Building HNC

Course Overview

This course aims to develop your practical skills, real-world knowledge and theoretical understanding of the issues and processes in the multidisciplinary construction industry. The course reflects contemporary practices and emphasises the essential practical knowledge and competencies needed for career progression within the industry.

Why You Should Study This Course

• Development of transferrable skills – The skills you gain when you study Building HNC could aid you in many aspects of your life. This course is perfect for sharpening your problem-solving skills, as it will present you with the typical challenges of the industry and enable you to devise solutions.
• Progression in a high-demand industry – Career paths in this industry tend to be well paid, with building engineers being in high demand and well paid. Depending on the branch you pursue, career opportunities may include Building Engineer, Building Surveyor, Quantity Surveyor, etc. By completing the Building HNC, you could increase your employability in your chosen career path and could open a range of progression opportunities that may allow you to climb higher up the ladder of engineering.
• A real chance to change lives – Construction or Building engineering has been a vital aspect of life since the beginning of human existence, playing an essential role from the rudimentary shelters of early man to the sprawling metropolises of modern life. And as sustainability climbs higher on our priority lists, building engineering has a part to play in our climate change worries. The push towards sustainable living means that there is an increased need for highly qualified, innovative engineers and managers with an environmental and social conscience who can make the world a better place.
• Progression to Management Positions – After completion of the Building HNC qualification, you should have gained knowledge of some of the key management skills and principles that may allow you to progress to a variety of management positions in the construction and building engineering field. This is because the Building HNC course introduces you to the principles of management, the evolution of management thought and their application in construction industry. It also introduces you to both practical and theoretical project management methods and planning of construction projects. You’ll gain an insight into people management and practices to ensure that your team are working to the best of their ability. This will ensure that they are competently applying their creative problem-solving abilities to improve the world around them under your expert guidance.
• Develop Specialism - Not only will a Building HNC allow you to advance your career and seek managerial roles, but you will also have the opportunity to pursue a specialism. At CU Coventry , our HNC Building programme will also help you to develop a deeper understanding of engineering design principles and processes, sustainability and environmental protections, project management, among many other key areas. A HNC Building also places you potentially in a position for further HE study, such as enrolment at higher stages of some BSc/BEng Building/Construction Engineering related courses (subject to meeting entry requirements).

What You'll Study

You will have the opportunity to gain an insight into the full breadth of design and construction disciplines that collaborate in the construction industry, and the benefit of practical experience brought to the course by students working in industry. You should also develop a sound base to further your education and training to become professionally qualified.

Modules

• Construction Industry Management - 30 credits
• Construction Technology and Design - 30 credits
• Construction Science - 30 credits
• Building Practice - 30 credits

How You'll Learn

Our teaching methods are varied, offering several teaching styles to suit the needs of all our students, so in addition to lectures, we also utilise a blended learning approach, including online aspects, workshops and group work. We also operate an open-door policy, with additional availability via email and our online learning platform, Moodle.

Progression through the modules develops knowledge and skills, including communication (written and oral), study skills, research methods, project management, presentation and career development. We will also encourage you to consider your employability and/or entrepreneurial development.

Unlike traditional institutions, there are no end-of-year exams. Instead, learning is assessed through coursework and phase tests, which is more reflective of our learning model.

Teaching Contact Hours

The number of part-time contact hours may vary from module to module, however, on average, it is likely to be around 8 contact hours per week. Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of around 15 hours each week depending on the demands of individual modules. The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.

This course is available as a part-time day release course on Tuesdays or Wednesdays 9am-6pm, usually studied over two years. The course comprises of four modules, with three modules taught in each academic year.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the University may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Assessment

Assessment will take the form of individual and group coursework, which is vocationally relevant. The wide range of assessment techniques will ensure that students are given every opportunity to demonstrate their skills in these areas.

Course Breakdown:

• Lectures and tutorials
• Self-directed learning
• Textbooks
• Module webinars
• Scenario-based learning sets
• Professional libraries and resources
• Journals and case studies
• Access to industry experts and practitioners
• Asynchronous online seminars
• Discussion forums
• Peer-to-peer learning

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry Requirements

Typical entry requirements:

• UK - 64 UCAS tariff points. GCSE maths, English and one science at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.

Access to HE Diploma

A pass in the Access Diploma. GCSE maths, English and one science at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards.

What if I don’t meet the entry requirements?

Relevant industry experience will be considered as an alternative to A level/BTEC qualifications.

If you don’t fulfil the entry criteria your application may be considered on an individual basis, taking into account any work experience, other qualifications and/or any training you have completed. Speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Fees and Funding

Student | Full-time | Part-time
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UK | 2026/27 fees TBC
2025/26 fees: £9,535 per year | Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Fees and funding page and see the university’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the university may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

All our facilities are located at Mile Lane. Our building4 has been designed to enable collaboration, creativity and innovation to flourish, and includes (subject to availability):

• Indoor and outdoor social spaces, including a café
• A library that includes loan laptops, over 115,000 eBooks and a silent study area
• Open access IT suites and 83-inch teaching screens
• Engineering lab, science lab and a moot courtroom
• Student support and careers advice teams

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Careers and Opportunities

On successful completion, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Contemporary issues relating to a sustainable built environment, including social, environmental and economic aspects.
• Appropriate mathematical methods, including those needed for modelling engineering problems.
• Common construction materials.
• Management practice and construction procurement.
• Principles of civil engineering and construction technology, methods and procedures.
• Building science with respect to materials, structure, services and internal environment.
• The legal and regulatory framework within which buildings are constructed. Health and safety in built environment design and construction.
• Preparation of project reports.
• Design processes used in construction.
• Management of the design process and the production of project documentation, including the planning, budgeting and control of costs.
• Relevant principles of applied mechanics in the main areas of structural mechanics and soil mechanics.
• Surveying and setting out.

Successful graduates will not only have the opportunity to gain the knowledge needed for a successful career in the construction industry, but also sought-after skills to be self-managing, self-developing individuals.

If you successfully pass the HNC course and meet all relevant entry criteria, you will be guaranteed a place on a relevant degree course at CU Coventry, or subject to meeting all progression requirements you could potentially progress to a degree at Coventry University.

How to Apply

UK students

You will need to apply to CU directly. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

• Contact us

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__ Complete our contact form.

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

1Accreditations, partnerships and memberships

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply. See the relevant body website for more details). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships are subject to successful renewal in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. If the accreditation, recognition or membership of this course changes, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

2UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

3Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

4Facilities

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2024/2025 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2026/2027 contract will apply for the 2026/2027 intake. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.

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Coventry CV1 2TU
United Kingdom

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Overview:

• Founded in 1843 as the Coventry School of Design
• Received university status in 1992
• Over 30,000 students from over 150 countries
• Campuses in Coventry, London, and Scarborough
• Known for its focus on practical, industry-focused education

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Student Life:

• Over 150 student clubs and societies
• Sports teams in various disciplines
• Student support services include counseling, mental health support, and disability support
• Campus facilities include a gym, swimming pool, and student union

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Academics:

• Offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in a wide range of subjects
• Faculty with industry experience and research expertise
• Teaching methodologies include lectures, seminars, workshops, and project-based learning
• Academic support services include writing centers, math labs, and peer mentoring
• Unique academic programs include:
  • Centre for Applied Science and Technology
  • Centre for Business in Society
  • Centre for Intelligent Systems

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Top Reasons to Study Here:

• Ranked among the top 150 universities in the UK (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023)
• Excellent industry connections and partnerships
• Specialized facilities such as the National Transport Design Centre and the Centre for Advanced Manufacturing
• Notable alumni include:
  • Sir Frank Whittle, inventor of the jet engine
  • Sir David Attenborough, naturalist and broadcaster
  • Sir Patrick Stewart, actor

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Services:

• Counseling and mental health support
• Health center
• Accommodation services
• Library with over 1 million books and resources
• Technology support
• Career development services