Program Overview

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Mechanical Engineering by Flexible Open Learning HND

Overview

The Higher National Diploma (HND) Mechanical Engineering by Flexible Open Learning provides study over a range of disciplines to help you develop skills to progress your career through employment or further education at degree level. The course is for you if you would like to work as a technician/technician engineer in mechanical engineering design, manufacture, maintenance and testing. It has been developed in consultation with local industry, and combines theory and practical work with the focus being on industrial applications.

What does by flexible open learning mean?

• Open learning – open learning is suitable for those who are unable to attend conventional classroom-based courses. So, if you work on an oil rig in the Caribbean or in pipeline construction in a desert, you can study at your own pace at a location suitable to you.
• Flexible study – you work at your own pace. But typically, a Higher National Certificate takes between two and three years. You must complete the course within five years and you must do at least two 15-credit modules a year (30 credits in total).
• Learning resources – we provide the course materials through our e-learning site. You are given user-friendly guides, explanations, self-assessment questions and answers to help your study. If there is practical work involved in a module we loan you a special practical kit to do it at home.
• Tutor support – you are allocated a tutor for each module. The tutor grades your tutor-marked assessments and provides feedback through the online site. Your tutor is also available to contact by phone, email or (by prior arrangement) in person to help you with any problems that you have with the work.
• Assessments – you are assessed by a series of in-course tutor-marked assessments. The number of assessments varies across the modules. You complete the assessment and submit your answers through the online site.

Course details

Course structure

• Core level 4 modules
  • Engineering Design (TUOLE)
  • Engineering Maths (TUOLE)
  • Engineering Science (TUOLE)
  • Fundamentals of Thermodynamics and Heat Engines (TUOLE)
  • Managing a Professional Engineering Project (TUOLE)
  • Mechanical Principles (TUOLE)
• And two optional level 4 modules
  • Applications of Pneumatics and Hydraulics (TUOLE)
  • Fluid Mechanics (TUOLE)
  • Heat Transfer and Combustion (TUOLE)
  • Materials Engineering (TUOLE)
  • Programmable Logic Controllers (TUOLE)
• Core level 5 modules
  • Advanced Mechanical Principles (TUOLE)
  • Further Maths (TUOLE)
  • Professional Engineering Management (TUOLE)
  • Project (TUOLE)
• And three optional modules level 5
  • Control Systems and Automation (TUOLE)
  • Plant Services (TUOLE)
  • Safety Engineering (TUOLE)
  • Statistical Process Control (TUOLE)

How you learn

You are provided with a self-contained comprehensive study pack for each of the modules. Each module consists of a folder or folders containing a series of lessons grouped into topics. Each lesson has an introduction, your aims, study advice, self-assessment questions and a summary.

How you are assessed

The module leaning outcomes are assessed through tutor marked assignments (TMAs). Some of the units also require practical work - we provide additional software and/or practical kit for this. After you have completed the assessment for a module, your tutor will arrange an exit interview which enables them to authenticate your work and confirm the grade. These interviews can be done in person, by phone or Skype.

Entry requirements

If you are already qualified to HNC level (or equivalent) in an appropriate subject you can use the 'apply online' link on the relevant HND to apply for a place.

If you are topping up your HNC to HND level, the maximum Edexcel registration period to complete this is five years. You are required by the award regulations to successfully complete at least two modules (30 credits) in each year.

If you don't already hold a relevant HNC (or equivalent level) qualification it is essential that you complete your HNC first before progressing onto the HND. This provides you with up to five years to complete your HNC and up to another five years to complete your HND. It is possible to complete your HNC and HND in a much shorter time frame by successfully completing more than two modules a year.

If you decide to study the HND directly without studying the HNC first, we strongly recommend you study the units that encompass the HNC before you study the other modules.

Bridging module There are bridging modules available. A Level 3 maths bridging module Foundation Mathematics for Engineers.

References We don't require references if you are applying to study through open learning.

Certificates You must include your qualification certificates when applying.

English language requirements If English is not your first language and you haven't undertaken your final two years of schooling in English, you must demonstrate capability in English at a standard equivalent to the levels below:

• Common European Framework of Reference for Languages level B2
• GCSE English language grade C
• PTE 51
• IELTS 5.5 - reading and writing must be at 5.5 (or equivalent).

Employability

After successfully completing this programme you can progress to an appropriate degree at the University on campus or online.

A Higher National Diploma award opens up the possibility of a career over a wide range of engineering disciplines, for example design, manufacturing and project management.

The qualification provides you with the opportunity to seek career development into senior positions in national and international companies.

Fees

Course costs For a Higher National Certificate (HNC) you study eight modules at £495 for each module. For the Higher National Diploma (HND) you study a maximum of 15 modules, again at £495 each. You usually pay for one module at a time. Some modules are subject to availability.

If you join the course having completed no appropriate HNC modules previously, the total cost of an HNC is currently £3,960 for the eight modules required and an HND is another £3,960 on top of this for the additional seven modules you will need to study. All payments for modules must be made through the Online Shop. The link will be provided in your offer letter.

Supplementary materials Practical kits - several of the electronic modules require practical work to be done. Teesside University open learning in engineering has developed practical kits to enable you to complete this work at home. If you are studying directly with us you are loaned these kits as required for no extra charge (except for the return postal costs).

Software - some HNC modules require you to use specific software. Wherever possible we use free software that can be downloaded once the module is paid for. For example Business Management Techniques requires Microsoft Project and Engineering Design requires AutoCAD.

Student loans Home students may be eligible to apply for a student loan using the student finance website - click on ‘apply online for student finance’. Search for Teesside University and the course title for the month you wish to start your studies and apply for a loan of £990 only to cover the cost of the first two modules. You must not select the maximum allowance option. If you study more than two modules within your year, the University will issue the Student Loans Company with an electronic change of circumstances request for an increase in your tuition fee loan. Please note you must apply each year for your next student loan - for example, if your loan starts in May 2017 you will need to apply again in May 2018 for that year.

When you receive your letter of confirmation from the Student Loans Company, please email it to us at before the start of your course. Please note that the foundation modules (if applicable) are not covered by this loan.

We are an ELCAS provider, provider number 1691.