HND Mechanical Engineering
If you don’t have the right qualifications to enrol directly on to the Mechanical Engineering degree, the HND could be the course for you. The HND provides a flexible route to degree study and a recognised qualification in its own right. Once you complete the HND you have the option to progress on to the BSc (Hons) Mechanical Engineering degree.
USW is the only provider of part time engineering courses in Wales. This means part time students can continue to work full time, while attending university one day a week for their lessons.
This HND Mechanical Engineering qualification will help you build firm foundations for employment as a higher technician in industry. You will be prepared for a career in a range of sectors including aerospace, defence, automotive and engineering management.
All three mechanical engineering courses – HNC, HND and BSc – share a common first year, so you will have the chance to work alongside engineering professionals from all areas of the industry, and share information and good practice.
Year Three: HND Mechanical Engineering, part time
- Mechanical Science 2 - 20 credits
- Thermofluids 2 - 20 credits
- Production Processes - 20 credits
Year Four: HND Mechanical Engineering, part time
- Instrumentation and Control Systems - 20 credits
- Sustainable Engineering Design - 20 credits
- Fundamentals of Business Engineering and Management - 20 credits (optional)
- Project (HNC/HND) - 20 credits (optional)
On completion of the HND, there is the opportunity to progress onto the final year of the BSc (Hons) Mechanical Engineering degree where you’ll be able to complete a major industry or research-based project.
Teaching
This mechanical engineering qualification is taught via lectures, seminars and tutorials. You will also undertake practical work using specialist workshop and laboratory facilities. The time you are expected to commit to study may vary depending on your existing qualifications and previous experience.
The HND timetables for 2019-20 are as follows:
• Tuesday for Year One
• Monday for Year Two
• Thursday for Year Three
• Tuesday for Year Four
Assessment
The HND mechanical engineering is assessed through coursework and examinations. Each module will include one or two assignments that you must complete in your own time.
Facilities
Our Mechanical Engineering facilities are excellent. They include:
- Well-equipped computer rooms using state of the art (industry standard) design and analysis software. (SolidWorks, Ansys, FEA and CFD, LS-Dyna, SolidCAM, Simul8, etc.), with a cluster (Super Computer) for use on high end computational activities.
- Dedicated project rooms for all cohorts, access to laser cutter and a four-axis CNC router.
- Composite manufacturing facilities, including autoclaves.
- Additive manufacturing facilities (3D printing), laser scanner, wind tunnel, extensive material testing facilities, as well as laboratories with equipment for supplementing teaching in all core subjects, mechanics, dynamics, materials, thermodynamics, fluid-dynamics and control.
- Non-destructive testing (NDT) facilities.
- Access to technical staff in our workshops which include CNC machining centre, lathes and milling machine, drills, etc, for use on all project work undertaken.
- Large open access multi discipline built area for projects.
- Well-equipped Formula Student build area.
Lecturers
• Dr Shee Meng Thai, course leader
• Ewen Constant CEng
• David Dawkins
• Dr Olusanjo Fadiya
• Dr Rae Gordon
• Dr Xiao Guo
• Matthew Jones CEng
• Rhian Kerton
• Dr Talal Maksoud
• Dr Paul Messenger
• Dr Colin Morgan
• Dr Joao Ramos
We regularly revalidate courses for quality assurance and enhancement
At USW, we regularly review our courses in response to changing patterns of employment and skills demand to ensure we offer learning designed to reflect today’s student needs and tomorrow’s employer demands.
If during a review process course content is significantly changed, we’ll write to inform you and talk you through the changes for the coming year. But whatever the outcome, we aim to equip our students with the skillset and the mindset to succeed whatever tomorrow may bring. Your future, future-proofed.
Entry criteria detail typical offers but USW considers all applications on an individual basis which means that we could make offers based on qualifications, personal profile and experience. Combinations of qualifications are acceptable and other qualifications not listed may also be acceptable.
Typical A-Level Offer
DD to include Mathematics or a Science subject
Typical Welsh BACC Offer
Grade D and D at A Level
Typical BTEC Offer
BTEC Extended Diploma Pass Pass Pass or BTEC Diploma Pass Pass
Typical Access to HE Offer
Pass Maths or Science Diploma with 60 credits overall to include 45 level 3 credits all Passes
Additional Requirements
GCSEs: The University normally requires a minimum 3 GCSEs including Mathematics and English at Grade C/Grade 4 or above, or their equivalent but consideration is given to individual circumstances
International Entry Requirements
We also welcome international applications with equivalent qualifications. Please visit the country specific pages on our international website for exact details.
English Requirements
In general, international applicants will need to have achieved an overall IELTS grade of 6.0 with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component.
However, if you have previously studied through the medium of English IELTS might not be required, but please visit the country specific page on our international website for exact details. If your country is not featured please contact us.
Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee will remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course
August 2023 - July 2024 Fees
Part-time UK: £740 per 20 credits
August 2024 - July 2025 Fees
Part-time UK: TBC
Student Perks
At the University of South Wales, you’re investing in so much more than a degree. We strive to provide our students with the best possible experience, no matter what you chose to study. Whether it’s access to top of the range mac books and PCs, state-of-the-art facilities packed with industry-leading equipment and software, masterclasses and events led by industry experts, or a wide range of clubs and societies to meet likeminded people, better tomorrows start with extra perks.
Each course also has their own unique student benefits to prepare you for the real word, and details of these can be found on our course pages. From global field trips, integrated work experience and free course-related resources, to funded initiatives, projects working with real employers, and opportunities for extra qualifications and accreditations - at USW your future, is future-proofed.
Click here to learn more about student perks at USW.
Additional Costs
As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.
Funding
Funding to help pay for (or cover) course tuition fees and living costs
Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).
To learn about course fees, funding options, and to see if you are eligible for financial support, visit our Fees and Funding pages.
UK students
If you are applying to study part-time, to top up your Foundation Degree or HND, or to transfer to USW from another institution, please apply directly.
International and EU students
Apply directly to the University if you live outside the UK.
This HND Mechanical Engineering qualification will help you build firm foundations for employment as a higher technician in industry.
Our Careers and Employability Service
As a HND Mechanical Engineering student, you will have access to advice from the Careers and Employability Service throughout your studies and after you graduate.
This includes: one-to-one appointments from faculty based Career Advisers, in person, over the phone or even on Skype and through email via the "Ask a Question" service. We also have extensive online resources for help with considering your career options and presenting yourself well to employers. Resources include psychometric tests, career assessments, a CV builder, interview simulator and application help. Our employer database has over 2,000 registered employers targeting USW students, you can receive weekly email alerts for jobs.
Our Careers service has dedicated teams: A central work experience team to help you find relevant placements; an employability development team which includes an employability programme called Grad Edge; and an Enterprise team focused on new business ideas and entrepreneurship.
The Pontypridd Campus is made up of two sites: Treforest and Glyntaff. Our students love the community atmosphere, as well as living and studying in the same place. It’s quieter than the cities, with green open spaces and views across the valley.
It’s the community and friendships you’ll build that make this place special. Outside your studies you can experience our amazing sport facilities and Students’ Union.
Living in Halls is a great way to meet new people and make friends. We have high quality accommodation in Treforest, Cardiff and Newport.