HNC Construction

Level: 4 | Duration: 2 Years | Start Date: September
Days of the Week:  Tuesday,  11am – 7pm (TBC for 2025)
Location: Cronton College, Cronton Lane, Widnes, WA8 5WA

Part-Time Course – Select the course on the application form

• HNC IN ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGY FOR ENGLAND
• HNC IN CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT FOR ENGLAND

Entry Requirements

• 64 UCAS points (160 old tariff)
  Made up of a combination of the following:
• Level 3 qualification in a relevant subject e.g. BTEC Extended Diploma in Construction
• You must also have Maths and English GCSE at minimum C grade (or equivalent)

Applicants with professional experience will also be considered on an individual basis – Please enquire

Course Fee (Per Year): £3,500 (TBC for 2025) Student loans are available for eligible students.

Overview
A Higher National Certificate (HNC) in a construction discipline is one of the benchmark qualifications for the industry. Employers in construction place a high value on individuals who possess a HNC.

This programme of study has been designed to develop higher level skills and knowledge in the Built Environment. It provides the education and training for trainees in construction and technicians who are either employed or are aspiring to work at a professional level in a variety of built environment roles.

HNCs are also recognised as integral to Higher Apprenticeships in the Built Environment and are often included as a compulsory knowledge qualification.

When you enrol, you will receive the date of your first induction session where you will receive your timetable for the academic year.

Architectural Technology lays the foundation of learning in this area by introducing different architectural technology functions with specialist units including principles of refurbishment and digital applications of BIM.

Construction Management is ideal for applicants who want to develop the skills and understanding to secure leadership and management roles in different construction functions with specialist units including financial management and business processes in construction.

What will I be learning?
The HNC has a number of compulsory core units and specialist units associated with specific pathways that learners can study.

Compulsory units: 

• Construction Design Project
• Construction Technology
• The Construction Environment
• Building Information Modelling and Digital Applications for Building Information Modelling

Optional units: (dependent on learners chosen pathway) 

• Principles of Refurbishment
• Tendering & Procurement
• Principles of Alternative Technology
• Principles of Offsite Construction

The course includes two core projects: 

Year 1 Building Information Modelling in Practice: 
Building Information Modelling (BIM) and the use of data in the planning, construction and operation of built assets has become commonplace for both large and small projects. The ability to manage projects throughout their lifecycle, using a common data set, has the potential to impact on the built environment in numerous ways such as supporting efficiency, reducing costs and driving sustainability. In this project, learners will manage their own building design project and explore key principles and processes in using digital applications and BIM to ensure the most successful and efficient outcome. This unit has strong links to industry standard, vendor certification.

Year 2 Specialist Construction Design Project: 
The aim of this unit is to help students to appreciate and be aware of the design process and the information required to communicate the design itself, specify and quantify materials, provide instructions for the assembly and erection, and facilitate precise costing and project management. Alongside the Pearson set brief, students will align their work with specialist units on their chosen pathway, for example, Principles of Alternative Technology. On successful completion of the unit, students will be able to analyse scenarios, make decisions and produce drawings and specifications to achieve appropriate, creative, and innovative home design proposals.

Course Highlights 

• State of the art industry training centre with over £3.6 million worth of investment
• 3D Printers
• CAD/CNC equipment
• Recognition from national construction bodies
• DEC Centre of Excellence and National Training Centre
• Highly qualified tutors with a wide range of industry experience

How will I be assessed?
You will be assessed via a combination of assignments, practical activities and course work.

Progression
Employers place a high value on individuals who possess a Higher National Certificate, and it can open up higher level jobs within industry or lead directly to a pay rise or promotion with your current employer. Learners may progress onto a HND or a university degree course upon completion of their HNC.

Our HNC course is ideal for individuals or apprentices who may currently be in the following roles:

• Construction Design and Build Technician
• Construction Site Engineering Technician
• Construction Site Supervisor
• Design Engineer
• Computer Aided Design Technician
• Our HNC course is ideal for individuals who may currently be in the following roles:
• Construction Design and Build Technician
• Construction Quantity Surveying Technician
• Construction Site Engineering Technician
• Construction Site Supervisor