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Key Details

Course Area:

Engineering

Student Type:

Higher Education

Course Type:

Full-time HE course

Start Date:

Monday 22nd September 2025

Duration:

1 year

Location:

Highfields Jesse Boot Avenue, Nottingham, NG7 2RU

Fees:

£8,250.00

Course code:

C054655 / Q054656

UCAS Code:

MAN1

Institution Code:

N30

Course Introduction

This course is designed to educate future engineers with greater flexibility and technical capability by exploring the integrated nature of manufacturing and mechanical engineering.

It is intended for students who have completed studies at an advanced level, or who have more varied experience and wish to pursue a career in engineering and manufacturing. The course contains significant project-based learning including laboratory investigations, design work, projects, case studies and tutorials.

The course aims to:

  • Develop skills in manufacturing and mechanical engineering
  • Encourage students to develop solutions to manufacturing and mechanical problems
  • Establish employability skills and develop a multi-tasking and multi-skills approach

Knowledge of manufacturing engineering and systems is developed by:

  • Understanding the general engineering industry and related work placements
  • Examining historical, theoretical and ethical positions in response to engineering design
  • Considering the relationship between traditional skills and developing technologies
  • Being aware of the creative process of engineering design
  • Understanding the behaviour of materials subjected to complex loading systems
  • Determining the dynamic parameters of power transmission system elements and rotating systems

Practical skills essential for the Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineer include production methods technical aptitude, pre-planning and production organisation and presentational skills.

HNC Core units:

  • Engineering Design
  • Engineering Maths
  • Managing a Professional Engineering Project

HNC Specialist units:

  • Computer Aided Design and Manufacture (CAD/CAM)
  • Industry 4.0
  • Industrial Robots
  • Production Engineering for Manufacture
  • Quality and Process Improvement

You can view the full Course Specification here.

Nottingham College is proud to have been awarded the Teaching Excellence Framework Bronze Award for high quality student experience and outcomes. You can read more about this on the Office for Students website.

Course Information

Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Manufacturing Engineering for England (HTQ)

Level 4

You’ll need a minimum of 48 UCAS points from:

  • At least two A Levels at A2
  • BTEC Diploma or Extended Diploma
  • International Baccalaureate
  • Access to HE Diploma
  • T levels

Other combinations of qualifications and experience will also be considered, as will Level 3 qualifications not currently listed on the UCAS tariff.

We expect students to be working at (or to demonstrate competency at) Level 2 or above in English/literacy and maths/numeracy.

Mature applicants with relevant professional experience and/or qualifications are welcome to apply.

Coursework is continually assessed through a variety of individual and group assignments, such as practical activities, written reports and presentations.

The Level 4 HNC with HTQ status is widely-recognised in its own right and provides students with the skills required for employment in a broad range of industries with either a managerial or technical bias.

After successfully completing the Higher National Certificate, you could top-up your qualification to the Level 5 Higher National Diploma with HTQ status here at Nottingham College, or progress to a degree at a wide range of higher education providers.

Alternatively, you could pursue a career in research and development, design, technical sales and production.

What are HTQs?

Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) are new or redesigned Level 4 and 5 qualifications (such as HNCs and HNDs) that have been approved against occupational standards in their sector. These qualifications have been developed by UK awarding bodies, working with employers and businesses to make sure that students get the specific training, knowledge and skills they need for their chosen career.

Related Courses

HNC Electrical and Electronic Engineering for England (HTQ) (Level 4) - Full-time

HNC Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Level 4) - Part-time

HNC Manufacturing Engineering (Level 4) - Part-time