Social Housing Building Surveying

Higher National Certificate

Accredited by University College Birmingham

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HNC

Course Level

Level 4

Duration

18 months part-time

Entry

September

Fees

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Department of Engineering and Built Environment

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12,200 new homes targeted per year across the West Midlands region*

West Midlands Combined Authority

£3.8 billion committed through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund to improve social housing energy performance*

UK Government

The West Midlands Combined Authority has a target to deliver 12,200 new homes per year, driving sustained regional demand for housing and construction professionals. With formal qualifications a necessity for many surveying roles by October 2026, this HNC opens the door to a rewarding career path in a growing industry.

You can help ensure social housing is fit to support some of the most vulnerable members of our society.

The 18-month, part-time course is designed for anyone looking to start or advance a career as a building surveyor in social housing. It suits those already working in housing, as well as school leavers seeking a practical, employment-focused alternative to a traditional degree. No prior surveying qualification is required.

You will have the opportunity to learn using an array of state-of-the-art facilities at the Centre for Sustainable Construction Skills based in the historic James Cond printworks. You will graduate with a job-ready practical skillset, and a thorough understanding of key legislation, alongside strong engagement and communication skills.

This course is not open to international students.

Why should I choose to study Social Housing Building Surveying HNC?

INDUSTRY-READY QUALIFICATION - Prepare for the new surveying qualifications requirements within the social housing sector
SPECIALIST SOCIAL HOUSING FOCUS - Develop knowledge tailored to housing standards, resident wellbeing and building safety within social housing environments
CURRENT LEGISLATION AND STANDARDS - Study the laws and regulations shaping the sector, including the Building Safety Act and Awaab’s Law

RETROFIT AND SUSTAINABILITY SKILLS - Gain knowledge in decarbonisation, energy efficiency and retrofit principles to support the future of housing
PRACTICAL PROFESSIONAL SKILLS - Develop surveying, communication and technical reporting skills through hands-on projects and applied learning
100% COURSEWORK ASSESSMENT - Build practical and professional skills through assignments, projects and presentations, with no written exams

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:

Integrated Environmental Systems Virtual Environment (IESVE): use industry-standard software to model building energy performance, airflow and thermal comfort within real-world environments
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD): analyse ventilation and cooling strategies for building designs, including atriums and stack ventilation systems
BIM and Revit: develop digital collaboration and building modelling skills used in facilities management, cost estimating and clash detection

Controls and Building Management Systems (BMS): explore smart building technologies, automation systems and modern building controls
Matlab and project management tools: strengthen analytical and problem-solving skills while applying industry frameworks such as PRINCE2
Dedicated IT labs: access specialist industry-standard software and complete practical assessments through simulations, presentations and project work

Course breakdown

Year 1

Core Modules

Building Safety and Compliance

This module provides learners with a critical understanding of building safety and compliance with standards and other legislation within the context of local authority housing, private landlords and social housing associations. It explores key legislation, statutory responsibilities, and operational practices essential to ensuring the safety of residents and the integrity of housing stock. The module includes practical examples such as gas safety, fire safety, and legionella control.

Principles of Refurbishment

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the principles and practices involved in the refurbishment of existing buildings. It covers the reasons for refurbishment, the processes involved, and the considerations necessary to successfully plan and execute refurbishment projects.

Strategic Asset Management

This module aims to provide learners with a comprehensive understanding of strategic asset management in the built environment, focusing on housing and infrastructure assets. Learners will explore the principles and practices of stock condition surveying, long-term asset and business planning, and the integration of retrofit strategies to meet sustainability and regulatory goals.

Understanding Social Housing Residents

This module develops learners’ understanding of the diverse needs, experiences, and vulnerabilities of residents in social housing. It equips future building surveyors with the knowledge and skills to engage residents respectfully and effectively, recognising safeguarding responsibilities, promoting inclusion, and providing customer-focused services. Learners will explore how professional practice can be adapted to meet the needs of vulnerable residents and support safe, inclusive housing environments.

Capital programmes and Planned Maintenance

This module provides learners with an understanding of the planning, delivery, and evaluation of capital programmes and planned maintenance works within housing associations. It focuses on key aspects such as lifecycle asset planning, component renewals (e.g., kitchens and bathrooms), retrofit programmes, and managing project envelopes. The module aims to support building surveyors in delivering high-quality and cost-effective improvements to housing stock.

Repair Management and Diagnostics in Housing

This module is designed to equip learners, particularly those working as building surveyors within housing associations, with the knowledge and skills required to manage repair processes effectively. The focus will be on understanding how repairs are reported, diagnosed, prioritised, and resolved. Learners will explore trends in repairs, customer reporting channels, diagnostic techniques, and the integration of data for performance improvement.

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

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 Learning and Teaching Strategy 2025-2030.

Timetable

We understand that you need to balance study with work, so your lessons will be timetabled into one day a week for part-time study.

£3,000 Cost of Living Allowance

We are committed to supporting students who may be facing financial challenges due to the rise of living costs. If you are a full-time undergraduate student, studying a one year course starting in September 2026, with home fee status and plan to pay your fees using a student loan, you’ll be eligible for a £3000 Cost of Living Allowance.

Further information and terms and conditions can be found here: £6,000 Cost of Living Allowance.

Tuition fees for home students

If you are a home student or an EU student with settled/pre-settled status enrolling on a full-time HNC in 2026/2027, your fee for this academic year will be £9,790. UK students do not pay tuition fees for any placement periods.

For part-time study, the fees would be £4,895 per full year of the programme.

View tuition fees for home students

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 Surveyor (Social Housing)

£32,000 - £42,000

Repairs and Maintenance Surveyor

£28,000 - £38,000

Compliance and Safety Officer (Housing)

£28,000 - £37,000

Asset Management Officer

£30,000 - £40,000

Retrofit Coordinator

£30,000 - £42,000

Housing Disrepair Surveyor

£32,000 - £45,000

Want to continue your studies? Completing this HNC will give you the opportunity to move on to the Construction Management BSc (Hons) course.

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Phil’s Story

With over 20 years of industry experience and two decades of teaching building services, Phil specialises in sustainable design and future-ready construction skills.

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