HNCConstruction Quantity Surveying
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Why study a construction quantity surveying HNC at Solent University
Develop the knowledge and skills you need to commence a career in the construction industry as a cost manager.
- £0minvestment in our campus and industry-standard facilities
- 0thuniversity in the UK for low carbon emissions (THE 2023)
- 0thin the top 20 best student cities (StudentCrowd, 2023)
- Our academics have extensive industry experience gained during time spent in various construction roles.
- The course is developed in consultation with local employers to ensure you learn relevant and sought-after skills.
- You will have free access to industry-standard facilities, including a dedicated drawing studio, two construction laboratories, a wide range of levelling and surveying equipment and professional software packages such as AutoCAD and BlueBeam.
- Get practical experience thanks to site visits and benefit from guest lectures delivered by our industry connections made up of local and national construction companies.
Course overview
On this Higher Technical Qualification you’ll gain an understanding of the practicalities of managing construction costs from project inception to completion, predominately focusing on meeting the needs of main contractors and sub-contractors. The programme offers an element of flexibility, allowing students to study part-time to gain the HNC qualification alongside their busy careers.Â
Throughout your studies you’ll explore a range of areas including legal and statutory requirements and principles of quantity surveying. At the heart of the course is the development of problem-solving skills. You will be supported to develop this knowledge to assist in providing sound and justified management advice and guidance relating to production in a variety of different formats. Â
The course team have extensive industry experience, and a strong network of industry contacts, which has given past students access to guest speakers, live briefs and site visits.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email:Â Call:ÂHigher Technical Qualification
Course features
Specialist facilities
This course has access to specialist facilities
Who is this course for?
This course is primarily aimed at those who are interested in the day to day practicalities of managing the costs of works packages on a development, or smaller projects on their own and are looking to develop their career. Â
What does this course lead to?
This course will supplement your skills for a career path in any of the broad areas that encompass quantity surveying, estimating and buying within the contracting side of the construction industry. The industry-focused and practical emphasis of the course will develop your professionalism and maximise your career development opportunities.
Meet the team
The University cannot guarantee any particular members of staff will teach specific aspects of the course in the future, but will endeavour to ensure the teaching team maintains their balance of experience and qualifications.
Facilities
You’ll benefit from free access to a range of industry standard facilities. These include a dedicated drawing studio, two construction laboratories, a wide range of levelling and surveying equipment and professional software packages.
Our vibrant campus brings state-of-the-art facilities to enhance your learning and elevate your student experience. Our award-winning teaching building, The Spark is centred around students and offers a stimulating study environment with flexible learning spaces. Away from studying, why not try out the gyms, fitness studios and sports halls in our £28 million Sports Complex, or watch a blockbuster film at our student-run cinema with Dolby Atmos audio.
What you'll study
Core modules
Academic and Professional Practice
This module will help you develop an understanding of the ethos and expectations associated with this level of study and equip you with a range of graduate skills that are transferable to later postgraduate study and employability.
Construction Practice
This module has two distinct parts, the first will introduce taking-off, drawing and numerical processes and procedures commonly used in construction. The second will introduce the principles of construction surveying and applications in construction management practice.
Construction Science and Materials
You will be able to utilise the different construction technologies and methods available to you successfully, it is fundamental that you have an understanding for the scientific principles and material behaviour that underpins them and influences their use in construction.
Technology of Buildings
This module addresses the technology used in the construction of low-rise buildings including light industrial buildings and low-rise commercial buildings. It also introduces the different technological concepts used to enable the construction of building elements; from substructure to completion.
How you will learn and be assessed
You will learn by:
You may be assessed by a combination of:
- Coursework
- Assignments
- Individual presentations
- Online tests
- Portfolios
Solent’s curriculum framework builds on our unique, creative and applied approach to teaching. The transformation of students’ lives is at the heart of our mission as a university, and our curriculum – informed by the latest theory – reflects this shared educational vision.
Find out more
Study support
The student achievement team are on hand to help you succeed during your studies at Solent. They aim to contact you at key times during your time here with personalised information, advice and guidance, by email or phone.
The disability advice team provides information, advice and guidance for disabled students.
All students can access Succeed@Solent, Solent's online guide to getting better grades. It offers extensive, practical information and advice on topics such as academic writing, research and presentations.
Why choose a career as a construction quantity surveyor?
Effective site management skills are at the heart of the construction industry. With industry output worth over £110 billion per annum and contributing 7% to UK gross domestic product, construction offers a huge variety of opportunities, with excellent salaries.
You could earn:
Quantity surveyor
Graduates: £21,000 to £28,000
Newly trained chartered surveyors can earn around £25,000 to £35,000. With experience, you can earn around £35,000 to £55,000. Salaries at management level range from around £50,000 to in excess of £80,000.
The stated salaries are published on prospects.ac.uk. Income figures are intended as a guide only.
Solent Futures
The Solent Careers team is committed to getting students into great careers.
While you are studying, the team can help you with finding work experience or placements, link you with a mentor, check your CV, or offer one-to-one guidance.
If you're in your final year, we also have graduate job opportunities just for Solent graduates.
6th
UK uni for sustained employment
Longitudinal Educational Outcomes, 2022
Accredited by
Higher Technical Qualification
Tuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year are not yet available. For guidance, the 2024/25 fees were:
- UK, EU (settled status) and Channel Island part-time fees: £4,625 per year
- International part-time fees: Students from outside the EU are usually unable to obtain a visa for part-time study. Please visit our visas and immigration page for more information.
For further information, please visit our tuition fees page.
Extra course costs
While most course costs are covered by your tuition fees, some essential resources and optional extras may need to be paid for separately. For advice on budgeting and managing your money, please contact student.funding@solent.ac.uk.
Bursaries, scholarships and financial support
Solent University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships that provide financial assistance or waive fees for tuition or accommodation. Each bursary or scholarship has specific eligibility criteria. Check out our bursaries and scholarships pages to find out more.
Cost of living support
At Solent, we understand that the cost of living crisis may be of some concern. To help, we've put together some detailed information to show what support is available and how to make your money go further.
Graduation costs
There is no charge to attend graduation, but you will be required to pay for the rental of your academic gown (approximately £45 per graduate, depending on your award). You may also wish to purchase official photography packages, which range in price from £15 to £200+. Graduation is not compulsory, so if you prefer to have your award sent to you, there is no cost. Extra guest tickets will go on sale after results publication and will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis. The cost per ticket is currently £15. Please note, we do not guarantee there will be any extra tickets available to purchase.
Student finance videos
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Entry requirements
Please select an option below:
Key entry requirements
16 points minimum at level 3 from either 6-unit or 3-unit award
- plus 4 GCSE/O Level grade C or above to include English and Maths
- or BTEC/Edexcel Advanced GNVQ
- or National Certificate Diploma in a Building/Construction related discipline
- or relevant Access course
- or other qualifications which are considered to be equivalent of the above.
Key entry requirements
As a general guide, we look for qualifications that are equivalent to the British high school A-levels.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about EU qualifications, please see our course entry requirements document.
Key entry requirements
As a general guide, we look for qualifications that are equivalent to the British high school A-levels.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about international qualifications, please see our course entry requirements document.
Note to all international students requiring a visa
All international applicants need to be aware that the English language requirements to attend Solent University, and the English language requirements to obtain a visa from the Home Office, may be different. This means that if you meet the Solent University language requirement to gain a place on the course, you may still have to meet additional requirements to be granted with a visa by the Home Office.
We strongly advise all applicants to visit the Home Office website which outlines all the requirements for a successful visa application.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email:Â Call:ÂHow to apply
Full-time
Any student applying for the first year of a full-time/sandwich undergraduate course must apply through UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service). This includes mature, overseas and EU students.
Nearly all schools and colleges offer their students the facility of applying electronically through the UCAS website using 'Apply'; it may also be used by those applying independently in the UK and overseas. This facility and all course information can be found on the UCAS website: www.ucas.com.
Your application should reach UCAS by 31 January if you hope to enter a course the following autumn. Early application is advised for the most popular subject areas. Late applications may be made until the end of June. The UCAS Code for the University is S30, code name SOLNT.
Find out what happens after you apply
Contextual offers
Solent endeavours to offer learning opportunities to students from all backgrounds. When we receive and review an application, we take into consideration the context and personal circumstances of applicants when making a decision, which means our advertised entry tariff could be reduced.
Alternative entry options
Applications are welcomed from students who do not have the academic qualifications listed above but may be admitted on the basis of relevant experience rather than standard qualifications.
Important note about progression routes:
Progression to a Pearson Higher National Diploma (HND) qualification is not automatically available after completion of this Higher National Certificate (HNC) course.
Solent’s HNC is awarded under a Trademark Licence and the final award from this course, although mapped closely to Pearson’s programmes, is not a Pearson BTEC Higher National award.
Candidates wishing to progress onto a course at another provider may need to complete additional modules or check with the provider if acceptance to the progression course will be available with the HNC award. Many providers offer recognition of prior learning, but this will be on a case by case basis.
Students graduating from Solent do have progression routes at Solent University to degrees or to other professional qualifications.
Language requirements
Applicants who do not have English as their first language will be required to demonstrate an approved level of proficiency in the use of the English language. The agreed minimum requirements for this course are:
- IELTS minimum 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each individual component
- TOEFL IBT minimum 80 with a minimum of 20 in each individual component
- Duolingo English Language Test - 115 overall with minimum of 95 in each component or equivalent.
Qualifications are checked before enrolment, and international students must bring their original certificates or certified copies when coming to study at the University.
Pre-Sessional English programme
The University also offers a pre-sessional English programme for international students who wish to improve their level of English before starting a degree course.
Make your application
- 2 years part-time
