HNC Mechanical Engineering (part-time)

You will experience a specialist vocational programme, linked to professional body requirements with a strong, sector-related emphasis on practical skills alongside the development of knowledge and understanding.

HNCs are recognised by employers and allow direct progression into employment. You will study with a teaching team of dedicated, experienced individuals who have expertise in engineering and professional development. You will develop a range of skills, techniques and attributes essential for successful performance in working life and be able to make an immediate contribution to employment.

Reading College has specialisms in mechanical control and design engineering so students can develop in both or the individual routes.

Year 1 Units:

• Engineering Design
• Engineering Maths
• Engineering Science
• CAD for Maintenance Engineers

Year 2 Units:

• Managing a Professional Engineering Project
• Mechanical Principles
• Fundamentals of Thermodynamics and Heat Engines
• Quality and Process Improvement

The HNC is an internationally recognised qualification for engineering technicians and will enhance your career prospects. For those wanting to upgrade to an HND, this should be discussed with their personal tutor at the end of a successful year one.

The units are delivered through a variety of techniques to suit all different learning styles. The class work includes: groupwork, pair activities, investigations, discussions, experiments and note taking.

At Reading College you will have access to advanced engineering systems including PLC/microprocessor programming devices, modern CAD and 3D printer equipment and access to high standard electronic laboratory and mechanical workshop areas.

You will be provided with a suitably equipped place to work when attending college, which will include access to specialist staff, IT facilities and other learning resources which will be appropriate for the nature of work you will be required to undertake.

Additionally, the college offers a wide range of other resources and facilities including additional learning support, which will be available to you, further details of which can found in the Higher Education Student Handbook.

Study support

If you do not have a recognised disability or specific learning difficulty, but feel that you require additional support with your studies, you may be eligible to access some discrete sessions in one of the following areas:

• assistive software training
• IT upskilling
• essay planning and structure
• proofreading and editing written work
• bibliographies and referencing
• time management and personal organisation
• revision and exam tips
• presentation techniques

N.B. Your eligibility for any of the above support will be reviewed with your course tutors and a member of the study support team on your campus.

The assessment you undergo could be formative or summative:

• Formative – Designed to provide you with feedback on your progress and inform you of your on-going development. Formative assessments, such as in class exercises, tests, activities, do not form part of your grade.
• Summative – Designed to provide a measure of your achievement in respect of your performance in relation to the intended learning outcomes of your programme of study. In other words, the end of unit assignments will determine your grades.

At each level of study you will be asked to participate in formative and summative assessment procedures which may require you to consider and grade your own work against the agreed assessment criteria. This allows you to reflect upon your own practice, with tutors, and to take responsibility for acknowledging areas of strength and weakness in your work.

A typical offer would be a BTEC Level 3 Diploma at Merit or Distinction, with GCSE Maths and English C (4) grade or above/ Functional Skills at Level 2. A-levels in Maths, Science or IT.
We will consider a range of alternative qualifications or experience equivalent to the typical offer. Contact us for details.
Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate that their level of English is acceptable, by achieving a score in a recognised test such as: British Council IELTS: normally minimum level 5.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in the reading and writing components

Applicants should apply online through the Activate Learning website.