Equivalent to the first year of a university degree, this employment-focused HNC Construction for England taught at Bolton College offers the skills needed for a role in the construction and property industry or progression to further study. Covering core construction concepts alongside the skills and knowledge defined for the Construction Design and Build Technician occupation, this course supports you in developing the work-ready and future-proof construction skills employers demand.
HNC Construction Management for England (Construction Design and Build Technician)(HTQ)
Course Information
Course Type:
Higher Education
Study Mode:
Part-time
Qualification:
Higher National Certificate
Location:
Bolton College
Course Code:
Course Length:
2 years
Start Date:
22/09/2025
Subject Area:
Higher Education
Overview
Highlights
- This approved HTQ provides opportunities for you to progress towards achieving professional institute membership; for instance, with the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) or the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT).
- We'll support you as you learn to apply critical reasoning and analysis techniques to solve construction problems using industry standards and appropriate codes of practice.
- We'll encourage you to undertake a work placement during the summer break. This is recommended but is not a course requirement.
- Upon successfully completing this programme, you'll be awarded the Higher National Certificate in Construction Management for England (Construction Design and Build Technician) qualification by the University of Bolton.
- Bolton College scores highly in student satisfaction surveys for its HE provision, and we take pride in offering you the opportunity to learn from our industry-experienced staff.
Key Features
- This course offers essential subject knowledge that you'll need to progress successfully within or into the world of work or onto further study.
- You'll have the chance to take part in field trips to a range of construction projects and gain first-hand industry knowledge and insights from guest speakers during class time.
- You'll have the chance to participate in project trips to gain first-hand experience in the industry and gain knowledge and insights from guest speakers during class time.
- This cutting-edge HTQ course offers essential and in-demand construction design and build knowledge alongside vital academic and employability skills. Focused on equipping you for a career in the construction sector, it also prepares you for higher-level study, including a full degree programme or degree apprenticeship.
- Dedicated to continuous learning and development within the built environment sector, our staff foster a culture of innovation and continuous learning to ensure they're always at the forefront of construction trends, developments and practices.
- Our student-centred approach to teaching and learning means we'll work with you individually, providing tailored help and support throughout your studies.
- You'll have the opportunity to develop and enhance crucial skills such as communication, teamwork, organising and planning, numeracy, problem-solving, flexibility and adaptability, action planning, self-awareness, initiative, personal impact and confidence, environmental sustainability, and social, public and ethical responsibility.
Entry Requirements
- 32 UCAS points. We accept a full range of qualifications that carry UCAS points, including A-levels, BTECs and T-levels. Please see our guide to the UCAS Tariff for examples of how to achieve these points. For most courses, we are also able to consider non-tariffable qualifications.
- Any subjects are acceptable at Level 3. Construction and civil engineering-related subjects are preferred.
- You should also have five GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent), including English and Mathematics.
- Entry to this course is also available to applicants who have extensive appropriate work experience in the construction/civil engineering sector. If you don't possess the academic qualifications listed above but have extensive appropriate work experience, we'll be delighted to consider your application.
- You may be required to attend an interview and/or provide a portfolio of work.
- If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
- If you intend to progress to a level 5/6 apprenticeship or top-up degree course at a university after completing this HNC, you will usually need GCSE Mathematics and English at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent). If you have not already achieved this, please speak to the course leader about taking GCSE Mathematics and/or English while completing this course.
- If you apply or enrol on this course, Bolton College and the University of Greater Manchester will share the information you provide. You’ll also receive communications from both organisations.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
Career Opportunities
HTQs open up an exciting world of opportunity, empowering you for the future. The University of Bolton's HNC in Construction Management for England (Construction Design and Build Technician) taught at Bolton College is an approved Level 4 HTQ. It's ideal if you're seeking a career in the construction sector or wish to progress to a construction-related honours degree or degree apprenticeship. If you're already working in the construction sector, you can use this HNC to upskill or retrain, acquire valuable design and build experience and gain vital new skills to support your career progression.
This qualification was developed in close collaboration with experts from employers and professional bodies to ensure you gain the skills and knowledge needed for career success. Your learning will be rooted in the real world so that you leave the course as a work-ready graduate with the professional skills and behaviours that employers need.What can I do with this qualification?
This HNC is designed to advance your career in construction and the built environment. The course offers a broad education designed to support your entry into a career in construction management and operations. You may already be employed in the construction sector, and after successful completion of this course, you should be prepared to take on additional responsibilities at work.
If you successfully complete this HNC, you'll be able to progress onto a higher level qualification, such as an HND in Construction. You'll also be able to apply for advanced standing to bachelor's degrees in a range of construction disciplines.
Alternative career options
You also use this qualification as a stepping-stone into various other careers. Some of these roles may require relevant experience and/or further study. Some possibilities include the following:
- Architectural technology
- Quantity surveying
- Logistics and distribution
- Civil engineering
- Planning and development surveying
- Teaching
- Research and development
- Town planning
- Water and environmental management
- Facilities management
- Estate agency
Fees & Funding
When completing your student finance application, please list your institution as ‘University of Bolton’, not ‘Bolton College’.
Home/EU Fees
Home students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Home fee of £2,996 for the academic year 2025/26.International Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Greater Manchester’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@greatermanchester.ac.uk for more information.Bursaries
Important note regarding tuition fees: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
How to Apply
Home Applicants
You may apply directly to the University using the University's online application form. Please select your chosen start date from the list below: You should have to hand:- Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates
- Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course – you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies
- Details of any employment history including name, address, dates and role
- Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately
- Details including e-mail addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be someone who can provide an academic reference
International Applicants
International applications are not possible for this course
As an international student you are not allowed to study this course because of the restrictions on your visa. We offer a wide range of full-time courses in lots of different subjects, many of our courses start in September and January. If you would like to see what courses are available please visit our Course Search.Partner Organisation Applicants
University of Greater Manchester Group Partners
Bolton College University Collegiate School Alliance Learning University of Greater Manchester
For valued members of the University of Greater Manchester Group and progressing students, we try to make our application process as simple and as fast as possible. By selecting the link for your chosen course from the list shown below, you will be taken directly to our online application form. Please read the user guidance before completing this, and ensure you upload all supporting documents such as certificates and your personal statement when you apply. When you are asked to add a contact email address, please ensure you add your college/university email account address as well as your personal address. If you do not add your college address as your contact address, we will be unable to identify you as a partner and offer you the benefits of being part of our group. If you are ready to apply directly, please select your chosen start date from the list below. Before applying, please read the entry requirements section of this page. If your course runs at multiple locations or has various start dates, please be sure to select the correct application link from the list below. Before beginning your application, you should have the following information to hand:- Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates
- Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course – you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies
- Details of any employment history, including name, address, dates and role
- Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately
- Details including email addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be someone who can provide an academic reference
Teaching & Assessment
The varied nature of this HNC programme means that we use a wide range of teaching and learning methods. We combine timetabled classes with student-centred and independent learning to ensure you acquire and develop the appropriate concepts, knowledge and skills. You can expect to attend lectures, practical sessions, workshops, tutorials and informal group study sessions. There will also be opportunities to visit sites and attend guest lectures by specialists from industry, professional bodies or other academic institutions.
There are significant opportunities to spend time with the tutors and technicians during timetabled classes, practical work and tutorials. However, we’ll still expect you to devote a significant amount of time to personal study. For example, you might spend this time engaging in general background reading, revisiting practical work, attending technical meetings and lectures provided by professional bodies or working on assignments. We use various assessment methods depending on the learning outcome in question and the type of module content being assessed. You'll have opportunities to test your understanding of subjects informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark or grade. Each module/unit will normally contain at least one piece of practice or 'formative' assessment for which you'll receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades/marks you receive for them do not count toward your module/unit mark or grade. You must also complete formal or 'summative' assessments for each module/unit. Methods include a range of coursework assessments such as exams, essays, reports, portfolios, presentations, and a project. The grades from the formal assessments count towards your module/unit mark or grade.Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.- Construction Design Project
- Construction Technology
- The Construction Environment
- Legal and Statutory Responsibilities in Construction
- Digital Applications for Construction Information
- Financial Management and Business Practices in Construction
- Tender and Procurement
- Building Information Modelling
Assessment methods
| Level | Assessment method |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Coursework 100% |
Learning Activities
| Level | Activity |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Guided independent study 60% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 40% |
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
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