Design Engineer Construct! (DEC)
The Digital Built Environment
The flagship DEC Learning Programme for learners 13-18+ focuses on sustainable building design in a digital context.
DEC comprises three levels, each with recognised qualifications – Foundation Level 1, Intermediate Level 2 and Advanced Level 3, which attracts full UCAS points for university and degree apprenticeships.
Learners discover real-world applications of science, technology, engineering and maths. This leads to a whole range of exciting professional career pathways through strong industry and academic links.
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DEC is a legacy education programme for the London 2012 Olympic Games – watch to discover more.
Class Of Your Own is proud to partner with Training Qualifications UK (TQUK) – the ONLY Awarding Organisation licensed to deliver official DEC qualifications
TQUK has joined forces with AQA, the biggest and most respected of GCSE and A-Level exam board in the UK – together, they will continue to offer our Teachers and Learners the very best supporting services.
TQUK Level 1 Certificate in Design, Engineer, Construct!
The Digital Built Environment (RQF)
Foundation Level 1
Level 1 Portfolio – Olivia, Kinross High School
Overview
An introduction to the construction sector, developing the professional, technical and digital knowledge, skills and behaviours required for a career in industry. Learners design a sustainable, inclusive building where local communities can go to learn about environmentally-friendly living.
Learners: 13+ years (including post-16 and Adult Learners)
Regulated Qualification – QAN: 603/1991/4
TQUK Level 1 Certificate in Design, Engineer, Construct! The Digital Built Environment (RQF) is regulated by Ofqual, and sits on the Regulated Qualification Framework (RQF) and on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework as SCQF Level 5.
Learning and Teaching Support
Comprehensive learning and teaching resources are available for FREE through our ‘Adopt A School’ funded programme, or available from £2000/yr subscription – no previous knowledge of the Built Environment required.
Fees: TQUK Centre Recognition (UK)
Funding:
Schools and Colleges: DfE
Colleges, training organisations and employers: LARS
Our Teaching Development Manager will give you a guided tour of the Level 1 Learning Programme and answer all your questions.
TQUK Level 2 Certificate in Design, Engineer, Construct!
The Digital Built Environment (RQF)
Intermediate Level 2
Matthew Bateson, St Ambrose Barlow RC High School
Now: Degree Apprentice – Civil Engineering, Mott MacDonald
Daniel Bateson, St Ambrose Barlow RC High School
Now: Graduate Digital Engineer, Laing O’Rourke
Overview
A programme for learners looking to increase their knowledge of professional practice in the Built Environment and provides an excellent opportunity to advance from DEC Level 1 and progress to DEC Level 3.
Focusing on concept development, technical design, project delivery and evaluation, learners create their choice of sustainable community building.
Learners: 14+ years (including post-16 and Adult Learners)
Regulated Qualification – QAN: 603/1992/6
TQUK Level 2 Certificate in Design, Engineer, Construct! The Digital Built Environment (RQF) is regulated by Ofqual, and sits on the Regulated Qualification Framework (RQF) and on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework as SCQF Level 6.
Learning and Teaching Support
Comprehensive learning and teaching resources available for FREE through our ‘Adopt a School’ funded programme.
Fees: TQUK Centre Recognition (UK)
Funding:
Schools and Colleges: DfE
Colleges, training organisations and employers: LARS
Our Teaching Development Manager will give you a guided tour of the Level 2 Learning Programme and answer all your questions.
TQUK Level 3 Diploma in Design, Engineer, Construct!
The Digital Built Environment (RQF)
Advanced Level 3
Christopher Jackson, King Ecgbert School
Now: Graduate Civil Engineer, AECOM
Freya Corkhill-Cantwell, Cronton Sixth Form College
Now: Apprentice Project Manager, Actemium Design
Overview
An advanced programme for learners looking to increase their knowledge of professional practice in the digital Built Environment and provides an excellent opportunity to advance knowledge gained at Level 2 and extend knowledge and practice required to progress to the professional workplace and/or university.
Learners develop, design, deliver and evaluate a fit for purpose, functional building and can be based on their own interpretation of a ‘real’ project brief. Their building should be highly sustainable and inclusive and enable learners to demonstrate advanced knowledge and use a range of industry process and digital skills.
Learners: 16+ years (including post-16 and Adult Learners)
Regulated Qualification – QAN: 603/1993/8
TQUK Level 3 Diploma in Design, Engineer, Construct! The Digital Built Environment (RQF) is regulated by Ofqual, and sits on the Regulated Qualification Framework (RQF).
Learning and Teaching Support
Comprehensive learning and teaching resources available for FREE through our ‘Adopt a School’ funded programme.
Fees: TQUK Centre Recognition (UK)
Funding:
The TQUK DEC Level 3 Diploma attracts the ‘high value course premium‘.
Schools and Colleges: DfE
Colleges, training organisations and employers: LARS
Our Teaching Development Manager will give you a guided tour of the Level 3 Learning Programme and answer all your questions.
Teaching Design Engineer Construct!
Design Engineer Construct! was created with the support of teachers, learners, parents, academics and industry professionals and continues to evolve with that same support.
Our teachers have more experience than they realise!
Most of our teachers teach STEM subjects, but begin with little knowledge of the Built Environment as an industry. DEC takes them on a journey that immerses them in the familiar world where they already live, work and play, so they begin to see it from a DEC perspective.
DEC Centres of Excellence

Thanks to the vision of forward thinking leaders and the commitment and passion of experienced DEC teachers, Class Of Your Own has co-created a network of exemplary schools that provide invaluable support to those new to the DEC Learning Programme.
A DEC Centre of Excellence actively demonstrates the opportunity that is DEC, both to fellow educators and industry, across all levels.
DEC Centre of Excellence teachers can:
*A DEC Centre of Excellence delivers at least two levels of the official TQUK Design Engineer Construct! Digital Built Environment qualifications – see https://www.tquk.org/design-engineer-construct/
DEC National Training Centres

Our training centres are established Centres of Excellence that are equipped to support the professional development of teachers, trainers and industry partners to ensure high quality subject delivery throughout all levels of the Design Engineer Construct! (DEC) Learning Programme.
DEC trainers can:
Book a DEC DISCOVERY CALL
Chat about learning, teaching and supporting DEC with one of our team
Are you from industry?
Visit the COYO website and learn how you can recruit exceptional DEC talent, improve your organisation’s diversity and surpass your ESG commitments!
Since 2009, social enterprise Class Of Your Own (COYO) has inspired children and young people to experience the digital Built Environment through their award-winning ‘Design Engineer Construct!’ (DEC) Learning Programme.
Studying DEC offers a unique opportunity to grow and apply knowledge; develop competencies, behaviours and skills; AND access recognised qualifications leading to successful careers in architecture, engineering and construction.
Digital skills for life
Students of DEC advance their digital skills throughout the learning programme, including the use of modelling and analysis tools using industry-standard software for building and infrastructure design.
People and planet first
Aligning with Sustainable Development Goals, the themes of social, environmental and economic sustainability run throughout the programme. Learners discover how to minimise their own, and their community’s, impact on the planet through role-play and project-based learning.
They understand the value of inclusivity and diversity, designing for a world where everyone matters.