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Construction

Level 2 Diploma Plumbing Foundation BPEC

Level 2 · BPEC · Full-Time · 1 Year (Year 2 of 2)

Year two, and where plumbing gets serious. You'll build on your Level 1 with cold and hot water systems, central heating, sanitation, drainage, and the electrical and scientific principles behind building services engineering. This is the skills and knowledge that get you ready for employment or an apprenticeship in the plumbing sector. The trade in demand, done properly.

Next Open Event · 10th September 4:30pm to 7:00pm

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Key Facts

  • Level Level 2
  • Duration 1 Year (Year 2 of 2)
  • Study Mode Full-Time
  • Awarding Body BPEC
  • Entry Completion of Level 1 Plumbing Foundation BPEC
  • Assessment Coursework + Practical Assessment + Portfolio

Water systems, central heating, sanitation and drainage. The year that gets you job-ready.

Admissions

Entry Requirements

What You'll Need

  • Completion of the Level 1 Plumbing Foundation BPEC
  • A genuine commitment to a plumbing career
  • Successful interview with our team
If you're still working on your Maths or English, you can keep building those alongside the course.
What You'll Learn

Systems, Heating, and Building Services.

Year two takes you from the fundamentals into the real systems a plumber installs and maintains: cold water systems, domestic hot water systems, central heating, sanitation and drainage. You’ll also cover the electrical and scientific principles behind building services engineering, and the common plumbing processes that tie it all together.

Like year one, it is 50% theory, 50% practical, with a portfolio of evidence assessed by your tutor. Health and safety in building services engineering runs throughout. By the end of this year you’ll have the skills and knowledge for employment or an apprenticeship in the plumbing sector, and a real foundation for a long career in the trade.

Core Knowledge

  • Health and safety in building services engineering
  • Electrical principles and processes for building services engineering
  • Scientific principles for domestic, industrial and commercial plumbing
  • Common plumbing processes
  • Understand how to communicate with others within building services engineering

Systems

  • Cold water systems
  • Domestic hot water systems
  • Sanitation
  • Central heating systems
  • Drainage systems
How You're Assessed

Assessment Methods

Coursework

Written assignments, research projects, and case studies that let you explore topics in depth.

Practical Assessment

Hands-on tasks and practical demonstrations in realistic working environments.

Portfolio

Build a portfolio of evidence showcasing your skills and achievements throughout the course.

50% theory, 50% practical. Assessed by portfolio of evidence.
Career Destinations

Where This Course Takes You

Bricklayers

Up to £43,088 /year

Bricklayers erect and repair brick, pre-cut stone and concrete block structures such as walls, paving, chimney stacks and tunnel lining.

Carpenters and Joiners

Up to £44,806 /year

Carpenters and joiners construct, erect, install and repair wooden structures and fittings used in internal and external frameworks and cut, shape, fit and assemble wood to make templates, jigs, scale models […]

Construction and Building Trades

Up to £40,091 /year

Job holders in this unit group undertake a variety of tasks in the construction, alteration, maintenance and repair of buildings, steeples, industrial chimneys and other tall structures, and of underwater […]

Construction and Building Trades Supervisors

Up to £54,826 /year

Construction and building trades supervisors oversee operations and directly supervise and coordinate the activities of workers in construction and building trades.

Construction Operatives

Up to £44,463 /year

Job holders in this unit group operate insulating equipment, fix plasterboard to ceilings and walls, help construct, maintain, repair and demolish buildings and clean and resurface eroded stonework, lay, join […]

Elementary Construction Occupations

Up to £33,902 /year

Job holders in this unit group perform a variety of general labouring and construction duties to assist building, civil engineering and related trades workers in the performance of their tasks.

Plumbers and Heating and Ventilating Installers and Repairers

Up to £52,228 /year

Plumbers and heating and ventilating installers and repairers assemble, install, maintain and repair plumbing fixtures, heating and ventilating systems and pipes and pipeline systems in commercial, residential and industrial premises […]

Your Progression Pathway

  1. GCSEs or Level 1
  2. Level 2 Level 2 Diploma Plumbing Foundation BPEC
Our Facilities

Spacious, Well-Equipped Workshops

You'll train in dedicated plumbing workshops built for hands-on work with real systems, led by tutors who've worked in the trade.

  • Plumbing Workshops

    Spacious, well-equipped plumbing workspaces for real systems work.

  • Expert Tutors

    Every session led by tutors with real plumbing industry experience.

  • Links With Local Companies

    Real experience on live projects, plus national competitions.

259A9752
Real Workshops · Real Systems
Adam

Adam

Level 2 Painting and Decorating

Student Voice

I’ve gained loads of skills that’ll help me in life and in starting my career as a full-time painter and decorator. College has been a great experience—everyone’s treated equally, and the staff are really friendly and supportive. I’d definitely recommend it.

For Parents & Carers

Supporting Your Child's Journey

Real Career Prospects

These qualifications lead to real jobs. Our courses are built around the skills that employers are actually hiring for — locally and nationally.

See career options

GCSE Support Built In

If your child needs to resit GCSE English or Maths, it's built into the timetable — not bolted on as an extra. They'll get structured support alongside their main course.

About student support

Financial Support Available

Bursaries are available, and free meals are provided for those who qualify. If cost is a concern, there's help — and it's straightforward to apply.

Financial support info

A Friendly, Welcoming Place

Students are often surprised by how friendly and welcoming college is. It's a supportive community where they'll build genuine friendships and feel part of something.

About student life

Tutors With Real Experience

Our tutors bring real industry experience into the classroom. They teach what's actually used in the world of work, and students consistently say this is what makes the course work.

Qualifications That Count

These are nationally recognised qualifications with real academic weight. Your child will develop practical skills and knowledge that employers and universities genuinely value.

See the full unit list

Mental Health & Wellbeing

College is a big change. Our wellbeing team is here for every student — whether they need someone to talk to, help managing stress, or ongoing support. No referral needed.

Wellbeing support

Learning Support

If your child has additional learning needs, our support team works with them from day one. Adjustments are put in place early so they can get the most out of their course.

About learning support

Safeguarding & Welfare

Your child's safety is our priority. All staff are DBS-checked, our safeguarding team is available every day, and students always know who to go to if something isn't right.

Our safeguarding commitment

Come to an Open Event · 10th September 4:30pm to 7:00pm

See the facilities, meet the tutors, ask your questions in person.

Book Your Place
For Careers Advisers

Quick Reference Guide

Level

Level 2

Duration

1 Year (Year 2 of 2)

Study Mode

Full-Time

Awarding Body

BPEC

Entry

Completion of Level 1 Plumbing Foundation BPEC

Assessment

Coursework + Practical Assessment + Portfolio

Ready to Get Job-Ready?

Applications for September 2026 are open. Apply online in 10 minutes.

Questions? Call free 0800 358 7575 or email dcinfocentre@don.ac.uk