National Extended Certificate in Engineering 

National Extended Certificate in Engineering Summary

Engineering covers a broad variety of roles, and it involves the application of scientific principles and practical knowledge to transform ideas and materials into products and systems safely and support them during their lifetime. This qualification has a focus on a broad range of engineering specialist areas. Learners taking this qualification will study mandatory content covering, engineering principles and mathematics, health and safety, interpreting and creating computer-aided engineering drawings and the design and manufacture of products. Upon completion of this qualification learners will have gained an array of engineering skills and knowledge to allow them to progress onto a university degree or apprenticeship in a vast amount of engineering sectors.

Entry Requirements

Grade 5 or higher in GCSE English, Mathematics and Design & Technology and/or L2 Merit in WJEC Engineering.

Course Duration

2 years

Specification

Pearson BTEC

How you will study

Engineering will involve a range of study techniques and assessment methods. The Engineering Principles and Engineering Applications units are both externally assessed, and throughout the two-year course you will develop the skills and knowledge required to prepare for the written examinations. The other two units are coursework-based projects, which are assessed internally. Within these units, you will develop your engineering design and problem-solving skills, while also mastering secondary machining techniques. You will use CAD/CAM technologies and traditional practical skills to design, model, and manufacture your own engineering products.

Component breakdown

Unit 1 – Engineering principles – 120 GLH – 2hr exam
Students will develop the skills and knowledge required to solve mechanical, electrical and electronic-based engineering problems by applying appropriate mathematical and physical science principles.

Unit 2 – Engineering applications – 60GLH – 2hr exam
In this unit students will explore how advances in modern technology are reshaping how a wide range of engineering sectors function. They will also explore how engineers use their understanding of materials and processes to devise sustainable solutions to engineering problems.

Unit 3 – Engineering Design – 120 GLH – Coursework .
Students will create a design solution in response to an engineering design challenge by developing three dimensional (3D) models and two-dimensional (2D) detailed drawings including the use of a computer-aided design (CAD) system and other modelling techniques.

Unit 4 – Engineering project – 60 GLH-Coursework
Students apply project management principles to undertake an individual project and will develop conceptual or practical solutions to a chosen engineering problem related to a relevant engineering specialist area.

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