Key information
UCAS code:
H100
Typical offer:
48 UCAS points to include a minimum of 1 A level, a BTEC qualification, or equivalent, in a relevant engineering discipline
Showing content for section Overview
Overview
If you want to get ahead in your engineering career, our HND in General Engineering can help you realise your ambition.
On this course, you'll get to grips with the fundamentals of engineering sciences and management, and learn how you can apply your skills to the industries you want to work in. You'll learn from experts, and apply what you learn to your job if you're already in an engineering role.
When you finish the course, you'll have new skills, knowledge and professional experience, backed up by a Higher National Diploma that could help you land your dream job, or progress in your career. You could also continue your studies by topping up your HND to a Bachelor's degree in engineering.
Isle of Wight College – CECAMM
This course takes place at the Isle of Wight College's Centre of Excellence for Composites, Advanced Manufacturing and Marine (CECAMM).
While studying at CECAMM, you can access our student support services and community including study support, the Students' Union, and our library's online resources.
Course highlights
- Attend the brand-new £12 million Centre of Excellence for Composites, Advanced Manufacturing and Marine (CECAMM) at the Isle of Wight College
- Study topics that support your interests and career ambitions
- Learn from experts in seminars, lectures, and group sessions
- Put what you learn to work in your job straight away, if you're already in employment
- Get the option to continue your studies, and top-up your HND to a Bachelor's degree after the course
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsClearing is open
This course is available through Clearing.
Discover how Clearing works
Clearing 2024 opens on 5 July and closes on 21 October
Every year thousands of students find their ideal undergraduate course through Clearing. Clearing matches students who are looking for a different course or university from their original choice, or who are applying for the very first time after 30 June, to courses that universities still have places on.
The majority of people apply through Clearing once they receive their exam results on A level / T level results day (15 August 2024).
You can apply through Clearing if:
- You don't meet the conditions of your offer for your firm (first) or insurance (second) choice courses
- Your exam results are better than you expected and you want to change your course or university
- You don't hold any offers
- You've accepted an offer but changed your mind about the course you want to do
- You're applying for the first time after 30 June 2024
Yes, we welcome Clearing applications from international students and you can apply in exactly the same way as UK students do.
The majority of UK students apply through Clearing once they receive their A level / T level results in August 2024, so as an international student if you already have your exam results you can apply when Clearing opens.
Make sure that you have time to get your visa, funding, and English language certification sorted out before the beginning of term.
If you would like further information or guidance, please contact our international office for advice.
The entry requirements for courses can change in Clearing but if you want an idea of what grades we usually accept, take a look at our undergraduate course pages.
Even if you don't quite meet the entry requirements, we'd still encourage you to apply as you could still get a place.
Yes, our four career-focused undergraduate courses at our growing London campus are available to apply for through Clearing.
Entry requirements
HND General Engineering entry requirements
Typical offers
- UCAS points – 48 points to include a minimum of 1 A level, a BTEC qualification, or equivalent, in a relevant engineering discipline (calculate your UCAS points)
- Other qualifications such as Vocational A levels (AVCE) and Access courses will also be considered
- Exceptionally, equivalent professional experience will be considered
- A levels – EEE
- T-levels – Pass (D or E in the core)
- BTECs (Extended Diplomas) – PPP
Selection process
All shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview in support of their application.
You may need to have studied specific subjects – find full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept at UCAS.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
See alternative English language qualifications
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
We look at more than just your grades
While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.
Careers and opportunities
Engineering is a career that offers higher than average starting salaries, and a variety of routes to put your engineering knowledge to work in, from oil and automotive industries to food and design.
When you graduate from this course, you'll have the skills and experience demanded by the sector.
What jobs can you do with a General Engineering HND?
Roles you could go into could include:
- Aerospace engineer
- Biomedical engineer
- Engineering geologist
- Manufacturing engineer
- Marine engineer
- Mechanical engineer
- Technical brewer
- Water engineer
If you want to continue your studies, you can top up your HND to a Bachelor's degree by joining the final year of an Engineering BEng.
Ongoing career support – up to 5 years after you graduate
Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.
Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.
Modules
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.
In each year, you need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits. For example, four modules worth 20 credits and one module worth 40 credits.
What you'll study
Core modules in this year include:
- Advanced Mathematics for Engineering – 15 credits
- Engineering Management – 15 credits
- Manufacturing Technology – 15 credits
- Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics – 15 credits
Core modules in this year include:
- Manufacturing Systems – 15 credits
- Quality and Business Improvement Techniques – 15 credits
- Research Project – 30 credits
There are no optional modules in this course.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Teaching
Teaching on this course includes:
- lectures
- workshops
- seminars
- group sessions
- presentations
- discussions
- research
- presentations
- elearning
- tutorials
You'll also need to do around 120 hours of self-directed learning for each module.
How you're assessed
You'll be assessed through:
- observation
- presentations
- a portfolio
- reports
- exams
- reflective accounts
How you'll spend your time
You'll learn at the Isle of Wight College's Centre of Excellence for Composites, Advanced Manufacturing and Marine (CECAMM).
If you already work in an engineering role, you'll also do work-based learning as practical activities, working with colleagues to apply what you've learnt in the classroom to your job.
Term dates
Each academic year is divided into 2 teaching blocks, which both include an assessment period:
- September–January
- January–May
Supporting you
The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
During term time, Faculty Academic Skills Tutors (AST) are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions and online sessions. These sessions are tailored to your needs.
Support is available for skills including:
- University study
- Getting into the right study mindset
- Note-taking and note-making skills
- Referencing
- Presentation skills
- Time management, planning, and goal setting
- Critical thinking
- Avoiding plagiarism
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
Costs and funding
Tuition fees
UK, Channel Islands, and Isle of Man students
- Full time: £6,165
- Part time: £4,040
EU students
- Full time: £6,165
- Part time: £4,040
International students
- Full time: £19,200
- Part time: £9,600
This course is available to International applicants who do not require a Student Route Visa.
Additional costs
These course-related costs aren't included in the tuition fees. So you'll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £100 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Contact our Housing Support Team if you need help and advice about accommodation.
- Telephone: +44 (0)23 9284 3214
- Email: student.housing@port.ac.uk
Apply
How to apply
To start this course in 2025, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – H100
- our institution code – P80
Apply now via UCAS (Isle of Wight College)
You can also apply directly using our online application form. Our courses fill up quickly, so submit your application as soon as you decide which course you want to study.
More information
You can also sign up to an Open Day to:
- Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
- Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
- Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.