ENGINEERING Advanced Technical Award Level 3 Extended Diploma

Level 3
Further Education
Newry Campus
Portadown Campus
Pearson BTEC

Overview

This course will help you to develop engineering skills and knowledge, which will prepare you for Higher Education or employment within the engineering sector.

The Advanced Technical Award in Engineering includes the following elements:

Completion of a Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering (equivalent to 3 A-Levels).
Project Based Learning - working in partnership with local employers, to undertake authentic business focused projects, to answer complex questions, solve problems or overcome challenges.
Development of Transversal Skills that can be used in a wide variety of situations in life and in work.
A structured industry placement with an employer from the local Engineering sector - this will further develop the practical and technical skills you have gained in college. Placement will last for a minimum of 200 hours (approximately 30 days).

Applicants must be at least 16 years of age on or before 1st July in the year of proposed entry to the course and have recently been in education to key stage 4 (completion of compulsory education).

Applicants should normally hold the following:

15 points or greater at GCSE, consisting of at least 4 GCSEs at Grade C, or equivalent; OR
BTEC Level 2 First Diploma or equivalent at Pass or above with an overall profile equating to 15 points; OR
NVQ Level 2 (in relevant subject area); OR
Leaving Certificate – a profile equivalent to 12 points (of which 3 subjects must be achieved at Grade C3 or better at Ordinary Level) pre-2017. From 2017 onwards, or entry in 2018, 3 subjects must be achieved at 04 or better at Ordinary Level.

Applicants who do not possess GCSE English Language at Grade C or higher (or equivalent) must be able to demonstrate as part of their application they can communicate in written and spoken English Language to an acceptable level to succeed in the course. The College reserves the right to refer any applicant to appropriate English Language or Literacy classes until their level of fluency in written and spoken English is sufficient to allow participation in other areas of study.

Attendance at IPEAS or GPEAS may be required. These interviews may take place either on campus, via telephone or video call (Microsoft teams).In the case of Art & Design and in certain creative subjects, applicants may be required to present an appropriate portfolio of evidence.

Students entering a full-time Level 3 programme are expected to have already achieved a minimum of GCSE Grade C in English Language and Mathematics (or equivalent qualification).

Applicants admitted to a full-time programme of study without these qualifications in English Language and Mathematics will be required to undertake an Essential Skills course in Literacy and Numeracy respectfully. Applicants with a Grade D will also have the opportunity to undertake repeat classes in GCSE English Language and/or Mathematics.

Modules include:

Electronic Devices and Circuits.
Computer Aided Design in Engineering.
Engineering Principles.
Pneumatic and Hydraulic Systems.
Engineering Product Design and Manufacture.
Programmable Logic Controllers.
Industry Placement.

Assessment will consist of group work, research projects, practical investigations, reports, presentations and exams.

On completion of this course, you may progress to a related Higher National Diploma or Foundation Degree at the College or onto a Degree course. You may also progress to a wide range of employment opportunities in manufacturing, electronics, mechanical or production engineering.