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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 Design and within Mechanical Engineering.

As a student on this course you will have the benefits of using the College’s excellent facilities including 3D printing, an industrial robot, CAD/CAM suites and material testing laboratory. Validated by Bournemouth University, the Programme has high industrial relevance and close ties with the requirements of local industry. Students will work on ‘live’ projects and assignments related to and based on real experiences within their organisation. Accreditation will be sought from the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED) and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) to meet, in part, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng) in 2025.

During the first year you will use CAD software to produce both 2D production drawing and 3D models, undertake design simulations and run stress analysis. You will be introduced to the capabilities of 3D printing to produce physical models and use a CAM package to develop and simulate a milled product. 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, engineering science and materials science, including metal and polymer experiments.

During the second year you will be introduced to different design principles and how to undertake a design project. The importance of considering manufacturing methods is emphasised, as is engineering calculations and the behaviour of materials when developing your design. 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 science 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 your design techniques and analysis further with the work directly linked to marketing and business requirements within engineering. 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 and IMechE you will also undertake Continual Professional Development and a work based log throughout the year.

HNC Years 1 & 2 – Level 4 (Part time over 2 academic years or full time over 1 academic year)

  • Analytical Methods for Design
  • Business & Project Management
  • Computer Aided Engineering
  • Design Principles   
  • Mechanical Design Principles
  • Project

FdEng Year 3 - Level 5 (1 calendar year)

  • Design Applications
  • Major Project
  • Mechanical Design Applications
  • 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 English and mathematics or an equivalent qualification, plus
  • One A Level at grade C in a relevant subject or equivalent AVCE or National Diploma / Certificate (or equivalent UK or overseas qualifications), or
  • A BTEC National Certificate or National Diploma in Manufacturing or Engineering (Mechanical Design).  Students should normally have a Merit in Mathematics and/or Mechanical Principles,
  • An Access to Higher Education Diploma 
  • Applicants should have good literacy and numerical skills appropriate to the programme, a good understanding of computing and an aptitude for technical work

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

 

Relevant subjects: Physics, Maths, CDT, Engineering

 

FdEng

120 Level C 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

Assessment is by a variety of methods depending on the nature of the unit, these include but are not inclusive:

  • Assessments

  • Projects

  • Presentations

  • Tests

  • Practical work

  • Groups work

  • Laboratory work

  • Literature review

  • Research

A Work Based learning unit is incorporated within the FdEng Programmes. Reflective logs are used to facilitate students’ learning and encourage the transferability of knowledge between study and the workplace. The unit is designed to encourage the students to review what they do at work in light of the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC), fulfilling the competence and commitment requirements for registration as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng).

Project units, at both level 4 and 5 are, wherever possible, company-based and employer-supported ‘live’ projects. As a result, the project reinforces the aspirations of the students’ chosen areas of academic study and offers an element of work-based learning.

It is also a requirement for any students not employed in engineering to undertake a work placement within local industry during the programme’s calendar year. This is to further their understanding of industrial practice and appreciation of a real engineering working environment. This period will enable the students to complete a reflective logbook for use in the Work Based learning unit.

Site visits, presentations by and discussions with industry representatives will also ensure that a “real world” understanding of project management is achieved.

For learners undertaking a Degree Apprenticeship supporting evidence for the end point assessment requirements can be taken from the Work Based Unit report and the work based learning elements of the programme.

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

 

Roles in Engineering Design and R & D

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 the 'Apply Now' button on this page.

If you have any questions regarding the course, please contact;

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

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