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Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals are designed to enable students to secure the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to succeed in the workplace. They represent the latest in professional standards and provide opportunities for students to develop behaviours for work, for example by undertaking a group project, or responding to a client brief. They support students in developing the key skills, qualities and strengths that employers are looking for: such as Problem-solving, Independent, Interpersonal, Commercial and Business skills. The purpose of these qualifications is to develop students as professional, self reflecting individuals who are able to meet the demands of employers in the engineering sector and to adapt to a constantly changing world. The qualifications aim to widen access to higher education and enhance the career prospects of those who undertake them. At the same time South Downs Campus Nationals are intended to keep doors open for future study, should a student wish to progress further in their education after their Level 5 study. The qualifications do this by allowing space for the development of higher education study skills, such as the ability to research. Clear alignment of level of demand with the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) descriptors at Levels 4 and 5 means that students wishing to progress to Level 6 study should feel better prepared. The Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals also maps to the following Level 4 Occupational Standard for Apprenticeship: Engineering Manufacturing Technician. Course Duration: HNC 18 months (part time – 1 day per week) / HND Further 18 months (part time – 1 day per week). Course Start Dates – September 2026: Year 1 HNC, Year 2 HNC/HND Prep, Year 3 HND.
HNC entry profile should include:
– GCSE grades at A* to C (or equivalent) and/or 9 to 4 (or equivalent) in Mathematics and English – Non-native English speakers: English Language skills equivalent to an IELTS score of at least 5.5, with a minimum of 5.0 in each individual section (listening and reading, writing, speaking) and one of the following: – A BTEC Level 3 qualification in Engineering or other related Level 3 qualification – An A Level profile that demonstrates strong performance in a relevant subject or adequate performance in more than one A Level subject – An international equivalent of the above – Recognition of Prior Learning and extensive experience of the engineering sector
HND entry profile:
– Pearsons BTEC HNC in Engineering, or other awarding body, mapped to Pearsons BTEC HNC
Course Duration: HNC 18 months (part time – 1 day per week) / HND Further 18 months (part time – 1 day per week). If you choose to study the 18-month part time HNC on the Engineering Pathway you will study the following units: HNC: – Engineering Design – Engineering Maths – Managing a Professional Engineering Project – Production Engineering for Manufacture – Quality and Process Improvement – Computer Aided Design and Manufacture (CAD/CAM) – Industry 4.0 – Industrial Robots This level of study requires additional hours allocated each week outside of college for research and writing reports. If you choose to study the three-year part time HND, you will study the following: HND: – Professional Engineering Management (Pearson-set) – Further Mathematics – Distributed Control Systems – Industrial Systems – Manufacturing Systems Engineering – Lean Manufacturing – Advanced Manufacturing Technology – Sustainability This level of study requires additional hours allocated each week outside of college for research and writing reports. We would recommend studying these eight units over two years.
The courses are taught by a team of specialist subject lecturers, supported by a tutor. Classes are informal and incorporate a variety of teaching and learning methods including discussion, lectures, group work and practical sessions.
HNC/ HND – Assessment is made through completion of assignment-based activities, reports, coursework, practical work, independent study and research. Each unit is marked at Pass, Merit or Distinction grade and these will be used to calculate the final overall grade for the qualification.
All assessment procedures are subject to scrutiny by an external examiner appointed by the awarding body.
On completion of this course, you can progress onto a top-up degree at university or degree Apprenticeship. Career destinations have included Design Engineers, Electrical or Electronic Engineers, Production Engineers and Mechanical Engineers.
