Level 7 Diploma in Quality Assurance & Quality Control (QA/QC - Civil)

Unit 1: Strategic Civil Quality Management

1. Quality Management Strategy in Construction : Examines how senior quality professionals establish quality objectives, governance structures, performance expectations and assurance strategies aligned with project requirements and organisational objectives.

2. Construction Quality Governance : Develops advanced understanding of quality responsibilities, authority, accountability, escalation routes and governance arrangements across clients, consultants, contractors, subcontractors and suppliers.

3. Quality Culture and Leadership : Examines leadership behaviours, organisational culture, workforce engagement and management practices that influence construction quality and continual improvement.

4. Quality Objectives and Performance Frameworks : Develops methods for establishing measurable quality objectives, indicators, targets and performance criteria for complex civil projects.

5. Quality Management System Integration : Examines integration of project quality systems with wider organisational management systems, contractual requirements, technical specifications and construction processes.

Unit 2: Project Quality Planning and Quality Plans

1. Project Quality Planning : Develops advanced approaches to translating contractual, technical, statutory and client requirements into an integrated project quality strategy.

2. Project Quality Plan Development : Examines the structure, implementation and control of project quality plans, including responsibilities, resources, processes, inspections, testing, records and acceptance requirements.

3. Inspection and Test Plan Architecture : Develops methods for designing risk-based inspection and test plans that identify inspection stages, acceptance criteria, responsibilities, hold points and witness points.

4. Method Statements and Quality Controls : Evaluates the quality-control content of construction method statements and their relationship with inspection, testing, risk and project requirements.

5. Quality Plan Review and Approval : Develops systematic approaches for reviewing, approving, revising and monitoring quality plans throughout project delivery.

ISO 10005:2018 provides current guidance for establishing, reviewing, accepting, applying and revising quality plans and is applicable to projects, products, services, processes and contracts. 

Unit 3: Civil Materials Quality Assurance and Testing

1. Aggregates and Earthwork Materials : Examines quality characteristics, sampling, testing, acceptance criteria and quality risks associated with aggregates, fill materials, subgrade and earthwork materials.

2. Cement, Concrete and Concrete Constituents : Develops advanced understanding of cementitious materials, aggregates, admixtures, mix requirements, batching controls and concrete quality characteristics.

3. Asphalt and Bituminous Materials : Examines quality requirements, material testing, production controls, temperature management, laying operations, compaction and performance verification for asphalt works.

4. Steel and Reinforcement Materials : Evaluates material certification, identification, traceability, dimensional checks, mechanical properties, reinforcement quality and conformity controls.

5. Material Sampling and Laboratory Control : Develops systematic approaches to sampling, laboratory testing, test-result verification, laboratory competence and control of material-test records.

ASTM's current concrete-testing practice, including C1077-26, recognises testing and inspection of concrete and aggregates as important elements in achieving quality construction and establishes criteria relating to testing-agency personnel, facilities, equipment and quality systems. 

Unit 4: Structural and Concrete Quality Control

1. Reinforced Concrete Construction : Examines quality controls for reinforcement placement, formwork, embedded items, concrete placement, curing, dimensional tolerances and construction sequencing.

2. Concrete Mix and Production Control : Develops methods for controlling concrete materials, batching, workability, temperature, delivery, placement and quality verification.

3. Concrete Testing and Acceptance : Evaluates sampling, specimen preparation, strength testing, test results, acceptance criteria and responses to non-conforming concrete.

4. Formwork and Temporary Works Quality : Examines inspection and verification of formwork, temporary supports, dimensions, alignment, stability and readiness for concrete placement.

5. Concrete Defects and Remedial Measures : Develops advanced understanding of common defects such as honeycombing, cracking, segregation, inadequate compaction and dimensional deficiencies and the quality process for evaluating remedial work.

Current ASTM C192/C192M-26 establishes standard practices for preparing and curing concrete test specimens in laboratory conditions, illustrating the importance of controlled specimen preparation when test results are used for concrete evaluation and acceptance. 

Unit 5: Civil Construction Inspection and Process Control

1. Earthworks and Compaction Quality : Examines inspection and testing controls for excavation, filling, moisture conditioning, compaction, density verification and formation preparation.

2. Drainage and Underground Utilities : Develops quality-control approaches for drainage systems, pipelines, manholes, utility corridors, bedding, backfilling and testing.

3. Roads and Pavement Construction : Examines quality requirements for subgrade, sub-base, base course, asphalt and pavement construction, including dimensional and performance verification.

4. Structural Steel and Connection Quality : Develops quality-control principles for fabrication, erection, bolted connections, welding interfaces, dimensional accuracy, coatings and inspection records.

5. Waterproofing and Building Envelope Controls : Examines quality assurance for waterproofing systems, joints, membranes, sealants, interfaces, protection layers and installation verification.

Unit 6: Inspection, Testing and Measurement Systems

1. Inspection Methodology : Develops advanced inspection planning based on project specifications, construction sequence, risk, acceptance criteria and critical quality characteristics.

2. Measurement and Calibration Control : Examines calibration, verification, traceability and suitability of measuring and testing equipment used for construction quality control.

3. Sampling and Statistical Quality Control : Introduces statistical sampling, process variation, acceptance sampling, trend analysis and data-based quality decisions within civil construction.

4. Laboratory and Field Testing Systems : Evaluates the relationship between field inspection, laboratory testing, test methods, competent personnel, equipment and reliable results.

5. Test Results and Conformity Decisions : Develops methods for interpreting inspection and test results against specified requirements and determining appropriate responses to deviations.

Unit 7: Quality Auditing, Compliance and Supplier Control

1. Construction Quality Auditing : Develops advanced approaches to planning and conducting internal, contractor, subcontractor and supplier quality audits.

2. Audit Evidence and Findings : Examines objective evidence, audit trails, conformity evaluation, finding classification and professional audit reporting.

3. Subcontractor Quality Assurance : Evaluates methods for establishing, monitoring and auditing subcontractor quality systems and construction performance.

4. Supplier Quality Management : Examines supplier qualification, material approval, supplier performance, traceability, quality documentation and supplier corrective action.

5. Audit Programme Management : Develops approaches for establishing risk-based audit programmes, prioritising high-risk processes and using audit results for continual improvement.

The current ISO 19011:2026 provides international guidance for auditing management systems, including audit principles, audit-programme management, audit conduct and auditor competence. ISO

Unit 8: Non-Conformity, Root Cause and Corrective Action

1. Construction Non-Conformity Management : Examines systematic identification, documentation, containment, evaluation and disposition of construction non-conformities.

2. Root Cause Analysis : Applies structured analytical methods to identify systemic causes of defects, repeated failures, process weaknesses and quality deviations.

3. Corrective Action Systems : Develops corrective-action processes covering responsibilities, deadlines, evidence requirements, verification and effectiveness evaluation.

4. Defect Prevention and Recurrence Control : Examines how trend analysis, lessons learned, process improvement and preventive controls can reduce repeated defects.

5. Quality Escalation and Closure : Develops senior-level approaches to escalation, technical review, acceptance, close-out and verification of outstanding quality issues.

Unit 9: Risk-Based QA/QC and Construction Quality Improvement

1. Quality Risk Identification : Develops methods for identifying quality risks arising from design, materials, workmanship, interfaces, suppliers, construction methods and project changes.

2. Quality Risk Assessment : Applies structured approaches for evaluating probability, consequence, detectability and quality significance.

3. Critical Quality Characteristics : Examines identification of construction characteristics requiring enhanced inspection, testing, verification or management attention.

4. Quality Performance Analytics : Develops use of inspection data, defect trends, test results, audit findings and performance indicators to support evidence-based quality decisions.

5. Quality Improvement Programmes : Develops structured improvement programmes targeting recurring defects, process variation, supplier problems, productivity losses and quality-system weaknesses.

ISO 9001:2026 places emphasis on planning, operational control, performance evaluation and continual improvement, making these principles particularly relevant to senior construction QA/QC management. ISO

Unit 10: Advanced Civil QA/QC Management Project

1. Project Quality System Diagnosis : Requires learners to critically evaluate an existing or simulated civil construction quality system and identify systemic strengths, weaknesses, risks and improvement opportunities.

2. Integrated QA/QC Strategy Development : Requires development of a comprehensive project quality strategy incorporating quality objectives, quality plans, inspection and testing, risk controls, documentation and performance measurement.

3. Construction Quality Improvement Plan : Requires learners to design an evidence-based improvement programme addressing significant project quality problems and measurable performance objectives.

4. Quality Audit and Compliance Review : Requires an integrated audit or compliance evaluation covering selected civil construction processes, suppliers, documentation and quality controls.

5. Professional QA/QC Project Defence : Requires learners to present, justify and critically defend their quality-management recommendations using technical evidence, risk analysis and professional judgement.

Learners completing the qualification should be able to:

• Develop strategic civil construction quality systems.

• Prepare and evaluate project quality plans.

• Develop sophisticated inspection and test plans.

• Establish material-quality and testing controls.

• Manage concrete, structural, earthwork, pavement and infrastructure quality.

• Evaluate inspection and laboratory-test information.

• Conduct construction quality audits.

• Manage subcontractor and supplier quality.

• Investigate systemic non-conformities.

• Apply advanced root-cause and corrective-action methods.

• Use quality-risk analysis to prioritise controls.

• Analyse quality performance data.

• Lead continual-improvement programmes.

• Develop integrated QA/QC strategies for complex civil projects.

• Defend technical quality decisions using evidence and professional judgement.

This qualification is designed for:

• Senior QA/QC Engineers

• Civil QA/QC Managers

• Construction Quality Managers

• Project Quality Managers

• Quality Assurance Managers

• Quality Control Managers

• Civil Engineering Inspectors

• Construction Compliance Managers

• Senior Site Engineers

• Project Engineers

• Quality Auditors

• Consultants and technical assurance professionals

• Professionals responsible for contractor and subcontractor quality performance

Assessment Format: Advanced written assignments, civil construction case studies, quality-plan development, inspection and test plan exercises, audit activities, non-conformity investigations, technical reports, professional portfolio and an integrated final QA/QC management project.

Total Questions: No single fixed examination paper; assessment is distributed across written, analytical, practical, audit and project-based components.

Passing Score: 50% minimum overall, with all mandatory assessment components successfully completed.

Duration: Programme-based assessment completed throughout the qualification, with the final project assessed during the concluding stage.

Certification: Successful learners receive the HiQual UK Level 7 Diploma in Quality Assurance & Quality Control (QA/QC - Civil).

To deliver this Qualification, HiQual UK Approved ATPs must demonstrate the capability to deliver, assess, and internally quality assure qualifications in line with recognised regulatory principles and the expectations of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).

Approved centres must operate effective systems to ensure the validity, reliability, fairness, consistency, and security of assessment.

1. Centre Recognition and Legal Compliance

Centres must be formally recognised by HiQual UK prior to the delivery or assessment of any qualification. To maintain recognition, centres must: Be a legally constituted organisation operating in compliance with applicable legislation and regulatory requirements. Demonstrate effective governance, management oversight, and clear lines of accountability. Comply with all HiQual UK policies, procedures, and conditions of centre recognition. Notify HiQual UK promptly of any material changes that may affect delivery, assessment, or internal quality assurance arrangements.

2. Resources, Facilities, and Learning Environment

Centres must ensure that sufficient and appropriate resources are in place to support learning and assessment. This includes: Learning environments appropriate to the mode of delivery, including classrooms and, where applicable, specialist or practical facilities. Access to learning and assessment resources that enable learners to meet qualification outcomes. Secure systems for managing learner data, assessment records, and certification claims. Arrangements that support equality of access and reasonable adjustments for learners where required.

3. Staff Competence and Occupational Expertise

Centres must ensure that all staff involved in delivery, assessment, and internal quality assurance are competent and suitably qualified. Centres must: Appoint tutors with appropriate subject knowledge, teaching competence, and relevant occupational or professional experience. Ensure assessors are trained and competent in applying HiQual UK assessment requirements and standards. Appoint a qualified Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) responsible for monitoring assessment practice and decisions. Maintain records of staff qualifications, experience, training, and continuing professional development (CPD).

4. Assessment Practice and Internal Quality Assurance (IQA)

Centres must operate robust internal quality assurance systems to ensure assessment integrity. Centres must: Ensure assessment is valid, fit for purpose, and conducted in line with HiQual UK requirements. Implement effective IQA procedures to monitor assessor performance and confirm the consistency of assessment decisions. Maintain accurate, complete, and auditable records of learner registration, assessment evidence, and outcomes. Carry out regular internal reviews and standardisation activities to support continuous improvement.

5. Integrity, Risk Management, and Malpractice

Centres must take appropriate measures to protect the integrity of assessment. Centres must: Maintain policies and procedures for the prevention, identification, and management of malpractice and maladministration. Ensure secure handling, storage, and retention of assessment materials and learner evidence. Report any suspected or confirmed malpractice to HiQual UK in accordance with published procedures.

6. Health, Safety, Safeguarding, and Learner Protection

Centres must provide a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment. Centres must: Comply with applicable health and safety and safeguarding legislation. Conduct risk assessments for learning activities, particularly where practical or technical work is involved. Maintain procedures to safeguard learner welfare and wellbeing.

7. Learner Information, Support, and Fair Treatment

Centres must ensure learners are informed, supported, and treated fairly. Centres must: Provide clear and accurate information on programme requirements, assessment methods, and certification. Ensure learners receive timely and constructive feedback on assessment outcomes. Operate transparent complaints and appeals procedures aligned with HiQual UK requirements. Manage learner information securely in compliance with data protection legislation.

Successful learners who achieve the HiQual UK Level 7 Diploma in Quality Assurance & Quality Control (QA/QC - Civil) may progress to:

• Doctoral-level or advanced postgraduate study in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Quality Management, Engineering Management or related disciplines, subject to institutional admission requirements.

• Specialist professional development in construction auditing, quality engineering, structural inspection, materials technology and asset integrity.

• Senior positions including QA/QC Manager, Project Quality Manager, Quality Assurance Director, Construction Quality Manager, Technical Assurance Manager and Quality Consultant.

• Advanced professional development in project management, risk management, contract administration and construction leadership.

• Continuing professional development focused on emerging digital quality systems, construction data analytics, BIM-enabled quality management and advanced quality assurance.