BTEC Higher National Certificate Building Studies.

Construction and the Built Environment - Built Environment
BTEC Higher National Certificate Building Studies.(2010/2011)
Study Method:
This is a part-time course, requiring attendance at the college one day and one evening per week. Additional subjects are taken on separate evenings. Study comprises formal lectures and assignments.
An evening only option is also available with students studying two evenings a week for two years and a short Saturday block.
Duration :Two years: one day or two evenings per week and a short Saturday Block
Who the Course is For:
Normally, those employed as technicians in the construction industry, or working for a local authority in building control.
Assessment:
Assessment is made on the basis of course work and assignments completed, and upon end tests or time-controlled assignments. These are all set and marked internally and moderated by BTEC. The HNC can be obtained by passing 10 units which include those essential to the course.
Course Leads To:
The Higher National Certificate in Building Studies is the basic academic qualification required for entrance to professional institutes. It provides partial exemption from the examinations of some professional institutes. An HNC also gives entry to part-time degree courses in architecture, building and quantity surveying.
Entry Requirements:
Applicants should have successfully completed one of the following:
BTEC National Certificate in Building Studies.
BTEC National Diploma in Construction.
A suitable bridge course after completing other studies.
One A Level
There is also an exceptional entry criterion for students with wide experience of the building industry wishing to improve their academic qualifications.
Content:
All our courses are designed to cover the full range of topics and tasks as laid down by the awarding body in response to industry requirements. All practical activities are carried out within out start of the art workshops with theory work being a mix of classroom and assignment activities. The topics include:
First year
Essential units
Building Construction A
Building Services and Equipment
Site Surveying
Environmental Science
Optional units:
Administration
Measurement (Builders & QS)
Design Procedures (Architects)
Building Law
Second year
Essential units:
Building Construction B
Contractual Administration
Project.
Optional unit
Site studies (production) (Builders & QS)
Design Technology (Architects)
Tendering and Estimating (Builders & QS)
Conversion and adaptation of Buildings (Architects)
Economics of the construction industry.Some extra units are required for entry to the professional institutes such as CIOB and BIAT. Extending the HNC to an HND would give the necessary exemption.