Engineering: NQ (Level 4)
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Course overview
Shape the world around you — design, build, and manage the infrastructure that keeps communities moving.
The HND Civil Engineering at Glasgow Kelvin College provides the technical and professional knowledge needed to begin a successful career in one of the most important sectors in modern construction.
As Scotland’s largest college provider of Civil Engineering, we deliver courses from NC through to HND level, full-time, part-time and day release, as well as Foundation, Modern and Graduate Apprenticeships.
This two-year full-time qualification gives you the technical education required for the role of Engineering Technician, while also offering a strong route to university and professional accreditation.
The course is designed to prepare you for roles in civil engineering contracting, design consultancy, local authority, water, and transport infrastructure — or for continued study at degree level.
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 university or into professional employment in the engineering and construction industry.
What you will learn
You’ll study a broad range of civil engineering disciplines, developing skills that blend theory, technical design, and applied project work.
Core Topics Include:
- Civil Engineering Technology, Materials & Testing – learn about materials, their performance, and how to ensure quality and durability.
- Fluid Mechanics – understand the principles that govern the behaviour of water and other fluids in civil engineering systems.
- Contract & Project Management – explore how to plan, manage, and deliver construction projects effectively.
- Construction & Surveying – develop essential practical skills in site surveying, substructure, and technical communication.
- Structural Engineering – study mechanics, structural analysis, and design in concrete, steel, timber, and masonry.
- Geotechnics, Highways & Traffic Engineering – explore soil behaviour, road design, and transportation systems.
- CAD, Computing Applications & Mathematics – build confidence using software tools for design and analysis.
You’ll also complete graded units and project work that integrate knowledge from across the programme, preparing you for real-world industry challenges.
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, OR
✅ 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 directly into a range of rewarding roles, such as:
🏗️ Civil Engineering Technician
📏 Site Engineer or Surveyor
🧱 Structural or Design Technician
🌉 Highways or Transportation Engineer
💧 Water or Environmental Technician
🏢 Construction Project Coordinator
Many employers in Scotland actively recruit from this course, and our strong industry partnerships provide a valuable network for future employment.
Future prospects
Successful completion of this HND provides:
- A pathway to second or third-year entry at universities such as University of the West of Scotland, Glasgow Caledonian University, or Strathclyde University.
- Recognition towards Engineering Technician (EngTech) status through the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE).
- Direct entry into employment within design consultancies, local authorities, or major construction firms.
This qualification builds a strong foundation for your professional career and opens doors to exciting opportunities across the civil engineering and infrastructure sectors.
