, F, J, C, D, Sustainability, and Circular Economy) (10 credits); Structures (Part A, C, D, Eurocodes, and Circular Economy) (5 credits); Fire Safety (Part B Dwelling Houses) (5 credits). Year 1 Semester 10 contains four modules as follows: Built Environment Research (5 credits); Services (Part E, F, G, H, J and D) (5 credits); Access and Use (Part M, B, J, DAC, Universal Design) (10 credits); Fire Safety (Part B Buildings other than Dwelling Houses, and FSC) (10 credits). Year 2 Semester 11 contains one module as follows: Built Environment Thesis (30 credits).

Image description: This is an image of the part time (30 months) MSc Built Environment Regulation learning pathway for a September cohort of students. It uses the identifying colours from the legend to outline the part-time learning pathway on this course for 12 embedded programmes including 7 micro-credentials. Year 1 Semester 9 contains two modules as follows: Energy Conservation (Part L, F, J, C, D, Sustainability, and Circular Economy) (10 credits); Fire Safety (Part B Dwelling Houses) (5 credits). Year 1 Semester 10 contains two modules as follows: Services (Part E, F, G, H, J and D) (5 credits); Fire Safety (Part B Buildings other than Dwelling Houses, and FSC) (10 credits). Year 2 Semester 9 contains two modules as follows: Introduction to Legislation for the Built Environment (10 credits); Structures (Part A, C, D, Eurocodes, and Circular Economy) (5 credits). Year 2 Semester 10 contains two modules as follows: Built Environment Research (5 credits); Access and Use (Part M, B, J, DAC, Universal Design) (10 credits). Year 3 Semester 11 contains one module as follows: Built Environment Thesis (30 credits).

Image description: This is an image of a legend identifying in different colours the 12 programme learning pathways on the MSc Built Environment Regulation. It identifies the following courses: Certificate in Energy Conservation and Environmental Services (15 Credits); Certificate in Fire Safety (15 Credits); PG Certificate in Built Environment Regulation (30 Credits); PG Dip in Science in Built Environment Regulation (60 Credits); MSc in Built Environment Regulation (90 Credits); Micro-credentials (5/10 Credits). It also indicates where some elements are taught between modules and suggested pre-requisite modules.

Recommended Study Hours per week

The recommended study hours per week are 4 hours for lectures and 10 hours on average for independent study.

Examination and Assessment

100% Continuous Assessment, which is broken down as follows: Online quizzes 60%, group projects 5% and 15%, individual project 20%.

On-Campus Attendance Requirement

An on-campus class is held one Saturday a semester (Typically 10am-12pm or 10am-2pm, for example) on a date agreed in consultation with the students. It is not mandatory to attend this tutorial/workshop. It is delivered as hybrid and is recorded. However, it is advantageous for students to attend, where possible.

Progression

Successful candidates can progress to any of the following programmes:

Certificate in Built Environment Regulation (30 ECTS credits) (Minor award)
Postgraduate Diploma in Built Environment Regulation (60 ECTS credits) (Major award)
MSc in Built Environment Regulation (90 ECTS credits) (Major award)

Download a prospectus

Postgraduate Prospectus Online, Flexible & Professional Development Prospectus

Entry Requirements

Candidates must hold a cognate level 8 Bachelor (Hons) degree with a minimum grade classification of H2.2 or equivalent. Candidates who do not meet the H2.2 performance standard in a Level 8 award will be required to pass a qualifying assignment at a H2.2 performance standard as established by the Programme Board for the programme in question and as approved by the Registrar.

English Language Requirements are as determined by ATU and as published in the Access, Transfer and Progression code.

Recognition of Prior Learning may be used to gain access to a programme subject to available places.

Fees

HCI Micro-Credential Course Learner Fee Subsidy is available for this course.

Further information on fees

Careers

This programme may facilitate employment opportunities in the broad area of Building Regulations and Building Control in the private and public sector, in local authority, and on site in the construction sector. This qualification may help to meet annual Continuing Professional Development requirements, and to align with professional body requirements. It may also present opportunities for progression into management and to more senior positions.

Further Information

Start Date

September 2025

Who Should Apply?

There are employment opportunities for building regulation practitioners as specialists within their broader discipline areas of Architecture, Architectural Technology, Building Surveying, Consultancy, Consultant Engineering, Civil Engineering, Building Engineering, Building Services Engineering, Quality Engineering, Building Control Engineering, Local Authority Engineering, and Construction Management, to name a few.