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Electrical Engineering: HNC (Day Release)

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Qualification Qualifications Explained
HNC
Study Mode
Day Release
Duration

2 Years - 1 Day p/w
Start date
Aug 2026
Campus
Springburn
Apply now

Course overview

Advance your career in electrical engineering while you work.

If you’re currently employed in the electrical or energy sector, this course will help you develop your technical skills and expand your professional knowledge.

The HNC Electrical Engineering (Day Release) at Glasgow Kelvin College provides a strong understanding of how electrical systems are designed, maintained, and managed across modern industries. You’ll explore electrical circuits, machines, power systems, and programmable logic controllers (PLCs) while gaining essential experience with test equipment and electrical safety systems.

Studying one day per week allows you to apply what you learn directly in your workplace, building confidence and advancing your technical expertise.

This course is ideal if you:

  • Work in the electrical or energy sector and want to gain a formal qualification.
  • Are aiming to progress to a more senior or technical role.
  • Enjoy practical problem-solving and applied engineering.
  • Plan to continue your studies to HND or degree level.

Considering Day-Release Study?

This HNC qualification is also available through our Modern Apprenticeship pathway, which includes the HNC alongside structured workplace training, competency assessment and nationally recognised apprenticeship certification.

The Modern Apprenticeship route is fully funded (subject to available places) and leads to trade papers on successful completion.

👉 View Modern Apprenticeships in Engineering

What you will learn

You’ll build strong practical and theoretical skills that reflect the needs of today’s electrical engineering industry.

Your studies will include:

  • Electrical Principles and Applications – understanding circuits, laws, and electrical behaviour.
  • Electrical Machines – exploring how motors, generators, and transformers operate.
  • Power and Three-Phase Systems – analysing how energy is distributed and managed safely.
  • Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) – using automation to control industrial systems.
  • High Voltage Electrical Safety – applying safety procedures and compliance standards.
  • Network Analysis – learning to design, test, and troubleshoot electrical networks.
  • Mathematics for Engineers – developing essential analytical and problem-solving skills.

Through a mix of classroom theory, simulation, and practical sessions in our modern labs, you’ll gain the confidence to work with real systems and apply your learning directly in your workplace.

A student in a blue hoodie holding a microphone, standing in front of an electrical engineering workstation at Glasgow Kelvin College. The text overlay reads 'Electrical Engineering at Kelvin ⚡' with the student introducing themselves as Shedon

Our Electrical Engineering students show us how the PCB Engraver works…👀

View on YouTube

Entry requirements

You can join this course through one of the following routes:

✅ One Higher at grade C or above (must include Mathematics or Physics)

✅ One Technical higher at Grade C (such as Computing Science or Design and Manufacture) and National 5 Maths at grade C OR

✅ NC or NQ in an appropriate Engineering subject OR

✅ Foundation Apprenticeship in Engineering OR

✅ Relevant industrial experience or qualifications (e.g. SVQs – considered individually)

Applicants without formal qualifications may be asked to demonstrate suitability for the course.

ℹ️ As this is a day-release programme, you must be in related employment.

ℹ️ For this course, if English is not your first language

  • If you do not have a formal ESOL qualification but your language skills meet this level, you should apply for your course and then contact our Admissions team to organise an internal language assessment  here at the College

Career Opportunities

Completing this qualification can help you progress into roles such as:

⚡ Electrical Engineering Technician

🛠️ Maintenance Engineer

💡 Control Systems Technician

🔋 Power or Renewables Technician

📈 Electrical Design Assistant

Future prospects

Graduates can progress to:

  • HND Electrical Engineering (Day Release or Full Time)
  • Degree-level study at university (subject to entry requirements)
  • Modern Apprenticeships or EngTech professional registration

If you are already employed in the sector, you can convert your HNC into an HND on a flexible day-release basis over two or three years.

Other Courses You Might Consider

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Find out about our Engineering Department

Read What Our Students Said

Video Transcript – Shedden: HND Electrical Engineering

Hi, my name is Shedden. I'm currently undertaking the HND Electrical Engineering course at Glasgow Kelvin.

I'll show you how the PCB engraver here works. Here we have the finished result. 

After cutting from the PCB engraver, we take one of these boards and we can put components on it, as shown here.

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