Overview

Want a comprehensive introduction to the construction industry? Study HNC Construction and structure your coursework in your own way.

Youll gain fundamental knowledge that will set you up to explore a range of construction roles. Plus, its a great way of progressing onto one of our Built Environment degree courses.

The skills you gain are very much in demand and graduates of the School have secured roles with major engineering and construction companies such as Laing O'Rourke, Mott MacDonald, Taylor Wimpey, Birmingham City Council and Birmingham International Airport.

What's covered in this course?

Offering expert training for technologists in the design, production and management of buildings, the HNC Construction course has a practical focus and professional respect.

Youll gain a sound understanding of the technical, legal and scientific principles of construction. Seminars and lectures are backed up by construction site visits which will bring your studies to life. Youllalso be supported by expert staff who have professional experience of working on multi-million pound housing and commercial developments, as well as having excellent working knowledge of the construction industry.

Close links with industry will provide you with valuable connections. You ll have the chance to take part in student awards with big name sponsors, such as BAM, Bouyges, UK North and Midlands, giving you the chance to gain recognition and make contacts to help further your future career.

Youll also benefit from having access to both state-of-the-art digital facilities and traditional resources. Using advanced BIM software, surveying equipment and a computer-generated virtual building site, you get accustomed to the technology used in industry.

Birminghams cutting edge development presents fantastic opportunities to gain experience and contacts for our students based in the city centre location.

Enhancing your employability skills

This is a part-time course intended generally for employed students. By studying with us, youll learn key aspects of the building industry that will help your promotion prospects, and understand underlying concepts and principles to help you see the relationship between theory and practice.

Youll learn to use industry equipment and software. Building information management is essential in todays world of design and construction and experience with industry-related software is central to our approach, giving you an insight into the world of virtual technology. Youll also have access to a virtual building site, giving you experience of real life scenarios. Problem-based learning scenarios based upon a real site will develop your understanding of areas including surveying, design, construction, budget, health and safety and project management.

Awards and company links provide you with great opportunities. Student Luke Eversham won the HNC Thomas Vale Award for Outstanding Student of the Year. This recognition strengthened his CV, showing how he applied the theory he learnt in class to industrial work. Josh Prescott won the Best Student Prize in Birmingham City Councils excellence awards and has now gone on to study a Construction Management BSc.

The course gives you a strong understanding of the construction process, types of construction methods used and the environmental, social and economic factors which influence changes in building design and usage for new build.