HNC Civil Engineering (Higher National Certificate)

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
• LJMU ranked 16th in the UK for construction, surveying and planning courses (The Guardian Best UK Universities 2025)

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.

Grade 4 or grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics/ Numeracy.

GCSE Equivalences accepted:
• 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
• Northern Ireland Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
• Wales Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number

CDD

Maximum AS UCAS Points: 20

While Mathematics 'A' level is not a requirement, students would benefit from having either AS in mathematics or an 'A' level in a subject with some mathematical content

MMP

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications.

You need to obtain the required UCAS points from a related subject area.

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

A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course, to ensure our students experience a transformation in their career trajectory. 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.

Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU's suite of online Apps, resources and jobs board via the LJMU Student Futures website. There are opportunities for flexible, paid and part-time work through Unitemps, LJMU's in-house recruitment service, and we also offer fully funded Discovery Internships.

One-to-one careers and employability advice is available via our campus-based Careers Zones and we offer a year-round programme of events, including themed careers and employability workshops, employer events and recruitment fairs. 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 Start-up Services after you graduate and return for one-to-one support for life.