Delivered at our Reading College and University Centre campus, this new Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) which has been developed in collaboration with employers, professional bodies, and higher education providers to develop students as professional, self-reflecting individuals able to meet the demands of employers in the engineering sector.
HNC to HND Conversion: Electrical/Electronic Engineering (HTQ)
Engineering
Course Details
Study Mode
Full Time
Start
14 September 2026
End
9 June 2028
Day of week
Monday
Duration
2 Years
Fees
£3,450 per year
Home/EU students.
International students not accepted.
The qualification aims to widen access to higher education and enhance the career prospects of those that undertake it.
The programme is designed to be studied part-time (one day per week) for two academic years to support students who may have other commitments such as work and/or family responsibilities. The academic year is 32 weeks, starting in September, and delivery is planned over 2 semesters of 16 weeks.
Year 1
Further Mathematics
- The unit will prepare students to analyse and model engineering/manufacturing situations using mathematical techniques.
Professional Engineering Management
- The aim of this unit is to provide students with the professional standards for engineers and to guide them on how to develop the range of employability skills needed by professional engineers
Further Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)
- On successful completion of this unit students will be able to research the design, selection and use of PLCs as part of a larger system, programme a PLC to solve an industrial process problem for a given application and illustrate the alternative strategies for using other programmable control devices.
Further Electrical Machines and Drives
- On successful completion of this unit students will be able to learn about the operation of different motors used in industry, different types of industrial drives used in various disciplines, assessing the importance of electrical machines and their drives for a given industrial application.
Year 2
Industrial Power, Electronics and Storage
- On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to learn about the technological concepts behind providing a sustainable electrical energy supply for the future, the fundamental technical and economic processes, and drivers at play in the electrical power industry and how they affect the selection and use of energy sources.
Embedded Systems
- This unit develops the knowledge of computer hardware, focussing on the small, low-cost type of computer (i.e., a microcontroller), that are used in embedded systems. It then develops skill in selecting peripheral devices that operate external to the microcontroller and interface with it.
Further Electrical, Electronic Digital Principles
- The emphasis in this unit will be in developing a structured approach to the analysis of AC single-phase and three-phase powered circuitry. In addition, students will be introduced to the expanding use of computers, using specialised software to solve electrical, electronic, and digital circuits. This will allow students to develop the necessary confidence and competence in the four key areas of mathematical techniques, circuit analysis, circuit simulation and laboratory practice.
Utilisation of Electrical Power
- The aim of this unit is to develop students’ understanding of electrical power systems and power distribution, giving consideration to the advantages and disadvantages of alternative power sources. Students will learn about the construction and characteristics of power transmission and distribution systems, including the interconnections of systems and their necessary protection.
Teaching is provided 1 day per week in class in Reading college. Teaching methods include:
- Teacher-Centered Methods:Direct instruction, lectures, and demonstrations, group discussions.
- Student-Centered Methods:Inquiry-based learning, independent research, project-based learning, and discussions.
Assessment takes the form of an assignment carried out after the unit has been delivered (or part of the unit if several assignments are used). An assignment may take a variety of forms, including practical and written, delivered through coursework, reports, presentations, practical performances, and reflective logs, ensuring learners meet specific unit learning outcomes. Key types include formative (developmental) and summative (final grade) assessments.
As a general guide the assignment types are spread as Reports (55%), Presentations (30%), Timed assignments (5%), Practical Assessment (10%)
Support
You will have a range of support made available to you, including academic and pastoral support, learning support and access to additional support funds (if eligible). Please see our Support Pages for further information.
You will be provided with a suitably equipped place to work when attending college, which will include access to specialist staff, IT facilities and other learning resources which will be appropriate for the nature of work you will be required to undertake.
Additionally, the college offers a wide range of other resources and facilities including additional learning support, which will be available to you, further details of which can found in the Higher Education Student Handbook.
Additional study support
Whether you have a recognised disability, specific learning difficulty, or not, you will be eligible to access additional learning support in all the following areas:
- assistive software training
- IT upskilling
- essay planning and structure
- proofreading and editing written work
- bibliographies and referencing
- time management and personal organisation
- revision and exam tips
- presentation techniques
A Pearson recognised level 4 certificate in an Engineering discipline awarded in the previous 5 years (no later than awarded in 2022).
All applicants will be interviewed prior to any offer being made.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
We welcome applications from people with a wide range of experiences and backgrounds.
If you do not meet the formal entry requirements above but have relevant work experience, training, or alternative qualifications, you may still be eligible to apply through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.
This process allows us to recognise the learning you have gained through professional practice, previous study, or other experiences when we assess your RPL application.
If you need any further advice or guidance, please see our How to Apply for a Higher Education Course, or send an enquiry through our Contact Us page.
Admissions Information
Our Admissions Policy outlines our commitment and responsibilities to applicants, while the Admissions Procedure for Higher Education explains the application and enrolment process.
All applicants are also encouraged to read our Higher Education Terms and Conditions, which provide important information and reference the relevant policies and procedures that apply to applicants and enrolled students. These can be found at the bottom of our Higher Education Policies page.
A Pearson BTEC HND (Level 5) allows for direct entry into the final year (Year 3) of many Bachelor’s degree programmes, subject to individual provider requirements. It also provides opportunities for professional certification, specialised employment, or further vocational training
On successful completion, you will be awarded a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering for England from Pearson Education Ltd
Please note:
Tuition fees are published for the first year of entry only and may increase in subsequent years for new students in line with an inflationary amount determined by the Office for Students.
There are a variety of funding options available to help finance your studies. If you are a UK (Home) student, you don’t have to pay your tuition fees up front. The government provides loans to cover your full tuition fee. You may also be eligible for a maintenance loan to help cover living costs. Alternatively, your fees may be paid by your employer, or we could arrange a payment schedule if you are paying your own fees.
Additional costs
Students are advised that they will need access to a laptop or PC. We recommend that you budget £100 a year additional costs such as for stationary to undertake your studies. You can borrow textbooks and access journals from the recommended reading lists are available from the Learning Resource Centre. If you choose to purchase textbooks, they may cost up to £60 each.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please read these important documents before applying for this course.