University of Portsmouth
Mechanical Engineering HNC
University of Portsmouth

Key Course Facts

Salary

Salary of all UK Graduates of

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £22481 £20177 £23660
25-75 percentile range £20119 - £25653 £15142 - £24804 £17699 - £30158
Source: Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) by UK Department for Education Dec 20, 2022
All courses in the UK

Course Description

Overview

Working in engineering or a related industry and want to develop your knowledge and skills to take on roles as ambitious as you are?

On this HNC Mechanical Engineering 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 spend 1 day a week on day release from your job at the Centre of Excellence for Composites, Advanced Manufacturing and Marine (CECAMM) at the Isle of Wight College. This brand new, £12 million facility, is packed with the latest tools, equipment and resources. You'll learn from experts, and apply what you learn to your job.

When you finish the course, you'll have new skills, knowledge and professional experience, backed up by a Higher National Certificate that could help you land your dream job or progress in your career. You could also continue your studies, for example, by topping up your HNC to an HND.

What you'll experience

On this course, you'll:

  • Develop the skills and knowledge you need to excel in business
  • Learn from experienced tutors, lecturers and business leaders
  • Build knowledge in subjects such as marketing, business finance, business law, data management, business strategy, organisational theories and human resource management
  • Work on a research project and put your knowledge into practice to demonstrate what you’ve learned

Careers and opportunities

Our Careers and Employability service can help you with career planning and you'll get access industry contacts, careers events and recruitment fairs during the course.

After you finish the course, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years from our Careers and Employability service as you advance in your career.

****You'll be assessed through:**** - observation - presentations - a portfolio - reports - exams - reflective accounts

Entry Requirements / Admissions

Minimum Required UCAS Tariff

48 points to include a minimum of 1 A level, a BTEC qualification, or equivalent, in a relevant engineering discipline. Other qualifications such as Vocational A levels (AVCE) and Access courses will also be considered. Exceptionally, equivalent professional experience will be considered.

Source: UCAS Dec 4, 2023

Qualification requirements

Including a relevant subject/science @ C or above (80 UCAS tariff points)

M in T Level Health, Healthcare Science, or Science.

D*D in the BTEC Level 3 Diploma plus grade A in A-level mathematics. or DD in the BTEC Level 3 Diploma plus grade A* in A-level mathematics. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. We do not accept the BTEC Extended Diploma without A-level maths. Applicants with a BTEC Extended Diploma should apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics/Geophysics Foundation Year.

Access to HE Diploma

Including one in a relevant subject/science (80 UCAS tariff points)

A minimum of DDM with the main subjects being Science or Maths. Also required: GCSE at C or above in English or English Language, Mathematics and in either Chemistry, or Physics or Dual Award Science.

Grade combinations between 112 - 128 points considered when combined with other Level 3 qualifications including AS and Extended Project to achieve 112 - 128 points. (Subject grades achieved at AS level and then taken at A2 do not count).

31-30 overall or 665-655 in 3 HL subjects.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Including one in a relevant subject/science (90 UCAS tariff points)

In a relevant subject/science (112 UCAS tariff points)

The Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted in lieu of one A Level at the A Level grades specified, excluding any subject specific requirements.

Source: UCAS Dec 4, 2023

English language requirements

test Grade Additional Details
IELTS (Academic) 6

English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
PTE Academic 54

An overall score of 54 with a minimum of 51 in each skill.
TOEFL (iBT) 79

79 with a minimum of 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing.
Cambridge English Advanced

Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162.
Cambridge English Proficiency

Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162.
Trinity ISE

Trinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III with a Pass in all 4 components
Source: UCAS Dec 4, 2023

This course is available to EU and International applicants who do not require a Student Route Visa
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Mechanical Engineering, HNC, if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

Source: Own research based on surveys and university data

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2025

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Possible Entry Points:

  • year 1 (Default entry point)

University Rankings

Positions of University of Portsmouth in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of University of Portsmouth in related subject specific rankings.

Engineering

    • #37 
    • #877 
    Engineering
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #30 
    • #39 
    Mechanical Engineering
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]

See all 31 university rankings of University of Portsmouth

About University of Portsmouth

The University of Portsmouth is located on the United Kingdom’s only island city, Portsmouth. This public university, which was previously known as Portsmouth Polytechnic, forms part of the University Alliance, an organisation whose aim is to promote growth and innovation in the UK by putting an emphasis on links with business and industry.

List of 234 Bachelor and Master Courses from University of Portsmouth - Course Catalogue

Student composition of University of Portsmouth

Total number of students enrolled at University of Portsmouth by level Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
undergraduates:
18085
postgraduates:
5005
Total:
23090
Source: Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
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Where is this programme taught

Isle of Wight College - CECAMM Centre
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