Four myths and misconceptions about Construction and Engineering courses at UCEN Manchester
Hannah Stansfield, a Senior Lecturer at UCEN Manchester, has addressed four common myths and misconceptions relating to the courses delivered at the higher education provider’s School of Construction and Engineering, which cover everything from the contents of the programmes on offer to the apprehensions some students have about returning to education following a long break.
All of our Construction and Engineering courses are taught at our Openshaw Campus and we welcome applications from students wishing to study on a full time or part time basis.
Generally, the majority of our applicants want to study part time alongside their full time jobs. To facilitate this, some of our current students attend classes on day release from their employers while others are self-funding their courses and come to campus at night.
1. Are all students male?
This is a question we get asked a lot.
The short answer is no, we’ve got a great mix of students on our courses – currently 30% of our Construction and Engineering students are female.
It’s also worth noting that the average age of our students across all our Construction and Engineering courses is 36.
2. Are all classes practical based?
No, certainly not. Our Construction and Engineering courses involve a lot of theory based modules, including Building Information Modelling, Construction Technology, and Law and Contract.
Our students are expected to use industry-standard software to create designs, but the majority of our programmes are theory based and taught in classrooms as opposed to workshops.
3. I haven’t been a student for a long time, will this hold me back?
This is another common question that we are asked.
It may be reassuring to learn that our Construction and Engineering courses do not involve any exams and all our students are assessed by coursework.
Some of our students haven’t studied for more than 10 years when they enrol with us, so it’s the first time in a long time that they’ve engaged in education. We pride ourselves on ensuring each of our students receives the personalised support that they need to achieve. For example, we have small class sizes, which means we can spend more one to one time with our students. We will always do whatever we can to help our students progress in their chosen careers.
4. Can I get a degree off the back of a higher technical qualification?
Absolutely! Studying a Level 4 higher technical qualification can pave the way for studying at Level 5 and Level 6. It’s essentially the first year of a three-year degree course and the perfect way for students with aspirations of attaining a degree in Construction and Engineering to begin their journeys.
As of January 2024, UCEN Manchester offers the following Construction and Engineering pathways:
- HNC Construction Management for England
- HNC Modern Methods of Construction for England
- HNC Civil Engineering.
Find out more information about Construction and Engineering courses at UCEN Manchester, get in contact via 03333 222 444 or online.
