BPEC Level 2 Diploma in Plumbing Foundation

The Level 2 Diploma in Plumbing is a one-year full time program that includes practical workshop training, classroom-based theory sessions and off-site work experience. Learners MUST first successfully completed the Level 1 Diploma in Plumbing, there is no direct entry onto the Level 2 course.

The qualification focuses on the practical skills and the technical knowledge required to gain employment in the domestic and commercial plumbing and heating sector, part of the Construction and Building Services Engineering industry.

The course covers the fundamental knowledge and understanding requirements of a broad range of plumbing and heating competencies and has been developed in consultation with national awarding bodies and industry to ensure that it meets the needs of the building services engineering sector.

You will learn how to install, test and maintain a full range of domestic plumbing and heating systems, including hot and cold-water supply systems, domestic and commercial heating systems and above ground drainage and sanitation systems.

The topics covered in the Level 2 Diploma in Plumbing include.

• Installing and maintaining domestic plumbing heating systems
• Installing and maintaining domestic hot and cold-water systems
• Installing and maintaining above ground drainage systems
• Installing and maintaining domestic sanitary appliances
• The installation,design and scientific principles behind; Domestic heating hot and cold water and above ground drainage systems.
• The installation, design and scientific principles behind; Renewable energy technologies.

Those successfully completing the level 2 Diploma in Plumbing may gain employment opportunities as an apprentice or improver plumber within the construction or property maintenance sectors.

Further employment opportunities for qualified plumbing and heating engineers exist within.

• The facilities management sector
• Domestic Bathroom / kitchen fitting
• Commercial shop fitting
• The gas installation and service sector
• The water utilities industry
• The fire protection industry
• The Heating Ventilation and Air-Conditioning industry
• The plumbing merchants retail sector
• The Renewable energy technologies sector

... and so much more!

Those successfully completing the level 2 Diploma in Plumbing may have the opportunity to progress onto a Level 3 Diploma, NVQ or Technical Level in Plumbing and Heating.

Note: Math’s and English must have been achieved (at Level 2 or equivalent) as part of the progression requirements onto any Level 3 program in Plumbing and Heating.

Applicants are required to have successfully completed a Level 1 Diploma in Plumbing and achieved a Merit or above.

Our entry requirements are in place to support our students in achieving the qualifications they have chosen to study. In addition to the entry requirements, all students will be regularly assessed by East Durham College at an early stage in their study programme. This is to ensure that students are enrolled onto courses which suit their abilities – following assessment, there may be occasions when students are transferred to a relevant course at a higher or lower level in order to ensure they are enrolled on to the right course for them to achieve and progress.

Entry onto any course at EDC may have entry requirements in addition to exam results; this includes but is not limited to DBS checks, references, fitness to practice and at times physical requirements to be capable of achieving the practical elements of the course without assistance. Entry onto any course at East Durham College is subject to final approval from the Assistant Principal.

The Level 2 Diploma in Plumbing qualification require the completion of a number of centre based on-line knowledge tests and a series of practical workshop assessments that are designed to demonstrate an individual’s understanding of the basic knowledge and skills required for progression onto a level 3 program.

September 2025

1 Year 'full time' (35 weeks) up to 15 hours attendance per week required.

The course is delivered in the Technical Academies fully equipped workshops and classrooms and includes both practical ‘hands on’ workshop activities and classroom delivered theory content.