Level 3 Diploma in Plumbing Foundation 2025-26

The Level 3 Diploma in Plumbing is a one-year, full time programme that builds on the skills and knowledge gained on the Level 2 Diploma in Plumbing and Heating programme, and includes more advanced practical workshop training, classroom-based theory sessions and both on and off-site work experience.

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

The course covers the more advanced knowledge and understanding requirements required to work as a qualified plumbing and heating engineer, including the design and diagnostics of plumbing, heating and above ground drainage and sanitation systems.

On the course you will learn how to design, install, test, maintain and fault diagnose a full range of the more advanced domestic plumbing and heating systems, including, unvented hot water systems, boosted cold-water supply systems and the installation, design and diagnostics of domestic and commercial heating and above ground drainage and sanitation systems.

The topics covered in the Level 3 Diploma in Plumbing include:
• The design, installation and fault diagnostics of boosted cold water systems.
• The design, installation and fault diagnostics of unvented hot water systems.
• The design, installation and fault diagnostics of sealed central heating systems.
• The design, installation and fault diagnostics of above ground drainage and sanitation systems.
• The design, installation and fault diagnostics of electrical heating components and controls.
• Performance testing of gas installations and other heat producing appliances.

The post Level 3 progression route requirements for competent person schemes, including gas, oil, solid fuel and renewable technologies.

Those successfully completing the level 3 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

Successful completion of the Level 3 Diploma in Plumbing will enable learners to apply for further ‘post qualification’ training and assessment in the UK plumbing and heating industries main Competent Person Schemes such as the, ACS Gas appliance, OFTEC Oil appliance and HETAS Solid fuel appliance training and assessment schemes and the Micro-generation Certification Scheme training, for renewable technologies.

The Level 3 Diploma in Plumbing also carries UCAS Points that may contribute for entry onto Higher Education courses such as an HNC/HND in Building Services Engineering or a BSC in Building Services Engineering.

Learners who have completed and passed a Level 2 Diploma in Plumbing and have, as a minimum, GCSE or Level 2 Math’s and English at a pass grade or above are automatically eligible for entry onto the Level 3 Diploma in Plumbing.

Mature students (19 years old +) may be eligible for entry onto the Level 3 Diploma in Plumbing based on accreditation of prior experience and learning (APEL) at the course Tutors and Awarding Bodies discretion.

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.

Assessment of the Level 3 Diploma in Plumbing qualification comprises the following assessment methods:
• College-based and externally marked 'online knowledge exams'
• College-based practical workshop assessments
• College-based and marked design assignments

September 2025

One year, full time (35 weeks), up to 13 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.