Engineering BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate
Board: Pearson
About the subject
The BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate is for students seeking an A-level standard engineering qualification who wish to continue their education through applied learning and who aim to progress to higher education or apprenticeships and ultimately employment in the engineering sector.
Over 95% of universities (including Russell Group) and a wide range of employers highly value BTEC qualifications. A qualification in Engineering can lead to a variety of degree level courses in Engineering * including Mechanical engineering, Civil and Built the Environment, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Marine Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, System Engineering, Computer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and many other applied technical courses. *When combined with appropriate A-level subjects.
Student’s study 4 units, 3 mandatory and 1 optional unit. The units are designed to provide skills and knowledge of engineering processes, engineering science and applied engineering mathematics. Computer Aided Design is an integral part of advance industries within the field of engineering and hands-on skills are gained in the optional unit that cover CAD. The course provides a range of analytical skills that are combined with hand-on workshop knowledge to produce a full set engineering skill.
The BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate in Engineering is a single award and equivalent to 1 A-Level) The course is run over two years alongside 2 other subjects
Learning Styles
The course is delivered via a range of practical and theory-based sessions with an emphasis on the application of engineering principles.
Students produce written assignment reports, presentations and products that have been manufactured in the workshop.
Two units (unit 2 and unit 10) are internally assessed via 3 assignments in each unit. Units 1 and 3 are assessed externally via examinations.
Subject Combinations and Progression
The additional subjects chosen may include the following A-levels: Design and Technology, Mathematics, Electronics, Physics, Environmental Science, or any other level 3 courses that brings the total up to 3-A level equivalents.
Students can progress directly into work, apprenticeships or to a wide range of science-based degree level courses.
The BTEC in Engineering is comprised of 4 (single) units studied over 2 years.
Subject Modules and Assessment
Unit 1: Engineering Principles:
- A theory-based unit covering key concepts in mathematical methods, static engineering systems, dynamic engineering systems, fluid and thermodynamic engineering systems, static and direct current electricity and circuits, magnetism, electromagnetic induction, and single-phase alternating current
- 120 hours of study across 6 core areas
- Externally assessed: 2 hour exam sat in January of year 2
Unit 2: Delivery of Engineering Processes Safely as a Team:
- A practical based unit introducing students to common engineering processes, using 2D CAD to produce drawings that are used for manufacture and production activity using engineering processes safely
- 60 hours of study
- Internally assessed via 3 assessments
Unit 3: Engineering Product Design and Manufacture
- A practical based unit covering the stages of product redesign, selection of engineering materials, product manufacture. The design process from initial customer request to finial product delivery.
- 120 hours of study
- Externally assessed: 2hr case study notetaking and 5hrs exam.
Unit 10: Computer Aided Design in Engineering
- Practical based unit covering 3-D modelling of engineering products, 2-D detailed computer-aided drawing and 3-D Computer aided modelling of thin-walled sections.
- 60 hours of study.
- Internally assessed via 3 assignments
Minimum Subject Entry Requirement
2 x grade 4’s from three Single Award GCSE Sciences, or 2 x grade 4 from Double award GCSE Science + grade 5 in Math and English. Grade 5’s in GCSE Sciences and Maths are preferred.