Engineering (Mechanical Design) HNC/FdEng

• Business and Project Management: In this unit you will develop a working knowledge and understanding of the application of project management principles relevant to the control of projects and a working understanding of the processes. You will explore the principles of business structures, business management and business finance. You will be able to analyse business plans from both the financial and operational perspectives.
• Computer Aided Engineering: This unit will provide you with an appreciation of the importance of computer aided systems, applications and techniques to modern industry and to install a level of competence in the use of such.
• Project: In this unit you will undertake a sizeable project, at an appropriate level, in Engineering Design or Manufacturing Management. This will provide an outlet in the programme at which design, technology, organisation, management and communication skills, and the ability to apply engineering principles and analysis to solving real life industrial problems, are integrated and developed together.
• Analytical Methods for Design: You will develop a knowledge and understanding of mathematical fundamentals,models and processes and their application to a range of engineering principles and processes. This unit will provide a sound mathematical foundation for the relevant topics in the following years and for further progression.
• Mechanical Design Principles: In this unit you will explore the application of a range of mechanical engineering principles relevant to the design of components, structures and machines. This unit will provide a working understanding of materials science, engineering and processing necessary for the intelligent selection and specification of suitable materials and processes for engineering design.
• Design Principles: This unit will provide an integrated approach to design through an understanding of process, organisation and techniques and an ability to communicate design ideas through sketches and formal engineering drawings.

You will gain the essential knowledge required for to produce designs fit for manufacture, enabling you to understand and specify the most economical methods and processes of manufacture required for each design.

• The Engineering Professional: The aim of this unit is to understand the requirements for Membership of a professional institution such as IED or IET and the requirements for registration as a Technician or Incorporated Engineer and to initiate a programme for lifelong learning and continuous professional development towards these ends.
• Work-based Unit: The work based unit aims to facilitate the professional development in terms of transferable skills, technical ability, motivation and maturity. It further aims to instil in the student the importance of keeping a record of CPD.
• Major Project: This unit, undertaken over at least one academic year, will allow you to specialise and undertake a sizeable project in Manufacturing Management. This individual project is student and company led and does not have a common theme. It provides you with an opportunity to focus on your chosen area of specialisation and to make a major contribution either to a company’s business or to develop a new product from scratch.
• Design Applications: During this unit you will extend your existing design expertise and apply this to typical industrial project scenarios.
• Mechanical Design Applications: You will develop further working knowledge, understanding and application of an increased range of mechanical engineering principles relevant to the design of components, structures and machines.

​Programme specifications provide definitive records of the university’s taught degrees in line with quality assurance agency requirements. Every taught course leading to a BU Award has a programme specification which describes its aims, structure, content and learning outcomes; plus the teaching, learning and assessment methods used.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the programme specification, the information is liable to change to take advantage of exciting new approaches to teaching and learning as well as developments in industry. If you have been unable to locate the programme specification for the course you are interested in, it will be available as soon as the latest version is ready. Alternatively please contact our Partner Institution for assistance.

Accreditation will be sought from the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED) and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) to meet, in part, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng) in 2025.

The part-time course is delivered at our Partner Institution, Bournemouth & Poole College so you will need to apply direct to them via their website. 

We select candidates for this course by looking at your application; there are usually no interviews or selection activities needed. For that reason, make sure your application really stands out from the crowd, and leave us in no doubt as to why you should be joining BU. You can find some handy hints about filling in your UCAS form on our how to apply web pages.

If there’s anything in here that isn’t clear, or we don’t answer your questions, get in touch with our partner institution, Bournemouth & Poole college. 

Transferring credits from existing qualifications

If you want us to take existing qualifications or relevant work experience into account to be granted an exemption from studying individual units or levels, then you should contact Bournemouth & Poole College.

Transferring students from other university courses

If you wish to transfer from another university course that you are currently studying please contact the college in the first instance to discuss your suitability for your chosen BU course.

Mature applicants

We welcome applications from mature applicants. That’s why we can take your work experience and existing qualifications into account when assessing your application. We really value the ways in which mature students can contribute to our academic community and we offer plenty of support to help you get back into the studying routine if you have been away for a while.

We look at individual applications and make a tailored offer based on your potential to succeed on the course considering a range of factors, including your academic achievements, work and other experience, reference and personal statement.

Our offer-making will typically be based on your most recent qualifications, including any required subjects where applicable. We'll consider all qualifications when assessing your application, although these may not be part of our offer.

If you do not meet the criteria of your original offer, we may still offer you a place. We will review your whole application and consider all academic qualifications (including those not in the offer) to see if you have the academic potential to succeed on the course. If we feel the answer is yes, we will confirm your place.

HNC: One A Level at grade C in a required subject or equivalent AVCE or National Diploma / Certificate (or equivalent UK or overseas qualifications)

FdEng: 120 Level C credits from an HNC in a required subject. Normally at least 40 credits should be at Merit or above and 20 of these credits should be from a mathematical analytical unit.

You can find details of the international qualifications we accept, and what level of study they apply to, on our entry requirements for non-UK students’ page.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence that you can understand English to a satisfactory level. English language requirements for this course are normally:

• IELTS (Academic) 6.0 with 5.5 in each component or equivalent. View further information about our English language requirements.

View further information about our English language requirements.

If you do not meet the English language requirement for your degree then why not join our Pre-Sessional English course. Successful completion of our Pre-Sessional English course will meet your English language requirement.

For full details of entry requirements for the HNC or FdEng, including English Language requirements where appropriate, please contact the college.

Once you have completed your course, you can move on to a top-up degree or the final year of an undergraduate honours degree to achieve the next level of qualification.

Graduates may apply to progress onto the final year of an honours degree or top-up degree at Bournemouth University, at a BU partner college or another institution, subject to a suitable course being offered, places being available and applicants obtaining the University's required entry criteria.

For entry onto a Bournemouth University top-up degree, you will be assessed on your overall mark (there may be a minimum requirement), your performance on the foundation degree and where appropriate an interview with the programme coordinator.

Students who have successfully completed the FdEng Engineering (Mechanical Design) programme at Bournemouth and Poole College with a minimum classification of Merit will be:

• automatically accepted for entry with advanced standing to Level 6 of the BEng (Hons) Engineering or MEng (Hons) Engineering programmes at Bournemouth University and credited with 120 credits at Level 4 and 120 credits at Level 5.

• eligible to apply for entry with advanced standing to the Level 6 of the MEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering or BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering (Full-time) programme at Bournemouth University and credited with 120 credits at Level 4 and 120 credits at Level 5.

In order to take advantage of exciting new approaches to learning and teaching, as well as developments in industry, the current approved internal progression routes for these programmes may be subject to change. Where this happens, students will be informed and supported by the college/university as early as possible.