Currently, there is a major skills shortage in the UK for qualified engineers who can undertake a variety of jobs in areas such as management, design, development, planning, control, marketing and sales.
This modular part time course has been developed to fit around your existing work commitments, with modules running one day per week over a two year period. Each module has two hours face-to-face classroom time. This is supplemented with VLe materials and textbooks.
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What will I study?
This programme aims to develop the analytical, technical, communication and management skills required by technician engineers in today's engineering industry. It integrates mechanical, electrical and electronic engineering with design, manufacture and business studies. You will relate theory to practice at your place of work.
The HNC provides a gateway for direct entry to the Pearson Higher National Diploma (HND) in Engineering. Successful students may also progress from the HND onto a BSc Engineering and ultimately progress to the BSc/MSc Engineering.
The units you will study are likely to include:
Year 1 Units:
- Unit 1: Engineering Design
- Unit 2: Engineering Mathematics
- Unit 3: Engineering Science
- Unit 8: Mechanical Principles
Year 2 Units:
- Unit 4: Engineering Project
- Unit 9: Materials Properties and Testing
- Unit 17: Quality and Process Improvement
- Unit 19: Electrical and Electronic Principles
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Who is this course for?
This course is suitable for a variety of students:
- Day release students doing apprenticeships
- Students who have completed A levels and are looking for an entry engineering course
- Students who have completed level 3 BTEC courses
- Mature professionals with industry experience
It is ideal if you are are already in employment in engineering or related discipline and looking to develop your skills, knowledge and expertise in order to enhance your career options and gain a Level 4 qualification in engineering.
The Pearson HNC qualification is a nationally recognised standard in Engineering, and the employment opportunities are many and varied. People with proven skills in Engineering are in great demand both in the UK and overseas.
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How is the course assessed?
Throughout the course, particular emphasis is laid on practical applications. You will relate theory to practice via:
- Employment
- Industrial Applications
- Scenarios
- Research Projects
The course is designed to be holistically delivered. There will be two types of assessment, formative and summative.
Formative assessment is primarily developmental in nature and designed to give feedback to students on their performance and progress. Assessment designed formatively should develop and consolidate knowledge, understanding, skills and competencies. It is a key part of the learning process and can enhance learning and contribute to raising standards.
Summative assessment is where students are provided with the grades contributing towards the overall unit grade. For summative assessment to be effective it should also give students additional formative feedback to support ongoing development and improvement in subsequent assessments.
This course uses a wide range of assessment methods:
- Work-based projects
- Written assignments
- Reports
- Briefing documents
- Planning documents
- Design documents
- Machine operating instructions in the form of a computer program
- Solutions to engineering problems through discourse and/or calculation
- Presentations, vivas, role plays supported by an observer?s statement and/or video evidence
- Portfolios
- Reflective statements
- Production of artefacts
- Work log books
- Witness statements
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Your Study Programme
Year 1 modules:
Unit 1: Engineering Design
The aim of this unit is to introduce students to the methodical steps that engineers use in creating functional products and processes; from a design brief to the work, and the stages involved in identifying and justifying a solution to a given engineering need.
Unit 2: Engineering Mathematics
The aim of this unit is to develop students skills in the mathematical principles and theories that underpin the engineering curriculum. Students will be introduced to mathematical methods and statistical techniques in order to analyse and solve problems within an engineering context.
Unit 3: Engineering Science
This unit introduces students to the fundamental laws and applications of the physical sciences within engineering and how to apply this knowledge to find solutions to a variety of engineering problems.
Among the topics included in this unit are: international system of units, interpreting data, static and dynamic forces, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics, material properties and failure, and A.C./D.C. circuit theories.
Unit 4: Managing a Professional Engineering Project.
This unit introduces students to the techniques and best practices required to successfully create and manage an engineering project designed to identify a solution to an engineering need. While carrying out this project students will consider the role and function of engineering in our society, the professional duties and responsibilities expected of engineers together with the behaviours that accompany their actions.
Among the topics covered in this unit are: roles, responsibilities and behaviours of a professional engineer, planning a project, project management stages, devising solutions, theories and calculations, management using a Gantt chart, evaluation techniques, communication skills, and the creation and presentation of a project report.
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to conceive, plan, develop and execute a successful engineering project, and produce and present a project report outlining and reflecting on the outcomes of each of the project processes and stages. As a result, they will develop skills such as critical thinking, analysis, reasoning, interpretation, decision-making, information literacy, and information and communication technology, and skills in professional and confident self-presentation.
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Knowledge
You will develop a thorough knowledge and understanding of:
- The awareness of health and safety regulations, relevance to the occupation and the machinist's responsibilities
- Engineering representations, drawings, graphical information and specifications
- Machining operations and techniques to produce complex components.
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Skills
You will have the ability to:
- Comply with environmental, ethical and sustainability regulations and procedures
- Record information; paper based or electronic
- Apply machining operations and techniques to produce complex components with features.
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Behaviours
What is required?
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Prioritise health and safety
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Team focus to meet work goals; for example, working effectively with others and resolving issues in discussion with others
- Support an equal, diverse and inclusive culture.
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General info
When in the workshops students are required to follow the college rules and wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
There will be a list of textbooks and resources that you are required to purchase in support of your studies.
There is an expectation that you will contribute to your studies outside of the formal teaching time.
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Progression and Career Opportunities
Pathways include further academic study or entering into the workplace following completion of the HNC course.
Holders of the BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate may be encouraged to continue their part-time studies on an Higher National Diploma. In some cases they may be able to gain admission to degree courses.
Career Opportunities:
Within your own companies and the wider world of engineering, and associated industries, there is a need for well qualified engineers. This has produced a demand for flexible individuals with relevant technical knowledge and expertise. Companies of all sorts now require professional engineers to design, acquire, install, operate, and manage engineering systems. Having a level 4 qualification will greatly enhance your employability in this field.
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Entry Requirements for new students
Students will require an appropriate Level 3 qualification which equates to a total of 48 UCAS points (such as 2 Ds or above in A Levels, an overall Merit Pass grade in BTEC Diploma, an overall Pass grade in BTEC Extended Diploma, an Access to HE Diploma or an Advanced Apprenticeship) or have sufficient experience and aptitude to be able to cope with the demands of the course.
Students will also be expected to have a grade 4 or above in GCSE English and maths (preferably with maths at the higher paper).
Applicants aged 21 or over who do not have the entry requirements may be eligible for acceptance based on an interview if they have substantial relevant industrial or military experience.
Where formal maths qualifications cannot be provided applicants can take a college maths assessment.
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Admissions Process
We recommend that you attend one of our exciting open events so that you can look around the department, the college and meet the tutors. You are welcome to do this before or after you apply.
These events have proved very successful in ensuring students and their families see the best of what the college has to offer such as our inspirational teaching areas, teachers, library facilities and places to eat.
Once you have applied our experienced Enrolment Team will consider your application carefully and will let you know, by email, if the College would like to make you a conditional offer based on you meeting the specified entry requirements.
If you have applied for A Levels, before an offer is made, you will be invited to attend an interview from April onwards.
If your predicted grades or career aims suggest that an alternative subject area or course level would be more appropriate for you at this stage, we will contact you either by telephone, email or text. If you have told us that you have some additional support needs we will contact you to find out more so that we can help you.
