Cornwall College

Higher National Certificate in Construction and the Built Environment

Institution code C78
Duration

2 years
Course type

Part-time
Study location Cornwall College (Camborne)
The Cornwall College Group offers a wide range of undergraduate courses across seven campuses throughout Cornwall and Devon, including Bicton College, Cornwall College, Duchy College and Falmouth Marine School. We offer specialist courses designed with employers and delivered by industry professionals. During your studies you will get the opportunity to work on live projects and start your career before you even graduate.

Course details

  • Year 1

  • Optional modules

    CORA144
    Applied Mathematics for Construction and the Built Environment

    This module provides learners with an understanding of analytical techniques and the mathematical skills needed to solve construction and engineering problems.

    CORA145
    Design Principles and Application for Construction and the Built Environment

    This module enables learners to gain an underpinning knowledge of design considerations and the design process. Learners will develop their ability to evaluate the planning and design phases and consider the environmental impact of construction projects. Learners will explore the roles and legal responsibilities of parties involved in construction projects. Learners will gain an understanding of how emerging technologies (BIM) affect the design and production phases of construction projects

    CORA146
    Science and Materials for Construction and the Built Environment

    This module introduces scientific principles relevant to the study of construction and civil engineering and provides students with a fundamental understanding of the properties and use of construction materials. It has been designed to enable students to explore scientific principles and the behaviour of materials used in the civil engineering and built environment sector.

    CORA147
    Health, Safety and Welfare for Construction and the Built Environment

    This module covers current health, safety and welfare legislation applicable to the construction and civil engineering sectors including the main requirements of an effective health and safety policy and its successful implementation in the workplace. Students will gain an understanding of how to identify and record hazards, assess risks and select appropriate control measures to prevent or mitigate ill health and injuries on site.

    CORA148
    An Applied Introduction to Site Surveying Procedures for Construction and the Built Environment

    This module develops an understanding of the principles of site surveying and cartographic detailing of construction works and the skills to use site surveying instruments, alongside an understanding of the software available.

    CORA150
    Introduction to Project Planning and Development for Construction and the Built Environment

    This module introduces learners to the principles and application of management as they relate to the technical and professional disciplines of construction. It is based on the principles of the Latham Report of 1994, which advocated non-adversarial, multi-disciplinary team-working. The module contextualizes the principles and application of management with respect to a learners own personal and professional practice within a group project scenario setting.

  • Final year

  • Optional modules

    CORA144
    Applied Mathematics for Construction and the Built Environment

    This module provides learners with an understanding of analytical techniques and the mathematical skills needed to solve construction and engineering problems.

    CORA145
    Design Principles and Application for Construction and the Built Environment

    This module enables learners to gain an underpinning knowledge of design considerations and the design process. Learners will develop their ability to evaluate the planning and design phases and consider the environmental impact of construction projects. Learners will explore the roles and legal responsibilities of parties involved in construction projects. Learners will gain an understanding of how emerging technologies (BIM) affect the design and production phases of construction projects

    CORA146
    Science and Materials for Construction and the Built Environment

    This module introduces scientific principles relevant to the study of construction and civil engineering and provides students with a fundamental understanding of the properties and use of construction materials. It has been designed to enable students to explore scientific principles and the behaviour of materials used in the civil engineering and built environment sector.

    CORA147
    Health, Safety and Welfare for Construction and the Built Environment

    This module covers current health, safety and welfare legislation applicable to the construction and civil engineering sectors including the main requirements of an effective health and safety policy and its successful implementation in the workplace. Students will gain an understanding of how to identify and record hazards, assess risks and select appropriate control measures to prevent or mitigate ill health and injuries on site.

    CORA148
    An Applied Introduction to Site Surveying Procedures for Construction and the Built Environment

    This module develops an understanding of the principles of site surveying and cartographic detailing of construction works and the skills to use site surveying instruments, alongside an understanding of the software available.

    CORA150
    Introduction to Project Planning and Development for Construction and the Built Environment

    This module introduces learners to the principles and application of management as they relate to the technical and professional disciplines of construction. It is based on the principles of the Latham Report of 1994, which advocated non-adversarial, multi-disciplinary team-working. The module contextualizes the principles and application of management with respect to a learners own personal and professional practice within a group project scenario setting.

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

Fees, costs and funding
As this course is delivered by one of our partner colleges, please contact the college directly for information on fees and funding.

* UK Government announcement on tuition fees

On Monday 4 November 2024, the UK Government announced a proposal to increase tuition fees for home undergraduate students from £9,250 to £9,535 per annum from September 2025 onwards. The University of Plymouth intends to apply this new fee from September 2025. However, implementation of this increase will be subject to parliamentary procedure. This change applies to new students starting their studies in September 2025. For current and returning students, the University is reviewing fees and will update you as soon as possible.

How to apply

For further information and to apply for this course, please contact the college's admissions team directly using the contact details below. 

Our partnership with Cornwall College
The University of Plymouth has developed partnerships with institutions around the world with the sole purpose of making higher education more accessible to those people who need something just a little different.

Our Academic Partnerships enable students to enrol for a degree at a partnership institution closer to home, or engage in distance learning – even when they’re in the middle of the ocean. They are there for those people looking to return to education, or enhance their professional development. Full- or part-time; foundation degree to masters-level – we cater for a huge variety of needs and aspirations.

Many of our partners offer specialist degrees, unique facilities, and smaller class sizes at a competitive price. And as a student of two institutions, you get the best of both worlds; a supportive learning environment as part of a close-knit community, and a university-level qualification awarded by the University of Plymouth. You’ll enjoy not only the facilities and services your partnership institution provides, but also all of the additional support and resources you need from us, and you’ll automatically become a member of our Students’ Union, too.

We are continuing to grow the number of partner institutions and expand our academic community to new locations around the UK and overseas. Why not visit the Academic Partnerships page on our website for a full list of partners and for more details on studying with us?

One of our partners delivers this particular course – so please visit their website for full course details, entry requirements, tuition fees and information on what student life is like there. 

Open days

Partner college open days

This course is run at one of our partner colleges. Open days are held at the college and more details of these can be found on the college website. You'll find contact details below, on this page.

University of Plymouth open days

You are also very welcome to attend a University of Plymouth open day, to get a flavour of the courses you can progress to from a partner college. There will however be limited information on this specific course and college.

Studying with Cornwall College

Looking to study a specialist subject at university level? Want to do it in one of the most beautiful places in the world? Our wide range of courses gives you the chance to pick up the skills and experience you’ll need for your chosen profession.
Plymouth students working on a group project