2023/24 entry
HNC Civil Engineering
About your course
Completing the HNC Civil Engineering at Liverpool John Moores University is the first step towards an exciting and interesting career in civil engineering, with progression routes onto BEng/MEng degrees.
- Teaching on the course is via a combination of lectures, laboratory work, tutorials, workshops, practical sessions and site visits, combined with your own research using our Library and the Web
- While there is no sandwich option with this programme, it is highly related to the work environment and you will develop the necessary skills base required by industry
- You will be assigned a personal tutor who can provide one-to-one guidance and advice on course-related issues and PDP
- Our Industry Unit and World of Work Careers Centre can help you identify and secure professional employment
- Opportunity to progress onto a number of related degree courses within the Faculty of Engineering and Technology
- Start month: September
- Campus location: City Campus
If you are interested in creating the structures that support life's basic needs for water, flood control, hospitals, recreation and transport, the Civil Engineering HNC at LJMU is a good place to start. Civil Engineers design, plan and manage civil and environmental projects from concept to realisation, considering structural problems and aesthetics as well as the environmental and economic impacts. They need to be competent technically, practical in outlook and capable of giving professional advice on a variety of subjects ranging from design to construction and site management.
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.
Employability
The career prospects for students graduating with an HNC Civil Engineering are excellent; in fact most students find a job before they reach the end of their graduating academic year.
Academic qualifications, supplemented by further learning, provide a sound foundation to a civil engineering career and form your Educational Base. Skills and knowledge development are essential for you to become professionally qualified - this is known as Initial Professional Development (IPD). Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is a life-long activity, starting with IPD and progressing to professional qualifications. CPD keeps you up-to-date with technological and commercial advances necessary to maintain your professional competence.
Graduates take a range of career paths, normally at Technician status in disciplines ranging from Land Surveying, Project Designers, Trainee Structural Surveyors, Highways Technicians and Analysts.
Those going on to further study gain access to degrees in Civil Engineering, Railway Engineering and Structural Engineering.
Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service
We are committed to ensuring all our students experience a transformation in their employability skills and mindset and their career trajectory. A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course.
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. It will enable you to become more proactive, adaptable and resilient in your awareness and approach to career possibilities.
Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU’s state-of-the-art suite of online tools, resources and jobs board. There are opportunities for flexible, paid and part-time work through Unitemps, LJMU’s in-house recruitment service, ensuring students can build experience whilst they study.
One-to-one careers and employability advice is available via our campus-based Careers Zones to accelerate your job search and applications, CV and interview technique. Themed careers and employability workshops, a programme of employer events and recruitment fairs run throughout the year and students have the opportunity to hear from a range of alumni who openly share their own onward experience.
Student Futures work with businesses to create opportunities for fully funded internships which help students increase their network within the Liverpool City Region and beyond. 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 Enterprise 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.
A life-changing experience
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What you will study on this degree
Please see guidance on core and option modules for further information on what you will study
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or option in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations.
Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules may also be included to provide you with an element of choice within the programme. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year 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
Design Principles and Civil Engineering Technology
20 credits
This module provides you with a fundamental understanding of the design process and the management of the building and planning process. It will help you develop the ability to apply, analyse and evaluate the design process with consideration of sustainability, cost, time and quality. You will also be encouraged to reflect on your level of competency regarding employability skills and identify opportunities for developing these skills.
Engineering Geology and Soil Mechanics
20 credits
This module provides you with an introduction to the engineering characteristics of geological materials and an understanding of how geological materials are classified. The significance of the ground investigation element of site investigation is also developed.
Hydraulics Group Project
20 credits
This module will develop your skills in terms of the evaluation and resolution of realistic practical hydraulic problems and the ability to work as part of a team. It enables the application of knowledge, understanding and skills developed in other modules, and where possible experiences from employment, to a major piece of work. The module is designed to bring together small groups of learners into teams so that you can coordinate your individual skills and abilities.
Science Materials and Applied Mathematics
20 credits
Through theory and experiment, this module introduces you to the basic scientific principles underpinning engineering calculations. Emphasis is placed upon experimental work with clear analysis and presentation of results, together with problem solving in relation to the engineering properties and performance of materials. The module incorporates the development of the mathematical and scientific skills required to solve engineering problems.
Site Surveying Procedures
20 credits
This module introduces you to the basic techniques for land surveying and setting out methods of obtaining field measurements for the purpose of producing site drawings and hence the calculation of land areas and earthwork volumes, alongside setting out points using line-of sight. It enables you to develop an understanding of the use and application of Computer Aided Design in the Built Environment and the development of 2-dimensional drafting techniques and conventions.
Structural Analysis and Design
20 credits
This module enables you to focus on the skills required to analyse construction designs and appraise statically determinate structures. You will carry out the design of common structural elements to the appropriate British Standard, Code of Practice or European Code of Practice.
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.
Assessment
Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.
We recognise that all students perform differently according to the type of assessment they undertake, so a variety of methods is used. This includes exams (open and closed book), coursework (projects, technical reports, reviews, etc) and presentations (individual and group). 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 on which you may need to concentrate.
Facilities
What you can expect from your School
This programme is delivered in the Byrom Street complex of LJMU’s 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, open 24/7 during semester, is just minutes away on Tithebarn Street.
Entry requirements
Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements
Minimum points required from qualifications: 80
GCSE and equivalents
Prior to starting the programme applicants must have obtained Grade C or Grade 4 or above in English Language and Mathematics GCSE or an approved alternative qualification below:
- 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
- Functional Skills Level 2 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
- Minimum number of A Levels required: 1
- Is general studies acceptable? Yes
- Average A Level offer: CDD
- Are AS level awards acceptable? Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
- Maximum AS Level points accepted: 20
T Levels
- T Level requirements: 80 UCAS tariff points from relevant subjects. Please contact the Faculty for further information.
BTEC qualifications
- National Certificate (RQF): Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
- National Extended Certificate: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
- National Diploma (RQF): Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
- National Diploma subjects / grades required: DM if studied on its own or to the total of 80 UCAS points when combined with other qualifications
- National Extended Diploma (RQF): Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
- National Extended Diploma subjects / grades required: MMP if studied on its own or to the total of 80 UCAS points if combined with other qualifications
Access to Higher Education Diploma
- Access to Higher Education Diploma acceptability: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
- Further information: 80 UCAS tariff points from Access to HE Diploma
International Baccalaureate
- International Baccalaureate: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
- Additional information: 80 UCAS Tariff points from IB Diploma
Welsh awards
- Welsh Baccalaureate: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
Irish awards
- Irish Leaving Certificate: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
- Grades / subjects required: 80 UCAS points from a minimum of 5 subjects
Reduced Offer Scheme
Not applicable
International entry requirementsPlease Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check.
Can this course be deferred?Yes
Is a DBS check required?No
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.