HNC General Engineering
Key Details
- Available at:Llangefni, Rhyl, Dolgellau - CaMDA (Construction and Engineering)
- Study Mode:Part-time
- Course Length:
2 years
Dolgellau: Thursday, 9am-5pm
Llangefni: Thursday, 9:10am - 5.45pm
Rhos: Monday & Tuesday, 9am-5pm
HNC General EngineeringUniversity-level Courses
Please contact us for further information about applying for this course.
Course Description
If you are employed or have experience within the engineering industry, this course will provide you with the opportunity to gain a nationally recognised qualification which can be used for career development or to enter study at degree level.
It is suitable for people who are employed, for example, in systems design, manufacture, maintenance and technical services areas of the mechanical, electronic and electrical engineering industries. It is also a suitable course if you have completed a Level 3 qualification and wish to further develop your skills with a view to employment in the engineering industry.
The first eight units represents the minimum credits required to be awarded a HNC. These units are equally split between mandatory core units, Electrical/Electronic units and Engineering units.
In order to develop as an all-round Engineer, the further four units listed have been included to give the student a better experience both in-terms of Engineering knowledge and academic/scholastic achievement.
Although these units would only be delivered if enough interest was generated, it is highly recommended that students undertake them as optional extra units at the current extra unit cost.
Specialist additional pathways (subject to number of applications):
Available at the Dolgellau campus:
• HNC General Engineering
Available at the Llangefni campus:
Llangefni offers students the General Engineering title but with Electrical OR Mechanical units available to choose, depending on employment status
Llangefni does not offer additional units which require extra payments.
Available at the Rhyl campus:
• HNC General Engineering
Additional information
More detailed information on Modules is to be found in the ‘Additional Campus/Course Information’ section.
Fees
Visit our course fees page for information on full and part-time degree course fees.
Financial Support
Visit our financial support page for information on the range of support available.
Additional Costs
Additional costs may be associated with the following:
- Travel associated with attending the programme and work experience, outside visits, field trips, suitable clothing for work/placement, additional printing above allowance, memory sticks, other stationery related costs.
- It may also be advantageous, but not a requirement, to purchase various software products that are used on the course, such software requirements will be discussed during the interview process.
- At times, there may be outside visits to companies, events/shows etc, and the student should budget for this.
More detailed information on other costs associated with your course and work placements/work experience (if applicable) will be outlined in the programme validation document and explained to you at your interview.
Start date
September
Entry Criteria
Language requirements:
- GCSE in Welsh or English as first language, grade C/4 or above
- Any degrees, diplomas or certificates eligible should have been taught and assessed in Welsh or English, or
- For overseas applicants, for entry onto Level 4, English fluency to IELTS 5.5 or higher (with no element less than 5.0)
- For overseas applicants, for entry onto Level 5 or above, English fluency to IELTS 6 or higher (with no element less than 5.5)
Academic requirements:
Minimum entry requirement of 32 UCAS tariff points with at least 16 points from a full A-Level or equivalent level 3 qualification.
- A BTEC Level 3 qualification in a relevant subject or a Full A-Level in a STEM subject is required.
- A GCE Advanced Level profile that demonstrates strong performance in a relevant subject or adequate performance in more than one GCE subject. This profile should be supported by GCSE grades at A* to C/4 (or equivalent)
- GCSE Mathematics/Numeracy, grade C/4 or above, or Key/Essential Skill equivalent level. For applicants without these qualifications, evidence of numeracy skills at a suitable level to meet the demands of the programme successfully, will need to be demonstrated.
- Other related Level 3 qualifications
- A relevant Access to Higher Education Certificate awarded by an approved further education institution
- Related work experience
- An international equivalent of the above
Applications are welcomed from students who do not meet the standard entry criteria but who have relevant experience. In such cases, all applicants will be interviewed, and each application will be treated on its individual merits as per Grŵp Llandrillo Menai policy.
Mature students are welcomed and suitability assessed at the interview stage.
In some cases a BTEC L3 in Engineering will be offered as a Bridging Course for 1 academic year.
If your qualifications do not meet the entry requirements listed above, we would still encourage you to apply for the course you're interested in, as many of our courses will consider learners based on their previous work and skills experience rather than their qualifications.
Delivery
The course is delivered through a blend of the following:
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Workshops
- Lab work
- Student centred learning
- Virtual learning environment (MOODLE)
Timetable
Part-time: 2 years, 1 day per week
Contact:
For specific course enquiries, please contact:
Eurfon Davies (Programme Leader - Menai): davies2e@gllm.ac.uk
Emlyn Evans (Programme Leader - Meirion-Dwyfor): evans12e@gllm.ac.uk
Grace Gregson (Administration - Llandrillo): gregso1g@gllm.ac.uk
For general enquiries about our degrees, please contact: degrees@gllm.ac.uk
Assessment
The course is assessed through a blend of the following:
- Assignments in the form of Engineering reports
- Presentations
- Practical assignments
- Portfolio
Feedback
Where relevant, assessments will be marked and returned to students with constructive and developmental feedback. Effective feedback combines information which enables students to understand the strengths and limitations of their past performance, and information which enables them to recognise how future performance can be improved. Students will be provided with feedback in a timely manner and this feedback will justify how the grade has been awarded. Students will have the opportunity to reflect on the feedback given and identify their strengths, things they found challenging and areas for development that they will feed forward to their next assessment. Feedback will include linking evidence to assessment criteria to demonstrate how the student will have met the learning outcomes.
Progression
The Edexcel BTEC Higher Nationals in General Engineering have been developed with career progression and recognition by professional bodies in mind.
It is essential that learners gain the maximum benefit from their programme of study. The development of this qualification has been informed by discussions/relevant publications from the Engineering Council UK (EC (UK)) and the Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies Alliance (SEMTA).
Upon successful completion, learners may be eligible to apply for Year 2 entry on the funded Degree Apprenticeship programme or continue their studies towards a level 5 Higher National Diploma at a partner campus (Rhos).
Campus Information Dolgellau
The HNC General Engineering provides a specialist work-related programme of study that covers the key knowledge, understanding and practical skills required in the engineering sector and also offers particular specialist emphasis through the choice of specialist units. The qualifications are mode free but they are primarily undertaken by part-time learners studying over two years. In some sectors, there are opportunities for those wishing to complete an intensive programme of study in a shorter period of time. There are additional funding opportunities available for this course, if you are employed for more than 16 hours per week in an appropriate vocational setting.
Level 4 modules
Engineering Design (15 credits, core)
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. (Assignments in the form of Engineering reports; Presentations; Practical assignments; Portfolio)
Engineering Maths (15 credits, core)
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. (Assignments in the form of Engineering reports)
Engineering Science (15 credits, core)
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. (Assignments in the form of Engineering reports; Presentations; Practical assignments; Portfolio)
Managing a Professional Engineering Project (15 credits, core)
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. (Assignments in the form of Engineering reports; Presentations; Practical assignments; Portfolio)
Mechanical Workshop Practices (15 credits, mandatory)
This unit introduces students to the effective use of textual, numeric and graphical information, how best to extract and interpret information from engineering drawings, and the practices of workshop-based turning and milling machining techniques.
Engineering Management (15 credits, mandatory)
This unit introduces students to engineering management principles and practices, and their strategic implementation. Topics included in this unit are: the main concepts and theories of management and leadership, fundamentals of risk management, operational management, project and operations management theories and tools, the key success measures of management strategies, and planning tools.
Production Engineering for Manufacture (15 credits, mandatory)
This unit introduces students to the production process for key material types; the various types of machinery used to manufacture products and the different ways of organising production systems to optimise the production process; consideration of how to measure the effectiveness of a production system within the overall context of the manufacturing system; and an examination of how production engineering contributes to ensuring safe and reliable operation of manufacturing.
Computer Aided Engineering (CAD) for Engineering (15 credits, mandatory)
This unit aims to provide students with opportunities to develop their understanding and knowledge of CAD software applications used in engineering, and the practical skills to utilise the technology within their own creative work.
Campus Information Llangefni
Llangefni offers students the General Engineering title but with Electrical or Mechanical units available to choose, depending on employment status.
For every 10 credits, students should engage with around 100 notional hours of learning.
Level 4 Modules:
Engineering Design (15 credits, core) (all sites)
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. (Assignments in the form of Engineering reports; Presentations; Practical assignments; Portfolio)
Engineering Maths (15 credits, core) (all sites)
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. (Assignments in the form of Engineering reports)
Engineering Science (15 credits, core) (all sites)
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. (Assignments in the form of Engineering reports; Presentations; Practical assignments; Portfolio)
Managing a Professional Engineering Project (15 credits, core) (all sites)
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. (Assignments in the form of Engineering reports; Presentations; Practical assignments; Portfolio)
Followed by a further 4 units from a given list of specialist units:
(Please note specialist units are subject to review, to meet industry demand, availability and staffing capabilities - unit choice and delivery will be confirmed during the interview stage).
Materials, Properties and Testing (15 credits)
This unit introduces students to the atomic structure of materials and the way it affects the properties, physical nature and performance characteristics of common manufacturing materials; how these properties are tested, and modified by various processing treatments; and problems that occur which can cause materials to fail in service. (Assignments in the form of Engineering reports; Practical assignments)
Mechanical Principles (15 credits)
The aim of this unit is to introduce students to the essential mechanical principles associated with engineering applications. (Assignments in the form of Engineering reports; Presentations; Practical assignments)
Engineering Management (15 credits)
This unit introduces students to engineering management principles and practices and their strategic implementation.
Topics included in this unit are: the main concepts and theories of management and leadership, fundamentals of risk management, operational management, project and operations management theories and tools, the key success measures of management strategies, and planning tools. (Written Assignments)
Electrical and Electronic Principles (15 credits)
Electrical engineering is mainly concerned with the movement of energy and power in electrical form, and its generation and consumption. Electronics is mainly concerned with the manipulation of information, which may be acquired, stored, processed or transmitted in electrical form. Both depend on the same set of physical principles, though their applications differ widely. A study of electrical or electronic engineering depends very much on these underlying principles; these form the foundation for any qualification in the field, and are the basis of this unit. (Assignments in the form of Engineering reports; Presentations; Practical assignments)
Electrical Machines (15 credits)
This unit introduces students to the characteristics and operational parameters of a range of electromagnetic powered machines that are used in a variety of applications. Among the topics included in this unit are: principles underlying the operation and construction of transformers, induction motors, synchronous machines electromagnetic transducers, actuators, and generators; and operating characteristics of electrical machines such as voltage, current, speed of operation, power rating, electromagnetic interference (EMI) and efficiency. (Written Assignments)
Digital Principles (15 credits)
The unit introduces the two main branches of digital electronics, combinational and sequential. Thus the student gains familiarity in the fundamental elements of digital circuits, notably different types of logic gates and bistables. The techniques by which such circuits are analysed are introduced and applied, including Truth Tables, Boolean algebra, Karnaugh Maps, and Timing Diagrams. (Assignments in the form of Engineering reports)
Engineering Maintenance (15 credits)
This unit introduces students to the importance of equipment maintenance programmes, the benefits that well-maintained equipment brings to an organisation and the risk factors it faces if maintenance programmes and processes are not considered or implemented. Topics included in this unit are: statutory regulations, organisational safety requirements, maintenance strategies, safe working and maintenance techniques. (Written Assignments).
Renewable Energy (15 credits)
The aim of this unit is to introduce students to renewable energy resources and technologies, including current storage and generation technologies, and explore their advantages and limitations. (Written Assignments)
Campus Information Rhyl
The HNC General Engineering provides a specialist work-related programme of study that covers the key knowledge, understanding and practical skills required in the engineering sector and also offers particular specialist emphasis through the choice of specialist units. The qualifications are mode free but they are primarily undertaken by part-time learners studying over two years. In some sectors, there are opportunities for those wishing to complete an intensive programme of study in a shorter period of time. There are additional funding opportunities available for this course, if you are employed for more than 16 hours per week in an appropriate vocational setting.
Level 4 modules
Engineering Design (15 credits, core) (all sites)
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. (Assignments in the form of Engineering reports; Presentations; Practical assignments; Portfolio)
Engineering Maths (15 credits, core) (all sites)
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. (Assignments in the form of Engineering reports)
Engineering Science (15 credits, core) (all sites)
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. (Assignments in the form of Engineering reports; Presentations; Practical assignments; Portfolio)
Managing a Professional Engineering Project (15 credits, core) (all sites)
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. (Assignments in the form of Engineering reports; Presentations; Practical assignments; Portfolio)
Mechanical Principles (15 credits, mandatory) (Rhos, Dolgellau)
The aim of this unit is to introduce students to the essential mechanical principles associated with engineering applications. (Assignments in the form of Engineering reports; Presentations; Practical assignments)
Electro, Pneumatic and Hydraulic Systems (15 credits, mandatory) (Rhos, Dolgellau)
The aim of this module is to develop students’ knowledge and appreciation of the applications of fluid power systems in modern industry. Students will investigate and design pneumatic, hydraulic, electro-pneumatic and electro-hydraulic systems. This unit offers the opportunity for students to examine the characteristics of fluid power components and evaluate work-related practices and applications of these systems. (Assignments in the form of Engineering reports; Practical assignments)
Electrical Systems and Fault Finding (15 credits, mandatory) (Rhos, Dolgellau)
This unit introduces students to the characteristics and operational parameters of a range of electrical system components that are used in a variety of applications; and how to fault find when they go wrong. (Assignments in the form of Engineering reports; Presentations; Practical assignments)
Electrical and Electronic Principles (15 credits, mandatory) (Rhos, Dolgellau)
Electrical engineering is mainly concerned with the movement of energy and power in electrical form, and its generation and consumption. Electronics is mainly concerned with the manipulation of information, which may be acquired, stored, processed or transmitted in electrical form. Both depend on the same set of physical principles, though their applications differ widely. A study of electrical or electronic engineering depends very much on these underlying principles; these form the foundation for any qualification in the field, and are the basis of this unit. (Assignments in the form of Engineering reports; Presentations; Practical assignments)
Other details
Course type: University-level Courses
Level:
4
Programme Area:
- Engineering
- International
Awarding Body: Edexcel
Bilingual:
Depending on the campus, students may be able to access elements of the programme in both English and Welsh through some programme learning materials being made available bilingually. Details will be provided to you at interview.
