BTEC Level 3 in Engineering

This qualification is designed for learners aged 16-19 years old wanting to specialise in the engineering sector. It will enable them to undertake further study in engineering or to proceed into engineering-related apprenticeships or employment.

Studied over two years, the BTEC Level 3 National in Engineering provides you with an exciting opportunity to create engineered products using industrial production processes, technologies and practice that will give you a comprehensive overview of the skills required to be successful working in the engineering sector. The course provides you with practical skills that transfer into the workplace, with units supported by key partners such as Rolls Royce, Lavender International and Sheffield Hallam University. Unit choices cover a range of design, manufacturing and electrical tasks in order to develop your skills across the engineering sector. You will be working in specialist workshops equipped with cutting, casting and CAD/CAM machinery. You will learn how to use them independently to complete controlled assessment units.

Units of Study

All Students on the Foundation Diploma and the Diploma pathways will complete the following mandatory units:

Unit 1: ENGINEERING PRINCIPLES

There is an increasing demand for ‘multi-skilled’ engineers who can apply principles from several engineering disciplines to develop solutions.

This unit will develop your mathematical and physical scientific knowledge and understanding to enable you to solve problems set in an engineering context. You will explore and apply the algebraic and trigonometric mathematical methods required to solve engineering problems. The mechanical problems you will encounter cover static, dynamic and fluid systems.

The electrical and electronic problems you will encounter cover static and direct current (DC) electricity, DC circuit theory and networks, magnetism, and single-phase alternating current theory. You may apply these engineering principles to solve problems involving more than one of these topic areas.

This unit is externally assessed. It sits at the heart of the qualification and gives you a foundation to support you in any engineering technician role, an engineering apprenticeship or in higher education.

UNIT 2: DELIVERY OF ENGINEERING PROCESSES SAFELY AS A TEAM

In this unit, you will examine common engineering processes, including health and safety legislation, regulations that apply to these processes and how individual and team performance can be affected by human factors. You will learn the principles of another important process, engineering drawing, and develop two-dimensional (2D) computer-aided drawing skills while producing orthographic projections and circuit diagrams. Finally, you will work as a team member and team leader to apply a range of practical engineering processes to manufacture a batch of an engineered product or to safely deliver a batch of an engineering service. To complete the assessment task within this unit, you will need to draw on your learning from across your programme.

UNIT 3: ENGINEERING PRODUCT DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE

In this unit, you will examine what triggers changes in the design of engineering products and the typical challenges that engineers face, such as designing out safety risks. You will learn how material properties and manufacturing processes impact on the design of an engineering product. Finally, you will use an iterative process to develop a design for an engineering product by interpreting a brief, producing initial ideas and then communicating and justifying your suggested solution.

This unit is externally assessed by a set task of 60 marks provided by Pearson and completed under supervised conditions. Part A is given to learners one week before Part B is scheduled,

UNIT 4: APPLIED COMMERCIAL AND QUALITY PRINCIPLES IN ENGINEERING

In this unit, you will explore how key business activities and trade considerations influence engineering organisations and are used to create a competitive advantage. You will understand why organisations need to control costs and how they make decisions, applying an activity-based costing methodology. You will also understand what is meant by quality and why it means different things to different people; you will investigate quality systems, including quality assurance and control. Finally, you will explore value management as a process to create value in an organisation.

Students opting for the Diploma will additionally study the following Mandatory unit.

UNIT 5: A SPECIALIST ENGINEERING PROJECT

Project management, and understanding the project life cycle, is a fundamental part of all engineering disciplines, from aerospace and computing – which may involve the development of new products and services – to the manufacturing sector, which may involve refurbishing or installing equipment.

In this unit you will understand and apply one project-management approach over the life cycle of a project to solve an engineering-based problem on a given theme or idea. This will involve you researching an engineering-based problem and using your creative skills to generate a range of solutions to the problem. You will produce a feasibility study to select the most appropriate solution given the known constraints.

You will apply project-management principles to undertake a 30-hour individual project and will produce a product, system or process relevant to your specialist area of study.

The remaining units of study will be made up with a combination of the following:

(3 units for the Foundation Diploma or 5 units for the Diploma)

Unit 7: Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems

Unit 8: Further Engineering Mathematics

Unit 10: Computer Aided Design in Engineering

Unit 12: Pneumatic and Hydraulic Systems

Unit 19: Electronic Devices and Circuits

Unit 22: Electronic Printed Circuit Board Design and Manufacture

Unit 24: Maintenance of Mechanical Systems

Unit 30: Mechanical Measurement and Inspection Technology

Unit 40: Computer Aided Manufacturing and Planning

Unit 41: Manufacturing Secondary Machining Processes

All these units are Internal Assessment

Two examinations - Unit 1 and Unit 3, with the remainng assessments being courework.

Internal assessments are coursework assignments.

5 GCSE's grade 4 and above (Maths, English & Science).

A BTEC in Engineering can lead to a degree at university, progression to a Higher National Diploma (HND) or Higher National Certificate (HNC), employment in technical and entry-level engineering roles, or advanced apprenticeships. The broad and practical nature of the course prepares you for diverse pathways, such as becoming a mechanical or electrical engineer, engineering technician, or service engineer.

Career Opportunities

Upon completion, learners are equipped for both entry-level roles and higher education. Possible job titles include:

Engineering Technician

Design Engineer (CAD)

Maintenance Technician

Electrical Technician

Fabricator/Welder

Quality Assurance Assistant

Aerospace Engineering Assistant

CNC Operator

Control and Instrumentation Technician

Progression to University

The BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering is accepted by most UK universities, including those within the Russell Group.

Degree Options Include:

BEng Mechanical Engineering

BEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering

BSc Engineering Design

BEng Civil Engineering

BSc Aerospace Technology

BSc Robotics and Automation

BSc Mechatronics Engineering

Some universities may require A-level Mathematics alongside the BTEC, particularly for more theoretical or competitive courses.

Apprenticeship Routes

This diploma also qualifies students for a range of advanced and higher apprenticeships, including:

Engineering Technician Apprenticeship

Aerospace Engineering Apprenticeship

Degree Apprenticeship in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering

Nuclear Engineering Apprenticeship

Automotive Engineering Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships allow you to earn while you learn and gain practical experience with recognised engineering firms.