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16-18 Courses, 16-18: Vocational

Engineering (Level 3 Extended Diploma)

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Course Overview

Entry requirements

Minimum average point score: 3.50, Grade 4 English Language GCSE, Grade 4 Maths GCSE

Course information

The BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in Engineering (often called the 90-credit Diploma) is a one-year, full-time course equivalent to 1.5 A Levels. It offers applied learning across mechanical, electrical and general engineering, showing how scientific principles and practical skills combine to produce safe, effective products and systems.

The course also builds a strong mathematical foundation to support further study. This qualification is commonly taken as Year 1 of the two-year BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering. After successfully completing the Foundation Diploma, students typically progress to the Extended Diploma in Year 2, which brings the total to an award equivalent to 3 A Levels.

The programme supports progression to higher education, engineering apprenticeships, or entry-level roles in the sector, providing both the technical knowledge and practical experience employers and universities value.

Key topics

  • Engineering Principles. Students apply mathematical and physical science principles to solve electrical, electronic and mechanical-based engineering problems
  • Delivery of Engineering Processes Safely as a Team. Students explore how processes are undertaken by teams to create engineered products or to deliver engineering services safely
  • Engineering Product Design and Manufacture. Students will explore engineering product design and manufacturing processes and will complete activities that consider function, sustainability, materials, form and other factors
  • Applied Commercial and Quality Principles in Engineering. Students explore commercial engineering, for example key business activities, cost control, quality systems and value management, which is used by engineering organisations to create value
  • Work Experience in the Engineering Sector. Students explore the benefits of work experience. They carry out and reflect on a period of work experience and plan for their personal and professional development
  • Computer Aided Design in Engineering. Students develop two-dimensional (2D) detailed drawings and three-dimensional (3D) models using a computer-aided design (CAD) system

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What Can This Course Lead To

Progress to university, further study or employment.

Successful completion of this one-year course can lead to the study of the Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Engineering, for a second year. The course develops a wide range of transferable skills such as problem-solving, team working, understanding technical information, critical thinking and gaining the necessary workshop skills that the sector requires. It enables students to develop the confidence, knowledge, academic and practical skills needed to go directly into employment or seek a vocational apprenticeship or trainee role. 

Did you know?
Engineering and manufacturing is one of the UK's broadest sectors and, according to Engineering UK, workers within the sector accounted for 19% of all UK employees in 2019. While some engineering- related industries, such as mining and quarrying, are in decline, a range of other fields are actively seeking new recruits in aerospace, automotive, design, manufacturing, power, marine, instrumentation and control telecoms, digital communications and networks, software, rail, process control,  production, project management and transportation.

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