Engineering: NQ (Level 4)
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Course overview
Build the foundations of your future in one of Scotland’s most vital and in-demand industries.
The HNC Civil Engineering at Glasgow Kelvin College provides the technical knowledge and professional skills you need to begin a successful career in civil engineering — from design consultancy and contracting to infrastructure and environmental development.
As Scotland’s largest college provider of Civil Engineering, Glasgow Kelvin delivers qualifications from NC through to HND level, across full-time, part-time and day-release options.
This one-year, full-time course blends classroom theory with practical learning and applied project work. You’ll gain the skills needed to enter employment in civil engineering design, project management or surveying, or to progress to the HND Civil Engineering or university-level study.
This course is ideal if you:
- Have a strong interest in construction, design, or problem-solving.
- Want to gain technical and management skills in civil engineering.
- Are aiming for a career as a technician, designer, or project engineer.
- Plan to progress to HND level or university.
What you will learn
You’ll study a broad range of civil engineering disciplines that combine theory, technical design and practical fieldwork, including:
- Civil Engineering Specialisms – introduction to roads, traffic, water and environmental engineering.
- Contract & Project Management – planning, managing and delivering real-world projects.
- Materials and Testing – properties, selection and performance of construction materials.
- Surveying – setting-out skills and measurement techniques.
- Structural Mechanics & Substructure – analysing loads, forces and construction design.
- Geotechnics – studying soil and foundation behaviour.
- Mathematics for Construction – developing essential analytical and problem-solving skills.
- CAD & Civil Engineering Technology – using industry-standard digital design tools.
- Graded Unit 1 – project-based assessment applying your learning to a practical scenario.
Optional units may include:
- Fluid Mechanics
- Highway Engineering
- Engineering Maths 4
Entry requirements
Applicants should have one of the following:
✅ Higher Maths or Physics (Grade C or above), OR
✅ Technological Higher (Grade C or above) with National 5 Maths, OR
✅ NQ Engineering or Construction qualification,
✅ Foundation Apprenticeship in a relevant field.
Equivalent experience or qualifications will also be considered.
ℹ️ For this course, if English is not your first language
- you need to have SQA ESOL Higher (or equivalent, click here to see equivalent qualifications)
- If you do not have a formal ESOL qualification but your language skills meet this level, you should apply for your course and then contact our Admissions team to organise an internal language assessment here at the College.
Career Opportunities
Graduates can progress into roles such as:
📏 Civil Engineering Technician
🏗️ Site Engineer or Surveyor
🧱 Structural or Design Technician
🌉 Highways or Transportation Engineer
💧 Water or Environmental Technician
Future prospects
Successful completion of this course offers:
- Direct entry to Year 2 of the HND Civil Engineering at Glasgow Kelvin College.
- Advanced entry to Year 2 of degree courses at selected universities (dependent on optional units).
- Employment opportunities in design consultancies, local authorities or major construction firms.
