HNCConstruction Quantity Surveying
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Starting in:Â 2026
Register your interestUCAS points: 16Flexible entry options available
Campus: Southampton City CentreView on Google Maps
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 on this Higher National Certificate.
- Top0%of UK unis for teaching quality, out of 130 institutions (Times Good Uni Guide 2026)
- 0thin the UK for First/2:1 degrees, out of 130 institutions (Times Good Uni Guide 2026)
- £0minvestment in our campus and industry-standard facilities
- Our academics have extensive industry experience gained during time spent in various construction roles.
- The course has been designed with input from from companies such as Willmott Dixon, Mace and Ramboll, meaning you can be sure that this course will make you future ready and well placed to succeed in the construction industry.
- You can study this course part-time, making it easy to fit around your current employment.
- 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.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email:Â Call:ÂCourse 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 Higher National Certificate qualification alongside their busy careers.
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.
To enable you to put what you learn into context, the course has close links with the industry and has been designed with input from companies including Mace, Wilmott Dixon, and Ramboll to ensure the course content is relevant and up-to-date, meaning you'll graduate with the relevant skills sought after by the industry.
To encourage inter-disciplinary working, you'll frequently work alongside students studying on our other construction-related programmes, including apprentices and those on our construction management courses. This will help enhance your understanding of industry and offers excellent peer-to-peer learning opportunities to broaden your knowledge.
You’ll have access to Solent’s state-of-the-art construction materials laboratories. These modern spaces have recently been refurbished as part of a £7m investment into our facilities and have been developed to give students access to an environment which mirrors the feel and atmosphere of a professional studio. This enables students from various built environment courses to collaborate on multidisciplinary projects, just as they would in the workplace.
Solent University is an experienced and well established provider of built environment programmes, with an excellent reputation for providing high quality graduates. Our teaching team combine broad industry experience with academic expertise, so you can be confident you're are being taught by experts in their field. Throughout this programme, we'll help you develop your technical and managerial expertise, with sustainability and ethical practice at the heart of what we offer.
We're proud to be one of only three institutions to be shortlisted for the Best HE Provider Supporting Careers in Construction award at the 2025 Building the Future Awards.
Accredited by
Higher Technical Qualification
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.
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
You will be taught by a team of enthusiastic and approachable academics. All academics are current members of the Chartered Institute of Builders (CIOB), Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE), the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). The course team have extensive industry experience gained during time spent in various construction roles. The team draw on this experience to continually improve the curriculum and maximise learning opportunities.
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 Development
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 study and the workplace. This is particularly beneficial if you have haven't experienced higher education before or are returning after a break.
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.
Core modules
Legal and Statutory Requirements
The module starts with a look at the nature of law in England and Wales, including types of law, how laws are created and an outline of the court system. A particular focus will be on contract law.
Innovating the Construction Project
Working in groups you will consider a project brief applying resources and techniques to discuss and make alternative suggestions for the project to produce a more efficient, innovative and sustainable approach.
Principles of Quantity Surveying
This module has two distinct parts; the first introduces you to the business and organisational environment that construction managers and quantity surveyors operate within. The second introduces you to the roles, procedures and practices associated with professionals within the built environment especially quantity surveyors.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
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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.
And with the announcement of major infrastructure projects such as the Lower Thames Crossing, a new nuclear power station at Sizewell C, in addition to house building targets of 1.5 million new properties by 2029, there is a huge demand for construction project managers. The breadth of the industry ensures you can work on a huge range of projects, and with the knowledge and skills you gain with us, you can be involved in all stages.
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 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
Further study
Thinking about studying further than an HNC qualification? Take a look at the undergraduate courses you could progress on to.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2026/27 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 £20. Please note, we do not guarantee there will be any extra tickets available to purchase.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email:Â Call:ÂEntry 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.
How to apply
Want to apply through Clearing? Contact us today
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.
Find out more about Solent's contextual offers
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.
UCAS points: 16
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email:Â Call:ÂMake your application
- 2 years part-time
