HNCCivil Engineering
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- 2025
- 2026
Why study a civil engineering HNC at Solent University
Currently employed in the construction industry? If you want to further your career in civil engineering, this practical and flexible Higher National Certificate prepares you for a range of roles.
- Top0%of UK unis for teaching quality, out of 130 institutions (Times Good Uni Guide 2026)
- £0minvestment in our campus and industry-standard facilities
- Top0best student city in the UK, out of 70 cities (StudentCrowd 2024)
- This practical civil engineering HNC programme will help prepare you for a range of higher technician roles.
- You can study this course part-time, making it easy to fit around your current employment.
- Use a range of specialist facilities, including construction laboratories, a dedicated drawing studio and a range of levelling/surveying equipment (total stations).
- If you are looking to take your academic qualifications further, this HNC programme provides a platform for entering on to several post-HNC courses, including full-and part-time degrees.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
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Solent’s industry-focused civil engineering Higher National Certificate programme helps build upon existing skills to prepare students for a higher technician role within the civil engineering sector.
During the course, students will be introduced to key principles in the fields of numeracy, materials, mechanics, construction technology, and health and safety. As the course progresses, learning will focus on the more specialised areas of surveying, geotechnics, and structural analysis.
To aid learning and help build essential hands-on skills, some modules of the course are supported by practical work and field exercises. This strong emphasis on practical learning has meant the course has been able to maintain a high graduate success rate and offer enhanced career development. This course will develop your vocational skills, including research, analysis, planning and organisation, to supplement your proficiency.
For students looking to take their academic qualifications further, the HNC programme provides a platform for entering on to a number of post-HNC courses, including full- and part-time degrees.
Accreditations
Professional Bodies
Joint Board of Moderators
Who is this course for?
Solent’s civil engineering HNC is perfect for those already in the construction industry who are looking to study part-time whilst continuing to work.
The course content is ideal for those wishing to further their career and work towards higher technician roles.
What does this course lead to?
The nature of this course means that the majority of students are already in employment. Completion of the course holds the potential for future career advancement.
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
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
Mathematics for Civil Engineering
This module will introduce numerical processes and procedures that are commonly used in the Civil Engineering industry. Learners are to identify appropriate numerical techniques as well as methods for checking solutions for appropriate accuracy, suitability and presentation for commercial use.
Civil Engineering Materials and Soil Mechanics
This module covers three broad inter-related areas namely: common civil engineering materials; laboratory measurement of material physical properties; properties and particulate nature of soils.
Civil Engineering Construction Technology
This module introduces students to the legal framework required for the production of Civil Engineering works and also the methods and techniques used in Civil Engineering Projects.
Core modules
Structural Analysis and Design
This module builds on the behaviour of different structural materials examined in Civil Engineering Materials and considers the designer’s role and responsibilities in terms of Health and Safety, buildability and sustainable construction.
Management of Civil Engineering Projects
The aim of this module is to introduce management principles, practices and standards relating to civil engineering projects throughout their project life cycle.
Civil Engineering Professional Practice
This module will help you develop the practical skills civil engineering technicians use within the workplace. Students will be able to carry out fundamentals of land surveying and its application in civil engineering and be able to utilise industry standard electronic drafting software packages to produce civil engineering 2-D and 3-D drawings.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
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You will learn by:
You may be assessed by a combination of:
- Assignments
- Written exams
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 in civil engineering?
The UK construction industry is thriving. 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 and employment opportunities.
The built environment group has a long history of close relationships with employers and the Institution of Civil Engineers.
The programme also benefits from an annual visit by the regional membership development officer from the Institution of Civil Engineers. This helps to fosters close links between the professional body and local employers.
You could earn:
Contracting civil engineer
Graduate: £26,000 and £32,500
Junior/graduate members earn an average salary of £34,454; this is lower for non-members. The average salary for civil engineer members of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) is £56,965, and at director level or above is £78,333. With fellow status, and in certain locations, this can be higher.
Consulting civil engineer
Starting salary: £26,000 to £32,500
Junior/graduate members earn an average salary of £34,454; this is lower for non-members. The average salary for civil engineer members of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) is £56,965. The average salary of a director (or above) is £78,333. With fellow status, and in certain locations, this can be higher.
The stated salaries are published on prospects.ac.uk. Income figures are intended as a guide only.
Solent Careers
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.
We also have graduate job opportunities just for Solent graduates.
6th
UK uni for sustained employment
Longitudinal Educational Outcomes, 2022
Certificate in Practical Artificial Intelligence
Every student at Solent University will also have the option to study an additional Certificate in Practical Artificial Intelligence qualification alongside their course. Free of charge, the course ensures you'll be prepared for a fantastic and varied career after graduation.Â
Tuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2026/27 academic year are not yet available. For guidance, the 2025/26 fees were:
- UK, EU (settled status) and Channel Island part-time fees: £4,250 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. These additional costs are listed below. For advice on budgeting and managing your money, please contact student.funding@solent.ac.uk.
The 2026/27 additional costs are not yet available. For guidance, previous additional costs have been:Â
Compulsory costs
- An Edexcel registration fee will be payable in the first year: £175.20.
- Personal protection equipment (PPE) for site visits, eg, safety boots, hi-vis jacket, hard hat - cost can range from £50 to £100
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 £20. Please note, we do not guarantee there will be any extra tickets available to purchase.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
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Please select an option below:
Key entry requirements
16 points minimum from either 6-unit or 3-unit awards
- plus GCSE/O Level grade 4 (previously 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.
- Applications from mature students and non-standard applicants may also be considered - contact admissions for further information by emailing admissions@solent.ac.uk.
Key entry requirements
For further information about UK, EU and international qualifications, please see our course entry requirements document.
Key entry requirements
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 about UK, EU and international qualifications, please see our course entry requirements document.
How to apply
Applications for part-time courses are made directly to the University and can be made at any time prior to the start of the course. If you have any questions about applying for this course, please contact the admissions office by emailing admissions@solent.ac.uk.
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.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
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- 2 years part-time
