Petroc

Higher National Certificate in Construction

Institution code P51
Duration

2 years

Course type

Part-time

Study location Petroc (Barnstaple: North Devon) and (Tiverton: Mid-Devon)

Petroc is one of the largest colleges in Devon and is committed to driving forward educational success in further and higher education. 

We are passionate about raising the aspirations, knowledge and skills of individuals, and year after year our students produce exceptional results, enabling them to progress further in training or employment. 

Petroc has been delivering a range of degree-level courses for over 30 years and is proud to be able to provide a wide variety of programmes (from HNCs and Foundation Degrees to Higher Apprenticeships and Honours Degrees) in subject areas including education, computing, science, engineering, and health and care. 

Petroc has three campuses situated across North and Mid Devon with modern and stimulating learning environments. We also offer small classes, extensive student support and exceptional links to local industry. 

Visit the Petroc website to find out how we can help you go further in life.

Course details

  • Year 1

  • Core modules

    NORD1008
    Design Principles

    This module provides the learner with a fundamental understanding of the overall design process, and how the planning/design phases of a project are co-ordinated and managed. The module is intended to help learners develop the ability to understand and apply design in terms of the production and cost implications for construction projects.

    NORD1009
    Science and Materials

    This module provides the learner with an introduction to the scientific principles and a basic knowledge of the properties of materials. The module is intended to enable learners to apply, scientific principles to construction related situations.

    NORD1011
    Construction Management

    This module provides the learner with an introduction to the principles of management as they relate to the technical and professional disciplines. Learners will also learn how these principles may be applied to the management of construction and civil engineering activity through the application of recognised management techniques.

    NORD1012
    Health, Safety and Welfare

    This module covers the knowledge and skills needed to identify hazards in the workplace, assess the level of risk, make recommendations to control the risk and review the results, this will be considered along with relevant safety legislation.

    NORD1013
    Construction Technology 1

    This module provides the learner with an introduction to the fundamental aspects of construction technology. The module has been designed to enable learners to understand the standard design forms, site evaluation methods and methods of construction used in the modern construction industry.

    NORD1015
    Professional Ethics and Practice

    This module is designed to introduce the learner to the concepts of professional ethics and the wider social, technical, economic and financial aspects of professional practice which must be considered alongside the core business activities.

  • Final year

  • Core modules

    NORD1089
    Group Project and Contractual Procedures

    This module develops the learner's ability to resolve realistic practical problems. It aims to apply the skills and knowledge developed in other modules of the course within a major piece of work that reflects the type of performance expected of construction professionals. It aims to develop a working knowledge of the types of procurement arrangements used in the industry

    NORD1090
    Tendering and Estimating

    This module provides the learner with a fundamental understanding and application of tendering procedures and the principles and methods of estimating, which form an integral part of the tendering process. This module will also enable learners to develop a commercial awareness of tendering and estimating and to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the commercial aspects of the Industry

    NORD1091
    CAD

    This module provides the learner with an introduction to the skills and knowledge required to use appropriate computer software as an aid to design for the construction industry. The difference in approach between manual and computer aided design (CAD) is explained

    NORD1092
    Site Surveying Procedures

    This module provides an opportunity for the learner to undertake setting out and control of alignment of construction work and develops the knowledge needed to perform surveying calculations

    NORD1093
    Production Management

    This module will develop the application of management principles and techniques at site management level. The module will provide learners with knowledge of the management of construction sites and will develop an appreciation of the interface between management, technology and productivity

    NORD1095
    Law and Contract

    This module is intended to provide learners with an introduction to the national legal system and the Law of Contract. It is also intended that learners will develop knowledge and understanding in those aspects of contractual administration relating to the common types of contract used in the industry for building or civil engineering works of various sizes

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

Fees, costs and funding

As this course is delivered by one of our partner colleges, please contact the college directly for information on fees and funding.

How to apply

For further information and to apply for this course, please contact the college's admissions team directly using the contact details below. 

Our partnership with Petroc

The University of Plymouth has developed partnerships with institutions around the world with the sole purpose of making higher education more accessible to those people who need something just a little different.

Our Academic Partnerships enable students to enrol for a degree at a partnership institution closer to home, or engage in distance learning – even when they’re in the middle of the ocean. They are there for those people looking to return to education, or enhance their professional development. Full- or part-time; foundation degree to masters-level – we cater for a huge variety of needs and aspirations.

Many of our partners offer specialist degrees, unique facilities, and smaller class sizes at a competitive price. And as a student of two institutions, you get the best of both worlds; a supportive learning environment as part of a close-knit community, and a university-level qualification awarded by the University of Plymouth. You’ll enjoy not only the facilities and services your partnership institution provides, but also all of the additional support and resources you need from us, and you’ll automatically become a member of our Students’ Union, too.

We are continuing to grow the number of partner institutions and expand our academic community to new locations around the UK and overseas. Why not visit the Academic Partnerships page on our website for a full list of partners and for more details on studying with us?

One of our partners delivers this particular course – so please visit their website for full course details, entry requirements, tuition fees and information on what student life is like there. 

Please contact Petroc to apply for this course:

Petroc
Old Sticklepath Hill
Barnstaple
EX31 2BQ

Tel: +441271345291
Email: postbox@petroc.ac.uk

Open days

Partner college open days

This course is run at one of our partner colleges. Open days are held at the college and more details of these can be found on the college website. You'll find contact details below, on this page.

University of Plymouth open days

You are also very welcome to attend a University of Plymouth open day, to get a flavour of the courses you can progress to from a partner college. There will however be limited information on this specific course and college.

Studying with Petroc

With main campuses in Barnstaple, Tiverton and Brannams, if you decide to study at the combined college, you’ll be able to take advantage of increased resources and the plethora of learning opportunities associated with them.
 
Plymouth students working on a group project