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HNC Diploma in Construction and the Built EnvironmentApply Now »
Location: The RoundHouse
Years: 2
Weeks: 36
Hours: 8.00
Start: 07/09/2020
Days / Times:
Tuition (£): 3750.00*
Interview: Y
Course Summary
If you are employed in the building/construction sector - and operating as a technician, in a management or in a design role - this two-year course is an ideal way to move your career forward.
The HNC is an established qualification and is recognised by industry professionals and the professional bodies - in the case of construction, the CIOB.
Construction engineers play a key role in the architecture of a building project, having significant influence in addressing the energy demands and sustainability of a building.
While working in the industry and studying at the same time will require you to have good time management and organisational skills, it should offer you the opportunity to utilise the skills you have learned in your professional practice by looking at problem-based learning. Your own industrial practice is a welcome asset to promote experiential learning and peer support throughout the course.
Entry requirements
You should be employed in the building services industry and hold at least one of the following:
- A BTEC Level 3 qualification in Construction and the Built Environment
- A GCE Advanced Level profile that demonstrates strong performance in a relevant subject or adequate performance in more than one GCE subject. This profile is likely to be supported by GCSE grades at A* to C and/or 9 to 4 (or the equivalent)
- Other related Level 3 qualifications
- An Access to Higher Education Diploma awarded by an approved further education institution
- Related work experience
- An international equivalent of the above
Course Content
In light of Covid-19, DCG has the following provision planned:
1. Induction Week will commence w/c Monday 14th September 2020. This will run for two days - day one will consist of face-to-face delivery; day two will consist of remote access to induction materials and remote delivery of content by lecturers via the Microsoft Teams platform.
2. Teaching will commence w/c Monday 21st September 2020 (days to be confirmed). The following planned semester will run until 8th February 2021 when current guidance and delivery methods will be reassessed. The following is planned for delivery contact time on a weekly basis:
- Tutorials online via Microsoft Teams - 3 hours
- Practicals will be delivered 2nd semester
- Theory delivery of content via Microsoft Teams - 7.5 hours
- Support/drop-in sessions via Microsoft Teams - 3 hours
Year one:
- Construction technology.
- Science and materials.
- Construction practice and management.
- Legal and statutory responsibilities in construction.
Year two:
- Construction information (drawing, detailing and specification).
- Individual project.
- Surveying, measurement and setting out.
- Building information modelling.
You will need to complete eight units from the above suite, with seven mandatory units and one optional unit which will be offered based on the demand of the group.
How is the course delivered?
You will normally attend College one day a week over two semesters per academic year. You will undertake two units per semester.
You will have access to your tutors via email and through online learning platforms, offering you additional support to give everyone equal opportunities to develop their skills and achieve their full potential.
How will I be assessed?
You will undertake technical assignments where you will be offered the opportunity to solve technical problems closely aligned with industrial, commercial and domestic building and construction scenarios, offering you the chance to learn and demonstrate your knowledge. Alongside the technical assignments, you will undertake professional presentations, course work and projects individually and as part of a team.
You will have access to industry-competent staff who have experience of the sector with particular specialisms as well as a broad knowledge of construction. The course is delivered in our purpose built HE centre with access to industry-standard software such as Autodesk and Microsoft Project as well as online resources.
Are there any additional costs or specialist equipment required?
- Drawing equipment such as an A3 drawing board, 30-60 and 45 degree set squares, scale rule and 0.5 mechanic pencil would be advantageous but not essential.
- For voice-over PowerPoint presentations you will need access to a microphone. Access to video recording equipment such as a SMART phone will also be advantageous.
- Computer with internet access (with the ability to run AutoCAD Architecture which can be downloaded for free)
- Windows 7 Operating System and above
- Microsoft Office 2010 and above
More information will be provided regarding the above at interview.
What can I do after this course?
You could progress to an HND or a BSc/Eng degree in a related construction discipline, taking with you a broad knowledge base from your two years of study.
We would encourage you to join the CIOB at student membership level.
Did you find the course information on this page useful?
* Tuition - This figure is the fee to be paid if you are not entitled to any concessions.
*** Co-Tuition - This figure is the fee to be paid if you are entitled to any partial concessions.
Please Note: All fees for Higher Education courses are per year
Luke Green
Luke ditches sixth form for college and a future in quantity surveying
Teenager Luke Green admits he had no idea “whatsoever” about his future career before he switched from sixth form to Derby College.
Now he has his sights set on gaining a higher apprenticeship as he works towards life as a quantity surveyor. Gaining a place at College was a weight off his mind.
Luke, 18, has gained three Distinction *s in the first year of his Level 3 Extended Diploma in Professional Construction in the Built Environment. Previously, he had been studying A Level maths, economics and psychology at school.
He did not enjoy it and he could not see where it was leading. Luke wanted to find a new direction and his careers teacher pointed out a Derby College professional construction course which might appeal to him.
He went to an open day and liked what he saw. Luke finds his lecturers supportive and he really enjoys having a tangible career target to aim for.
As part of his course, Luke is also gaining valuable work experience with construction company Bowmer & Kirkland at Heage, where his attitude to work has impressed his mentor Emma Hibbert. Quantity surveyor Emma said: “Luke is keen to learn and mixes well with the team in the office.
“We give him a varied set of tasks to do to enable him to understand what a QS does on a daily basis to help his understanding of the role. “Luke has good attention to detail and is thorough in the tasks he is given to do, he asks questions when he is unsure of something and his time- keeping is also very good.
“Taking on Derby College students like Luke allows our business to see what the student’s work ethic is like. It also allows the student to find out more about the role, which means they have a better understanding of what they are coming to do. It helps them realise, before they start work, if the role is right for them.”
When I was accepted, it was a weight of my mind because I knew I didn’t want to do the sixth form, and I wanted to know what I was going to do in the next academic year. I went for the course because it’s a nice mixture of on-site and off-site office work and you get multiple options for your career. I want to go on to a higher apprenticeship and then become a quantity surveyor.
