HNC CONSTRUCTION

Overview

Build your expertise

We have a long history of educating professionals for the building-related industries. With roots in the London Council School of Building (1904) and the Brixton School of Building (1940), we’ve been offered training in construction for over 100 years.

HNC courses are industry recognised and are well established in Built Environment subjects. The HNC Construction is mapped to our degree courses allowing for seamless transition with advanced entry onto a number of our BSc courses. You can tailor this course into three areas, construction management, surveying, and architectural technology disciplines.

Construction workers consulting plans

Why Construction at LSBU?

Key qualification in construction management, surveying and architectural technology disciplines for those already working in construction.
Emphasis on a vocational approach to teaching; and a focus on a range of technical and managerial knowledge and skills.
Study full-time or part-time one day a week.
Mode Duration Start date Application code Application method
ModePart-time Duration2 years Start dateSeptember Application code2315 Application method Direct to LSBU
ModeFull-time Duration1 year Start dateSeptember Application code022K Application method UCAS

Location

London South Bank University student union is located at 103 Borough Rd, London SE1 0AA.

If you are visiting our Southwark Campus, you may wish to use our downloadable campus map (PNG File 466 KB). For information on accessibility, see our DisabledGo access guides. See our location page for more details.

Entry Level Requirements

Want to start your course this September? call 0800 923 8888 for entry requirements.

  • 64 UCAS points. Visit UCAS for guidance on the tariff.
  • GCSE Maths grade C or above or equivalent (reformed GCSEs grade 4 or above).

If you do not meet the entry criteria above we also review any previous skills, knowledge or experience you have gained outside of your education and are happy to talk through any extenuating circumstances you feel relevant.

Missing English and Maths qualifications?

If you do not have the required English and Maths qualifications needed to satisfy the entry requirements for this programme, we have courses available at our partner College that you can take to upskill in these areas. Find out more at South Bank College.

Advanced entry

If you have already completed some studies at another university, we may be able to consider you for advanced entry. Please see our advanced entry page for more information.

United Kingdom

£4767.5

Tuition fees for home students

International

£7750

Tuition fees for international students

Tuition fees are subject to annual inflationary increases. Find out more about tuition fees for Undergraduate or Postgraduate courses.

  • Part-time

    part-time

    HNC Construction (PT) - Year 1

    The fee shown is for entry 2025/26
    UK fee: £4767.5 International fee: £7750
    AOS/LSBU code: 2315 Session code: 1PS00
    Total course fee:

    * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.

    UK: £9535
    International: £15500

    HNC Construction (PT) - Year 2

    The fee shown is for entry 2025/26
    UK fee: £4767.5 International fee: £7750
    AOS/LSBU code: 2315 Session code: 2PS00
    Total course fee:

    * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.

    UK: £9535
    International: £15500

For more information, including how and when to pay, see our fees and funding section for undergraduate students.

Please check your fee status and whether you are considered a Home, EU or International student for fee-paying purposes and for our regulatory returns, by reading the UKCISA regulations.

See our Tuition Fees Regulations (PDF File 391 KB) and Refund Policy (PDF File 775 KB).

Possible fee changes

The University reserves the right to increase its fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions.

The fees for international students are reviewed annually and the University reserves the right to increase the tuition fees in line with the RPIX measure of inflation up to 4 per cent.

Scholarships

We offer several types of fee reduction through our scholarships and bursaries. Find the full list and other useful information on our scholarships page.

International students

International (non Home) applicants should follow our international how to apply guide.

Home

Mode Duration Start date Application code Application method
Mode Part-time Duration 2 years Start date September Application code 2315 Application method Direct to LSBU
Mode Full-time Duration 1 year Start date September Application code 022K Application method UCAS

Accommodation

Once we have made you an offer, you can apply for accommodation. You can rent from LSBU and you’ll deal directly with the university, not third party providers. That means we can guarantee you options to suit all budgets, with clear tenancy agreements and all-inclusive rents that include insurance for your personal belongings, internet access in each bedroom and on-site laundry facilities.

Or, if you’d rather rent privately, we can give you a list of landlords – just ask our Accommodation Service.

Read more about applying for accommodation at LSBU.

Finance

You don't need to wait for a confirmed place on a course to start applying for student finance. Read how to pay your fees as an undergraduate student.

Prepare to start

Applicant events

After you’ve received your offer we’ll send you emails about events we run to help you prepare for your course.

Enrolment

Before you start your course we’ll send you information on what you’ll need to do before you arrive and during your first few days on campus. You can read about the process on our Enrolment pages.

This Higher National Certificate is perfect if you are seeking to further your career within the construction industry and gain an industry recognised qualification. We have a range of modules to tailor your studies by, including Construction Technology and Structures, Building Surveying, and Architectural Design.

  • Building services and environmental science
    This module focuses on building services and the environmental performance, and develops an understanding of how buildings perform in the areas of acoustics, heat and moisture transfer, lighting, ventilation and air conditioning design. The underlying principles of each topic will be covered, together with more advanced applications, enabling you to demonstrate an understanding of building performance to other professionals within the industry. Assessment methods: 50% coursework, 50% exam.
  • Construction technology and materials
    This unit will introduce you to the study of building materials and how buildings are pieced together (i.e. building technology). Assessment methods: 50% coursework, 50% exam.
  • Construction technology and structures
    This module will introduce you to the study of building technology associated with larger, more complex buildings, as well as to the fundamentals of structural analysis. Assessment methods: 50% coursework, 50% exam.
  • Legal and economic context
    The legal content of this module will introduce the sources and basic rules of UK law, including common law and statute law, as it affects construction and property professionals. It will provide an introduction to construction contract law, and tort and restitution law as they affect professionals. It will explain the differences between common law and equity and criminal law, and their relevance to construction and property professionals. It will establish the legal and ethical framework of Health and Safety regulation. The economics content of the module will introduce you to micro and macro economics, and will examine the theoretical and empirical framework of economics, including price formation, the theory of the firm, degrees of competition, Government economic objectives, monetary policy, behavioural economics, contract theory, inflation and unemployment. Assessment method: 100% coursework.
  • Construction practice
    This module aims to provide you with the knowledge of the interrelationships between industry, professional bodies and education, and an understanding of key professional and research requirements. It will provide you with a roadmap for your professional career, and will enable you to prepare for employment in the construction discipline. Assessment method: 100% coursework. 

Plus one option from:

  • Surveying and setting out
    This module focuses on the principles and application of surveying in the construction industry using both traditional and modern surveying technology, including the establishment of horizontal/vertical control and basic setting out techniques and processes. Assessment method: 100% coursework.
  • Architectural design and technology
    This module focuses on three areas of work: design principles, basic CAD, and technology. Assessment method: 100% coursework.
  • Building surveying and inspection
    This particular module focuses upon the development of knowledge and techniques required to undertake the different types of inspection when assessing the need for building works relating to building defects, planned maintenance, extending and altering buildings, undertaking fire risk assessments or the adaptation of buildings. The module specifically relates to inspections and surveys associated with residential buildings up to three storeys in height.

Careers

Employability Service

At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:

  • An online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
  • Our Careers Gym offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and finding work experience, as well as regular presentations from employers across a range of sectors.

Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.

This course is designed to assist those already employed within the construction industry. It will prepare you for new career opportunities within the construction management, surveying, and architectural technology disciplines.

You’ll develop a wide range of employability skills through a vocational approach to teaching, as well as a focus on a range of technical and managerial skills.

Students from this course have become Project Managers and Quantity Surveyors.

Continuing to study at Bachelor’s degree level

After this course, you'll be able to further specialise at an undergraduate level (subject to grades), including on our BSc (Hons) Construction Management, BSc Building SurveyingBSc Quantity Surveying, BSc (Hons) Commercial Management, and BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology courses.

We have a long history of educating professionals for the building-related industries. With roots in the London Council School of Building (1904) and the Brixton School of Building (1940), we’ve been teaching construction for over 100 years.

We’re the largest school of Building and Town Planning in the UK our building graduates have the best employment prospects in London. Current students and alumni hold key positions in their respective organisations, often as senior managers and business owners.

Teaching and Assessment

Personal Tutoring

As a Built Environment and Architecture student, you will be allocated a named tutor during your first three weeks at LSBU.  The role of your tutor is to be your primary contact for academic and professional development support.

Your tutor will support you to get the most of your time at LSBU, providing advice and signposting to other sources of support in the University.

Your tutor should be the first person at the university that you speak to if you are having any difficulties that are affecting your work. These could be academic, financial, health-related or another type of problem.

You will have appointments with your personal tutor at least once a year for approximately 30 minutes throughout your course.  You can contact your tutor for additional support by email or phone.

People profiles

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Register your interest

Contact information

Course Enquiries - UK

Tel: 0207 815 7500

International team enquiry

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7815 6189