Mechanical Engineering - Mansfield Higher National Diploma

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Level(s) of Study: Undergraduate
Start Date(s): April 2023 / September 2023; April 2024
Duration: 18 months part-time
Study Mode(s): Part-time (day)
Campus: NTU at Mansfield
Entry Requirements:
More information

Year of entry:

2023

2024

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Introduction:

Taught at NTU in Mansfield, we are providing access to alternative routes in higher education. We've built qualifications with the local job market in mind. Each of our higher education courses is relevant, hands-on and work focused.

This course is ideal if you are already working in engineering and want to progress in your career as well as those who want to work in the engineering sector. You'll get a broad knowledge through studying a wide range of engineering subjects to develop technical, communication and management skills needed by today's technical engineers.

As the level of automation in the Mansfield and Ashfield region grows, this course will align and work with the local industry to fulfill local demands and futureproof the workforce.

You'll study at our NTU in Mansfield University Hub, where you'll have access to fantastic buildings, and all of the tools and technology you need for studying on this course.
The course is delivered part-time for one day per week - enabling you to fit learning around your work and other commitments.
This course prepares you to progress to a range of roles in the engineering industry and the opportunity to continue your studies on a university degree course.

What you’ll study

The course is studied over 18 months part-time (one day per week).

You'll study the underpinning engineering theory and get to apply it through practical sessions in our engineering facilities. To develop your engineering skills you'll be applying your skills to real-world situations and problems, making you think and work like a professional engineer.

The modules will focus on relating theory to current engineering topics and issues. You'll explore developing and future technologies so you'll be at the forefront of what's happening in industry.

Research Project

You’ll deliver a complex and independent research project which meets the original objectives. Your conclusion will be based on considering multiple perspectives using your critical thinking and reasoning skills developed during your course.

Professional Engineering Management

Get an insight into how to develop the range of employability skills needed for professional engineers. You’ll learn about the professional standards expected of engineers and will cover topics such as services delivery planning, sustainability, Total Quality Management (TQM), engineering management tools and managing people.

Further Maths

In this module you’ll develop the skills to analyse and model engineering situations and tackle engineering problems using mathematical techniques. You’ll cover number theory, complex numbers, matrix theory, linear equations, numerical integration, numerical differentiation, and graphical representations of curves for estimation all within an engineering context.

Advanced Manufacturing Technology

You’ll learn how to analyse and evaluate the potential of using advanced manufacturing technologies to improve an organisation’s competitive advantage. Understanding of advanced manufacturing technologies, digitalisation and a range of advanced manufacturing technologies will also be developed.

Lean Manufacturing

Learn to become an effective and committed practitioner of lean manufacturing during this module. You’ll be introduced to the principles and processes of lean manufacturing and explore the tools and techniques that are applied by organisations practicing lean. Topics included are scoping and defining lean manufacturing, benefits and challenges of adopting Lean, The Toyota Production System (TPS) and process improvement.

Virtual Engineering

In this module you be introduced to the application of relevant Computer Aided Design (CAD) and analysis engineering tools in contemporary engineering. You’ll learn about standards, regulations and legal compliance within the context of engineering. Topics included are dimensioning and tolerances, regulatory compliance (BS, ASTM, ISO), material properties and selection, manufacturing processes, 2D, 3D, CAD and solid modelling.

Advanced Mechanical Principles

Develop your advanced knowledge of the mechanical theories associated with engineering applications. During this module you’ll look at Poisson’s Ratio and typical values of common materials; the relationship between the elastic constants; the relationship between bending moment, slope and deflection in beams; calculating the slope and deflection using Macaulay’s method; analysing stresses in thin-walled pressure vessels; and stresses in thick-walled cylinders and flat and v-section belt drive theory.

How you’re taught

The course is delivered one day per week part-time, enabling you to fit learning around your work and other commitments.

The course is predominantly coursework-based with some practical assessments and class tests.

Outside of timetabled sessions, you'll need to undertake self-directed independent study. This will include preparing for seminars, researching, completing coursework, and directed reading to expand your knowledge.

Seminars and lab sessions

You'll have seminars and lab sessions, where you'll apply theory learned to real-world situations. These sessions involve active learning and are driven by collaboration with your tutors and classmates. Due to the smaller class sizes, this approach enables individualised support to ensure you reach your learning potential.

Careers and employability

This course focuses on specialist technical skills and knowledge and provides you with a clear set of skills and goals for entering employment. Following this course, you can enter a wide range of engineering roles, including CAD / CAM Designer, Engineering Technician (Design of Rail Rolling Stock), Technical Engineer (Metal Packaging Production) and Design Engineer (Aerospace Connectors).

As this is a vocational course part-time students would typically already be working in industry. This course is suitable for applicants planning to progress to the first level of supervisory responsibility in their career.

Further study

Students who successfully complete the HNC Mechanical Engineering course will have the opportunity to progress onto HND Mechanical Engineering.

Employability team

Our expert Employability team will work closely with you at every stage of your career planning, providing personal support and advice. You can benefit from this service at any time during your studies and for up to three years after completing your course.

NTU Enterprise

You'll also have the opportunity to turn your ideas into a viable business with help from NTU Enterprise, NTU's purpose-built Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, a support centre to help students create, develop and grow their own businesses.

Campus and facilities

We are continually investing in our facilities and transforming our learning and teaching environment to create an inspiring and innovative atmosphere. Teaching will take place at the University Hub's £6.5 million University Centre, which is equipped with the latest facilities and state-of-the-art technology. Facilities include:

On-site Café
Teaching and Learning Centre
Library
Social spaces
Student support services
Dedicated study zones including PC suites

As an Engineering student at Nottingham Trent University in Mansfield, you will have access to a high-performance CAD suite, industry-standard robotics, hydraulics and pneumatics test equipment and electronics equipment.

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Entry requirements

Higher National Certificate in General Engineering or equivalent
GCSEs – English and Maths grade C / 4.

Other qualifications and experience

The following qualifications will also be considered:

Other related Level 4 qualifications
Relevant work experience, or an international equivalent to the above qualifications.

We may also consider credits achieved at other universities and your work/life experience through an assessment of prior learning. This may be for year one entry, or beyond the beginning of a course where applicable, for example, into year 2. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route.

Getting in touch

If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form

This course is not suitable for tier 4 visa applicants.

We accept qualifications from schools, colleges and universities all over the world for entry onto our undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. If you’re not sure how your international qualification matches our course requirements please visit our international qualifications page.

We have undergraduate Engineering courses which are suitable for tier 4 visa applicants. Here is a list of all the undergraduate courses we offer.

Fees and funding

2023 entry fees are:

Mode of study

Home (UK) tuition fee

Part-time (18 months)

£4,935 (year one)

£2,465 (year two)

Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there's no need to feel anxious and confused about it. Take a look at our fees and funding pages for lots of handy advice and guidance.

Getting in touch

For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.

Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494

How to apply

Please apply for this course directly with NTU through our Application Portal.

Keeping up to date

After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.

You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU on our Your Application page.