The Course

Principal Learning (learning you have to do)
This covers all you need to know about engineering at the level you're studying. It will open up the ideas and concepts behind engineering, and how they impact on our world. You'll look at key engineering principles such as design, materials, electronic systems, maintenance and manufacturing. And think about what makes ideas succeed, from the first sketch to the finished product or system.

Additional and specialist learning (options you can choose)
You can take specialist courses in Engineering as part of your Diploma. Say, for example, you could concentrate on robotics, medical engineering, aerospace, car or motorcycle maintenance. Or you could do extra maths or science, to help with your engineering studies. You can also pick subjects that you might want to learn at university, like law, science, politics and a language; or a course to do with a hobby like art or history.

Functional Skills (curriculum subjects)
You’ll still do English, maths and ICT as part of your Diploma course. You’ll need them to get your Diploma qualification, and for whatever you go on to do next.

Personal, Learning and Thinking Skills
These are skills like team-working, creative thinking and self-management. You’ll need them for life, study and work, and they’ll help you to be a success whatever you do in the future.

Work Experience
On your Diploma course you’ll get to do at least 10 days’ work experience. It’s a great way to use the skills you’ve learnt in the classroom, and see what work is really like. You might find a placement with a company that does the kind of engineering you’re into - like lighting, power, communications and the military. You could also spend time with a local firm, and see what it’s like to work in a smaller business.

Student Project
You can do your project about anything you like because you choose the topic, and how you’re going to present your work. You'll need to show all the things you've learnt on your Diploma course, but what you do it on is up to you. It could be a written piece of work, like a report; an investigation or something practical. You might decide to design a car powered by solar energy or chip fat. Or you could design a water pump for use in a developing country.