HNC in Manufacturing Engineering (Pearson)

The Pearson BTEC Level 4 HNC Manufacturing Engineering online distance learning course provides you with a specialist work-related programme of learning that covers all the key knowledge, understanding, and practical skills required to work and progress in roles with an manufacturing engineering bias, such as a manufacturing technician, engineering technician, technician (production), manufacturing engineering technician, integration and test technician or assistant project manager.

If you are interested in a career in manufacturing engineering, are looking to progress further in your engineering career, and/or want to progress onto an HND or full Honours degree, this is the ideal course for you.

Earn your BTEC Level 4 HNC from home with our flexible distance learning course. Fit learning around your work and personal commitments, and access everything you need at any time of day. You can learn at your own pace and simply submit your assignments when you are ready. You are in control of your course duration, therefore you can speed it up and slow it down to suit your needs.

Once completed, you will be awarded a Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Manufacturing Engineering.

Basic Information

Awarding Body - Pearson

Course Duration a minimum of three months, and a maximum of three years

Average Course Duration – 10 hours studying per week = 9-12 months*
*Please note that this is a rough estimate, and the course duration will depend on many factors, such as your prior knowledge, level of commitment, and which units you choose

Assessment Type - 100% assignment based

Enrolment Dates - Apply any day. Enrolments take place on first working day of each month

Course Duration

You can select your HNC course length from 1-3 years to best suit your circumstances.

Which course length is best for me?

We advise all learners to consider how many hours they can commit to their course each week before selecting their course length.

Here are the recommended course lengths based on how many learning hours per week on average you can realistically dedicate to the course*:

8-10 hours of learning per week = 1 year course length
5-7 hours of learning per week = 2 year course length
2-4 hours of learning per week = 3 year course length

You do not need to specify your desired course length until you submit your enrolment form, after your application has been approved.

You could save up to £1,105 by opting for the 1 Year Programme

Enrolment

We are transitioning over to a new and improved framework on 1st September 2024, with the qualifications having been refreshed to better reflect the needs of employers and modern engineering challenges and solutions. As registrations have now closed for the old framework, which was created in 2017, everyone who enrols from now will be placed on a free mandatory introductory course over summer, covering IT Skills, Report Writing, Harvard Referencing and Maths. Then, your HNC units will be released and available from 1st September.

If you wish to enrol soon, we strongly recommend enrolling ASAP to give yourself the summer to ensure you build your knowledge and confidence up on the four crucial introductory units, areas which we have identified as being major pain points for many of our learners over the past 10 years, impacting the ability of some to achieve the grades they want.

The summer months will be given as additional time for you to go through the introductory course and settle into your online learning environment, as opposed to eating into your chosen course length

You will receive a welcome email which contains your login credentials to gain access to your Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Moodle, as well as information on how to use Moodle, where to begin, and general rules and guidance. You have the option to request an induction call where a member of our team will run through all of this with you.

Once you have completed the introductory course, you will then move onto the HNC units from 1st September. You will be required to complete your HNC course within your chosen timeframe.

Learning Resources

All resources can be accessed at any time online through our online learning portal, allowing you to go through your modules as and when you like. You will benefit from comprehensive workbooks and detailed pre-recorded videos that you can access and replay whenever.

Fees

To view our course fees please click on the 'Finance and Fees' tab. If you are on a mobile, click on 'Overview' and change the page view to 'Finance and Fees on the dropdown menu.

Professional Collaboration

This course is newly ‘quality marked’ as a Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE). In addition, The HNC is a nationally recognised work-related qualification – developed in collaboration with some of the top engineering employers across the UK, such as ALSTOM, BMW, Jaguar Land Rover, Siemens, Railtrack, and The Engineering Council - for learners who are taking their first steps into employment or those already in employment and seeking career development.

In developing this course, Pearson has also liaised with:

● The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
● Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
● Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS).

By aligning to professional body competency standards, content and assessment supports learners to develop as professional practitioners for the future. This adds value for learners by offering them access to continuing professional development.

Tutor support during your HNC

You will benefit from extensive tutor support throughout your time with UniCourse. You will be given the contact details of your tutor(s), and you may email them whenever you want, or you may request a telephone/video call.

Assessment

There are no exams, all assessments will be based on coursework assignments that you submit to us, in your own time, within your chosen course duration.

Enhanced Learning Credits

If you have served or currently serve in the British Armed Forces, you may be eligible to use Enhanced Learning Credits (ELCs) to fund your studies. To read more about eligibility and how to kick-start the process, please click here.

Colleges/Learning Providers

Are you looking to purchase any of the high quality teaching resources our expert team has produced? Click here to find out more.

Module Details - How Will It Work?

To achieve the HNC in Manufacturing Engineering you need to complete eight units in total. This includes 3 core units and 5 mandatory specialist units. This offers learners a broad introduction to in these specialist areas, which can help prepare you for subject specialisation at Level 5. As you conduct further research into the HNC, it is strongly recommended that you take a look below at the units you will need to study. By clicking on the unit title, you will be redirected to the official Pearson BTEC unit specification, and below many of the units you will see samples from our course workbooks.

U1 Engineering Design

U4 Managing a Professional Engineering Project

This unit introduces learners to the techniques and best practices required to successfully create and manage an engineering project designed to identify a solution to an engineering need

On successful completion of this unit learners will be able to formulate and plan a project as well as conduct planned project activities that will provide a solution to an identified engineering problem, produce a project report analysing the outcomes of the project processes and stages and present this report and draw conclusions on the outcomes of the project.

If you only want to study this unit or up to four units, you can do this with Pearson's accredited programme HN Flex.

Click here to find out more

U14 Production Engineering for Manufacture

U17 Quality and Process Improvement

U4023 Computer Aided Design and Manufacture (CAD/CAM)

U4030 Industry 4.0

U4068 Industrial Robots

Entry Requirements - How Do I Apply?

A pre-requisite to gaining entry onto the HNC is to have a level 3 qualification in engineering. If you don’t have this, you may enter the HNC by having work experience in the engineering industry and passing our entry quizzes. Please contact our admissions team, who will be able to tell you if you meet the entry requirements and provide advice on what you will need to enrol on this course.

We may contact you to request further information before we can advise whether your application is successful. This is to ensure that you meet the entry requirements for the course. Where appropriate, learners may be required to complete a bridging course(s) before gaining entry onto a HNC/D.

How many points do I require?

The usual entry requirements for this course are a minimum of 64 UCAS points obtained from level 3 qualifications.

Examples of this includes:

1. AS/A2 A-levels in Maths and another relevant subject such as Science, at a minimum grade of C.

2. Extended/90 Credit Diploma in Engineering

Can I be accepted with experience?

Yes. If you do not possess the relevant qualifications but have experience in the engineering sector, you can also be accepted onto the course. We consider each application on an individual basis.

Relevant experience includes:

1. Those who already work in the engineering sector and have obtained relevant skills.

2. Those who have obtained relevant skills through voluntary work.

Can I be accepted from overseas?

Unfortunately, no. Pearson courses are available to UK residents only.

Level Of Education

All learners must have Maths and English at GCSE grade C/4, or a Level 2 equivalent.

A-Levels in Maths and another relevant subject such as Science or Engineering, at a minimum grade of C, or an equivalent Level 3 qualification in a relevant subject.

If you do not possess any formal academic qualifications at level 3, the appropriate experience of working in the engineering industry will be accepted in lieu. However, you should be able to demonstrate appropriate knowledge and competence at level 3 in mathematics and science.

For applicants without such qualifications, or where refresher courses would be beneficial, we offer level 3 bridging courses to fill those knowledge gaps. We can provide guidance on your individual needs during the application process.

For individual guidance on how your work experience will impact your course application, email us at admissions@unicourse.org.

Payment Plans

At UniCourse we have a wide range of payment plans to support everyone, pick one of the below plans and start your journey.

If you would like to take advantage of the plan 1 payment option but it isn’t suitable to pay this all in one go, you have the option to pay at least 30% of this price upfront and then set up a monthly payment plan to pay the remaining balance (up to 15 months). Please state you would like to take advantage of this on your application form.

Please note: you are required to enrol before purchasing your course.

Step 1: Submit your application form. You will receive an email with our decision within one working day.

Step 2: Once your application is approved (subject to eligibility) you will receive confirmation of this via email, along with instruction to submit an enrolment form.

Step 3: Once you have completed both forms, you can then purchase your course.

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Progression - What Can I Do After My Course?

This course provides learners with a straight path to employment or progression onto a HND or a university degree course. Once you’ve achieved this Level 4 HNC in Manufacturing Engineering you can progress onto our level 5 HND or even the second year of a BSc (Hons) full university degree. Many campus-based universities will accept this qualification as an entry requirement to year two of their degree programmes.

This qualification is approved by the Engineering Council as contributing to the requirements for professional registration as an Engineering Technician. Completing this course can help you on your way to achieving your career goals. For those already in employment, it is a nationally recognised qualification that can offer career progression.

If you are thinking about whether to apply for just an HNC or the full HND, you could save yourself up to £600 by buying our combined package.

 

Careers Hub

UniCourse now offer a comprehensive Careers Hub service for all our learners, which comes included in the package.

You can have one of our specialists take a look at your CV, cover letter, or personal statement, and provide you with extensive feedback on how to make improvements, to make the best impression possible.

Also, you will be offered the chance to talk through your options once you are finished or about to finish your course with one of our specialist careers advisors, who will recommend certain actions and point you in the direction of possible ways to keep you progressing in the direction you wish to go.

 

Opportunities After Unicourse

What can I do after my course?

The HNC in Manufacturing Engineering course builds up core skills whilst preparing you for further subject specialisation if learners wish to progress onto a level 5 HND or onto the second year of a full Honours degree course.

1. Progression into manufacturing engineering sector

2. Improve current skills

3. Gain promotion opportunities

More workplace opportunities

The skills you learn as part of the HNC in Manufacturing Engineering can provide you with the opportunity to take your first steps into employment in the engineering sector or can help those already in employment to progress further in their careers and gain promotions.

Some of the job roles this qualification can lead to include:

1. Manufacturing Systems Technician

2. Manufacturing Systems Engineer

3. Other engineering professionals or engineering technicians

Further education opportunities

The Level 4 BTEC HNC in Manufacturing Engineering is recognised by many Higher Education providers – such as the Open University - as meeting admission requirements for progression onto many relevant workplace-related courses, including:

1. A Level 5 HND in Manufacturing Engineering

2. Year two of a BSc Honours degree programme

Will my chosen University accept this qualification?

The HNC in Manufacturing Engineering will allow you to apply for year 2 of a BSc (Hons) degree with the Open University. Many campus-based universities will also accept this qualification as an entry requirement to year two of their degree programmes.

Please check with the university you have in mind.

Have further questions? Get in touch.

Pearson's Degree Finder Tool

Pearson's Degree Finder tool has been created for learners studying a Pearson BTEC Higher National qualification who are looking for progression options to university.

You can use this tool before, during or after completing your Pearson course to help you plan your next steps

The Degree Finder also features Pearson's Recognition Map where you can browse the institutions who have formally recognised that they will consider applications from Higher National learners.

Visit Pearson's Degree Finder

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