Level Four BTEC Higher National Certificate in Engineering (General Engineering)

If you want a rewarding technical career within engineering profession, this course will give you a qualification recognised by the Engineering Council Engineering towards its Technician Standard (EngTech).

This course is very highly regarded in engineering and manufacturing sectors and is suitable for people with a varied achievement profile such as those with significant work experience and those with level three qualifications related to the work sector. It will give you the skills needed for technical and managerial posts within your chosen engineering field, while providing you the opportunity to progress to your degree in the subject.

You will be given real life scenarios, case studies, experiments and problem-solving activities all related to the industry and specialist subject you are studying, to continue to deepen your ecology of real working life in the industry.

You will be strongly encouraged to develop reflexive practice in your studies and employment during the programme to continue your development in lifelong learning. A key element of the programme is the partial requirements of home study. You will have access to your module tutors 24 \ 7 via virtual learning platforms to enable you to be strongly supported and developed in, and outside of sessions.

What will I study?

Mandatory units:

Engineering design
Engineering maths
Engineering science
Managing a professional engineering project

Optional units include:

Engineering Management
Maintenance Engineering
Computer Aided Design
Mechanical Principles

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed in a variety of ways, including:

Written assignments
Scientific experiments
Presentations
Group work
Posters

For more information about assessment, including guidance on marking, feedback and plagiarism, please refer to the HE Assessment Policy (section 5) and the programme spec for course-specific information.

How will the course be delivered?

Learning is conducted via lectures, tutorials, scientific experimentation and analysis, blended learning and the Virtual Learning Environment as a method of student support.

You will take ownership of your projects and you will be expected to have a more proactive approach as the course progresses, with you working in collaboration with the lecturer to complete all projects.

Students should expect to be in classes one day a week, with the remainder of their time split between professional practice, and working on your own assignments.

The course will be delivered in the state of the art, Institute of Technology which leads the industry developments in the region.

All programmes are led and taught by experienced teaching staff who are vocational specialists. They are qualified, and often have extensive experience within the industry or the sector being studied. All teaching staff meet or exceed the requirements set by the awarding institute or body.

Staff profile: Laura Shakespeare

Laura is studying for a Master's in Education and has a background in industry and teaching Computer Science. Her research interests are PLCs, robotics and computer hardware.

Staff Profile: Andrew Ward

Andrew Ward has a BEng in Manufacturing Systems and a HNC in Mechanical and Production Engineering. He is apprentice trained with experience in number of sectors including Aerospace and Railway Industries. His main interests are in Lean Manufacturing, Mathematics, Computer Aided Design and Management. He has been teaching for eight years.

Entry requirements

A level three qualification in a relevant subject or A Levels with some industrial experience

Plus:

College interview

East Riding College will encourage applications from non-traditional learners who lack formal academic qualifications. All non-traditional applicants will be assessed through an interview assessing their overall interest in the subject matter as well as current academic skills, set an appropriate piece of work (an essay and practical task), a judgement is then made considering their academic potential and relevant experience and skills.

Accreditation of prior learning:

Applicants may be admitted with credit for prior certificated learning (APcL) or work/life experience or other uncertificated learning (APeL)

What next?

Completion of the course can lead to the Level Five BTEC Higher National Diploma in Mechanical or Electrical and Electronic Engineering, other higher education such as the BEng (Hons) in various engineering subjects, such as mechanical engineering, mechatronics and robotics.

This course is a strong foundation for learners continuing to university to complete a degree. The level of independent research and critical thinking as well as the assessment methodology helps to prepare learners for university.

Although the certificate is broadly equivalent to the first year of an undergraduate degree, the entry point for a higher national certificate learner to a degree is at the discretion of the higher education institution.