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.
Course Details
Study Mode
Full Time
Start
End
9 June 2028
Day of week
Monday
Duration
2 Years
Fees
£3,450 per year
Home/EU students.
International students not accepted.
The HNC to HND Conversion in Mechanical Engineering (HTQ), awarded by Pearson, is designed for learners who have already completed a Level 4 HNC in an engineering discipline and want to progress to a full Level 5 qualification while balancing study with work or personal commitments. Delivered part-time over two academic years at Reading College, students attend college one day per week.
Throughout the course, you’ll develop advanced technical knowledge across key areas of mechanical engineering, including advanced mechanical principles, thermodynamics, thermofluids, manufacturing systems, lean manufacturing and computational modelling in virtual engineering. You’ll also strengthen your mathematical, analytical and project management skills to help solve complex engineering challenges in real-world settings.
This HTQ is ideal for those looking to progress into higher-level engineering roles, enhance opportunities with their current employer, or continue their studies through direct entry into the final year of a relevant degree programme.
The programme is designed to be studied part-time (one day per week in Reading College) 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.
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 advanced 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 engineersAdvanced Mechanical Principles
- On successful completion of this unit students will be able to have more advanced knowledge of mechanical principles including behavioural characteristics of materials subjected to complex loading, the strength of loaded beams and pressurised vessels, specifications of power transmission system elements, and operational constraints of dynamic systems.Further Thermodynamics
- On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to learn about the performance and operation of heat pumps and refrigeration systems, the applications and efficiency of industrial compressors, the use of charts and/or tables to determine steam plant parameters and characteristics, and the operation of gas turbines and assess their efficiency.
Year 2
Thermofluids
- This unit aims to provide a rational understanding of functional thermodynamics and fluid mechanics in common industrial applications. The unit promotes a problembased approach to solving realistic work-related quandaries such as steam plant efficiency and fluid flow capacitiesManufacturing Systems Engineering
- The aim of this unit is to develop students’ understanding of that complexity within a modern manufacturing environment. On successful completion of this unit students will be able to explain the principles of a manufacturing system and consider how to design improvements.Lean Manufacturing
- The aim of this unit is to introduce students to the principles and processes of lean manufacturing, so that they can become an effective and committed practitioner of lean in whatever industry sector they are employed inComputational Modelling in Virtual Engineering
- This unit introduces students to the application of relevant Computer Aided Design (CAD) and analysis engineering tools in contemporary engineering. On successful completion of this unit students will learn about computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, finite element models, faults in the application of simulation techniques and the modelling method and data accuracy.
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 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.
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.