Engineering: NQ (Level 4)
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Course overview
Do you want to develop your career in Scotland’s thriving Electrical Engineering industry? Do you want to help provide energy security for our country? Do you want to develop renewable energy to combat global warming?
You could develop your career in a booming sector with great prospects and in a job that can take you anywhere in the world, while working in a dynamic and respected industry.
The HND Electrical Engineering course will develop your ability to analyse and solve electrical engineering problems, and apply knowledge, understanding and skills to analysing and designing electronic systems. It also has a strong emphasis on practical skills and is ideal for you if you are interested in developing skills in this sector.
The qualification provides a broad-based technical education if you want to start a career in Electronic Engineering or if you want to progress to university to study at degree level.
Year 1 of the course enables you to achieve an HNC in Electrical Engineering with Year 2 progressing to achieving an HND in Electrical Engineering.
In Year 2, you will undertake a project which will allow you to further develop and integrate the knowledge gained throughout the individual units in the course. You can choose a project that will enhance your academic progression to university, Or, you can construct a device to give you in-depth knowledge to maximise your career opportunities with our major engineering companies, or pursue an entrepreneurial project that will assist you in setting up in business
What you will learn
Engineering theory, plus extensive laboratory based hardware and software work.
Electrical Engineering Theory includes:
- Electrical Principles
- Electrical Safety
- Power Systems and Power Electronics
- Control Systems and Transducers
- Renewable Energy Systems
- Electrical Machines and Plant Maintenance
- Electrical Installation Design
- Mathematics (including Mathematics options for university entrance)
Practical hands on work includes:
- Software Programming
- Programmable Logic Controllers
- Electrical and Electronic Instruments
- Control Systems
- Analogue and Digital Electronics
- Power Supply Circuits
- Building an Engineering Project.
Entry requirements
There are several ways you can join our course:
- 1 Higher at grade C or above – should include Mathematics or Physics OR
- One Technical higher at Grade C and National 5 Maths at grade C OR
- Successful completion of the NQ Level 6 Mechanical & Electrical course OR
- Successful completion of an NC Level 5 in Electrical or Electronic Engineering with suitable mathematics units OR
- Successful achievement of a Foundation Apprentice Engineering award OR
- Students who already have an HNC in Electrical Engineering are very welcome to apply for direct entry to Year 2 of the course. OR
- Other equivalent qualifications or experience. If you have relevant industrial experience and qualifications (e.g SVQs) – we are happy to consider your application.
For this course, if English is not your first language
- you need to have SQA ESOL Higher (or equivalent, click here to see equivalent qualifications)
- 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.
We welcome female applicants who wish to take up a new career in Engineering.
Entry to the course will be based upon a competitive review of the applications. Your application should provide detailed information on relevant life and employment experience within your personal statement, in addition to demonstrating a genuine interest in the subject.
Please clearly list on your application all qualifications you have already obtained, and when, and where you obtained them.
Career Opportunities
Electrical Engineering is booming! Renewable Energy is growing very fast to combat global warming and to provide energy security for our country, The HND qualification can get you straight into employment. We actively encourage our students to seek careers in engineering and arrange guest speakers and visits to industry. Learners wishing to progress directly to employment can access jobs as Engineers or Technicians with energy generation and transmission companies, renewables developers, engineering contractors, consulting engineers or local authorities.
Future prospects
Academic Progression
The HND Electrical Engineering qualification can open up many opportunities for your future career and it can help you to progress to study at university without having to start in First Year.
It may enable you to progress to Year 2 of many degree programmes or even direct entry on to Year 3 of the Power Electrical Engineering or the Electronics Engineering degree programmes at a local university. You will also be able to apply for entry to Year 3 of other degree programmes such as Building Services and Teaching. To maximise your chances of acceptance into a university degree programme that also allows progression on to postgraduate studies such as M.Eng., we can also offer customised course options with additional mathematics.
Professional Registration
The HND qualification entitles engineers working in the field of Electronic Engineering to apply for membership of professional bodies, such as the IET, who are registered with The Engineering Council, for the designated title of 'Engineering Technician' (Eng.Tech.).
