BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Engineering (Year 1) 2025-26

The HNC is provided by Pearson is the world’s leading learning company operating in countries all around the world. They provide content, assessment and digital services to learners, educational institutions, employers, governments and other partners globally. Pearson BTEC Higher National (HN) qualifications are widely supported by higher education and industry as the principal vocational undergraduate qualifications at Levels 4 and 5 reflecting the increasing need for high-quality professional and technical education at undergraduate Levels 4 and 5. They provide students with a clear line of sight to employment and to a degree at Level 6 if they choose.

Following lengthy consultation with key industry providers, EDC have designed an academic delivery that is tailored to suit demand across both a wide range of engineering disciplines whilst still satisfying an academic pathway thus:

The Level 4 units lay the foundation of learning by providing

· a broad introduction to the engineering sector

· focused introduction to operations engineering.

· core skills

· preparation of students for more specialist subjects at Level 5

· chances to enter employment

· personal responsibility

· a wide range of scientific and engineering knowledge

· practical skills obtained through research, independent study, directed study

· workplace scenarios

· vocational activities that help them to

· Transferable skills (communication, teamwork, research and analysis)

HNC Operations Engineering Pathway (Level IV)

Unit 4001 – Engineering Design

Unit 4002 – Engineering Mathematics

Unit 4004 - Managing a Professional Engineering Project

Unit 4014 – Production Engineering for Manufacture

Unit 4017 – Quality and Process Improvement

Unit 4024 - Electro, Pneumatic and Hydraulic Systems

Unit 4025 – Operations and Plant Management

Unit 4026 - Electrical Systems and Fault Finding

The HNC Mechanical Engineering course comprises of 120 Credits at Level 4.

Part time delivery only, see below for the proposed units.

• Engineering Design (Mandatory)
• Engineering Maths (Mandatory)
• Engineering Science (Mandatory)
• Managing a Professional Engineering Project (Mandatory)
• Mechanical Principles (Mandatory)
• Fundamentals of Thermodynamics and Heat Engines (Mandatory)

Two units from the below options:

• Mechanical Workshop Practices (TBC Student needs)
• CAD for Maintenance Engineers (TBC Student needs)
• Maintenance Engineering (TBC Student needs)
• Production Engineering for Manufacture (TBC Student needs)

Full-Time Level 5 Higher National Diploma (HND) in Engineering Mechanical

Or

Full Time University

Or

Full-Time Technician or entry level Engineer

Students may also apply for Engineering Positions or use as a route into education.

BTEC Level 3 Extended or 120 Credit Diploma in Engineering with a minimum of MM or MMM.

Maths and Physics A level at D or above and GCSEs Maths at B.

Relevant Industrial experience subject to interview and a short maths course to suitability (MUST have GCSE Maths B or above).

Mature students will be considered on an individual basis, dependent upon experience, interests and completion of an in-house maths test. (MUST have GCSE Maths B or above).

Our entry requirements are in place to support our students in achieving the qualifications they have chosen to study. In addition to the entry requirements, all students will be regularly assessed by East Durham College at an early stage in their study programme. This is to ensure that students are enrolled onto courses which suit their abilities – following assessment, there may be occasions when students are transferred to a relevant course at a higher or lower level in order to ensure they are enrolled on to the right course for them to achieve and progress.

Entry onto any course at EDC may have entry requirements in addition to exam results; this includes but is not limited to DBS checks, references, fitness to practice and at times physical requirements to be capable of achieving the practical elements of the course without assistance. Entry onto any course at East Durham College is subject to final approval from the Assistant Principal.

Units are assessed using various methods such as group work, written reports, laboratory sessions and in-class practical and closed book examination. Students are also required to give presentations via Poster and/or a PowerPoint discussing their findings where applicable. The course will be delivered via a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, practicals and self-study.

There are two start date options: September 2025 and March 2026.

Delivered over two years as a part time programme, one day a week.