Mechanical Engineering Higher National Certificate

The course is for those who want to build up their engineering skills and work towards becoming a professional engineer. The course will develop skills and knowledge that will allow you to bring together engineering elements in project based assignments related to the needs of the engineering sector.

The course will include modules such as:
• Engineering science - provides a fundamental understanding of the mechanical and electrical principles.
• Analytical methods for engineers - provides the analytical knowledge and techniques needed to carry out a range of engineering tasks.
• Health and safety - provides learners with an understanding of health and safety planning.
• Mechanical principles - provides an understanding of the underpinning knowledge of mechanical engineering systems.

Resources

The engineering department focuses heavily on using e-learning tools to support teaching and learning. You will also be provided with a suitably equipped place to work when attending college, which will include access to specialist staff, IT facilities and other learning resources which will be appropriate for the nature of work you will be required to undertake. The College offers a wide range of other resources and facilities including additional learning support, which will be available to you.

Study support

If you do not have a recognised disability or specific learning difficulty, but feel that you require additional support with your studies, you may be eligible to access some discrete sessions in one of the following areas:
• Assistive software training
• IT upskilling
• Essay planning and structure
• Proof reading and editing written work
• Bibliographies and referencing
• Time management and personal organisation
• Revision and exam tips
• Presentation techniques

N.B. Your eligibility for any of the above support will be reviewed with your course tutors and a member of the study support team on your campus.

• To develop a pathway to professional engineer status
• To develop skills to apply to the international engineering industry
• Timetabled lectures once a week
• To study within a professional environment
• To work with a teaching team of dedicated, experienced individuals who have expertise in the cutting edge of the engineering industry

Assessment methods

The units are delivered through a variety of techniques to suit all different learning styles. You will be supported by a dedicated team to achieve through; group work, pair activities, action research, discussions, presentations and build projects.

The assessments you undergo will be both formative and summative:
Formative - Designed to provide you with feedback on your progress and inform you of your on-going development. Formative assessments, such as class exercises, tests, activities, do not form part of your grade.
Summative - Designed to provide a measure of your achievement and performance against learning outcomes, using end of unit assignments to determine your grades.

At each level of study you will be asked to participate in formative and summative assessment procedures which require you to consider and grade your own work against the agreed assessment criteria. This allows you to reflect upon your own practice with tutors, and to take responsibility for areas of strength and weakness in your work.

• A pass or merit in an Extended Diploma in Engineering
• A merit in a Diploma in Engineering
• Two A-levels with maths and science subjects

Learners with a Level 3 qualification in Engineering are welcome.

A typical offer would be an Engineering Level 3 Diploma with maths at Merit or A-levels in maths and science at grade C or above.

We also welcome students returning to education, students from other streams and international students. We also support Widening Participation and encourage applicants with non-standard qualifications.

English language

Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate that their level of English is acceptable, by achieving a score in a recognised test such as:
• British Council IELTS: normally minimum level 6.0 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in the reading and writing components;
• TOEFL minimum score of 550 paper-based or 213 computer-based or 80 internet-based

The Engineering HNC prepares students for employment in the engineering industries. There are also options to progress on to a HND in Mechanical Engineering.

Destination of graduates

As this is a new programme, there are no available destination statistics, however, it is expected that students will use the programme to enable them to enter employment in a relevant specialist area and/or enable them to ‘top up’ their HNC to a HND in Mechanical Engineering