Program Overview

HNC CIVIL ENGINEERING SENIOR TECHNICIAN APPRENTICESHIP

Overview

The Civil Engineering Senior Technician Apprenticeship includes an HNC in Civil Engineering alongside the apprenticeship scheme, and will provide you the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to satisfy and achieve Engineering Technician status with the Institution of Civil Engineers (EngTech MICE).

Senior technicians provide the technical planning, design, building, management, maintenance or dismantling of the built environment and infrastructure. Industries include such as transportation, water and waste management, marine and coastal engineering and water and power supplies.

The full apprenticeship standard and assessment plan can be found on the Civil engineering senior technician / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.

Why Civil Engineering at LSBU?

• Ranked 3rd for teaching quality in the UK (Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020).
• Industry relevant: Our Industry Advisory Panel advises on course content.
• Approved by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM), comprising the Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Structural Engineers, Institute of Highway Engineers, the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation and the Permanent Way Institution. This approval is on behalf of the Engineering Council as fully satisfying the educational base for an Engineering Technician.

Mode and Duration

• Mode: Apprenticeship
• Duration: Up to 24 Months Practical Period & 12 Months EPA (36 months)
• Start date: September
• Application code: 4953
• Application method: Direct to LSBU

Course Accreditations

• Institute of Civil Engineers
• Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation
• Institution of Structural Engineers
• Institute of Highway Engineers
• Permanent Way Institution

Location

• Southwark Campus
• London South Bank University student union is located at 103 Borough Rd, London SE1 0AA.

Entry Level Requirements

• A Level EEE - Must include Mathematics and preferably a Science in either Chemistry or Physics (UCAS points: 48)
• T-level (Pass or above) in Construction: Design, Surveying and Planning. (UCAS points: 72)
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma MPP in an Engineering subject area or Construction and Built Environment area (Must include Mathematics and Further Mathematics) (UCAS points: 64)
• BTEC Level 3 National Diploma MM in an Engineering subject area, with a minimum of merit in Mathematics and Further Mathematics. (UCAS points: 64)
• Civil Engineering Technician level 3 apprenticeship MP (UCAS points: 48) alongside grade Pass or Distinction at EPA
• Any other technical qualifications awarded with UCAS points at a similar level supported by substantial relevant work experience, please get in contact with the LSBU Apprenticeships at for Apprenticeships Routes
• Applicants must hold 5 GCSEs A-C including Maths and English or equivalent (reformed GCSEs grade 4 or above).

Funding

• The cost of the apprenticeship is paid fully by the employer (sometimes part funded by the government) through apprenticeship levy.
• The apprenticeship levy is a pot of money some companies pay into, which all businesses have access to spend on the training costs of apprenticeships.
• Companies fall into two categories: levy-payers (who pay into the pot) and non-levy payers (who do not).
• You can find out more in our Levy and Funding section, specifically for employers
• The apprentice does not contribute toward the cost of study.

Bands

• Apprenticeship standards are all assigned a funding band by the Government – these funding bands are the maximum amount the Government will fund via the levy towards a given apprenticeship standard.
• There are currently 30 funding bands ranging from £1,000 to £27,000.

Incentives

• Employers with less than 50 staff sending an apprentice aged 16-18 will have 100% of the training costs paid by the government.
• All employers who employ an apprentice aged 16-18 on the first day of teaching will receive a £1,000 incentive from the government.
• You can find out more in our Levy and Funding section, specifically for employers.

Cost

• You can find out the funding band for an Apprenticeship Standard on the Government website.
• To find out how much we are charging, please get in touch with us at

Field trips

• Some modules include field work and site visits.
• There may be field trips organised which may be residential or outside the United Kingdom, ranging from three to five days.
• These are organised by the Division and students may be required to contribute towards the cost.
• If outside the UK, students will be advised of any visa or passport requirements.

Course Content

• The course explores the fundamentals of civil engineering, leaving you well prepared for advanced entry (subject to HNC grades) at level 5 on to the degree programme on a full-time basis, or part-time basis, or apprenticeship basis.
• It covers the mandatory JBM civil engineering threads for approval of the course on behalf of the Engineering Council allowing the cited progression at level 5 of the degree programme.

Year 1

• Materials and geology
  • This module will introduce you to the properties and applications of a variety of engineering materials, including some innovative materials.
  • In addition, it will introduce you to engineering geology and geomaterials (rock and soils).
  • Whilst traditional lectures and laboratories will be used as a means of delivering the course content, there will also be emphasis on the teaching in the field through site visits.
  • Assessment methods: 50% coursework, 50% exam.
• Construction practice
  • This module aims to provide you with the knowledge of the interrelationships between industry, professional bodies and education, and an understanding of key professional and research requirements.
  • It will provide you with a roadmap for your professional career, and will enable you to prepare for employment in the construction discipline.
  • Assessment method: 100% coursework.
• Mathematics B
  • This module consolidates the mathematical skills that underpin the Civil Engineering degrees.
  • It's specifically designed to cater for the wide differences in mathematical background of students to reach an equivalent A-level maths and then extending it by introducing the main mathematical techniques that are required in the early stages of Civil engineering degrees.
  • The module is delivered over two semesters.
  • Assessment methods: 50% coursework, 50% exam.

Year 2

• Structures and construction technology B
  • This module will teach you the fundamentals of structural mechanics and strength of material, and you'll use numerous worked examples to complement your understanding.
  • You'll be introduced to a computer aided analysis package.
  • You'll reinforce your understanding of structural concepts by studying some well known historical failures.
  • Finally, you'll develop introductory principles of structural engineering design though open-ended exercises and case studies.
  • Assessment methods: 50% coursework, 50% exam.
• Engineering surveying
  • This module will introduce you to the basic theory and practice of land surveying, particularly as it applies to civil engineering.
  • You'll learn or revise the main concepts of three-dimensional geometry and relate them to practical surveying exercises.
  • You'll be taught to use various pieces of surveying equipment, including tape, level, theodolite and total station.
  • You'll learn how measurements are taken and booked, and how to carry out various relevant computations, including the assessment of error and the calculation of reduced level, coordinates and bearings.
  • You'll use the knowledge you've acquired to carry out a field project.
  • This project will involve tape and offset survey, levelling, traversing and calculation of volume.
  • In addition you'll learn to carry out simple setting out procedures, including the analysis and setting out of curves, and you'll be introduced to the concepts of GPS and its associated technology.
  • You'll learn the associated surveying calculations, adjustment and analysis of survey observations.
  • Finally, you'll gain an appreciation of the need for a quality management process/system in undertaking practical work.
  • Assessment methods: 50% coursework, 50% exam.
• Fluid Mechanics B
  • This module teaches fundamental principles of fluid mechanics, and their practical applications.
  • The student will be able to understand the fundamental principles of fluid mechanics relating to hydrostatic and hydrodynamic forces, sediment transport, measurement of pressure, the stability of floating bodies, coastal and flood engineering, air flow around structures and flow in simple pipes and open channels.
  • The student will perform fluid flow laboratory tests, workshops and prepare reports and presentations.
  • Assessment Methods: 50% Coursework, 50% Exam.

Careers

• Assistant Site Engineer
• Assistant Engineer
• Civil Engineering Technician
• Construction Site Technician.

Accreditation

• This Apprenticeship will include the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to achieve Technician status with the Institution of Civil Engineers (EngTech MICE).
• The Technician Professional Review process for EngTech MICE is included in the end-point assessment process for this Apprenticeship and will lead to the designatory letters EngTech MICE and the status of Engineering Technician.

Teaching and Assessment

• The apprenticeship is delivered over two years by a part-time mode of study, taught one day and evening per week over four semesters.
• Students study six 20-credit modules.
• A university 20 credit is the equivalent of 200 student study hours.
• Each module is a self-contained part of the course of study.

On-programme assessment

• The apprentice will demonstrate their progress through achievement of a Level 4 qualification in Construction and the Built Environment.
• An online or paper-based portfolio is recommended to demonstrate how the apprentice has met the requirements set by the Apprenticeship Standard.
• These should be supervised by in-company mentors and training providers and tested by external assessors.