HNC Electrical Engineering Courses

The Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering is a program of study that offers students the opportunity to gain skills for them to progress in both employment and further education. 

It is provided by Flexible Open Learning, a learning structure that makes it possible for those who are unable to attend conventional classes due to their job or location, to benefit from Teesside University’s award. 

The flexible aspect of this learning potential allows students to work at their own pace but typically takes two to three years for completion.

Open learning also provides individuals with alternatives they may not have had before. Many would not be able to get the same level of education without having the flexibility of Open Learning, such as those out at sea or working remotely in remote places. 

Those taking part can access the full curriculum required for HNC such as analogue electronics, digital electronics, electricity, telecommunications and math-related subjects all while studying at their own pace and in locations suitable for them.

Course Details

The HNC Engineering (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) by Flexible Open Learning is a programme of study designed to help students develop the range of skills, 

professional experience, and key knowledge needed for furthering their technical and management career opportunities, whether it be through employment or education at degree level.

The course is an award from Teesside University delivered under licence from Pearson by Teesside University Open Learning (Engineering industry), offering learners the chance to work at their own pace in locations of their choice. 

This makes it ideal for individuals who are unable to make use of traditional classroom-based courses, such as those who may be working overseas or in remote parts of the world.

Flexible open learning allows learners to work through the syllabus on their own time and independent study. They may take anywhere between two and three years depending on how quickly they progress. 

They can choose when and where they fulfil course requirements, allowing them to complete the HNC Electrical and Electronic Engineering project regardless of their circumstances.

There’s also a great deal of support available during this time so it doesn’t have to feel like a daunting prospect for people who are nervous about taking on an online course.

Entry Requirements

Studying Electrical engineering is an exciting venture, but it can be difficult to get into without the right higher-level qualifications. Fortunately, there are a variety of entry criteria one must meet to pursue a degree of specialisation in the field. 

One of the basic prerequisites of the application process for studying engineering science is that you should have at least three GCSEs at grade 4 or above (or equivalent foundation degree).

 These should include maths in qualification, as this will provide a strong foundation for your studies.

In addition, it is essential that you attain one of the following formal qualifications which must include level 3 maths: ATalevel in an appropriate subject, BTEC National Certificate in an appropriate engineering discipline, BTEC National Diploma in an appropriate engineering discipline or Access to HE Engineering.

This will ensure that any knowledge gaps you may have are addressed appropriately and ensure you are ready to take on the full range of topics available in your course. The FME bridging module also covers level 3 maths and can provide extra help if required.

Applicants who are employed with relevant experience within the industry can take a part-time or flexible programme. 

Career Prospects

Electrical engineers, professional engineers, or engineering experts are the most sought after across the Electrical engineering field. The employability prospects of completing the degree of specialisation are extremely positive. 

The student will be able to progress on to a Higher National Diploma or directly into the second year of their burgeoning University degree. 

This opens up a world of career options, as a wide range of engineering disciplines can potentially become an option for future employment.

Potential career paths include design, manufacturing, project management and IT which can lead to senior positions with national and international companies due to the academic qualifications gained from this course.

 Students can also pursue a future career as an engineer or a scientific calculator in the Electronic Engineering sector.

Furthermore, while many degree programmes offered by universities are not available via distance learning, they do offer day release where the student can attend the university on a weekly basis to pursue their degree of specialisation.

Thus, once students have completed this course they have greater insight into their plans for career progression and increased core skills that make them an attractive candidate within their prospective field.

Course Content 

Studying Electrical & Electronic Engineering provides students with a thorough understanding of the key principles behind the generation, transmission and use of electricity. 

To this end, students learn concepts such as DC and AC electronic principles, electrical machine principles, three-phase systems and electricity power systems. 

In addition to these core units, students also delve into additional units such as electrical networks and programmable logic controllers (PLCs), writing PLC programs and programming industrial robots with straightforward commands and automated engineering solutions. 

DC and AC refer to the two electrical domains: direct current and alternating current energy sources respectively. 

An in-depth understanding of their basics should allow for a better comprehension of how these currents interact with different electrical machines or circuits and the different circuit theories.

Electrical machine principles are important for the proper functioning of any device or appliance that uses electricity while knowledge on three-phase systems is required for industry-standard applications whereby energy is supplied from multiple sources at specific levels to match the needs demanded by certain equipment.

Power systems are also necessary for providing cities or countries with stable and reliable grids while related aspects like power line communication are becoming increasingly popular due to their versatility and ease of implementation in IoT devices.

Finally, PLCs provide dynamic control over machinery via automation scripts; making them ideal when it comes to large-scale industrial processes that require accurate management.

 Assessment Criteria

The Pearson BTEC Level 4 HNC programme requires students to earn 120 credits, of which at least 65 must be at Level 4. Assessment within the course reflects this, as it involves providing evidence that meets the learning outcomes and assessment criteria for each unit. 

The grade awarded is on a pass/merit/distinction scale, ensuring that all students are evaluated according to the same standards, aiding comparison and consistent quality assurance throughout all Pearson BTEC programmes.

To achieve a ‘pass’ grade for any particular unit, criteria set out in the published specification must be met; this provides clarity of expectations for both students and educators. Achieving a strong pass or distinction grade serves to demonstrate to employers and universities alike that an individual has achieved excellence in their studies; an invaluable accolade for career development and career progression after completion of the Pearson BTEC Level 4 HNC.

 Course Structure

This course in engineering will provide students with an introduction to the different areas of engineering and the related engineering contexts.

 It will cover topics such as engineering maths, simple circuits, analogue circuits, complex circuits, and performance of circuits, electrical & Electronic engineering principles, mathematical principles, business management for engineers, engineering design specification, and digital principles.

 Through this comprehensive curriculum, students will gain and apply a broad range of practical skills and knowledge in a range of electrical power systems, electrical machine principles and electrical safety at the Higher National level.

The course is designed to give students a balanced foundation from which they can then build upon throughout their career. 

They will learn mathematical methods and analytical methods in the form of practical activities that are necessary for understanding a variety of engineering problems.

 The electronic circuit topics include analog fundamentals such as Ohm’s law, active components and network analysis techniques critical for today’s engineer.

Students will also gain an understanding of basic business management practices and computational methods needed to manage projects, personnel and operational situations within the context of working as an engineer. 

Through practical applications of physical sciences within engineering and engineering facilities in digital design theory, they will be able to apply logic operations in system architectures that require specific coding protocols such as VHDL language.

Moreover, students will be able to prepare engineering design specifications, evaluate design solutions, and write technical project reports.

As part of their hands-on experience, they will be provided with relevant industry experiences through case studies, plant tours or guest speaker events so they gain exposure to how real-life actual systems work within production environments.