BTEC National Diploma Engineering

BTEC National Diploma Engineering

What is Engineering?
The BTEC National Diploma in Engineering is a full-time two-year course designed for students considering a career in any branch of Engineering. During the course you will gain knowledge and skills which will prepare you for a career, or further study, in the Engineering sector.

During the course you will cover subjects such as Engineering Materials and Processes, Engineering Design, Science, Mathematics, Electronics, Mechanics, CAD and CAM etc.

Is Engineering suitable for me?
Students have commented that they particularly enjoy the wide variety of activities that they undertake during the course, and have appreciated the help and guidance given by the well-qualified staff. Many students who follow this course find the practical nature of some of the units very rewarding, and have had great success in manufacturing their solutions to real design problems.
OBJECTIVE:
The course is quite intensive and some students have found the need to complete large amounts of coursework quite demanding. One or two units of the course require an understanding of the business aspects of Engineering, and can entail writing reports â€" and the demands of this type of work have been particularly challenging to some students.

How will I learn?
Practical work is just one element of the course. Some of your lessons will be in the engineering workshop and in the electronics laboratory, where you will learn practical skills. Other lessons will be in the new Library and IT Centre, where you will work on standard computing packages as well as drawing packages. Some of your lessons will be spent in the new Beacon Science Centre classrooms.

For much of your time on the course you will be carrying out assignment based projects. Indeed, the majority of the units you cover are assessed by coursework type projects and tasks. At the end of your first year you will carry out a work experience placement at one of a wide range of local companies. The college will help you to identify a suitable placement. Previous students have experienced car manufacturing, servicing of light aircraft, building premier division football stadiums, making artificial limbs, and making fire engines.

How will I be assessed?
You will study a total of eighteen units during the two years of the course. All of the units are assessed by coursework - and this may include the production of portfolios, presentations, practical projects, and staff observations. None of the units require you to sit a formal examination.

For each unit you complete you will be awarded a Pass (P), Merit (M), or Distinction (D) grade. As this qualification is equivalent to 3 A levels, you will also be awarded an overall grade consisting of three grades â€" such as PPP, MMP, or DDD.

Progression
This course is good preparation for anyone wishing to go into employment, or to higher education in the engineering field. Local companies sometimes contact the college to help them recruit staff, and sometimes the work experience placement results in the offer of full-time employment at the end of the course. Many students have found that the BTEC Engineering course has been a very successful, and more appropriate, route into university, either at HND or degree level, than the A level route. A number of students who were not considering university at all at the beginning of the course have been encouraged successfully to pursue this course. Our previous students have gone on to a wide variety of courses and jobs. Here are some examples:

Matthew was at Alton College for three years. He successfully completed an intermediate Engineering course, progressed onto the advanced Engineering course and is now studying Aeronautical Engineering at Brunel University.

Emma went on to an Aircraft Engineering Degree course at Bristol University.

George successfully completed the course and is now studying for a Mechanical Engineering Degree at Brighton University.

Charlotte completed the course and is now undergoing a Land Rover apprenticeship through Hunters in Guildford.

Course costs
All students will be expected to provide their own textbook and stationery, computer disks and calculators (where appropriate). Estimated costs are outlined below:

Essential: Sturdy leather boots or shoes for workshop use (£50)

£80 maximum over two years for books and approximately £20 for materials

If the cost of equipment, materials and trips may cause you financial hardship, there is the opportunity to apply for help from the College Access Fund.