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Level 4 HNC in Building Services Engineering in Derby

Cost£4,350.00
Duration34 weeks
LevelLevel 4
DeliveryClassroom based
Start10 Sep 2027
Study modePart-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyPearson Edexcel awarding body
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About this course

Level 4 HNC in Building Services Engineering in Derby. Classes run at Derby College, part-time during the day over 34 weeks per year across two years. The course covers the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed in the building services sector, with a focus on heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. You'll work on group projects and respond to client briefs, building the kind of problem-solving and research skills that employers and universities both value. Entry requires a Level 3 qualification at Merit grade or above in a relevant subject, or relevant industry experience.

Who this course is for

Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals are designed to help students secure the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to succeed in the workplace. They represent the latest in professional standards and provide opportunities for students to develop behaviours for work, for example by undertaking a group project, or responding to a client brief. At the same time, the BTEC Higher Nationals are intended to keep doors open for future study should a student wish to progress further in their education. They do this by allowing space for the development of higher education study skills, such as the ability to research, problem-solving, cognitive, and interpersonal skills. If you are employed as a technician, in management or in designing Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems in the building services sector within the construction and the built environment industry, this two-year part-time course is an ideal way of moving your career forward. You can study this HNC qualification as standalone or as part of the higher apprenticeship standard “Level 4 - Building Services Engineering Senior Technician” which is also offered by the Professional Construction Department at DCG.

Building services engineers play a key role in construction projects, having significant influence in assessing the energy demands and sustainability of a building. Within the sector, exciting opportunities are emerging in areas such as sustainability, low carbon technologies, energy management and renewable energy. Building services engineers therefore play a significant role in combating climate change, addressing the Net Zero Strategy and advising clients and architects on meeting current regulations.

Working in the industry and studying at the same time will require you to have good time management and organisational skills. However, it should also offer you the opportunity to utilise the skills you have learned in your professional practice.

Entry requirements

You need to be highly motivated and working in the building services industry.

You should have at least one of the following:

  • Level 3 qualification with an overall grade equivalent of “Merit”. This could be a BTEC Level 3 qualification in Building Services Engineering, a BTEC Level 3 qualification in Construction and The Built Environment, three A-Levels in relevant subjects or Level 3 in Engineering. An international equivalent of the above is also accepted.

What you will learn

  • You'll develop technical knowledge of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
  • You'll apply engineering principles to building services design problems.
  • You'll analyse and respond to client briefs in a professional context.
  • You'll work collaboratively on group projects, practising workplace behaviours.
  • You'll build research and problem-solving skills at higher education level.
  • You'll study the standards and practices relevant to the construction and built environment industry.

How you will learn

You'll attend classroom-based sessions at Derby College. Learning is delivered through a mix of taught sessions, group projects, and responses to client briefs. Assessment follows the Pearson BTEC Higher National framework and includes coursework and project-based tasks. An interview is required before you start, and the course runs over two academic years.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. Derby College will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • HVAC technician, working on heating and ventilation systems in buildings
  • Building services engineer, designing and maintaining mechanical systems
  • Building services manager, overseeing technical teams on construction projects
  • Mechanical design technician, producing drawings and specifications for HVAC
  • Contracts manager, managing building services contracts and site delivery
  • Facilities engineer, maintaining building systems in commercial or public buildings

What you could study next

  • Level 4 Building Services Engineering Senior Technician Higher Apprenticeship. Derby College offers this standard, and the HNC can be studied as part of it.
  • HND in Building Services Engineering (Level 5). A natural next step if you want to deepen your technical expertise and strengthen your route toward chartered engineer status.
  • Degree in Building Services Engineering or Mechanical Engineering. Universities recognise the HNC as a foundation for entry into the second or third year of a relevant degree.
Apply on derby-college.ac.uk →
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