BTEC HND Building Services Engineering

We’ll cover a wide range of mechanical and electrical building services. Energy conservation and environmental impact is always at the forefront of our teaching. You can expect to develop your management and communication skills, maths and science skills (applied to buildings), technical skills and team working.

Year 1

• Engineering mathematics
  This module consolidates the mathematical skills that underpin engineering degrees. It's specifically designed to cater for the wide differences in mathematical background of first year students to reach an equivalent A-level maths and then extending it by introducing the main mathematical techniques that are required in the early stages of engineering degrees. Assessment methods: 50% coursework, 50% exam.
• Electrical principles
  This module will teach you the underpinning skills and electrical engineering principles relevant to electrical building services engineering, which will then be applied contextually. Assessment method: 50% coursework, 50% exam.
• Thermofluids principles
  This module will teach you the underpinning skills and electrical engineering principles relevant to mechanical building services engineering, which will then be applied contextually. Assessment method: 100% exam.
• Construction practice
  This module aims to provide you with the knowledge of the interrelationships between industry, professional bodies and education, and an understanding of key professional and research requirements. It will provide you with a roadmap for your professional career, and will enable you to prepare for employment in the construction discipline. Assessment method: 100% coursework.
• Introduction to building services engineering
  The module will introduce the underpinning concepts, purpose and types of building services. Assessment method: 100% coursework.
• Foundation engineering mathematics
  This module covers the mathematics relevant to a range of engineering disciplines at level S. it's suitable for HNC and HND Engineering courses. The topics include algebra, coordinate geometry, vectors and calculus. Assessment method: 100% exam.

Year 2

• Internal environment and comfort
  This module is divided into three main parts: the first part will deal with the theory and practical application of acoustics; the second part will analyse the theory and practice of light and lightning theory; and the third part will deal with thermal environment and comfort. Assessment methods: 30% coursework, 70% exam.
• Heating and ventilation systems
  This module will introduce you to heating and ventilation systems. On heating systems, the focus will be on Low Pressure Hot Water (LPHW) systems, covering the operating pressure and temperatures, boilers, system efficiency, heat emitters, and pipe sizing, heating and district eating. On ventilation systems, you'll consider the ventilation requirements, you'll learn about the various types of systems (including natural ventilation) and the component parts of ventilation systems, and you'll analyse their performance.
• Thermofluids engineering
  This module provides a study of heat transfer, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics, exploring more theory to allow analysis of processes and extension into computer modelling. This module specifically covers the application of thermofluids to mechanical services used in buildings. It expands and extends the understanding gained in Engineering Principles and will enable you to design, explore and investigate. The fundamentals will be introduced by lectures and demonstrations to provide a basic knowledge of the principles of applied thermodynamics, which will then be extended to the study of systems and design. Assessment method: 100% coursework.
• Refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump engineering
  This module covers specific mechanical services used in buildings. It expands and extends the understanding gained in heating and ventilation systems and will enable you to design, explore and investigate refrigeration technology, air conditioning systems and heat pumps. The fundamentals will be introduced by lectures and demonstrations to provide a basic knowledge of the principles of applied thermodynamics, which will then be extended to the study of systems and design. A major emphasis will be placed on developing a practical ability and on understanding the environmental implications in the use of systems through carefully structured laboratory experiments. Assessment methods: 30% coursework, 70% exam.
• Design applications
  Working in small groups, you'll develop, through RIBA Stages A, B and C, a low-energy, integrated concept design for a complex building. Each group will develop a client and design brief, and will investigate the feasibility of alternative concept designs. The scope will include building fabric and form, solar shading, daylighting, ventilation strategies and the building energy and carbon emissions. Assessment method: 100% coursework.
• Electrical services in buildings
  This module is divided into two major parts: the first part will deal with intermediate circuit theory and analysis, while the second part will study electrical installation and services in buildings. Assessment methods: 30% coursework, 70% exam.

This course will equip you for a career in the building services engineering industry in areas such as: design and construction; consulting engineering; and maintenance and facilities management. Recent graduates have gone onto a range of engineering roles within building services including: pipefitter/fabricator, draughtsman and applications engineer.

Major projects in London and the raised focus on the environment and sustainability are resulting in an increased demand for those graduating from this course.

We run a very active and well utilised careers page on our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) to provide both a shop window for employers seeking recruits and trainees and links to major external recruitment agencies.

We also facilitate employer recruitment visits on campus, and provide advertising for graduate recruitment open events at company offices.

Further qualifications

Good graduates from the HND course can apply to top-up with our BEng Building Services Engineering. This will complete the academic requirements for Incorporated Engineer status.

Part-time study while in full time employment was tough going at times but I found that by working at it you get out what you put in and I progressed well enough to transfer from the HND to the BEng Hons degree course. I graduated with a first class Honours degree and promotion to a permanent engineering post at work - so it was certainly worthwhile.

Cara Hobbs, Alumna HND and BEng Building Services Engineering

Employability Service

We are University of the Year for Graduate Employment for the second year in a row - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018, 2019.

At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:

• An online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
• Our Careers Gym offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and finding work experience, as well as regular presentations from employers across a range of sectors.

Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.

Personal Tutoring

As a Built Environment and Architecture student, you will be allocated a named tutor during your first three weeks at LSBU.  The role of your tutor is to be your primary contact for academic support. Your personal tutor will be the same person throughout your course.

Your tutor will support you to get the most of your time at LSBU, providing advice and signposting to other sources of support in the University.

Your tutor should be the first person at the university that you speak to if you are having any difficulties that are affecting your work. These could be academic, financial, health-related or another type of problem.

You will have meetings with your personal tutor periodically.  One-on-one meetings can be arranged on request.  You can contact your tutor for additional support by email or in person.

• A Level EEE or;
• BTEC National Diploma MPP or;
• Access to HE qualifications with 45 Passes or;
• Equivalent level 3 qualifications worth 64 UCAS points
• Supported by substantial relevant work experience
• Level 3 qualifications must include Maths and Physics
• Applicants must hold 5 GCSEs A-C including Maths and English or equivalent (reformed GCSEs grade 4 or above).

We welcome qualifications from around the world. English language qualifications for international students: IELTS score of 6.0 or Cambridge Proficiency or Advanced Grade C.

For more information, including how and when to pay, see our fees and funding section for undergraduate students.

Please check your fee status and whether you are considered a Home, EU or International student for fee-paying purposes and for our regulatory returns, by reading the UKCISA regulations.

See our Tuition Fees Regulations (PDF File 160 KB) and Refund Policy (PDF File 102 KB).

Possible fee changes

The University reserves the right to increase its fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions.

The fees for international students are reviewed annually and the University reserves the right to increase the tuition fees in line with the RPIX measure of inflation up to 4 per cent.

Scholarships

We offer several types of fee reduction through our scholarships and bursaries. Find the full list and other useful information on our scholarships page.

Bursaries

In partnership with the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers, we are able to offer a number of £1500 bursaries. For more information and to apply, please use this form.