Construction Higher National Certificate

Construction: Higher National Certificate
The Programme
The Higher National Certificate is designed to provide a specialist vocational programme, linked to professional body requirements and National Occupational Standards where appropriate; 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
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 Practise
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 2
Materials, Properties and Performance
Building Services Engineering
Module Descriptions
DESIGN PRINCIPLES - This module looks at the planning, design and production phases of the construction process.
CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY 1 - This module looks at low rise and medium rise construction methods, including traditional and modern techniques.
SCIENCE AND MATERIALS - This module looks at the scientific principles and a knowledge of the properties and use of materials needed to successfully complete the other units.
CONSTRUCTION MATHEMATICS - This module looks at the mathematical knowledge required for construction professionals.
CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT - This module introduces the principles of management theory, and looks at practical applications to such things as site layout, manpower planning and time management.
HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE- This module looks at the identification and management of the risks associated with building, civil engineering and building services engineering projects.
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AND PRACTISE - This module looks at the ethics involved in being a professional within the industry.
STUDY SKILLS - This module gives the student those skills necessary to undertake the necessary research involved with this level of study.
Entry Requirements
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.
Timetabled Days
Your first year of study will take place on a Wednesday and your second year of study will take place on a Tuesday. This will be confirmed during your interview with the academic staff.
Costs
There is a supplementary fee of ?20 to cover course materials such as the course handbook, module guides and course handouts. Students will be required to purchase their own USB memory sticks and will need to purchase some texts for the course.
Progression Careers
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.