2025/26 entry
HNC Construction and Property (Higher National Certificate)
Why study Construction and Property (Higher National Certificate) at Liverpool John Moores University?
- Provides an introduction to varied aspects of the Construction and Property sector
- Develops essential academic and IT skills for further study or employment
- £6 million investment in developing state-of-the-art teaching facilities
- Stepping stone to a range of degree opportunities in the built environment and professional body membership
- International Foundation Year course available offering direct progression onto this degree programme - visit LJMU's International Study Centre to find out more
- LJMU ranked 16th in the UK for construction, surveying and planning courses (The Guardian University Guide 2025)
LJMU ranked 8th university in the UK for building degrees (The Times UK University Rankings 2025)
About your course
The HNC Construction and Property at Liverpool John Moores University is a highly vocational course, offering direct progression onto Level 5 of a range of full honours degrees in the School of Civil Engineering and Built Environment.
All HNC students will study the following core subject areas:
- Built Environment Practice
- Construction Technology
- Design and Environmental Procedures
- Integrative Project
- Built Environment Law, Health and Safety
HNC students will also select one of the following degree pathway option modules:
- Construction Management Practice (Construction Management pathway)
- Design and Specification (Architectural Technology and Building Surveying pathways)
- Measurement and Costing (Quantity Surveying pathway)
- Valuation (Real Estate pathway)
Towards the end of semester one students then select one discipline specific option module, completed during semester two. The option modules are tailored to provide the students with the knowledge required to progress to their chosen degree pathway, as follows:
Construction Pathway
Students will complete an option module in Construction Management Practice to facilitate progression to BSc (Hons) Construction Management degree. This degree is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Builders (CIOB) and will lead to a varied career in the industry where you will be concerned with the cost and production requirements of buildings within a framework of construction site management and health and safety legislation.
Quantity Surveying Pathway
Students will complete an option module in Measurement and Costing to facilitate progression to BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying degree. This degree is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and will lead directly to a career as a quantity surveyor where you will working with clients, contractors or professional practices on construction projects in UK and further afield.
Building Surveying / Architectural Technology Pathway
Students will complete an option module in Design and Specification to facilitate progression to either BSc (Hons) Building Surveying or BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology degree. Building Surveying degree is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and will lead directly to a career as a building surveyor where you will be inspecting and surveying existing buildings and providing advice on building defects and specification of remedial work. The Architectural Technology degree is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) and will lead directly to a career as an architectural technologist where you will combine an aptitude for design with technical knowledge and IT skills to produce detailed design proposals and architectural drawings.
NB: BSc Building Surveying and BSc Architectural Technology offered as full-time degrees only
Real Estate Pathway
Students will complete an option module in Valuation to facilitate progression to BSc (Hons) Real Estate degree. This degree is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and will lead directly to a career in real estate management and business where you gain employment across a wide range of property based organisations including local surveying practices, property developers and multinational companies managing property portfolios.
NB: BSc Real Estate offered as a full time degree only
"Our expert academic team includes professionals with experience of working in a wide range of disciplines including civil engineering, project management, real estate, architecture and law."
Fees and funding
There are many ways to fund study for home and international students
Fees
The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:
- library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
- access to programme-appropriate software
- library and student IT support
- free on-campus wifi via eduroam
Additional costs
Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:
- accommodation and living expenditure
- books (should you wish to have your own copies)
- printing, photocopying and stationery
- PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
- mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
- field trips (travel and activity costs)
- placements (travel expenses and living costs)
- student visas (international students only)
- study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
- academic conferences (travel costs)
- professional-body membership
- graduation (gown hire etc)
Funding
There are many ways to fund study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you'll find all of the information you need on our specialist funding pages.
Additional course costs
There are usually no costs associated with local field trips and site visits. Residential field trips and student exchange visits will incur costs including in country travel and/or flights plus accommodation costs.
Employability
Completing this HNC will enable you to pursue a wide choice of careers across the construction and commercial property market sectors.
Students completing the HNC have secured roles as Surveying Technicians working with both small and large contractors and practices in all aspects of construction, including new build, refurbishment, housing and the commercial sector.
Others follow careers in property-related disciplines ranging from contract management and building maintenance to property management and estate agency.
The HNC can also lead to further studies, allowing Level 5 entry (if entry level criteria are achieved) onto a range of LJMU Built Environment degree programmes which can lead to graduate entry employment in a range of disciplines including Quantity Surveying, Building Surveying, Architectural Technology and Architectural Engineering.
Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service
A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course, to ensure our students experience a transformation in their career trajectory. Every undergraduate curriculum includes Future Focus during Level 4, an e-learning resource and workshop designed to help you to develop your talents, passion and purpose.
Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU's suite of online Apps, resources and jobs board via the LJMU Student Futures website. There are opportunities for flexible, paid and part-time work through Unitemps, LJMU's in-house recruitment service, and we also offer fully funded Discovery Internships.
One-to-one careers and employability advice is available via our campus-based Careers Zones and we offer a year-round programme of events, including themed careers and employability workshops, employer events and recruitment fairs. Our Start-Up Hub can help you to grow your enterprise skills and to research, plan and start your own business or become a freelancer.
A suite of learning experiences, services and opportunities is available to final year students to help ensure you leave with a great onward plan. You can access LJMU's Careers, Employability and Start-up Services after you graduate and return for one-to-one support for life.
Go abroad
LJMU aims to make international opportunities available to every student. You may be able to study abroad as part of your degree at one of our 100+ partner universities across the world. You could also complete a work placement or apply for one of our prestigious worldwide internship programmes. If you wanted to go abroad for a shorter amount of time, you could attend one of our 1-4 week long summer schools.
Our Go Citizen Scheme can help with costs towards volunteering, individual projects or unpaid placements anywhere in the world. With all of these opportunities at your feet, why wouldn’t you take up the chance to go abroad?
Find out more about the opportunities we have available via our Instagram @ljmuglobalopps or email us at: goabroad@ljmu.ac.uk.
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What you will study on this degree
Please see guidance below on core and option modules for further information on what you will study.
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Level 4
Core modules
Built Environment Practice
20 credits
This module will help you to develop an understanding and appreciation of the built environment sector and the different professional disciplines that constitute built environment practice.
Construction Technology and Materials
20 credits
This module provides an overview and develops understanding of traditional and contemporary techniques and materials associated with the construction of low-rise domestic dwellings.
Design and Environmental Procedures
20 credits
This module develops your understanding of design and environmental considerations for low-rise building construction and refurbishment. It also helps to develop practical skills in producing simple building designs using appropriate software.
Integrative Project
20 credits
This module develops your understanding of collaborative group work for a built environment project. It also helps to develop an understanding of the role of different professional disciplines in the built environment.
Law and Health & Safety for the Built Environment
20 credits
This module provides you with an appreciation of the basic principles of English law with particular reference to the built environment. It also helps develop an understanding of the principles of health & safety legislation with particular reference to the built environment.
Optional Modules
Measurement I
20 credits
This module establishes the principles and conventions for the quantification and costing of building works and considers their application by the Quantity Surveyor and the Estimator, as part of their key role in the economic and financial management of the construction process.
Construction Management in Practice 1
20 credits
This module aims to provide the students with an understanding of the role of a Construction Manager both in the workplace and within the Industry. It aims to introduce the students to some of the core practical skills and knowledge linked to use of industry standard software packages and surveying equipment. It will also introduce knowledge and improve understanding of the impact of construction on an inclusive environment.
Passive Design and Specification
20 credits
This module introduce fundamental concepts concerning passive building design with particular reference to dwellings. To introduce students to specification of materials for building projects.
Valuation
20 credits
This module develops an understanding of the principal valuation theory and methodology used in professional practice. It also helps to build competency in the practical application of valuation theory and techniques.
Teaching and work-related learning
Excellent facilities and learning resources
We adopt an active blended learning approach, meaning you will experience a combination of face-to-face and online learning during your time at LJMU. This enables you to experience a rich and diverse learning experience and engage fully with your studies. Our approach ensures that you can easily access support from your personal tutor, either by meeting them on-campus or via a video call to suit your needs.
You can expect on average 14 hours of direct contact time per week at which may be in the form of lectures, tutorials, online activities and workshops in either the design studio or IT room. In addition you should spend around 30 hours per week in private study which may be at home or in the library.
This is a one-year course so there is no sandwich-year option with the HNC, but for students who continue their studies at LJMU, all built environment degrees include the option for a placement-year in industry. HNC students will complete projects relevant to the construction and property sector and will develop appropriate skills.
Support and guidance
Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support
The HNC Programme Team, School of Civil Engineering and Built Environment and University will provide student support in the transition to studying at LJMU. Each student is allocated a personal tutor from the programme team to support, guide and advise where necessary.
Assessment
Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.
All students perform differently depending on how they are assessed, which is why we use a combination of assessment methods. These include exams (open and closed book), coursework (projects, technical reports, reviews etc), presentations (individual and group) and practical assessments for fieldwork. Your tutors will give prompt and constructive feedback via Canvas (our virtual learning environment), face-to-face or in writing. This will help you to identify your strengths as well as the areas where you may need to put in more work.
Course tutors
Our staff are committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning
Facilities
What you can expect from your School
This programme is delivered in the Byrom Street complex of LJMUs City Campus. Here you'll find high quality lecture theatres, meeting and seminar rooms plus social spaces and a large café. The Avril Robarts Library is just minutes away on Tithebarn Street.
Entry requirements
Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements
Grades/points required from qualifications: CDD (80)
Qualification requirements
GCSEs and equivalents
Grade 4 or grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics/ Numeracy.
GCSE Equivalences accepted:
• Key Skills Level 2 in English/Maths
• NVQ Level 2 Functional skills in Maths and English Writing and or Reading
• Skills for Life Level 2 in Numeracy/English
• Higher Diploma in Maths/English
• Northern Ireland Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
• Wales Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
A levels
CCD
Maximum AS UCAS Points: 20
BTECs
MMP
Access awards
Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
International Baccalaureate
Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
OCR Cambridge Technical
Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
Irish awards
Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
T levels
Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications.
You need to obtain the required UCAS points from a related subject area.
International requirements
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IELTS
6.0 overall with no component below 5.5, taken within two years of the course start date.
https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/courses/international-entry-requirements
Please Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check.
Application and selection
Securing your place at LJMU
UCAS is the official application route for our full-time undergraduate courses. Further information on the UCAS application process can be found here https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/undergraduate-students/how-to-apply.
The university reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the university. Where this does happen, the university operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.
Further information on the terms and conditions of any offer made, our admissions policy and the complaints and appeals process.