Proqual Level 3 Diploma – Setting Out for Construction

PROQUAL LEVEL 3 DIPLOMA
IN ENGINEERING SURVEYING

A respected milestone in professional
development for site engineers.

OVERVIEW

This diploma gives site engineers a nationally recognised way to prove their competence, boost career prospects, and gain the Gold CSCS card. Whether you’re building on years of experience or strengthening skills through training, it’s a structured, supported route to formal recognition in engineering surveying.

The ProQual Level 3 Diploma in Engineering Surveying is a nationally recognised benchmark of competence for site engineers. It demonstrates practical ability and professional standards across the full range of engineering surveying and setting out skills, providing independent recognition that you meet an industry-approved standard.

It is an Ofqual-regulated qualification awarded by ProQual Awarding Body, ensuring your achievement is formally recognised across the industry.

ARE WE THE RIGHT
FIT FOR YOU?

There are many providers offering this qualification, and the amount of choice can feel overwhelming. Our approach is to be fully transparent so you can decide whether we are the right fit for you. If you are looking for a quick fix or to do the bare minimum, another provider may suit you better. Our programme is deliberately thorough, challenging, and rewarding - designed as a genuine career-changing experience.

We combine structured training with the flexibility to fit assessor meetings and assignments around your schedule. You will be supported throughout by experienced assessors who are also practising engineers and surveyors, guiding and steering you rather than just marking your work. A clear onboarding process ensures you feel welcomed, know exactly how to get started, and have full access to the book, eLearning, technical support, and mentoring community from day one.

ROUTES TO QUALIFICATION

1. ASSESSMENT ONLY

For experienced engineers confident in their skills. Aimed at those who have the relevant training, experience, mentoring and access to equipment to be able to produce all the required evidence.

2. FULL PRACTICAL TRAINING & ASSESSMENT

Includes 10 days of hands-on training through our 5-day Setting Out For Construction course and 5-day Enhanced Setting Out Skills course. All evidence requirements are covered during these two courses, so the only additional assignments are the knowledge tasks. Includes other support, equipment practice opportunities and assessment.

3. HYBRID ROUTE

Start the assessment route and then decide if you need to fill any skills gaps with one of our scheduled practical courses or get access to a particular piece of equipment. You’ll receive 10% off any course you choose once registered for the assessment route. Ideal if you have already attended any of our courses as you do not need to repeat the learning.

ALL ROUTES INCLUDE:

WHO'S IT FOR

Site engineers seeking formal recognition of skills already used on site

Engineering surveyors meeting client or employer requirements

Early-career professionals progressing from practical training to competence-based qualification

Employers evidencing team capability for tenders, audits, and compliance

HOW THE QUALIFICATION WORKS

Assessment is based on demonstrating competence through:

Knowledge questions – written answers showing your technical understanding

Evidence questions – workplace examples, structured tasks, or evidence produced during SOFC practical courses

Where relevant, candidates can use their own site evidence, but the process is not a “paper chase”.

It requires thought, reflection, and demonstration of skills. Our approach ensures the qualification is thorough, credible, and a genuine measure of competence.

Assessors support you throughout with guidance, feedback, and one-to-one meetings. For those lacking workplace evidence, assessments can be completed through practical tasks and video demonstrations.

WHAT THE DIPLOMA COVERS

The qualification consists of five mandatory units:

1. Introduction to Surveying – principles, health and safety, control networks, drawing interpretation

2. Understanding Levelling – height measurement, error checking, instrument use

3. Using a Total Station – setup, data capture, angle/distance measurement, data adjustment

4. Using GNSS – GPS positioning in static and RTK modes, understanding satellite geometry, avoiding errors

5. Setting Out and Related Survey Technologies – setting out practices, 3D modelling, site control, modern survey technologies

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This diploma can be completed in three ways, depending on your experience and needs:

Set up and use an optical (dumpy) level accurately
Take readings and record data correctly
Carry out a two-peg test to check accuracy
Carry out a level survey
Set out levels
Install benchmarks on site
Set out profile boards for level and sloping excavations
Set batter rails for cut and fill
Use a laser level correctly
Transfer levels using a digital level
Build checks into all your levelling work
Minimise the chance of errors

Set up and use a total station accurately
Apply atmospheric corrections
Carry out a two-peg test to check accuracy
Upload setting out data to the controller
Set out using coordinates and offsets
Set out arcs
Set out in relation to grid lines
Carry out a survey using points, lines, and feature codes

Use GNSS to locate position in static and RTK modes
Upload setting out data to a robotic instrument
Set out using coordinates and offsets
Set out arcs and gridlines
Carry out surveys with feature coding
Apply least squares adjustment to survey data

WHY CHOOSE SOFC

More than just a qualification: designed to improve your skills, not just tick boxes

Includes the SOFC book, eLearning, mentoring, and technical support

Dedicated assessor meetings and feedback – not left to struggle alone

Practical training options available to fill gaps

Nationally recognised qualification with ProQual Awarding Body

Eligible for a Gold CSCS Card – proving site competence, not just academic ability (unlike the White card, which demonstrates knowledge only)

BENEFITS FOR EMPLOYERS

Demonstrate workforce competence to clients and stakeholders

Provide a clear development pathway for engineers and surveyors

Ensure consistent, industry-approved standards across teams

Reduce errors and reliance on external surveyors by building in-house capability

Improve attraction by showing potential recruits that you invest in professional development

Improve retention by increasing job satisfaction and helping employees feel valued and supported

BENEFITS FOR INDIVIDUALS

Gain a respected qualification and a Gold CSCS card

Boost employability and career progression opportunities

Strengthen technical confidence and accuracy

Demonstrate commitment to professional development

FUNDING

Parts of the practical training are eligible for CITB grants and Employer Network funding. The diploma assessment route itself is eligible for a £600 CITB short qualification grant, whilst the 5 day Setting Out For Construction course is eligible for 70% funding through CITB Employer Networks.

For more details, please see our Funding Page or get in touch if you’d like to have a chat about the options available.

HELPING YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT ROUTE

If you are unsure which route is right for you, we can help you decide before you commit.

You can complete our short Learner Background and Goals Form to receive personalised advice on your most suitable route.

Or, book a free Learning Pathways Call for a friendly, no-pressure chat with our Centre Manager to discuss your goals and experience.

EMPLOYERS WITH
MULTIPLE CANDIDATES

If your organisation has several potential learners, we offer a free Training Needs Analysis (TNA) service. We will:

Provide a TNA questionnaire for your candidates
Analyse the data and identify skills gaps
Recommend which candidates need assessment only, full training, or a hybrid route
Provide optimised costed proposals for each pathway
Offer a free Learning Pathways Call for anyone unsure about their readiness

This service helps employers make informed decisions, target training budgets effectively, and raise the competence of their entire team.

DURATION AND COST

Three part payment plan available: Simply select Klarna at the checkout

Companies: If you would like to book by Purchase Order and invoice, please email info@settingoutforconstruction.com

Assessment Only: £1050 +VAT

Practical Training and Assessment (incudes 10 days practical training and other support and practice opportunities): £3000 +VAT

Hybrid Route: (£1100+VAT + training costs at 10% discount)

Completion time varies depending on experience, evidence, and work commitments.

NEED MORE HELP?

If you’d like a bit more help to decide, get in touch, we are happy to help.

PROQUAL LEVEL 3 DIPLOMA IN ENGINEERING SURVEYING

A respected milestone in professional development for site engineers.