Level 4 Certificate For Mechanical Engineering 60 Credit

Entry Requirements

One A Level either in maths, physics or engineering with grade C or above, or BTEC Level 3 Diploma with MP grade or a BTEC Extended Diploma with MPP grade in Mechanical Engineering plus the unit: Maths for Engineering Technicians at grade merit or above or Access to Higher Education Certificate awarded in Engineering (30 credits with pass and 15 credits with merit especially Maths subject) or international equivalent of the above (UK ENIC equivalent qualification).

Students with the Level 3 qualification in an engineering discipline with industrial experience may be considered.

You should have GCSEs grade A*-C (grade 9 – 4) in English, maths and science or equivalent, plus you will take a college test in maths and general science/engineering.

All students who are non-native English speakers and who have not undertaken their final two years of schooling in English, must demonstrate capability in English at a standard equivalent to IELTS 5.5; Reading and Writing must be at 5.5 or equivalent.

Who is the course for

This two-year part-time course is suitable for young, mature adults seeing to reskill / upskill in the engineering sector or those who have completed apprenticeship in Mechanical Engineering environment.

Course Content

In two years of this course, students develop a broad knowledge and awareness of key aspects of the engineering sector by studying level 4 units. Altogether, this course has 6 mandatory units out of which four are core units including one unit assessed by a Pearson-set assignment and two are specialist units. In addition to mandatory units, there are two additional specialist units. All units are 15 credit units.

First Year Core Units (Mandatory)

• Engineering Design (Yearly)
• Engineering Maths (Yearly)
• Engineering science (Yearly)

Specialist Units (Mandatory)

• Mechanical Principles (Yearly)

Second Year Core Units (Mandatory)

• Managing a Professional Engineering Project (Pearson-set) (Yearly).

Specialist Units (Mandatory)

• Fundamentals of Thermodynamics and Heat Engines (Yearly).

Additional Specialist Units

• Fluid Mechanics (Yearly)
• Materials, Properties and Testing (Yearly).

Study Methods

This course will run 1 day a week. Mix of theory by lectures/teaching (70%), practical demonstrations/workshops (25%), tutorials/virtual learning environments (2%), guest speakers and field trips (3%) with 7.5 contact hours per week over 32 weeks during academic year. Student are expected to complete approximately 90 hours per unit for each 15 credit unit of independent study (i.e. on research and completing assignments) and unsupervised form of learning (e.g. e-learning, e-assessment, coursework, work-based learning, etc.).

How is the course assessed

Assessment is through a series of time-constrained written assignments which involve design projects, practical, simulation, posters, logbooks, presentations and tests (10%).

Where next – Further Studies

Students passing the HNC course will be able to progress onto the Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) at Uxbridge College, with a view to completing a full degree programme at university. Many professional bodies also recognise the HNC for further professional study.

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