QUB Civil Engineering HLA
- Posted by Fearghal Quinn
- Posted in Careers Blog
What is The Civil Engineering HLA?
The Higher-Level Apprenticeship (HLA) in Civil Engineering at Queen’s University Belfast is a distinctive five-year programme that enables apprentices to achieve the equivalent of a full BEng degree.
Fully funded by the Department for the Economy, the course is cost-free for apprentices, making it a highly appealing option for those balancing work, study, and earning. Apprentices spend four days a week gaining practical experience with their employer and one day on campus for academic studies.
About the Course
This programme provides a comprehensive foundation in civil engineering, covering essential areas such as structures, geotechnics, transportation, and modern construction methods. Throughout the programme, apprentices apply their academic learning directly to real-world projects, gaining valuable hands-on experience.
Civil engineering plays a vital role in shaping the infrastructure that supports modern society, from bridges and roads to water and energy systems. This HLA programme focuses on the planning, design, sustainability, and maintenance of infrastructure, with opportunities to specialise in fields like structural engineering, transportation, water engineering, and foundation design.
Benefit to Students
No tuition fees – No student loans for HLA students. The course is fully funded by the Department of the Economy.
Earn while you learn – You will receive at least the National Living Wage or Minimum Wage, depending on your age, for the duration of your studies.
Gain experience in a job relevant to future career – Set yourself up for success by gaining relevant, hands-on experience in the career path you’re passionate about.
Industrial mentor for professional development – Work with and learn from professionals with a wealth of experience in civil engineering.
A mix of remote learning and block teaching on campus – You will work on site four days of a week with one day of distance learning. You will also be on campus for a set number of weeks throughout the year.
Application Process
Step one – Apply for the Civil Engineering course at Queen’s. Fill in the application form and submit it to the admissions team – here.
Step two – Apply for apprenticeships with employers. See current vacancies within our employer network below, alternatively, you are welcome to find your own employer.
Step three – Once you have secured an apprenticeship with an employer, inform admissions@qub.ac.uk
Step four – Await your exam results in August. If you have been successful in securing an employer and meet the entry requirements, you will be given an unconditional offer.
Step five – Start the course in September.
Finding an Employer for the Civil Engineering HLA – Most of our HLA students join straight from school or college and may not have an employer at the time of applying. However, by the time the course begins in September, you will need to have an employer lined up to support your apprenticeship. If you need assistance finding an employer, please explore the live apprenticeship vacancies within our industry network, below.
Queen’s Network of Employers – At Queen’s we’re proud to have a fantastic industry network that we collaborate with frequently. For current apprenticeship vacancies within this network please see below.
Moore Concrete
2 APPRENTICES
Email: recruitment@moore-concrete.com
Website: www.workplus.app/explorer/opportunity/1411/civil-engineering
P&K McKaigue Ltd
1 APPRENTICE
Email: recruitment@pkmckaigue.com
Website: www.pkmckaigue.com/
Fox Contracts
2 APPRENTICES
Email: brigidm@fox-contracts.com
Website: www.fox-contracts.com
Quinn Piling
1 APPRENTICE
Email: enquiries@quinnpiling.com
Website: www.quinnpiling.com
O’Connor Sutton Cronin
3 APPRENTICES
Email: enda.cullen@ocsc.ie
Website: www.ocsc.ie
Doran Consulting
1+ APPRENTICES
Website: www.doran.co.uk/higher-level-civil-engineering-digital-construction-apprentices
RPS
1 APPRENTICE
Website: www.rpsgroup.com
Creagh Concrete
2 APPRENTICES
Email: CVs to recruitment@creaghconcrete.com
3 APPRENTICES
Email: recruitment@designid.co.uk
Website: designid.co.uk/careers
McLaughlin & Harvey
2+ APPRENTICES
Website: mclh.co.uk
AtkinsRealis
1 APPRENTICE
Vacancy: click here
Website: www.atkinsrealis.com/
Taylor+Boyd
1 APPRENTICE
Email CVs: steven.sloan@taylor-boyd.com
Website: taylor-boyd.com
FP McCann
1 APPRENTICE
Website: https://apps.fpmccann.co.uk/FPMCareers
Eligibility Criteria
To take part in the Higher Level Apprenticeship programme you need, as a minimum, to:
- Be employed or be about to take up permanent paid employment as an apprentice, or be an existing employee moving to a new job role, with a Northern Ireland-based company.
- Work at least 21 hours per week (including time for ‘off-the-job’ training).
- Have achieved all necessary entry qualifications determined by Queen’s University Belfast.
- Be the minimum school leaving age in Northern Ireland.