The HNC in Modern Methods of Construction has been designed in collaboration with employers to help you secure the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to succeed in the workplace.
Awarding body
Course overview
Application codes
Course Code
HC03HP1A021P
Institution Code
025
Date, fees & location
Start date
September 2025
Location
Online
Fees
Home/EU* Fee for September 2025 entry: £3,265 per year
Timetable
Duration
2 Years
Study mode
Part-Time
Delivery
Online
Award
Course award
On successful completion you will gain: Higher National Certificate in Modern Methods of Construction
YEAR 1 :
- Construction Design Project
- Construction Technology
- The Construction Environment
- Principles of Off-site Construction
YEAR 2:
- Digital Applications for Construction Information
- Tender and Procurement
- Building Information Modelling
- Principles of Alternative Energy
| Module title | Credit | Optional |
| Construction Design Project | 30 | No |
| Construction Technology | 30 | No |
| The Construction Environment | 30 | No |
| Principles of Off-site Construction | 30 | No |
Teaching & Assessment
The units are delivered online through a variety of techniques to suit different learning styles. You will be supported by a dedicated team to achieve through group work, pair activities, action research, discussions, presentations and build projects. You will be taught through a combination of online lectures, seminars, tutorials, and individual support.
You will have the opportunity to implement your own building and design within several of the modules which count towards your overall assessment for the module.
Tutorial and seminars: In addition to your taught lectures are timetabled tutorial sessions. These sessions are a combination of taught tutorial time, focusing on the progression of your academic and employability skills, one to one tutorial with your tutor, and a series of seminars and guest speakers to aid your learning and introduce you to new and exciting concepts within your field of study. Class sizes are relatively small, providing the opportunity of full interaction and discussion between the group.
You will receive approximately seven hours of online contact time per week, typically consisting of:
- six hours of lectures, seminars, discussions and directed activities.
- one hour of tutorial time
You will have access to Activate Learning Online (ALO). This is our online learning platform that provides support for all our students. You can visit the Help page to access information and videos, or you can chat with ALO support, which is available 24/7. Online learning is designed to facilitate your own learning and provide a platform to gain knowledge at your own pace, alongside your scheduled lectures.
Independent learning: When not attending guided learning time you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles, books, working on projects and preparing coursework.
Each unit will provide you with the opportunity for ‘Formative’ assessment. This allows you to gain feedback on your work before submitting for final assessment. Formative assessments are developmental, and any grades are solely indicators of your progress and so not count towards your overall unit grade. There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each unit. This will provide you will an overall unit grade.
Units have set ‘learning outcomes’, which are assessed through 100% coursework. You must achieve all learning outcomes in all units in order to successfully complete the qualification. Coursework is made up of a variety of assessment methods including written reports and essays, online tests, practical examination, portfolios, presentations, and a final year project.
How to apply
If you have a Student visa, please book a call to discuss your options.
Applicants should apply through the UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) website. All courses will be listed under Activate Learning on the UCAS website. Please use the following information when applying for this course:
Entry Requirements
Applicants for the HNC in Modern Methods of Construction will normally be expected to possess at least one of the following:
- A BTEC Level 3 qualification in Construction with a minimum of a Merit overall
- 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 (or equivalent) and/or 9 to 4 (or equivalent) in subjects such as Maths and English.
- Other related level 3 qualifications
- An Access to Higher Education Diploma from an approved further education institution
- Relevant work experience in the Construction sector.
Applications from students returning to education who do not possess the formal entry qualifications, but can demonstrate relevant industry experience, will be considered on merit but would normally be expected to have achieved a Level 2 maths and English qualification.
All applicants will be interviewed prior to a decision being made.
English language requirements:
To ensure that each applicant can demonstrate their capability to learn and be assessed at the relevant level in English, students who are non-native English speakers and who have not carried out their final two years of schooling in English will be required to demonstrate their ability at a standard equivalent to:
- Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) level B2
- PTE Academic 51, or
- IELTS 5.5 (reading and writing must be at 5.5)
Careers
The Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Modern Methods of Construction provides a solid grounding in construction which you can build on should you decide to continue your studies to level 5 (HND) and further to degree-level study*.
In addition, the qualification may provide links to industry-related and employer-supported apprenticeships schemes that can provide further opportunities for enhanced employment.
*You should be aware that university admission criteria are always subject to change and remain at the discretion of the institution. You should take time to understand the course entry requirements for the subject, year, and grade before applying.
After you complete
Course award
On successful completion you will gain: Higher National Certificate in Modern Methods of Construction in England
Ready to start your application?
Apply now
Fees
Fee Breakdown
Home/EU* Fee for September 2025 entry: £3,265 per year
Please note:
Tuition fees are published for the first year of entry only and may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by the Office for Students.
*Fee information for European Union (EU) students: If your course starts on or after the 1st August 2021, you will no longer be eligible for financial support from Student Finance England unless you meet one of the following criteria:
- you are able to benefit from the citizens’ rights agreements
- you are an Irish national living in the UK or Republic of Ireland – benefits of Irish nationals under Common Travel Area guidance arrangement will continue
Additional costs include:
We strongly recommend purchasing a laptop for your course.
