Overview
If you're already employed in the civil engineering industry, our vocational HNC aims to give you the knowledge needed to move into a professional role in construction-based disciplines, local government departments and the manufacturing sector.
The civil engineering pathway is intended for candidates pursuing a career with design consultancies or in site management on major infrastructure projects.
This course is available on a day release basis only, so you will need to be in full-time relevant employment while you are studying with us.
Why CU Coventry
We offer a style of education which is flexible and designed to fit around your life, allowing you to benefit from a modern, forward-thinking higher education institution, reinforced by the quality and reputation of Coventry University. We aim to provide career-focused courses, wherever possible, coupled with placement opportunities to help prepare you for the world of work. We are dedicated to making higher education accessible and enjoyable to everyone, so we keep our fees low and made it a policy to cover one module at a time, allowing you to become a specialist in each topic before moving onto the next.
Top Quality Courses
Taught by industry professionals, awarded by Coventry UniversityOne Module
We only teach one module at a time, allowing more time for assignmentsNo Year-End Exams
Our modern teaching techniques mean no last-minute crammingCareer-Focused
Vocational courses designed to maximise employabilityAccreditation & Professional Recognition
This course is accredited and recognised by the following bodies:
This qualification is approved by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) comprising the Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Structural Engineers, Institute of Highway Engineers, and the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation on behalf of the Engineering Council as:
1. fully satisfying the educational base for an Engineering Technician (EngTech).
2. partially satisfying the educational base for an Incorporated Engineer (IEng).
A programme of accredited Further Learning will be required to complete the educational base for IEng. See www.jbm.org.uk for further information and details of Further Learning programmes for IEng.
Institution of Civil Engineers
Institution of Structural Engineers
Institute of Highway Engineers
Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation
Course information
Combining practical skills, real-world knowledge and theoretical understanding of the issues and processes in the multidisciplinary construction industry is essential for success in this profession. Our course reflects contemporary practices and emphasises the essential practical knowledge and competencies needed for career progression within the industry.
You'll have the opportunity to gain an insight into the full breadth of design and construction disciplins that collaborate in the construction industry, and the benefit of practical experience brought to the course by students working in industry. You should also develop a sound base to futther your education and training to become professionally qualified.
Coventry University is ranked 15th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2020. CU Coventry is part of the Coventry University Group.
In more detail...
Facilities
Located on our Mile Lane campus, you will have access to our Library & Learning Services (LLS), fully equipped seminar rooms and impressive IT suites. Our laboratories are home to industry-standard equipment, so that you learn using the same equipment as many industry professionals. Plus, you can take advantage of reading rights in Coventry University’s Lanchester Library, make use of sport centre facilities and receive full membership to Coventry University Students’ Union (CUSU).
Staff
This course has been developed and is taught by practising professionals and industry experts. Our academics bring a wealth of expertise to the classroom with many continuing to undertake research and other projects alongside teaching, meaning our students gain a well-rounded and relevant teaching experience.
Practical Experience
Throughout your studies, you will find that the course is underpinned with practical elements. This course puts a strong emphasis on pragmatic learning, meaning our graduates are already accustomed to industry standard equipment by the time they enter the workplace.
- Upon completion of this course, you will receive a qualification awarded by Coventry University.
- In order to make higher education accessible to as many people as possible, we keep our tuition fees competitively priced.
- Small tutorial group sessions ensure that you receive the mentoring help and support you need.
- We deliver one module at a time during each block. This means you can dedicate your time to specialise in each subject without the distraction of numerous modules and multiple deadlines.
- We teach Autodesk Revit, which is a very popular architectural, structural and building information management software.
Mandatory modules are:
- Construction Industry Management
- Construction Technology and Design
- Construction Science
- Civil Engineering Practice
This course is available as a part-time day release course, usually studied over two years. The course is separated into four modules, with three modules taught in each academic year.
Our teaching methods are varied, offering a number of teaching styles to suit the needs of all our students, so in addition to lectures, we also utilise a blended learning approach, including online aspects, workshops and group work. We also operate an open-door policy, with additional availability via email and our online learning platform, Moodle.
Progression through the modules develops knowledge and skills, including communication (written and oral), study skills, research methods, project management, presentation and career development. We will also encourage you to consider your employability and/or entrepreneurial development.
Unlike traditional institutions, there are no end of year exams. Instead, learning is assessed through coursework and phase tests, which is more reflective of our learning model.
You will learn through a variety of methods:
- Lectures and tutorials
- Self-directed learning
- Textbooks
- Module webinars
- Scenario-based learning sets
- Professional libraries and resources
- Journals and case studies
- Access to industry experts and practitioners
- Asynchronous online seminars
- Discussion forums
- Peer-to-peer learning
Assessment will take the form of individual and group coursework, which is vocationally relevant. The wide range of assessment techniques will ensure that students are given every opportunity to demonstrate their skills in these areas.
On sucessful completion you should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- Contemporary issues relating to a sustainable built environment, including social, environmental and economic aspects.
- Appropriate mathematical methods, including those needed for modelling engineering problems.
- Common construction materials.
- Management practice and construction procurement.
- Principles of civil engineering and construction technology, methods and procedures.
- Building science with respect to materials, structure, services and internal environment.
- The legal and regulatory framework within which buildings are constructed.
- Health and safety in built environment design and construction.
- Preparation of project reports.
- Design processes used in construction.
- Management of the design process and the production of project documentation, including the planning, budgeting and control of costs.
- Relevant principles of applied mechanics in the main areas of structural mechanics and soil mechanics.
- Surveying and setting out.
Part-time day release
This course is delivered as day release on Tuesdays or Wednesdays 9am-6pm.
Groups are kept at an average of 25-50 students per class. This way, students can take advantage of small numbers to increase contact time with lecturers.
Entry Requirements
Tuition Fees
We pride ourselves on offering competitive tuition fees which we review on an annual basis. Course fees are calculated on the basis of what it costs to teach each course and we aim for total financial transparency.
Fees & Funding
This course is separated into four modules. In the academic year 2020-21 you will study three modules, with each module priced at £1,925 for 2020-21. Your fourth module will be studied in 2021-22 - the cost of this module may increase.
We price our courses competitively in an attempt to make higher education accessible for a wide range of people. Your tuition fees will cover all of your classes, online tutorials, some of the learning materials and access to our Library & Learning Services.
Funding
As a part-time student resident in the UK or EU, you can apply for a loan to cover the cost of your tuition fees at CU Coventry from Student Finance England.
Career prospects
Successful graduates will not only have the opportunity to gain the knowledge needed for a successful career in the construction industry, but also sought-after skills to be self-managing, self-developing individuals.
If you successfully pass the HNC course and meet all relevant entry criteria, you will be guaranteed a place on a relevant degree course at CU Coventry, or subject to specific entry requirements you could potentially progress to a degree at Coventry University.
Disclaimer
The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK and EU students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase for UK and EU Students is expected to be in line with inflation. For international students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation.
