Pre-entry guidance
Pre-entry guidance is required before booking a place on this course. Please contact our Distance Learning Co-ordinators for more information.
Why take this course?
This can be a mandatory Unit within HNC/HND Mechanical Engineering Group Award, or may be part of another Group Award or single HN unit. It is designed to provide you with a good knowledge and understanding of material properties and testing, allowing you to apply basic material selection concepts to a range of components. It also gives you the opportunity to examine materials and components with the aim of establishing basic properties.
Credit points and level: 1 HN credit at SCQF level 7: (8 SCQF credit points at SCQF level 7)
What you will experience
You will study a range of material groups including metals, polymers, ceramics, natural, and composites materials. You will also develop essential knowledge and skills in the principles of material and component testing, which will be reinforced by two or more practical testing methods. By the end of the Unit you will be expected to justify your selection of materials for particular components; selected from a set range of components and materials.
The formal assessments for this unit consist of an assessment paper covering outcomes 1, 2 and 3 lasting 1 hour 30 minutes and two laboratory assignments covering outcome 4. Laboratory reports will be written up in your own time. The assessment paper for outcomes 1, 2 and 3 will be conducted under closed book conditions in which you will not be allowed to take notes, textbooks etc. into the assessment. You will sit this assessment paper at the end of the unit.
Additional costs
This course involves an additional SQA fee. Further information is available here.
College attendance
This unit involves mandatory attendance at a College campus.
Fee Waiver (Remission of Fees)
Your course may be free if you are not a full time student with NESCol and you are : in receipt of benefits; or care-experienced; or your household taxable income falls below defined levels.
Individual Training Account (ITA)
This course is eligible for ITA funding which offers up to £200 towards the cost of training. Conditions apply.
Student Stories
Lukasz Szpaderski
Engineering
HNC Electrical Engineering
“NESCol has a strong ethic for providing quality education which worked well with my apprenticeships.”
Read more about Lukasz's story
Logan Skene
Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Modern Apprenticeship
“I enjoyed my days in College. The staff were helpful and friendly and it was good to see my classmates each week.”
Read more about Logan's story
Angus Noble
Engineering
Shell Engineering Scheme
“The first year went by fast as the class gelled together quickly and became a community that helped each other out, while having a laugh at the same time.”
Read more about Angus's story
Chris Kelly
Engineering
OPITO NC Multi Discipline Engineering (Process)
“In my opinion, NESCol has one of the best reputations in the UK for providing engineering courses with second-to-none instructors.”
Read more about Chris's story
Hannah Gibb
Engineering
Engineering: Wind Turbine Technician (WT) Pathway
“I’m driven by feeling like I’m contributing to something important, and renewable energy is a growing and exciting sector to be involved in.”
Read more about Hannah's story
Stephanie Fenty
Engineering
Shell Engineering Scheme
“It’s a great industry to work in – there’s loads of pathways and opportunities. Engineering is about problem solving and teamwork and seeing how things work.”
Read more about Stephanie's story
Kate Kostick
Engineering
HND Mechanical Engineering
“My time at NESCol, and the success I achieved, wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication and support of the teaching staff. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to fulfil my aspirations of further education, combined with the unique experience and the incredible peers I met along the way.”
Read more about Kate's story
Darren Ritchie
Engineering
Electrical Maintenance Engineering, SCQF Level 6
“I am more of a hands on sort of guy so the apprenticeship route worked for me.”
Read more about Darren's story
Donna Mitchell
Engineering
Electrical Maintenance Engineering, SCQF Level 6
“The best thing for your career is to have the qualifications to reflect the knowledge you have.”
Read more about Donna's story
Meghan McKay
Engineering
HND Mechanical Engineering
“From juggling working full time, being at College and still having quality time with my daughter, it was challenging at times. Despite how hectic it was it made the experience even more worthwhile for me and the whole process was highly rewarding. “
Read more about Meghan's story
Applications
North East Scotland College offers hundreds of courses each year, apply for one now.
Distance Learning courses have flexible start dates and applications will be considered at all points of the year.
For non-Scottish residents – the College will confirm fees payable for your chosen course on booking and these may differ from the advertised fee.
If you take up a place on a College course, at the start of the course you will be asked to complete an enrolment form. In completing the form and/or taking up a place on a College course, you will enter into a contract with the College and be bound by the North East Scotland College Standard Terms and Conditions of Study. Copies of the Terms and Conditions are available for inspection on notice boards and at various locations throughout the College, at the College Reception, on the College website: nescol.ac.uk, or can be obtained on request from the Student Funding and Admissions Manager, North East Scotland College, Aberdeen City Campus, Gallowgate, Aberdeen AB25 1BN. Please note that courses are offered subject to (a) there being sufficient numbers of enrolments and (b) the availability of resources. The College reserves its right (i) not to run courses where the number of students is considered insufficient or where resources are unavailable and (ii) in certain circumstances, to refuse admission to an individual applicant.
Similar courses for you
Here are some courses you may also be interested in.
ECITB Scholarship Technician Programme (SCQF Level 6)
Engineering: Wind Turbine Technician (WT) Pathway