Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Operations Engineering for England

The Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Engineering for England has been designed to allow you to develop broad knowledge of the engineering sector and to provide a focused introduction to operations engineering.

The Higher National Certificate is a university-level qualification (Level 4) with a strong vocational emphasis. It is a nationally recognised qualification that equips you with the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to succeed in employment or the opportunity to progress to study at university.

For people currently employed in a related field, an HNC provides the opportunity to upgrade knowledge and skills, combining work and study and may be a more cost-effective alternative to university study. This course is equivalent to the first year of a full time university-level programme.

The awarding body is Pearson Edexcel.

This course is a Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ). HTQs are technical qualifications that have been developed by employers and awarding bodies so students can develop the skills that employers want.

The Level 4 units lay the foundation of learning by providing a broad introduction to the engineering sector as well as a focused introduction to manufacturing engineering. This develops and strengthens core skills while preparing students for more specialist subjects at Level 5 or to enter employment with the qualities necessary for job roles that require some personal responsibility. Students will gain a wide range of scientific and engineering knowledge linked to practical skills obtained through research, independent study, directed study and workplace scenarios. Students are involved in vocational activities that help them to develop behaviours (the attitudes and approaches required for a competence) and transferable skills.

The full time course from Sept 2024 will cover all the topics listed below in one year, and there is also a part time option to do the course over two years:

Core Units

Unit 4001: Engineering Design [1^st Year study]

• Create a design specification for a given design brief that meets stakeholder’s requirements, along with a proposed design solution.  
• Analyse possible technical solutions to implement the proposed design specification.  
• Produce a design report considering all key aspects including manufacturability (or design for manufacturing and assembly) and environmental impact.  
• Present the design solution to an audience, including evaluation of feedback and future improvements. 

Unit 4002: Engineering Maths [1^st Year study]

• Apply a variety of mathematical methods to a range of engineering and manufacturing sector problems.  
• Investigate applications of statistical and probability techniques to interpret, organise, and present data.  
• Use analytical and computational methods for solving engineering and manufacturing sector problems by relating sinusoidal wave and vector functions to their respective applications.  
•  Examine how differential and integral calculus can be used to solve engineering and manufacturing sector problems. 

Unit 4004: Managing a Professional Engineering Project [1st Year study] Note: This is a Pearson-set unit. 

• Select a project that will provide a solution to an identified engineering/manufacturing problem.  
• Conduct planned project activities to generate outcomes which provide a solution to the identified engineering/manufacturing problem.  
• Produce a project report analysing the outcomes of each of the project processes and stages. 
• Present the project report drawing conclusions on the outcomes of the project. 

Unit 4014: Production Engineering for Manufacture [1st Year study]

• Illustrate the role and purpose of production engineering and its relationship with the other elements of a manufacturing system.  
• Describe the most appropriate production processes and associated facility arrangements for manufacturing products of different material types.  
• Analyse how a production system can incorporate a number of different production processes for a given product or assembly.  
• Explore the effectiveness of a production system in terms of its operation within the wider manufacturing system. 

Unit 4017: Quality and Process Improvement [2nd Year study]

• Examine the applications of statistical process control when applied in an industrial environment to improve efficiency.  
• Analyse cost effective quality control tools  
• Determine the role of standards in improving efficiency, meeting customer requirements, and opening up new opportunities for trade.  
•  Analyse the importance of Total Quality Management and continuous improvement in manufacturing and service environments. 

Specialist Units:

Unit 4024: Electro, Pneumatic and Hydraulic Systems [2nd Year study]

• Calculate the parameters of pneumatic and hydraulic systems. 
• Illustrate the notation and symbols of pneumatic and hydraulic components.  
• Examine the applications of pneumatic and hydraulic systems
• Investigate the maintenance of pneumatic and hydraulic systems. 

Unit 4025: Operations and Plant Management [2nd Year study]

• Analyse fundamental thermodynamic systems and their properties  
• Investigate power transmission systems.  
• Determine the parameters of static and dynamic fluid systems.  
• Examine the principles of heat transfer in industrial applications. 

Unit 4026: Electrical Systems and Fault Finding [2nd Year study]

• Investigate the key constructional features and applications of electrical systems, including identification and resolution of potential faults.  
• Examine the types, applications, and common fault-finding methodologies of electrical motors and generators. 
• Analyse potential faults and fault diagnostics in the various types of lighting circuits available in the industry by assessing their practical application. 
• Discuss the operating characteristics of electrical safety components including evaluation of their effectiveness through fault-finding techniques. 

Assessment:
You will be assessed through examination as well as written and practical assignments that cover the learning outcomes assigned to each unit and are completed with direction from, and with formative assessment by, tutors.

Next steps:

This course has the flexibility of allowing you to step off and move into employment, continue your studies with a Higher National Diploma or progress to study at university. 

View the full qualification specification here.

You will need 64 UCAS tariff points (minimum) from AS, A Level or AVCE programmes which includes Mathematics and Physics, BTEC National Diploma/Certificate/Extended Diploma including at least merits in Mathematics and Mechanical Principles, GNVQ Advanced, an Access qualification or other qualifications deemed equivalent to the above. Apprentices on the 120 credit Diploma in addition should have gained at least a pass in Level 3 Unit 28 Further Mathematics. Consideration will be given to mature applicants who have substantial relevant industrial experience. An interview will be required. GCSE Maths and English is required at grade C (or 4) or above (or equivalent O Level).

You will be studying at the Technology and Future Skills Centres, which provide aerospace, engineering and automotive students with up-to-date equipment and learning spaces. Our CAD design suite includes computers running the latest industry software, and the CAM workshop contains CNC machining equipment to give you an understanding of modern automated manufacture. A £3million extension has created an Advanced Engineering Centre to be a UK centre of excellence for robotics, and an advanced manufacturing workspace and an electrical/electronic workspace.

Teaching staff:

• Gary Herrington
• David Symes
• Mike Jory
• George Granton
• Kevin Pavey
• Mike Daniels

You are required to purchase some of the recommended books to aid self-study. All students need to have drawing equipment and a scientific calculator.