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Course Overview

The course will give you a superb grounding in the essential principles and techniques needed to meet the increasingly challenging and exciting nature of the Engineering industry. It has been designed to be relevant to the needs of employment in the fields of Electronic and Electrical Engineering.

As a student on this course you will have the benefits of using the College’s excellent facilities including a full equipped electronics laboratory, electronics systems design suites and a new PCB design and prototyping system.  Current students are registered as student members of the Institute of Engineering Designers (IED). Completion of the course enables partial Incorporated Engineer registration.

During the first year you will design and test analogue, digital and software based electronic systems. Typical circuit systems will be simulated and constructed and a range of test equipment utilised. A range of software design techniques will be studied to reflect those taking place in industry. There will be an introduction to business processes and theory within engineering companies and different project management techniques. This is tied together with the underpinning of mathematical theory and circuit analysis techniques used to ensure good design.

During the second year you will extend those skills developed in year one to analyse circuits and ensure good design technique across the range of electronic and electrical systems.  You will undertake a group design project and an individual, company relevant, project that will also demonstrate your ability to project manage. The business processes and theories from the first year will be applied through the production of a business plan. Your understanding of mathematical theory and engineering design will continue to be developed throughout the second year. If successful, you graduate at this point with an HNC and if you achieve the necessary grades you have the option to progress to the Foundation Degree.

In this third year of study you will develop software principles and circuit analysis techniques to ensure independent design and process skills are developed.  A more detailed company relevant major project is undertaken to demonstrate you can apply what you have learned over the last three years. You will also undertake writing your first academic paper for possible publication. To link in with the requirements for the IED you will also undertake Continual Professional Development and a work based log throughout the year.

 

HNC - level 4 (Part time over 2 academic years or full time over 1 academic year)

  • Analytical Methods for Design
  • Business and Project Management
  • Circuit Analysis and Fault Location Techniques
  • Computer and Internet Technologies
  • ElectronicSystems Design
  • Project

FdEng - Level 5 (1 calendar year)

  • Applied Software in Engineering
  • Electronic Design Applications
  • Major Project
  • The Engineering Professional
  • Work Based Unit

These courses have been specifically designed, in consultation with Industry and Professional Institutions, to enable those predominately working in engineering to study alongside their work. Our HNCs and Foundation Degrees in engineering are ideally suited to those who are looking to gain the essential skills to advance their career in a variety of engineering roles.

This course is also offered as a Degree Apprenticeship. Please click here for more information.

HNC

• Four GCSEs at at least grade 4/C, to include Maths and English or an equivalent qualification, plus
• One full A Level (at grade C or above), or equivalent Level 3 qualification e.g. BTEC National Diploma in a relevant subject.
• Adult learners will be considered and should have good literacy and numerical skills appropriate to the programme, and a good understanding of computing and an aptitude for technical work. 

UCAS tariff points 32 from one full A Level or an equivalent Level 3 qualification in a relevant subject

FdEng:  120 Level 4 credits from an HNC in an appropriate discipline.

Normally at least 40 credits should be at Merit level or above and 20 of these credits should be from a mathematical analytical unit.

Relevant subjects: Physics, Maths, CDT, Electronics

Progression to the BEng/MEng (Hons) Engineering is an option for appropriate students.

HNC - £3,250 per academic year

FdEng - £4,000

Students who are eligible, can apply for a student loan with Student Finance.

Covid-19  

Please see Coronavirus information | Bournemouth University for the latest Covid-19 information from BU. 

Attendance: Part time over 3 years (2 academic years for the HNC plus 1 calendar year for the FdEng) or full time over 2 years (1 academic year for the HNC plus 1 calendar year for the FdEng)

Applications: Please note that students taking the part-time HNC/FdEng should apply directly to The Bournemouth & Poole College and not via the UCAS process.

If you meet the entry requirements and would like to apply, simply click on the 'Apply Now' button on this page.

 

The Higher Education Unit +44 (0)1202 205180
email: heunit@bpc.ac.uk

Venue: The course is delivered at The College's North Road campus, Poole

The college reserves the right to make changes to the information given, including the addition, withdrawal, re-location or restructuring of courses.

Awarding Body:
Bournemouth University

Course Options

Start Date

Thu 18th September 2025

Attendance

Part-time

Duration

3 Years

Location

Poole Campus

Adult Fee

3250.00

Adult Fee with Concession

3250.00