This document provides an overview of the HNC in Production Engineering program offered by Bridgwater College in partnership with Edexcel. The 2-year, part-time program aims to equip students with skills relevant to engineering careers through courses in areas like CAD, PLCs, and manufacturing. Students complete assignments and practical projects to develop technical skills and gain experience using industry-standard equipment. The program provides pathways to employment in production, manufacturing, and other engineering roles or further academic study.

1. Programme Specification
HNC in Production Engineering
1. Key Programme Facts
Awarding Body Edexcel
Teaching Institution Bridgwater College
Curriculum Area Engineering
Accreditation by Professional Body Edexcel
UCAS Code N/A
College Course Code RE118
Mode(s) of Study available and
programme duration
Part Time – 2 years
Level and Total Credits Awarded Level 4, 120 Credits ‐ Higher National Certificate (HNC)
Credit Structure 75 Credits at Level 4
80 Credits at Level 5
Delivery location Bridgwater Centre
Language of Study English
Relevant Subject Benchmark
Statement(s)
Engineering, 2010
Final Award for Certification HNC in Manufacturing Engineering
(Production certificated by Bridgwater College)
External Reference Points UK Quality Code for Higher Education
Edexcel Programme Specification for Higher Nationals in
General Engineering
Date of approval of this
specification
August 2013
Date review due 2016/17
2. Purpose of this Programme Specification
This document is relevant for prospective students, enrolled students, employers, teaching teams, internal
college reviewers and external reviewers.
The programme specification is an overview to the programme as a whole. It explains how the programme
will be taught, assessed and the skills and competencies the student will be able to demonstrate if they take
full advantage of the learning opportunities provided.

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Role of the Awarding Body
Edexcel is the awarding body and as such have overall responsibility for the quality and standards of the
programme. Bridgwater College is approved to manage and deliver the programme within Edexcel’s quality
framework and Edexcel accredits the successful student with their final award.
3. Aims of the Programme
Bridgwater College has developed this programme to equip graduates with the skills to meet the needs and
expectations of the local/regional/national industry.
The programme aims to:
 provide a vocationally relevant programme that enables students to obtain a nationally recognised
qualification in Engineering
 equip graduates with a range of transferable skills, together with underpinning knowledge, to
prepare them for employment for further academic progression
 provide opportunities for students to develop their interpersonal skills
 be accessible and supportive
4. Distinctive Features of the Programme
This programme has the following distinctive features:
 Industry standard equipment and software.
 An industrially experienced teaching team
 Close links with local engineering companies
The College has recently made substantial investments in Robotic, PLC, CNC, CAD and Process Control
Technology and opened a brand new state of the art Engineering facility in January 2011.
5. Entry Requirements
You will require a full Level 3 qualification in a relevant subject and at least 4 GCSEs at grades A*‐C
including Maths and English or Level 2 equivalent.
Mature applicants with relevant experience who do not have the stated entry requirements are
encouraged to apply.
6. Intended Programme Learning Outcomes
You will develop skills in 3D CAD and solid‐modelling and appreciate the interface between CAD and CAM
technologies using our industry standard CAD and CAM packages (Solidworks & EdgeCam), and CNC lathes
and mills. Your studies will be complemented by theoretical subjects analysing the efficiency of the industry
and ways to manage this.

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Typically holders of the qualification will have demonstrated these characteristics or be able to do the
following:
Level 4
A) Knowledge
 Scientific and theoretical specifications of engineering systems.
 The application of the design process to engineering systems.
 The use and relevance of appropriate software for the engineering industry.
 The importance of relevant business, ethics and the environment.
 The selection of materials and manufacturing processes appropriate to the engineering
environment.
B) Understanding and skills
 Apply analytical techniques to the solution of problems.
 Build a holistic approach to solving problems, by applying judgement to criteria including risk,
cost, safety and the environment.
 Develop an awareness of the effects upon society of technological developments and develop
a proper sense of professional conduct in relation to society’s use of technology in the
engineering / nuclear environment.
 Develop critical skills with regard to literature searching, appraising and evaluating from a
variety of sources and synthesising the results.
 Plan, execute and report on laboratory experiments, workshop practices and/or projects.
 Use various problem‐solving techniques to develop innovative solutions.
C) Other attributes
 Communicate effectively in writing, speaking and in other appropriate forms of presentation.
 Read, interpret and understand documents and be conscious of security issues related to
complex products and systems.
 Use information technology to handle data, simulations and communications and to assist
with design and testing.
 Manipulate data and perform calculations appropriate to engineering/operational situations in
both simulation and practice.
 Work as an effective team member to achieve agreed goals within a predefined hierarchical
framework.
 Assess problem domains and formulate appropriate problem solving strategies in critical
situations.

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7. Programme Structure
Lecture
Seminar
Tutorial
Project Supervision
Demonstration
Practical
classes/workshops
Supervised time in
workshop/studio
Fieldwork
External Visits
Work Based Learning
Total
Hours
%
Hours %
1 Analytical Methods for Engineers A/601/1401 4 15 Core 60 60 40% 90 60% 150 100
24 Applications of Pneumatics and Hydraulics J60111496 4 15 Core 45 45 30% 105 70% 150 100
19 Computer Aided Design and Manufacture M/601/1556 5 15 Core 20 3 22 45 30% 105 70% 150 100
22 Programmable Logic Controllers A/601/1625 4 15 Core 45 45 30% 105 70% 150 100
60 Total 170 0 0 0 0 3 22 0 0 0 195 33% 405 68% 600
Lecture
Seminar
Tutorial
Project Supervision
Demonstration
Practical classes/workshops
Supervised time in
workshop/studio
Fieldwork
External Visits
Work Based Learning
Total
Hours
%
Hours %
2 Engineering Science L/601/1404 4 15 Core 60 60 40% 90 60% 150 100
3 Project Design, Implementation and Evaluation L/601/0995 5 20 Core 20 5 20 45 23% 155 78% 200 100
8 Engineering Design M/601/1475 5 15 Core 45 45 30% 105 70% 150 100
17 Business Improvement Techniques Y/601/1535 5 15 Core 45 45 30% 105 70% 150 100
9 Manufacturing, Planning and Scheduling PrincipA/601/1480 9 15 Core 45 45 30% 105 70% 150 100
80 Total 215 0 0 5 0 0 20 0 0 0 240 30% 560 70% 800
Credit
Value
Core/
Optional
Teaching & Learning Methods Summary Assessment Methods Summary
Edexcel
Unit Code Level
Year Two
Scheduled Activities Independent
Total
Hours % Coursework
% Practical skills/
Oral assessmentUnit Number Unit Name
Scheduled Activities
(hours per unit)
Independent
Guided Study
Total
Hours % Coursework
% Practical skills/
Oral assessment
Teaching & Learning Methods Summary Assessment Methods Summary
Level
Credit
Value
Core/Optional
Year One
Unit
Number Unit Name
Edexcel
Unit Code

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8. Teaching and Learning Methods
Learning will be based around taught lecture sessions combined with experimental procedure where
appropriate.
9. Assessment Methods
Learners are required to complete a variety of assignments for each of their course elements. Assignment
work comprises a mixture of practical design/workshop activities and written/research tasks. Guidance is
provided as to how different levels of attainment can be achieved.
Assessment Regulations are available via Blackboard (you will require a log in to access).
10. Learning Support
Support is available as needed at every level of study. Every student will receive time for structured tutorial
support to assist with their academic progress at programme level. There is a dedicated HE specialist in the
Learning Resource Centre who can assist with any HE related enquiries. Other types of support are
accessible via the Student Services team as needed on an individual basis.
11. Academic progression
Graduates from this programme can progress onto a variety of engineering courses at university. The entry
point on to university courses is dependent on the institute and/or course applied for.
12. Employability
This qualification will equip you with the knowledge, skills and understanding as detailed in Section 6. You
can apply this skillset and experiences gained through the study of this qualification to confidently apply for
employment in the engineering sector. You can look for work in a broad range of engineering occupations
in engineering systems, design and manufacturing or maintenance, working as a technician, engineer or
project leader in industry.
Most graduates from this programme are successfully employed in the following areas:
 Production: a large proportion of household equipment is developed from production processes
 Manufacturing: spanning from components to packaging, design and control
The production pathway is a brilliant stepping stone for graduates into the business side of engineering,
providing students with an understanding of how employers operate within the industry and manage their
workforce for maximum efficiency.
13. Indicators of Quality and Standards
QAA review
External Examining and reports
Self Evaluation

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Self Assessment Monitoring
Student feedback