The HNC in Engineering is a programme of learning designed to meet skills gaps in the current workforce and build today's talent to meet tomorrow's needs. Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering is a local and national skills priority area, as identified by the West Midlands Combined Authority and the government's Modern Industrial Strategy - and so this is the perfect time to enrol on higher skills Engineering course at Solihull College & University Centre. On this course, you will develop the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to achieve high performance in the engineering and manufacturing environment, and this course aims to develop students with enquiring minds, who have the abilities and confidence to work across different engineering and manufacturing functions and to lead, manage, respond to change and tackle a range of complex engineering situations. The course is mixture of theoretical knowledge and practical skills, with hands-on experience gained at our Engineering Centre at our Woodlands Campus.
This Pearson qualification, written in conjunction with employers and universities, is delivered part time over two academic years, requiring attendance one day per week at the college.
The units studied are as follows:
For further details, see the full specification at the Pearson website: btec-hncd-engineering-2024.pdf
This course is delivered face-to-face, at our Woodlands Campus. The course is part time, delivered over 2 academic years, and attendance one day per week is required.
You will be awarded a Higher National Certificate in Engineering (QN 610/3635/3).
To achieve the HNC, 120 credits will need to be completed at Level 4, and a minimum of a pass grade in 105 credits.
This course is 100% coursework. Module 4004 (Managing a Professional Engineering Project) is set by the awarding body (Pearson).
Examples of assessment may include any of the following:
Units are graded at Pass, Merit or Distinction, and then the unit grades will be aggregated by the awarding organisation to give an overall grade of Pass, Merit or Distinction for the whole qualification.
Part Time applications are to be made via the college's website https://www.solihull.ac.uk/uni-level-learner/how-do-i-apply/
If you have a learning difficulty or disability, please let us know when you apply. You will be offered support in your interview. If you need help completing your application, we can help with this too. https://www.solihull.ac.uk/uni-level-learner/student-services
Standard offer: 80 UCAS Tariff Points or MMP profile in a related subject area
A Levels: BB in a related subject area
T-Levels: Pass (C or above on the core) profile in a related subject area
BTEC: MMP or DM
UCAS Tariff: 80 UCAS Tariff Points profile in a related subject area
Access to Higher Education: 60 Credits overall with 45 Credits at level 3 with a minimum of 80 UCAS Tariff Points profile in a related subject area
Level 3 Apprenticeship: Successfully achieve an advanced apprenticeship in a relevant subject.
GCSE/IGCSE English Language grades 9-4/A*-C or recognised equivalent. GCSE/IGCSE Maths grades 9-4/A*-C or recognised equivalent.
GCSE/IGCSE Science grades 9-4/A*-C or recognised equivalent.
Contextualised Admissions - our contextualised offer, for students who meet widening participation criteria - is 16 UCAS tariff points below the standard offer. Find out more about contextualised offer here: https://www.solihull.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/contextualised-admissions-policy-higher-education.pdf.
Contextual offer: 64 UCAS Tariff Points or MPP profile in a related subject area
A Levels: CC in a related subject area
T-Levels: Pass (D or E on the core) profile in a related subject area
BTEC: MPP or MM
UCAS Tariff: 64 UCAS Tariff Points profile in a related subject area
Access to Higher Education: 60 Credits overall with 45 Credits at level 3 with a minimum of 64 UCAS Tariff Points profile in a related subject area.
Work-based:
Equal consideration is given to applicants who are currently in relevant engineering work and wish to apply to Solihull College & University Centre. To apply, they must have a minimum of 3 years' relevant work experience, demonstrating technical, management or supervisory duties. Any application must also include a reference from their line manager which supports entry to higher education.
All students should budget up to £100 per year for any trips that are a mandatory part of the course. Books are available through the college library however some students may wish to purchase their own copy of key texts - but this is not mandatory.
If you need to re-take a module due to non-achievement, this will also incur a cost.
You may be eligible for the Solihull College Higher Education Bursary (a non-repayable bursary of £1000 to help towards study). For details of eligibility criteria and how to apply see https://sway.cloud.microsoft/fYJIIFPhCwEYgO4E?ref=Link
Full time students with dependants may wish to review the government's Childcare Grant https://www.gov.uk/childcare-grant and Parent's Learning Allowance https://www.gov.uk/parents-learning-allowance Please read our full terms and conditions https://www.solihull.ac.uk/uni-level-learner/policies-and-applicant-information/
After completing the HNC, learners may wish to top-up to a level 5 qualification by enrolling on the Higher National Diploma in Engineering, or advanced entry onto a degree programme. Students should not assume advanced entry onto a BSc/BEng is guaranteed and should liaise with individual institutions as to their entry requirements and accreditation of prior learning policies and processes.
Equally, the Level 4 HNC equips learners to carry out key engineering tasks, understand processes, and work effectively in the engineering sector.
Woodlands Campus
Sept-2026
Various
TBC
£3350
ENEGA041CCP1
Part Time
