Entry requirements
It would be an beneficial to have experience of industrial organisations and/or quality assurance systems.
Why take this course?
Quality systems are used in all organisations. This Unit will give you an insight into how quality is integral in meeting customer requirements for all products and services, and will allow you to distinguish between different quality approaches. You will also be provided with the opportunity to examine different quality control techniques and analyse quality costs.
The Unit has been written as an overview of quality, applied in the context of your own working environment. It is a mandatory Unit within the HNC/HND Mechanical Engineering Group Award, but can also be part of another Group Award or taken as a single HN Unit. On successful completion, you should possess the knowledge and understanding to enable you to:
- Explain quality system elements and principles
- Explain the operation and application of BS EN ISO 9001
- Explain how organisations get accredited to BS EN ISO 9001 standard
- Understand ways to get/interpret data to control a process
- Understand the way in which SPC is used to control a process
- Describe, interpret and evaluate quality costs
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 be introduced to the fundamental principles of quality assurance and quality control and how these apply to BS EN ISO 9001. You will also learn how these principles are applied in practice when an organisation applies for accreditation to BS EN ISO 9001. The steps taken, timelines and how a quality system is built up will show you how an organisation creates a quality system which develops into the kind of culture that is necessary in modern industry.
Once you are familiar with the fundamentals of quality, you will learn different methods of controlling a process and how to gather information and data to help you with this. You will learn several methods of gathering data and how best to interpret that data and also how the different methods are applicable to different situations and organisations. As you progress you will be introduced to statistical process control and its uses in processes. Finally you will learn about quality costs, how to interpret and evaluate them, how to categorise them and show them in a way which is easily understood.
Outcomes 1 and 3 are assessed by a single assessment paper, based on an explanation of quality control and quality assurance principles and the application of total quality management (TQM) principles in the workplace. The assessment will be conducted under controlled, supervised conditions. Outcome 2 is assessed via a case study of a new company setting up quality systems and applying to achieve ISO 9001. Outcome 4 is also assessed via case study, and will take place under controlled, supervised conditions. Your evidence of understanding should take the form of graphs and charts, as well as a written report evaluating the cost trends shown in the graphs/charts.
Key Facts
Everything you need to know before applying to this course.
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.
Additional costs
This course involves an additional SQA fee. Further information is available here.
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.
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“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.”
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“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.”
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“I am more of a hands on sort of guy so the apprenticeship route worked for me.”
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“The best thing for your career is to have the qualifications to reflect the knowledge you have.”
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Meghan McKay
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“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. “
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Applications
This course requires some attendance at College, often for assessment purposes only. Please enquire about expectations for your specific course when booking.
Attendance is usually at the Aberdeen City Campus or Fraserburgh Campus.
When submitting your distance learning application form, please ensure you attach the additional information sheet listing qualifications and previous knowledge with your application. You may be required to attend College for assessment. Please check if this is a requirement for your course.
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.
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