HNC/HND Electrical Engineering

QCF Level 4/5

Engineering is an evolving sector that needs engineers with a wide variety of knowledge and skills. Our Electrical Engineering course will give you the foundations, key principles and professional skills you need in modern engineering and related industries. Our staff have signi cant industrial experience and use the latest learning and teaching technology.

The HNC is a one year full time level 4 programme and the HND is a two year full time programme at level5. Candidates can then progress onto the final year of a degree programme

For the full programme specification please click here.

  • Minimum age 18 years.
  • Applicants should have one or more of the following:
    • A BTEC Level 3 qualification in business
    • A GCE Advanced Level that demonstrates strong performance in a relevant subject
    • Other related level 3 qualifications
    • Substantial related work experience
    • An international equivalent of the above

Applicants with appropriate work experience can also be considered.

As this programme is both taught and assessed in English, it is essential that all non-native English speakers can demonstrate capability in English at the levels below:

  • IELTS 5.5 (Reading and writing must be at 5.5)
  • PTE 5.2
  • Or equivalent

The following are the modules (units) you will undertake for both the HNC and HND programmes (for students wishing to complete the HND programme, the HNC must be completed and achieved prior to progressing on to the second year)

Year One (HNC)

120 credits – 1 year full time study or 2 years part-time study

Unit/Module Mandatory or Optional Key Learning Outcomes
1 Analytical Methods for Engineers Core unit  – mandatory
  • Be able to analyse and model engineering situations and solve problems using algebraic methods
  • Be able to analyse and model engineering situations and solve problems using trigonometric methods
  • Be able t analyse and model engineering situations and solve problems using calculus
  • Be able to analyse and model engineering situations and solve problems using statistics and probability
2 Engineering Science Core unit – mandatory
  • Be able to determine the behavioural characteristics of elements of static engineering systems
  • Be able to determine the behavioural characteristics of elements of dynamic engineering systems
  • Be able to apply DC theory to solve electrical and electronic engineering problems
  • Be able to apply single phase AC theory to solve electrical and electronic engineering problems
3 Project Design, Implementation and Evaluation Core unit – mandatory

Be able to formulate a project

  • Be able to implement the project within agreed procedures and to specification
  • Be able to evaluate the project outcomes
  • Be able to present the project outcomes
5 Electrical and Electronic Principles Optional (Core unit – mandatory for HND)
  • Be able to apply electrical and electronic circuit theory
  • Be able to apply two-port network models
  • Understand the use of complex waves
  • Be able to apply transients in R-L-C circuits
6 Health, Safety and Risk Assessment in Engineering Optional
  • Be able to select and apply safe working procedures to engineering operations
  • Understand the nature and use of current health and safety legislation
  • Be able to analyse engineering activities for the assessment of risk
  • Be able to manage and minimise risk to life, property and engineering activities within an industrial environment
27Personal and Professional Development Optional*
  • Understand how self managed learning can enhance lifelong development
  • Be able to take responsibility for own personal and professional development
  • Be able to implement and continually review own personal and professional development plan
  • Be able to demonstrate acquired interpersonal and transferable skills
63 Electrical Power Optional*
  • Be able to analyse three-phase systems
  • Understand the sources and effects of harmonics in power systems
  • Understand methods of power distribution
  • Understand the economics of components, power systems and alternative energy
65 Utilisation of Electrical Energy Optional*
  • Understand the operation of power transformers
  • Understand the applications of circuit protection for distribution and installation systems
  • Understand the design and construction of lighting systems
  • Be able to determine the cost of energy used in a system in order to be energy efficient
  • Understand the operation of a polyphaser induction motor

*Optional units may be changed upon request, subject to sufficient numbers for each unit chosen

Year Two (HND)

240 credits – Two years full time study or four years part-time study

(The above HNC programme must be successfully completed* before beginning the following modules:)

Unit/Module Mandatory or Optional Key Learning Outcomes
28 Research Project Optional*
  • Understand how to formulate a research specification
  • Be able to implement the research project within agreed procedures and to specification
  • Be able to evaluate the research outcomes
  • Be able to present the research outcomes
30 Quality Assurance and Management Optional*
  • Understand how total quality management (TQM) systems operate
  • Know the key factors of quality assurance (QA) techniques
  • Be able to apply quality control (QC) techniques
35 Further Analytical Methods for Engineers Optional*
  • Be able to analyse and model engineering situations and solve problems using number systems
  • Be able to analyse and model engineering situations and solve problems using graphical and numerical methods
  • Be able to analyse and model engineering situations and solve problems using vector geometry and matrix methods
  • Be able to analyse and model engineering situations and solve problems using ordinary differential equations
38 Managing People in Engineering Optional
  • Understand the processes and procedures involved in people management
  • Understand working relationships within an engineering context
  • Understand methods of managing and developing human resources
  • Understand industrial relations and legislation within an employment relationship
 59 Advanced Mathematics in Engineering Optional*
  • Be able to analyse and model engineering situations and solve engineering problems using series and numerical methods for the solution of ordinary differential equations
  • Be able to analyse and model engineering situations and solve engineering problems using Laplace transforms
  • Be able to analyse and model engineering situations and solve engineering problems using Fourier series
  • Be able to analyse and model engineering situations and solve engineering problems using partial differential equations
52 Energy management Optional*
  • Understand environmental management policies
  • Know about energy sources, conservation and applications
  • Understand system and energy saving requirements
  • Be able to carry out an energy management audit
57 Mechatronic Systems Optional*
  • Understand the applications of a range of mechatronic systems and products
  • Understand electro-mechanical models and components in mechatronic systems and products
  • Be able to produce a specification for a mechatronic system or mechatronic product
  • Be able to apply mechatronic design philosophies to carry out a design analysis
66 Electrical, Electronic and Digital Principles Optional*
  • Be able to apply complex notation in the analysis of single phase circuits
  • Be able to apply circuit theory to the solution of circuit problems
  • Understand the operation of electronic amplifier circuits used in electro-mechanical systems
  • Be able to design and test digital electronic circuits used in electro-mechanical systems

When you begin your qualification your Programme Leader will take you through all aspects of your timetable, and of the requirements of IBCM and the awarding body Pearson. You will be given an induction to the college and the local area and into the specifics of the qualification including understanding the structure of the programme, the terminology and how assessment and internal quality assurance take place. You will be issued with a range of useful policies and procedures and will have a one to one interview to ensure we can tailor our support to your own individual needs.

For each module you will be issued with information as to the detailed requirements for a pass, merit or distinction grade, along with a suggested reading list. You will be issued with assessment plans which will show you the dates for all issue and submission of assignments for each unit.

Assessment

To achieve each module you will have to demonstrate competence in each of the relevant learning outcomes identified above. Assessment may take the form of a completed written assignment or report, a project, or a presentation (or combination of any of the above). Some group work may take place, although you will always be assessed on an individual basis.
You will be given formative assessment early on in each module to enable you to identify where your strengths are and which areas you need to develop in order to be successful.
You will then be assessed at the end of each module against the required Learning outcomes. All assessments go through our own Internal Quality Assurance process to ensure that they meet the highest possible standards and give you every opportunity to achieve (see IBCM Assessment and Verification Policy)

Students will be awarded a grade of pass, merit or distinction for each module and an overall grade at the end of the qualification.

All of our assessment and internal quality procedures are regularly monitored and an Assessment Board will be held at the end of each term to verify all decisions made as well as to investigate any issues of concern.

Should you not meet the learning outcomes on your first submission, you will be given one opportunity for a resubmission. You may also be given the opportunity to resubmit in order to obtain a higher grade. If, at the resubmission, you still do not meet the required outcomes, one opportunity to retake the unit can be authorised. This unit can then receive a maximum pass grade.
If a unit is still not passed at this stage it is deemed to have failed. Your assessor will discuss the options with you, such as an alternative unit in the case of optional units, or whether you are able to study the core module again (repeat). See IBCM Assignment submission procedure. Full attendance at lessons for the repeated module is required along with appropriate payment.

There are compensation provisions within both the HNC and HND provision in that students can still be awarded the qualification if they have not achieved a pass in one of the 15 credit units completed, but have completed and passed the remaining units.

See:
Assessment and Verification Policy
Assignment Submission Policy

Awarding Body:

  • Pearson

Duration:

  • 1 year full time HNC (2 years part time)
  • 2 years full time HND (4 years part time)

Start dates:

  • January and September

For details of fees please refer to separate price list