Enrolment 2025

You can enrol online or in-person from Thursday 21st to Friday the 29th August.

Work for us

Join Abingdon & Witney College, an award-winning employer

Work for Us

Search Website

Search our website for news, courses, and general information

Plumbing Level 1

Course code: P13303

Subject area: Construction

Study level: School Leaver

Course level: 1

Course details

Course time:

09:00 - 17:00

Days of week:

Monday to Friday

Course date:

8th Sept 2025 - 3rd Jul 2026

Course location:

Witney Campus

Contact details

Phone:

01993 703 464

Start your plumbing career with this hands-on Level 1 course - develop practical skills and prepare for employment in the building services sector.
This practical course introduces plumbing fundamentals including installation, maintenance, drainage, and pipework. You’ll also explore construction industry structure, sustainability, and site prep. A short work placement helps you develop the skills and attitudes employers value.
Course units
These are the units you will study over the duration of the course:

Structure of the construction industry: you will develop a broad understanding of the structure of the construction industry.

Fundamental safe working practices: you will learn the essential health and safety job knowledge required to enable you to work safely in the Plumbing industry with the practical application of a range of key health and safety requirements under simulated conditions.

Environmental and sustainability measures in domestic dwellings: you will look at a range of basic measures associated with protection of the environment, including types of energy, use of energy sources and good working practices within the domestic environment.

Site preparation for working in the construction industry: you will develop a fundamental understanding of the site preparation for new and existing dwellings. You will look at tools and fixings used in the installation process and understand the operational health and safety risks involved in working on new build and existing properties.

Above ground drainage: you will gain the knowledge and skills required to carry out basic plumbing applications on plastic waste pipe and rainwater guttering.

Copper, plastic pressure and low carbon steel pipework: you will gain the knowledge and skills required to carry out basic plumbing applications on these types of pipes.

Installation, repair and maintenance of plumbing systems: you will look at a range of basic repair and maintenance measures in the plumbing industry, including; maintenance to taps, valves, and float valves in domestic dwellings and a basic knowledge of hot and cold services.

Plumbing science: you will develop a fundamental understanding of the scientific principles found within plumbing engineering.

What next?
On completion of this course you can progress onto a fulltime Level 2 course. Following on from that you can either go into a formal apprenticeship at our custom built facility in Bicester or full-time employment. You can even study further with us on our Higher Education courses, contact us to find out more.
Entry criteria
English & Maths GCSE at grade 2 or Level 1 Functional Skills in both subjects
Fee information
There will be additional cost of approximately £110 for PPE/kit/clothing and £42 for books. (Costs are given for guidance only)

As part of your course we may organise trips to assist you with your learning. Trips are optional, and you will not be penalised if you choose not to participate.

There are bursaries available to help you with other course costs. Call 01235 216 212 for more information.

The rules on fee reduction are complicated and we would encourage you to talk to our Admissions staff on 01235 216 400 to discuss your options. You can find more information on our Fees and Bursaries page - search "Fees and Bursaries" at the top of the page.

16-18 Fee:

£0.00

19+ Fee:

£3,456.00

19+ Reduced Fee:

£0.00

Qualifications received
On completion of this course you will receive a City and Guilds Level 1 Diploma in Plumbing with Pass, Merit or Distinction grades for the individual units of study based on your performance.
Learning & method assessment
Plumbing skills are not something you can learn from a book. At Abingdon & Witney College it’s about ‘hands on’ learning. Fully equipped with the latest equipment and materials and staffed by our expert industry professionals, there is no better place to start your career. The majority of the course is based around practical assessments, with the underpinning knowledge assessed with written question papers and some online assessment. You will also study Functional Skills maths and English to support your entry to employment or further study.
User skills
Your time training at the Skills Centre will be packed with intensive practical experience and maximum working time with the materials and tools of your chosen trade. As well as practical skills you will obtain a range of transferable skills including written and oral communication, team work and self-directed learning.