School of Applied Technologies | UCC University Centre Colchester

Welcome to the School of Applied Technologies

Preparing you for regional, national and international employment.

Business and Management

We examine what organisations do, how they develop their strategies, and why. In association with real-world employers, we focus on innovation, enterprise and entrepreneurship to ensure you are equipped with a competitive skillset so you are ready to begin a successful career in industry.

Construction

Construction is a prime economic growth subject in this part of the UK, and we are closely involved with training the next generation of professionals in our discipline. Academic study and practical work-related experiences combine to form our dynamic construction programmes. Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), we help develop relevant occupational and personal skills to launch you into a prosperous career in industry. Meeting CIOB membership criteria, our programmes are widely respected by employers.

Engineering

Through developing advanced technical and analytical skills, our modern industry-led programmes ensure you have the relevant occupational and personal abilities to excel in this versatile, fast-paced environment. We are very proud that our students have progressed to fulfilling and rewarding careers within the engineering sector and look forward to you mirroring their success.

Interested? Get in touch. I look forward to meeting you.

Mark Cherry, Head of School

Business and Management

BA (Hons) Business and Management

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Chartered ManagerDegree Apprenticeship

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Construction

BSc (Hons) Construction ManagementArchitectural Technology

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BSc (Hons) Construction ManagementQuantity Surveying

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BSc (Hons) Construction ManagementSite Management

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HNCBuilding Services Engineering

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Engineering

BEng (Hons)Engineering (Top-up)

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HNC/DEngineering (Electrical and Electronic)

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HNC/DMechanical Engineering

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Manufacturing EngineerDegree Apprenticeship Level 6

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Kylie Baalham is a lecturer in Business and teaches modules in Conference and Event Management, Work Based Learning, Business Accounting, Small Business Management and Business Resources. Kylie joined Colchester Institute and University Centre Colchester in 2016.

Kylie began her professional career working within the hospitality industry, including seven years working in Amsterdam in 5 star hotels such as the Hilton. She has over 10 years’ experience of various management positions, an expertise that is very pertinent to her lecturing work.

Kylie’s research interests are connected to developing her professional practice by understanding her students’ experience of university training.

Read staff profile

Brenda Rich is a lecturer in Construction and teaches the following modules: Construction Management Dissertation; Corporate Management and Finance; Health, Safety and Welfare; Information and Communication Skills; Principles of Management; Procurement, Tendering & Estimating; Production of Buildings; Project Appraisal & Analysis; Project Management; Research Skills; Supply Chain Management and Sustainable Building Design.

After training as a surveyor, Brenda’s business background gave her the ability to progress into commercial management, working in the Construction & FM industry since 2005.

Her portfolio of work has consisted of large-scale projects to the value of at least £500m. Projects have included The Queen Elizabeth II Olympic Park and the Ministry of Defence site of Colchester Garrison.

Read staff profile

Graham Meek is a lecturer Engineering and Business, teaching modules in Business Start-up Skills; Project Management; Continuous Improvement and Lean Leadership; Business Management for Engineers and Dissertation Supervision.

After completing his first degree and employment as a scientific officer for the Department for Trade and Industry (DTI), he started to work for the UK arm of a Japanese robot company (Fanuc). Graham formed a private consultancy business and has since started other small businesses, focusing on management, business improvement, technical training and consultancy.

Clients he has delivered consultancy and training services to include; Ford, Nissan, Heinz, Rolls-Royce plc, Durr Ltd, Shell and SMEs in the wholesale and manufacturing sectors.

Read staff profile

Dominic Onimowo is a lecturer in Engineering, teaching Engineering Science and Mechatronics. Dominic is a member of the Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers, Society of Petroleum Engineers and Institution of Engineering and Technology.

Dominic is an active researcher in the field of mechanical engineering and has experience in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Heat transfer Enhancement, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computer Aided Design (CAD). Dominic has worked as a research assistant carrying out computer based fluid dynamics simulations on a 3D printer in order to create a digital twin and connect this to the Internet of Things (IoT).

Dominic’s PhD involved the analysis of fluid flow geometries and the effects on the physics of flow using computational fluid dynamics.

Read staff profile

Business and Management Staff

Kylie Baalham

Kylie Baalham is a lecturer in Business and teaches modules in Conference and Event Management, Work Based Learning, Business Accounting, Small Business Management and Business Resources. Kylie joined Colchester Institute and University Centre Colchester in 2016.

Kylie began her professional career working within the hospitality industry, including seven years working in Amsterdam in 5 star hotels such as the Hilton. She has over 10 years’ experience of various management positions, an expertise that is very pertinent to her lecturing work.

Kylie’s research interests are connected to developing her professional practice by understanding her students’ experience of university training.

Read staff profile

Construction Staff

Brenda Rich

Brenda Rich is a lecturer in Construction and teaches the following modules: Construction Management Dissertation; Corporate Management and Finance; Health, Safety and Welfare; Information and Communication Skills; Principles of Management; Procurement, Tendering & Estimating; Production of Buildings; Project Appraisal & Analysis; Project Management; Research Skills; Supply Chain Management and Sustainable Building Design.

After training as a surveyor, Brenda’s business background gave her the ability to progress into commercial management, working in the Construction & FM industry since 2005.

Her portfolio of work has consisted of large-scale projects to the value of at least £500m. Projects have included The Queen Elizabeth II Olympic Park and the Ministry of Defence site of Colchester Garrison.

Read staff profile

Engineering Staff

Graham Meek

Graham Meek is a lecturer Engineering and Business, teaching modules in Business Start-up Skills; Project Management; Continuous Improvement and Lean Leadership; Business Management for Engineers and Dissertation Supervision.

After completing his first degree and employment as a scientific officer for the Department for Trade and Industry (DTI), he started to work for the UK arm of a Japanese robot company (Fanuc). Graham formed a private consultancy business and has since started other small businesses, focusing on management, business improvement, technical training and consultancy.

Clients he has delivered consultancy and training services to include; Ford, Nissan, Heinz, Rolls-Royce plc, Durr Ltd, Shell and SMEs in the wholesale and manufacturing sectors.

Read staff profile

Dominic Onimowo

Dominic Onimowo is a lecturer in Engineering, teaching Engineering Science and Mechatronics. Dominic is a member of the Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers, Society of Petroleum Engineers and Institution of Engineering and Technology.

Dominic is an active researcher in the field of mechanical engineering and has experience in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Heat transfer Enhancement, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computer Aided Design (CAD). Dominic has worked as a research assistant carrying out computer based fluid dynamics simulations on a 3D printer in order to create a digital twin and connect this to the Internet of Things (IoT).

Dominic’s PhD involved the analysis of fluid flow geometries and the effects on the physics of flow using computational fluid dynamics.

Read staff profile

University Centre Colchester - What our students say

Joey - BSc (Hons) Construction Management

“I’ve learnt so much about site analysis and contamination, 2D and 3D CAD, and understand how to interpret designs. My tutors are very good at what they do and have helped me with my personal development.”

Jake - BA (Hons) Business and Management

“This apprenticeship offers the best of both worlds. It has enabled me to continue my career with CBC, whilst simultaneously allowing me to study towards a degree-level qualification”

Danielle - BA (Hons) Business and Management

“I really like the small class sizes and I enjoy the freedom of studying on campus, or at home. The apprenticeship fits in well with my full-time job, my day-to-day life and enables me to continue my professional development whilst learning.”

Chris - BA (Hons) Business and Management

“I like the small class sizes and the study is relatable to my working environment. I was recommended to study this apprenticeship by my employer and have enjoyed the dedicated tutor support that I have received.”

Matthew - BA (Hons) Business and Management

“I chose to study here as I liked the smaller class sizes which allow for more in-depth discussions with lecturers and peers. I like that we are taught the basics before trying to understand more challenging material”

Oriean - BA (Hons) Business and Management

“I would recommend studying an apprenticeship as it gives you an opportunity to develop all aspects of personal and business knowledge, skills and experiences. I particularly enjoy the face-to-face group working on campus.”