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Construction: Higher National Certificate

Awarding Body: University of Plymouth

Mode Of Study

The course is studied on a part time, day release basis over two academic years. Each academic year is split into two semesters of 15 weeks with a short break in between. All candidates will study the same core modules in their first year and in the second year candidates will choose the pathway that they wish to undertake. There are three pathways available; Pathway A for Construction Managers, Pathway B for Building Surveying Technicians and Pathway C for Architectural Technologists.

The Programme

This course is designed to provide a specialist vocational programme, linked to professional body requirements and national occupational standards where appropriate and with a strong work related emphasis. The qualification provides a thorough grounding in the key concepts and practical skills required in the construction sector and the national recognition by employers allows progression direct into employment. The higher national certificate offers a strong emphasis on practical skills development alongside the development of requisite knowledge and understanding in the construction sector.

The primary purpose of the programme is to produce through a partnership between student, employer and college, qualified construction managers, building surveying technicians and architectural technicians who are able to contribute to the economic and technical progress of the local and regional construction industry.

The overall aims of the programme are to: enable those already in industry to progress to engage in life long learning; enable those in junior managerial positions to gain the required knowledge to progress to more senior management positions; enable existing practitioners to update their knowledge to comply with CPD requirements of professional bodies; provide a local progression route for existing Level 3 students and provide students with a skills base suitable for a career in the contemporary construction industry.

The Programme Content

In the first year, all candidates will study the following core modules: Design Principles; Construction Technology 1; Science and Materials; Construction Mathematics
Construction Management; Professional Ethics and Practice; Health, Safety and Welfare; Study Skills with IT.

The modules studied in the second year will depend upon which pathway the candidate has chosen.

Pathway A - Construction Management
Group Project including Contractual Procedures
Tendering and Estimation
Construction Technology 2
Law and Contract
Production Management
Site Surveying Procedures

Pathway B - Surveying Technicians
Group Project including Contractual Procedures
IT Applications (CAD)
Measurement of Buildings
Construction Economics
Structural Behaviour
Law and Contract
Building Services Engineering

Pathway C - Architectural Technologists
Group Project including Contractual Procedures
Refurbishment and Adaptation
Specification and Contract Documentation
Construction Technology

Entry Requirements

Students should ideally have a relevant BTEC or related vocational qualification. A GCE Advanced Level profile which demonstrates strong performance in a relevant subject or an adequate performance in more than one GCE subject is recommended. This profile is generally supported by GCSEs at grade C and above.
We welcome students over the age of 21 with no paper qualifications who can demonstrate that they have the potential to succeed on the programme. Usually having construction related work experience or experiences and transferable skills.

Costs

Students will be required to purchase their own USB memory sticks and will need to purchase recommended textbooks for the course along with the associated stationery.

Venue

Barnstaple Campus

Dates

Your day for study will be confirmed during your interview with the academic staff. It is planned that this will be the same day for the duration of your two years of study.

Progression

Successful graduates from Pathway A of this programme may present themselves for admission to the Chartered Institute of Building, subject to the requirements of the body at the time of application.

Successful graduates from Pathway B of this programme may present themselves for admission to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, subject to the requirements of the body at the time of application.

Successful graduates from Pathway C of this programme may present themselves for admission to the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists, subject to the requirements of the body at the time of application.

Contact

For more information, please contact the HE team on 01271 852365 or email he@petroc.ac.uk.