Building Services Engineering
(Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning)
Higher National Certificate
Accreditation with Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers will be sought once course is running
Accredited by University College Birmingham
Award
HNC
Duration
1 year FT, 2 years PT
Entry
September, February
Fees
View Fees
19% of all UK employees work in the engineering sector*
*EngineeringUK
200,000 engineers needed between now and 2024 to meet UK demand*
*Prospects.ac.uk
Our full-time or part-time Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Building Services Engineering (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning) enables you to build up your knowledge and practical skills in building services to become a vital professional in this rapidly growing sector.
Building services engineering includes all aspects needed to make buildings work for humans and includes the lighting, heating and ventilation, lifts and escalators, acoustics, plumbing, power supply and energy management systems, plus the security and safety systems. This course produces highly-skilled assistant building services engineering technicians with the skills, professional competencies and capabilities to become successful building services designers across a range of projects. The course is suitable for those working for contractors, consultants and client organisations.
Ultimately, around 40% of all the UK’s energy is used within buildings, so good design for energy efficiency can make a real difference to our carbon emissions and energy costs. As a building services engineer, you can play a genuinely important role in helping to make our lives more sustainable, sustainability and the drive to net zero being crucial to the role of building services engineers.
Why should I choose this course?
- EXPERT TUITION – Learn from our highly-qualified staff with extensive practical knowledge of construction - supported by expert guest lecturers
- MODERN METHODS – There is a firm focus on sustainability and health and safety to meet the demands of the future
- PRACTICAL APPLICATION – Get hands-on experience studying in our cutting-edge construction facilities with design units in electrical and HVAC
- NO EXAMS - If you are not keen on exams, this course is for you. Unlike many degrees in this field, you will have no written exams during or at the end of the course and will be assessed through coursework only
- AWARD-WINNING UNIVERSITY – Study at the highest-ranking university in the region according to student choice (Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023)
Our facilities
Students on our construction and engineering courses learn in brand new real-world training environments. Our Sustainable Construction Skills Centre at the iconic James Cond Building offers state-of-the-art facilities specifically designed to develop skills that support employers and their supply chains, along with further specialist facilities for design and IT skills at Camden House. Facilities include:
- Design studios with industry standard CAD software (AutoCAD and Revit)
- 3D printers and plotters
- Renewable energy simulators
- Hydraulics test equipment
- Production line technology
- Human comfort surveying tools
- Control engineering rigs
- Cyber physical system
- Mechatronics automation
- PLCs
- Fluid dynamics software
- Enhanced IT facilities
Sustainable Construction Skills Centre
Formerly a print works, this historic art deco building has been retrofitted to become our new Sustainable Construction Skills Centre.
Camden House
Camden House is a bespoke STEM education and training facility where construction students learn CAD, mechanics and fluids.
Course breakdown
Topics you will study
You will study eight units from the list below in one year (full-time) or split over two years (part-time).
- Unit 1 - Construction Design Project
- Unit 4 - The Construction Environment
- Unit 8 - Mathematics for Construction
- Unit 9 - Principles of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
- Unit 15 - Principles of Alternative Energy
- Unit 18 - Principles of Electrical Design and Installation
- Unit 22 - Scientific Principles for Building Services
- Unit 26 - Digital Applications for Building Information Modelling
The modules listed above for this course are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up to date and informed by industry as well as the latest teaching methods. On occasion, we may need to make unexpected changes to modules – if this occurs, we will contact all offer holders as soon as possible.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
A-levels: An A-level grade profile of EE.
T-levels: A T-level graded Pass with a core component profile less than C.
BTEC: A BTEC grade profile of PP. This can be achieved from either an Extended Diploma or a combination of smaller BTEC qualifications.
Apprenticeship: Achieve an advanced apprenticeship (Level 3).
Tariff: Other Level 3 qualifications are accepted for entry. A minimum of 32 UCAS Tariff points will be required.
Access to Higher Education Diploma: 32 UCAS Tariff points.
Non-tariff: Non-UCAS Tariff-based Level 3 qualifications are also considered for entry.
GCSEs: You should also have a minimum grade 4 in GCSE Mathematics, or Functional Skills Level 2.
Work-based: We also give equal consideration to applicants who are currently in work and wish to apply to University College Birmingham. To apply, you must have a minimum of 3 years’ relevant work experience, demonstrating management or supervisory duties. Your application must also include a reference from your line manager supporting your entry to higher education. For further details, please contact Admissions.
Key information
Teaching and assessment
Teaching
A wide variety of teaching methods will be used to ensure you gain the appropriate skills and knowledge, including lectures, practical sessions, workshops, tutorials and group study sessions. Face-to-face classes will be combined with practical research activities in our state-of-the-art construction facilities, while you will also conduct independent and online learning.
Assessment
Assessment occurs through a combination of assignments and projects with a focus on the holistic development of practical, interpersonal and higher-level skills. Many modules will require a demonstration of skills, while others will require you to carry out your own research and analysis, working independently or as part of a team.
Our assessments will focus on developing the skills required by a professional building services engineer – designing and demonstrating a building system, delivering presentations and technical report writing aimed at technical and non-technical audiences to broaden your range of skills.
You will also need to commit around 20 hours per week for individual study time.
Assessment for this course will be 100% coursework.
Our teaching and assessment is underpinned by our Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy 2021-2024.
Tuition fees
UK students
If you are a UK student or an EU student with settled/pre-settled status enrolling on a full-time HNC in 2023/24, your fee for this academic year will be approximately £9,250 per each full year. UK students do not pay tuition fees for any placement periods.
As a part-time programme, the fees would be approximately £4,625 per full year of the programme.
Unibuddy Community - meet other students on your course
Starting university is an exciting time, but we understand that it can sometimes feel a little daunting. To support you, you will be invited to join our Unibuddy Community, where you can meet other students who have applied for the same course at University College Birmingham, before you start studying here.
As soon as you have been made an offer, you will be sent an invitation email to complete your registration and join the Unibuddy Community. For more information, check out our Unibuddy Community page.
This course is delivered in partnership with the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology (GBSIoT).
Accreditations, endorsements and partnerships
University College Birmingham works with a wide range of organisations to ensure you receive the best possible training and qualifications recognised by industry.
Career opportunities
The example roles and salaries below are intended as a guide only.
Building Services Technician
Average Salary: £30,000
Building Services Engineer
Average Salary: £35,000
Intermediate Electrical Engineer (Building Services)
Average Salary: £38,000
Intermediate Mechanical Design Engineer (Building Services)
Average Salary: £35,000
Want to continue your studies? Completing this HNC will give you the opportunity to move onto the second year of the Construction Management BSc (Hons) course.
Rachael’s Story
Senior engineering lecturer Rachael has witnessed first-hand the rapid changes in industry and is now sharing her vast experience with our students.
