BSC, MSc, PgDip or HNC?????? Construction

Gareth83

As some of you may or may not be aware I have a BSc in Business Economics, however I wish to get into the Construction industry. Probably not the best time to do so I hear you say.

Having secured a placement with one of the largest contractors starting next year providing I do a conversion course or Masters I have since began an MSc in Construction Project Management (4th week). I am finding the workload and content is fine and will be able to cope with the exams and coursework, the dissertation would be done at a later date so would end up next year a with a PgDip in Construction Project Management.

I was fortunate to be sponsored to do this course as the entry requirements are:

Academic requirements either:

An honours degree at Grade 2:2 or above in a discipline relevant to Built Environment such as Architecture, Building Surveying, Civil Engineering, Commercial Management, Construction Management, Project Management or Quantity Surveying or An honours degree at Grade 2:2 in a non-construction subject with a minimum of 5 years relevant experience in the construction environment or Relevant experience and an appropriate professional qualification such as RICS, RIBA, CIOB, MICE and MIStructE.

Without prior experience or relevant knowledge I was accepted due to my character, motivation and the job offer on completion. All good you say...

But.......

I feel the course being at masters level is so theoretical/critical it is not giving me the basic skills and knowledge I feel I need to enter such an industry.

Obvioulsy I opted for the MSc route as it makes sense having a prior degree, I am now thinking I should perhaps be taking a step back to take two steps forward.

Having spoken to the course director he has said I can choose to do a HNC in either Construction Technology and Management or a HNC in Surveying should I wish - switching wont be a problem for me. I have since attended a few of the lectures and I feel this is more geared to what I want to be doing and will be more useful for my career path. The only problem is this is a 2yr part time programme (1 day a week) as opposed to the full time masters so would mean the company sponsoring me would have to agree to giving me day release for completion of year 2.

I have contatcted the company who have offered me the graduate role on completion and they are unsure as yet if this would be plausible. So it's either forefit the role and cross my fingers hoping they would still be interested and do the HNC anyway - something I will enjoy learning as opposed to completing for the sake of completing by sticking out the Masters.

If I do the part time approach I can complete other construction related short courses in the meantmime such as CAD etc.

Is doing a HNC the wrong way to go about this? Bear in mind I already have a degree but in a different subject. A full degree with a Construction related theme could be an option but a further 3yrs studying full time is not economically viable.

Although they do say in times of recession it is best to be training.

My aim is to get a couple years experience in Construction and then travel to Oz and USA doing something I enjoy rather than just doing bar work, labouring etc. as I have done previous.

What are people's thoughts?

Regards

Gareth

cazziebo

I'm maybe missing something but I'm unsure why you are questioning this?

You are being sponsored to do a MSc in your chosen field (very rare to get sponsorship even when working in a field for years!). You already have a job offer at the end of it? You also believe that the course is well within your capabilities.

This qualification is a passport - and a well regarded one at that. An HNC is very much a lower level qualification and does not in any way position you at the same level as a Masters.

As an employer, I would always look for experience over qualifications. Right now you don't have the experience either, and in this current market that experience will be hard to get. The MSc will open doors - go for it when you have the opportunity, and look at as many ways as you can to gain the experience.

Gareth83

cazziebo wrote: »

I'm maybe missing something but I'm unsure why you are questioning this?

Because what I need and would like is a course that will give me a good understanding of working onsite. The MSc I have begun kind of assumes full knowledge and seems to be based on literature critique, hypotheses etc.

You are being sponsored to do a MSc in your chosen field (very rare to get sponsorship even when working in a field for years!). You already have a job offer at the end of it? You also believe that the course is well within your capabilities.

Perhaps sponsorship was the wrong terminology. What I should have said is they have given me £1500 towaards the fees of £3300. I suppose bursary is more appropriate.

This qualification is a passport - and a well regarded one at that. An HNC is very much a lower level qualification and does not in any way position you at the same level as a Masters.

I agree with that, but surely knowledge is greater than just a qualification? The motivation and determination to do even a HNC shows dedication combined with a first degree.

As an employer, I would always look for experience over qualifications. Right now you don't have the experience either, and in this current market that experience will be hard to get. The MSc will open doors - go for it when you have the opportunity, and look at as many ways as you can to gain the experience.

This is what I'm trying to do, if I can do the HNC freeing me up time to do something useful/relevant 4days a week. At the moment I'm doing 24hrs a week of non relevant paid work.

I just want someone to give me on the job experience, but realistically this wont happen despite my excellent grades and CV.

matty2767

it depends on what you want to do in the future. you will more limited on position and salary with a HNC. maybe you arent giving the course time. i know that engineering is a massive subject and a degree/masters gives you the basis on which to evolve your career.

also bear in mind the minimum base qualification without matching sections to be professionally qualified may be a masters, check your institution. if this is where you want to go!!.

Gareth83

Having being in correspondence with the CIOB they have said either method is plausible for chartership due to already having a non-cognate honors degree.

Although the MSc/PgDip route is a higher qualification academically the lady I have been speaking with has suggested to complete the course I feel would offer most knowledge and benefit in the long run so long as it acceptable with the company I will be working for.

The postgraduate programme will require 3yrs of relevant work experience to become chartered whereas a HNC will require 2yrs work experience within a management role in combination with the honors degree.

So what to do?????????

Aaaaaaaaargh

The HNC would mean I'd become chartered within 3yrs from now ie.

Y1 - HNC Part Time
Y2 - HNC Part Time + Work Experience
Y3 - Work Experience

Whereas the MSc/PgDip would take 4yrs:

Y1 - MSc/PgDip Full Time
Y2 - Work Experience
Y3 - Work Experience
Y4 - Work Experience

So it comes down to what is more useful? Chartered status earlier or an MSc?

Goal is to move abroad to Oz, NZL etc.

Thoughts..........

dexters_mum_2

My HNC is in Surveying and I am in my third year of a BSc Building Surveying degree.

Personally, my advice is this, don't take the HNC in Surveying, it is too vague, it didn't equip me with enough knowledge to be able to do the job I was doing (working surveying houses for a housing association) had I not had prior experience. The HNC in Surveying I did leaned more towards Quantity Surveying, which is fine if that is what interests you but there are so many aspects of construction out there and indeed Surveying, it seemed rather narrow with little techinical appraisal of the industry.

Have you thought about where you want work within the industry, a friend of mine is doing a Project Management degree and works the summers in Dubai, she now wants to change to Quantity Surveying because the people she works for want more and more QS's!

You should really thoroughly think about where you want to go in Construction as this will give you a clearer picture of what options are best for you.

Personally, having done a lot of work experience in construction, surveying, building engineering most employers are looking for Masters degree calibre graduates now, especially so if you want to do something like Surveying, because they will sponser you, you get the practical experience and hopefully it leads to an ongoing contract, I've yet to see any graduate jobs advertised where they aren't looking for candidates to continue studying.

DM

Gareth83

dexters_mum wrote: »

My HNC is in Surveying and I am in my third year of a BSc Building Surveying degree.

Personally, my advice is this, don't take the HNC in Surveying, it is too vague, it didn't equip me with enough knowledge to be able to do the job I was doing (working surveying houses for a housing association) had I not had prior experience.

I have been considering the HNC in Surveying but am favoring the HNC Construction Technology and Management to be honest.

The HNC in Surveying I did leaned more towards Quantity Surveying, which is fine if that is what interests you but there are so many aspects of construction out there and indeed Surveying, it seemed rather narrow with little techinical appraisal of the industry.

Have you thought about where you want work within the industry, a friend of mine is doing a Project Management degree and works the summers in Dubai, she now wants to change to Quantity Surveying because the people she works for want more and more QS's!

Well the role I have been offered is as an assistant site manager but I will be on a role rotation scheme where I'll be working within different departments. Ideally I'd like to be a PM.

You should really thoroughly think about where you want to go in Construction as this will give you a clearer picture of what options are best for you.

I originally wanted to get into QS'ing but this would mean completing another full degree which is what I wish to avoid. Having looked into it over the last year what I propose seems to be the best option to get my foot in the door with no prior knowledge at 25 so to speak.

Personally, having done a lot of work experience in construction, surveying, building engineering most employers are looking for Masters degree calibre graduates now, especially so if you want to do something like Surveying, because they will sponser you, you get the practical experience and hopefully it leads to an ongoing contract, I've yet to see any graduate jobs advertised where they aren't looking for candidates to continue studying.

I wouldn't mind doing further study, infact I love learning I just don't think at this present point in time the PgDip/MSc is what I require. It's academically great but not necessary for chartership of the CIOB etc.

DM

Useful post, thanks

Gareth83

Have just received confirmation that the company WILL allow me to do either option!!

Although a masters qualification is obviously regarded higher academically I think the HNC is the best option, it will also mean for this year I can pursue other things as I will only be there for one day a week. This will mean I can earn more money and might treat myself to some other courses.

Any thoughts on what else I can look to achieve over this coming year?

matty2767

do what you feel comfortable with although i would recommend the masters and then chartered to go abroad. are you certain that via the CIOB you will not need to do matching sections to bring your HNC upto to masters level?. are you saying that your application will be based on the non-cognate degree?

Gareth83

my application for the job is bassed on my non-cognate degree and will be basic knowledge of construction.

the application for the CIOB will be based on relevant work experience, HNC and my non-cognate degree.

matty2767

i know that via other institutions to achieve chartered status you need substaintial knowledge of your work area. typically 4yrs + from your base education.