Construction and the Built Environment HNC

The HNC (Higher National Certificate) in Construction and the Built Environment is an introductory higher education qualification and offers a broad base of traditional construction subjects with specialist options allowing you to adapt the course to your particular career ambitions. You will study 8 modules in total in order to successfully complete the HNC award. This qualification is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap.

The continued development and regeneration of towns and cities in the UK has led to a continuous demand for suitably qualified professionals across all construction disciplines. The HNC in Construction is at an introductory undergraduate level and offers a broad base of traditional construction subjects with specialist options allowing you to adapt the course to your particular career ambitions.

The course is tailored to students with ambitions of working within construction in a professional, managerial, or technical capacity. This course is designed to provide you with a high level of understanding of the design, function, construction and statutory requirements for buildings of all classes, and to prepare you for more advanced employment in the construction industry.

The part time mode of this course is one day weekly or alternatively two evenings weekly.

You will study 8 modules in total in order to successfully complete the HNC award.  All construction projects involve team-work. This is also reflected in the course as you’ll take part in a group-research project which will not only improve your academic, analytical and research skills but also encourage team-working and professional communication. 

All students take a total of 120 credits. 

Modules include:

• Individual Project
• Construction Technology Unit
• Science & Materials
• Construction Practice & Management
• Legal & Statutory Responsibilities in Construction
• Construction Information (Drawing, Detailing, Specification)
• Surveying, Measuring & Setting Out
• Tender & Procurement

On this course, full time students generally spend up to 2 days a week in College, if you choose to study the course full-time. Part time students generally spend 1 full day a week in College, or two evenings if you choose to study the course part time.

As all course timetables are subject to change you should not make definite plans based on this information; this information is intended as a guide only. Please remember that you will be expected to carry out work in your own time in addition to the time you spend in College.

You’ll need 32 UCAS points to join this programme. All applicants must show that they have a good level of spoken or written English, and if English is not your first language you’ll need to demonstrate the ability to study in English. Applicants who do not meet the standard entry criteria but have relevant work / life experience will be considered on an individual basis and may be invited to interview.

Mature students, with experience in construction based management duties would be considered if they have a grounding in maths and English.

Care Leavers or Young Carers

We want students from all backgrounds to have the opportunity to go to University. If you have spent three months or more in local authority care OR are a young carer, you will be eligible for a contextual offer. This is a grade reduction of 1-A Level grade below our standard entry requirements. For example, a standard offer of CCC, would become CCD. MMM at Level 3 Extended Diploma would become MMP. To apply we advise that you tick the box on your UCAS application which identifies you have spent time in care and to help identify you as eligible for our contextual offer.

Each module is formally assessed through, for example, individual projects, essays, presentations, peer assessment, open-book assignments, assignments/briefs, portfolio building, reports and poster presentations.  This formal assessment will count towards your module mark and feedback is usually given within 3 weeks following the submission of your formal submission of work.

Additionally, some lecturers will provide informal feedback, for example, following an examination they may choose to work through the exam paper in a tutorial. It should be noted that feedback is part of the ongoing learning cycle which is not limited to written feedback. Other forms of feedback include one-to-one meetings with a personal tutor, dissertation and project supervision meetings, a lecturer responding to learner questions or responses during topic or situation discussions. 

Feedback is intended to help you learn and you are encouraged to discuss it with your module tutor.

The learning environment and facilities could include lecture theatres, classrooms, technology suites, laboratories and workshops, library and skills labs, art and photography studios, small group and quiet zones. Learning methods will vary according to the programme of study but will include lectures and group tutorials. In addition, seminars, field trips, work placements, role play or scenario activities, laboratory and workshop practical, demonstrations, guest lectures, discussions and debates all contribute to the learning experience to support the acquisition of subject specific skills and knowledge and the development of transferable and employment related skills.

You should typically expect to have around 15 contact hours per week if you are studying full time.

In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your personal tutor.  

You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course.  The team could include senior academics, professional practitioners with industry experience, demonstrators and technical officers.  You can learn more about our staff by visiting our staff profiles.

The course consists of a combination of core modules which provide appropriate training in each case for technicians employed in architecture, building surveying, building control, building management or quantity surveying. Graduates have gone on to be building surveyors, quantity surveyors, project managers, construction site managers, building inspectors, clerk of works and site engineers.

Going to University is not as expensive as you think. There are no upfront fees to pay if you take out a Tuition Fee Loan from Student Finance England. Don't forget to apply as early as possible to secure your fees before you start your course.