Engineering | University College Birmingham

You are viewing our beta course page.

Course summary

OVERVIEW
Do you see your future in engineering? The industry urgently needs you. Around a fifth of the UK’s engineering workforce is expected to retire by 2026, meaning hundreds of thousands of new workers will be needed within the next few years to plug the gap. Our Higher National Certificate in Engineering will give you the training you need to develop your career and make a real difference in the sector at this crucial time.

Spread over two years, this is a part-time engineering course ideal for anyone looking to fit higher education study around work commitments. Supported by our outstanding new engineering facilities on campus, you will study core subjects that are required for engineers across the sector, including engineering design, maths and science, robotics and CAD, as well as learning valuable transferable skills and essential management skills for the industry.

By completing our Engineering HNC course, you will achieve a Level 4 qualification widely recognised by employers within the engineering industry, boosting your prospects of progressing into a range of careers. It will also open the doors for you to progress onto further study, including our Higher National Diploma in Engineering at University College Birmingham.

WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE?

Practical application – Get hands-on experience studying in our cutting-edge engineering facilities
Flexible learning – Gain a Level 4 engineering qualification studying part-time alongside your working commitments
Enrichment – Take on practical research activities in our labs and hear from leading guest speakers from the sector
Expert tuition – Learn from experienced lecturers with a wealth of knowledge from working in the engineering industry

FACILITIES
Students on our construction and engineering courses will learn in brand new real-world training environments under development at University College Birmingham. Our brand new Engineering and Sustainable Construction Centre at the iconic James Cond Building will offer state-of-the-art facilities specifically designed to develop skills that support employers and their supply chains, along with further new facilities at Camden House.

CAREERS AND PROGRESSION
Examples of careers you could pursue following this course:

Mechanical engineer
Project engineer
Process design engineer
Process manufacturing engineer
Electrical/electronics engineer
Product designer

Upon completion of the HNC, you can also progress onto our Engineering HND course.

Please refer to our website www.ucb.ac.uk for the latest updates to this course

How to apply

To apply for this course you will be taken to the provider's website, where you can find out more information and make an application.

Application codes

Institution code:: B35

This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available.

Course options

Open days

University College Birmingham - Undergraduate Open Day Event
21 Mar 2026, 10:00
Birmingham

Chat to student ambassadors

Discover what it's like to study Engineering at University College Birmingham: insights on the course, making friends, personal statement tips, uni prep, and recommended books, podcasts, and videos.

Loretta
University College Birmingham
Dietetics
Hi there, I'm a recent graduate of the Food and nutrition BSc course which I thoroughly enjoyed. I'm also a student ambassador, so am always here to help 😁. I am an aspiring Dietitian and business owner I'll soon be starting my MSc in Dietetics.
Chat with Loretta
Michaela
University College Birmingham
Health and Social Care
Hi I'm Michaela Mooney I'm the unibuddy ambassador for health and social care I have autism and dyspraxia , I like to help others like me I do talks about my life experience and also advocacy for people with a disability, I like theatre, animals and helping others.
Chat with Michaela
Dana
University College Birmingham
Marketing
Hi, I'm a final-year Digital Marketing student with a passion for exploring the world of branding and online strategies. I enjoy reading dystopian novels, as they challenge my perspective and stimulate new ideas through their thought-provoking themes. Traveling is my way of broadening horizons and discovering new cultures. Last year, I completed a placement that offered hands-on experience in the industry, further fueling my enthusiasm. I'm here to help with any questions about the university—navigating the process can be complicated, and I'd be happy if my support could make it easier for others!
Chat with Dana
Emily
University College Birmingham
Prosthetics for Film and Television, MA
From 2016-2018 I studied Art, Photography and Psychology A-Levels at Princethorpe College, Rugby, and after not being too sure of what I wanted to study at university I decided to throw myself into full time employment. I then came across the Specialist Hair and Media Make-Up course here at University College Birmingham and applied in 2020. Moving cities during the pandemic was very strange, however I soon became very comfortable at The Maltings where I lived with the majority of my classmates. After three years of study, I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree and I have now moved onto studying Prosthetics for Film and Television MA. Alongside the masters degree, University College Birmingham gave me the opportunity to work for them as an intern in the Marketing Department as part of the masters internship bursary scheme, where my course is paid for in the form of 400 hours of work over the academic year (September-July), which has been a huge benefit for myself financially. I also work as a part time front of house team member at a restaurant in Birmingham city centre, I enjoy this job a lot as I get to interact with lots of different people, I also feel very accepted there as I am free to express myself with my piercings, tattoos and makeup.
Chat with Emily
Ann-Marie
University College Birmingham
Primary Education Studies
Hello, hope you are well. I am studying PRIMARY EDUCATION STUDIES BA (Hons) (Accelerated), and enjoy spending time with my friends or reading. I really enjoy the course.
Chat with Ann-Marie
Becky
University College Birmingham
Nursing (Adult)
I am a mature student studying Adult Nursing. I am a single parent and work part-time. I love uni life, and UCB is fantastic. The lecturers are friendly, approachable, helpful and have time for you which was a big tick as this is very important. Everyone around uni is lovely. It's fresh and vibrant, and from the first day of starting in January, I knew it was the uni for me! It's never too late to learn; if you are thinking of studying to become a nurse, I cannot recommend it enough! If i can do it, so can you!!!!
Chat with Becky
Viktoria
University College Birmingham
Business Enterprise
I have always been ambitious and striving for better and always wanted to start my own business. Which is the reason I have started reading business literature 15 years ago. However, I have realized that I would need something in addition to become a successful entrepreneur. And this is the reason I came to the tipping point of my life and decided to become a Business Enterprise student. After I have conducted quite a broad reasearch I choose UCB, and this happen to be the best decision I have ever made in my life. The support from the University and the teachers is outstanding.
Chat with Viktoria
Siraj
University College Birmingham
Physiotherapy
Hi! I'm Siraj, a Physiotherapy student at University College Birmingham. I would be happy to answer all your questions about the University, my studies, student life, Birmingham city centre, or anything else
Chat with Siraj
Farman
University College Birmingham
Paramedic Science
Hello, I’m Farman, and ✨ I’m passionate about becoming a Paramedic. With a strong background in Health and Social Care Level 3, I understand the needs of patients in emergencies 🩺. My motivation is to provide critical care and support to those in their most vulnerable moments. I am dedicated to lifelong learning and making a positive impact in this essential profession. 💪 Let's inspire each other to make the world a better place! 🌍 ✨
Chat with Farman

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.