This qualification has been developed with local employers to provide you with the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to gain confidence in engineering. In your first year you will study for an Engineering BTEC Level 3 90-credit Diploma, before specialising in mechanical or electrical/electronic engineering in your second year.
Entry requirements
To begin this study programme you will need...
Duration: 2 Years
- 4 GCSEs at grades A*-C or 9-4 ideally including English, maths and science
OR
- Engineering Level 2 Diploma with Functional Skills
Course content
The 90-credit Diploma in Engineering is broadly equivalent to 1.5 A-Levels and is a mixture of theoretical and practical units.
- Subject units:
- Health and safety in the engineering workplace
- Mathematics for engineering technicians
- Mechanical principles and applications
- Electrical and electronic principles
- Properties and application of engineering materials
- Electro, pneumatic and hydraulic systems and devices
- Engineering drawing for technicians
- Fabrication processes and technology
- Principles and applications of electronic devices and circuits
- Electronic measurement and testing
- English and maths:
If you don't already have GCSE English and maths grade A*-C, we will work with you to help you develop your maths and English skills.
- Personal development skills, study skills and employability skills
- Additional vocational learning and qualifications:
- You will also develop your practical skills throughout the programme.
Assessment methods
Units will be assessed using written assignments and/or practical work.
Qualifications
Electrical & Electronic or Mechanical Engineering BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma
Plus:
- Engineering BTEC Level 3 90-credit Diploma
- English and maths skills
- Work experience
- Personal development skills
- Study skills
- Employability skills
You can also gain up to 168 UCAS points.
Further study and career options
To progress on to the second year of study you will need to successfully complete all of the qualifications studies in the first year. On successful completion of the main qualification you will be awarded the Engineering Edexcel BTEC Level 3 90-credit Diploma. In the second year you can top up the 90-credit diploma to a specialist diploma, choosing an Engineering Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma with a mechanical bias or an electrical/electronic bias. Successful completion of the second year will allow you to look for work in the engineering industry or progress to university. You can also progress on to degree-level study here at College with the Electrical & Electronic Engineering HNC or Mechanical Engineering HNC.
Additional information
Towards the end of the first year you will be asked to choose one of three options for your second year of study:
- Top-up to an Engineering Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (Electrical & Electronic bias) while studying additional practical skills
- Top-up to an Engineering Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (Mechanical bias) while studying additional practical skills.
If you select either Option 1 or Option 2 you will study a further nine units. Five of these units will be common to both electrical and electronic engineering, and mechanical engineering; the other four units will be specialist units depending on your chosen area. Following successful completion of year one and two you will be awarded the Engineering Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (which is equivalent to three A-Levels).
If you are aged 16-18, tuition fees, exam fees and College membership are free. However, there are additional costs associated with some courses. To take part in this course there will be an additional fee of £30 towards any clothing needed for this course and £20 to attend trips that will complement your course.
Funding information
All full-time Level 1 and Level 2 courses are now FREE for everyone, whatever their age. If you are looking to study a Level 3 qualification, courses are still free if you’re under 19 or 19-23 and studying your first full Level 3 qualification. If you’re over 23 or studying a second Level 3 qualification, you will need to pay a fee. Find out more on our financial support page at www.bedford.ac.uk/finance
If you are aged 19 or over you may qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan to help you pay the tuition fees for this course. Find out more at www.bedford.ac.uk/loans. You can also pay by instalments to help make the cost of this course more affordable.