HNC Architectural Technology (Online)

You will have the opportunity to study 8 units (four in each year). 

YEAR 1: 

Construction Technology — You will be introduced to the various technological concepts used to enable the construction of building elements, from substructure to completion, by understanding the different functional characteristics and design considerations that must be taken into account when selecting the most suitable technological solution. 

The Construction Environment — You will explore the make-up and the impact of the construction industry on the environment and society. By exploring the roles and relationships of individuals and organisations in the construction sector, you will gain an overview of the organisational and personal ways in which the sector works to continue to improve the built environment and limit its impact on the environment—while maintaining economic sustainability and growth. 

Digital Applications for Construction Information — You will develop the skills needed to produce accurate and consistent construction information using industry-standard software. On completion of the unit, you will be able to produce a construction information package.

Building Information Modelling — The aim of this unit is to give you the background knowledge and understanding of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the context of the construction industry. You will be introduced to the drivers and benefits associated with BIM, as well as the terminology that surrounds it. The knowledge and skills gained in this unit will allow you to develop your understanding of the importance of BIM in the context of current roles and responsibilities in the construction industry. You will also gain an understanding of how this may influence future choices in their professional careers. 

YEAR 2: 

Legal and Statutory Requirements in Construction — Introduces the various areas of law relevant to the construction industry throughout the development process. This includes applying for planning approval to undertake construction activities and using building control regulations to evaluate building design and alterations at the preconstruction stage. You will explore the laws of occupiers’ liability, trespass, and nuisance to manage construction activities on-site, as well as the legal aspects of the sale and leasing process involved in the disposal of buildings, utilising contract law and land law. As a result, you will be able to apply legal and statutory requirements and processes common to the construction sector. 

Principles of Alternative Energy — The aim of this unit is to develop your knowledge of current and future energy technologies and to be able to apply that knowledge to the analysis and assessment of their effectiveness. You will also apply their knowledge and research to a design activity. On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to research and design alternative energy systems and assess new technologies available to the construction industry. 

Principles of Refurbishment — An opportunity to analyse the underpinning concepts of refurbishment and the options available. You will be able to apply construction knowledge from other units to a refurbishment project, taking into account the key factors that influence a scheme. On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to assess the suitability of a property for refurbishment, considering all relevant factors. The knowledge gained from the unit will be beneficial to those working in all aspects of the industry as a successful refurbishment project requires skills from all disciplines 

Construction Project — The success of any project relies on the development of a good design and the technical information to enable the project to be built. Through this unit, you will learn about the design process and the information required to communicate the design, specify and quantify materials, provide instructions for the assembly and erection, and facilitate precise costing and project management. On successful completion, you will be able to analyse scenarios, make decisions and produce drawings and specifications to achieve appropriate, creative and innovative home design proposals. 

As this is a Level 4 course, it will also help you to develop your academic writing and research skills providing you with the opportunity to develop transferable skills such as communication, teamwork and problem-solving. 

The units are delivered online through various techniques to accommodate different learning styles. You will be supported by a dedicated team to achieve your goals through group work, pair activities, action research, discussions, presentations, and building projects. You will be taught through a combination of online lectures, seminars, tutorials, and individual support. 

‍You will have the opportunity to implement your own building and design within several modules that count towards your overall assessment for the module. 

‍Tutorial and Seminars: In addition to your taught lectures, there are timetabled tutorial sessions. These sessions combine taught tutorial time, focusing on the development of your academic and employability skills, one-to-one tutorials with your tutor, and a series of seminars and guest speakers to support your learning and introduce you to new and exciting concepts within your field of study. Class sizes are relatively small, allowing for full interaction and discussion among the group. 

‍You will receive approximately seven hours of online contact time per week which will for September 2025 entry be on a Wednesday, typically consisting of: 

• six hours of lectures, seminars, discussions and directed activities. 
• one hour of tutorial time 

You will have access to Activate Learning Online (ALO). This is our online learning platform that provides support for all our students. You can visit the Help page to access information and videos, or you can chat with ALO support, which is available 24/7. Online learning is designed to facilitate your own learning and provide a platform to gain knowledge at your own pace, alongside your scheduled lectures. This enables you to study wherever and whenever you want, on your laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

‍Independent learning: When not attending guided learning time you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on projects and preparing coursework. 

‍Each unit will provide you with the opportunity for a ‘Formative’ assessment. This allows you to gain feedback on your work before submitting it for final assessment. Formative assessments are developmental, and any grades are solely indicators of your progress and do not count towards your overall unit grade. There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each unit. This will provide you will an overall unit grade. 

‍Units have set ‘learning outcomes’, which are assessed through 100% coursework. You must achieve all learning outcomes in all units to complete the qualification successfully. Coursework is made up of a variety of assessment methods, including written reports and essays, online tests, practical examinations, portfolios, presentations, and a final-year project. 

Support

You will have a range of support made available to you, including academic and pastoral support, learning support and access to additional support funds (if eligible). Please see our Support Pages for further information.? 

Additional study support 

Whether you have a recognised disability, or specific learning difficulty, or not, you will be eligible to access additional learning support in all the following areas: 

• assistive software training
• IT upskilling
• essay planning and structure
• proofreading and editing written work
• bibliographies and referencing
• time management and personal organisation
• revision and exam tips
• presentation techniques

The Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Architectural Technology provides a solid grounding in construction and architectural design which you can build on should you decide to continue your studies to level 5 (HND) and further to degree-level study. You should be aware that university admission criteria are always subject to change and remain at the discretion of the institution. Take the time to understand the course entry requirements for the subject, year, and grade before applying. 

Additionally, the qualification may provide links to industry-related and employer-supported apprenticeship schemes, offering further opportunities for enhanced employment. 

Students who successfully achieve 120 credits on the HNC will be eligible to progress to level 5 (HND) in Architectural Technology. The Level 5 Higher National Diploma is recognised by higher education providers as meeting admission requirements to many relevant courses, for example:

• HND in Construction Management
• HND in Modern Methods of Construction
• HND in Architectural Technology
• BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology 
• BSc Construction Technology 
• BSc Architectural Technology & Design 

There are also a range of career opportunities available to graduates, including, but not limited to, operations management, construction management, and architecture. 

We value relevant industry experience and a passion for learning just as highly as academic qualifications. So, if you don’t have an academic background, don’t worry— your industry experience is considered on merit, and we encourage you to apply. 

Applicants for the HNC in Architectural Technology will normally be expected to possess at least one of the following:‍ 

• A BTEC Level 3 qualification in Construction with a minimum of a Merit overall 
• A GCSE Advanced Level profile that demonstrates strong performance in a relevant subject or adequate performance in more than one GCE subject. This profile is likely to be supported by GCSE grades at A* to C (or equivalent) and/or 9 to 4 (or equivalent) in subjects such as Maths and English. 
• Other related level 3 qualifications such as an Access to Higher Education Diploma from an approved further education institution 

Applications from students returning to education who do not possess the formal entry qualifications, but can demonstrate relevant industry experience, will be considered on merit but would normally be expected to have achieved a Level 2 maths and English qualification. 

However, if you are considering returning to education but do not possess all the formal entry qualifications, your application may be considered through our Recognition of Prior Learning procedure. You will need GCSE English and Maths or equivalent. In addition, you should be able to demonstrate relevant work experience and achievement in a range of relevant activities. We would also look for evidence of continuous professional development and learning. You should provide details of your experience and any courses you have completed, along with your reasons for wanting to pursue this course of study in the Personal Statement section of the application. 

If you would like to learn more about our recognition of prior learning procedures or have any questions about the course, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

All applicants will be interviewed before a decision is made.‍

Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate that their level of English is acceptable by achieving a score in a recognised test such as: 

• Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) level B 
• PTE Academic 51, or 
• IELTS 5.5 (reading and writing must be at 5.5) 

Additional costs

Students will need access to a laptop or PC. We recommend that you budget for additional costs, such as stationary, to undertake your studies. You can borrow textbooks and access journals from the recommended reading lists from our Learning Resource Centres either on campus or online. If you choose to purchase textbooks, they may cost up to c£60 each.

Please apply directly to Activate Learning.