Program Overview

HNC Construction and Property (Higher National Certificate) Part-time

Why study this course with LJMU?

• LJMU ranked 16th in the UK for construction, surveying and planning courses (The Guardian Best UK Universities 2025)
• Provides an introduction to varied aspects of the Construction and Property sector
• Develops essential academic and IT skills for further study or employment.
• £6 million investment in developing state-of-the-art teaching facilities
• Stepping stone to a range of degree opportunities in the built environment and professional body membership
• International Foundation Year course available offering direct progression onto this degree programme

About your course

The HNC Construction and Property at Liverpool John Moores University is a vocational course, offering direct progression onto Level 5 of a range of full honours degrees in the Department of Built Environment. Students on part-time mode of attendance will complete the course in 2 years with attendance typically one day per week.

Additional course costs

• There are usually no costs associated with local field trips and site visits.
• Residential field trips and student exchange visits will incur costs including in country travel and/or flights plus accommodation costs.

Course modules

What you will study on this degree

• Further guidance on modules
  • Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.

Level 4

Core modules

• Built Environment Practice (20 credits)
  • This module will help you to develop an understanding and appreciation of the built environment sector and the different professional disciplines that constitute built environment practice.
• Construction Technology and Materials (20 credits)
  • This module provides an overview and develops understanding of traditional and contemporary techniques and materials associated with the construction of low-rise domestic dwellings.
• Design and Environmental Procedures (20 credits)
  • This module develops your understanding of design and environmental considerations for low-rise building construction and refurbishment. It also helps to develop practical skills in producing simple building designs using appropriate software.
• Integrative Project (20 credits)
  • This module develops your understanding of collaborative group work for a built environment project. It also helps to develop an understanding of the role of different professional disciplines in the built environment.
• Law and Health & Safety for the Built Environment (20 credits)
  • This module provides you with an appreciation of the basic principles of English law with particular reference to the built environment. It also helps develop an understanding of the principles of health & safety legislation with particular reference to the built environment.

Optional modules

• Measurement I (20 credits)
  • This module establishes the principles and conventions for the quantification and costing of building works and considers their application by the Quantity Surveyor and the Estimator, as part of their key role in the economic and financial management of the construction process.
• Construction Management in Practice 1 (20 credits)
  • This module aims to provide the students with an understanding of the role of a Construction Manager both in the workplace and within the Industry. It aims to introduce the students to some of the core practical skills and knowledge linked to use of industry standard software packages and surveying equipment. It will also introduce knowledge and improve understanding of the impact of construction on an inclusive environment.

Your Learning Experience

• Teaching Support Assessment
• Excellent facilities and learning resources
• We adopt an active blended learning approach, meaning you will experience a combination of face-to-face and online learning during your time at LJMU. This enables you to experience a rich and diverse learning experience and engage fully with your studies. Our approach ensures that you can easily access support from your personal tutor, either by meeting them on-campus or via a video call to suit your needs.
• You will normally be expected to attend on one-day per week during two academic years. Contact time on the day in University will typically be 5-7 hours and may be in the form of lectures, tutorials, online activities and workshops in either the design studio or IT room. In addition you should spend around 10 hours per week in private study which may be at home or in the library.

Work-related Learning

• As a part-time student it is likely that you already employed in the sector but this HNC course will enable you to gain further relevant knowledge and skills to enhance your career prospects in the built environment disciplines.

Career paths

• Students on part-time mode of attendance may be able to secure employment at technician level working with both small and large contractors and practices in all aspects of construction, including new build, refurbishment, housing and the commercial sector.
• Others follow careers in property-related disciplines ranging from contract management and building maintenance to property management and estate agency.
• Successful completion of the HNC can also lead to further studies, allowing Level 5 entry (if entry level criteria are achieved) onto a range of LJMU Built Environment degree programmes which can lead to graduate entry employment in a range of disciplines including Quantity Surveying, Building Surveying, Real Estate, Architectural Technology and Architectural Engineering.

Tuition fees and funding

• Home: Part-time per year: £4,767
• The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus Wi-Fi.

Financial Support

• The University offers a range of scholarships to support students through their studies. You'll find all the information you need on our specialist funding pages, including details of the Student Support Fund and other activities to support with the cost of living.

Additional Costs

• In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of:
  • Accommodation
  • Travel costs including those for placements, visas and travel for studying abroad and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
  • Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire

Entry requirements

• Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements
  • Grades/points required from qualifications: CDD (80)
  • Work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth by visiting the UCAS Tariff Calculator.

GCSEs and equivalents

• Grade 4 or grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics/ Numeracy.
• GCSE Equivalences accepted:
  • Key Skills Level 2 in English/Maths
  • NVQ Level 2 Functional skills in Maths and English Writing and or Reading
  • Skills for Life Level 2 in Numeracy/English
  • Higher Diploma in Maths/English
  • Northern Ireland Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
  • Wales Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number

A levels

• CCD
• Maximum AS UCAS Points: 20

BTECs

• MMP

Access awards

• Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

International Baccalaureate

• Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

OCR Cambridge Technical

• Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

Irish awards

• Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

T levels

• Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications.
• You need to obtain the required UCAS points from a related subject area.

International requirements

• IELTS
  • 6.0 overall with no component below 5.5, taken within two years of the course start date.
  • Find your country

How to apply

• To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.