Engineering Systems HNC
Course code: 356H
Study mode: You study most days of the week and complete all course units /modules in the standard time., You take one or more course unit/module(s) at a time., You study outside of typical working hours, usually in the evenings.
Course type: HNC
International: Available to study on-campus
Study at: Argyll; North, West and Hebrides (Stornoway; Thurso); Orkney
Start in: January; September
Learning mode: You attend classes in person at the local campus or learning centre., You access classes and/or materials digitally.
Duration: Full time: 1 year; Part time modular: 17 weeks
How: You attend classes at scheduled times, shown on your timetable., You complete course tasks independently. These may be set by your lecturer or chosen by you.
What is special about this course?
The HNC Engineering Systems will give you the required technical training to be a technician in design, research, development and service support activities in engineering, manufacturing and consultancy.
You may also be able to use the HNC as a spring-board into the second year of our engineering degrees, including: BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering; BEng (Hons) Electrical and Mechanical Engineering; BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering; or BEng (Hons) Energy Engineering.
Special features
- You will study both mechanical and electrical engineering
- The course is designed to meet the needs of employers
- Delivered fully online but includes mandatory in-person, on-campus, invigilated assessments and practical days
- You can study the whole course full-time or individual modules part-time
- 1 Scottish Higher at grade C or above in Maths or Physics OR
- 1 A level at grade D or above in Maths or Physics
- Alternatively, NC Engineering at SCQF level 6, including Technician Maths 2 and Thermofluids units OR completion of a Foundation Apprenticeship Engineering
- Please note that Higher Application of Maths is not valid for entry into this course
- Prospective students without the standard entry requirements as listed above are encouraged to apply, appropriate industry related experience will be taken into consideration
- You may be required to attend an interview
Access routes
- SVQ 3 Electrotechnical Services
- NC Engineering Systems
- NC Engineering
Mandatory units are:
- Communication: practical skills
- Engineering communication
- Engineering measurement and system monitoring
- Engineering systems: graded unit 1
- Mathematics for engineering 1: mechanical and manufacturing
- Principles of engineering systems
You will also study non-core units from the list below (units vary by location and are chosen by your course team):
- Applications of programmable logic controllers
- Computer aided draughting for engineers
- DC and AC principles
- Dynamics
- Electrical engineering principles
- Electronic testing skills
- Engineering maths 2
- Materials selection
- Pneumatics and hydraulics
- Statics and strengths of materials
- Thermofluids
- Three phase systems
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- Part-time modular (standalone modules)
- This course is delivered fully online; you may choose to study in your own time or with scheduled sessions and tutorials
- You will also undertake mandatory in-person, on-campus invigilated assessments - 11 over the year, at a UHI Partner campus, plus 2 practical days in Thurso
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 1 year @ 15 hours per week
- Part-time modular: 17 weeks @ 2 hours per week (per module)
The number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent on online material as well as individual study and research.
- Argyll
- North, West and Hebrides
- Orkney
Start date
- September
Fees
For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes
- EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
- EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
- EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Higher National Awards (HNC, HND) | 2025-26 | 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time per year | £1,285 | £1,285 |
| Part-time (per HN credit) | £86 | £86 |
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
| Higher National Awards (HNC, HND) | 2025-26 | 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time per year | £7,440 | £7,886 |
| Part-time (per HN credit) | £496 | £526 |
Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.
There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.
For students who do not normally reside in the UK, including EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Higher National Awards (HNC, HND) | 2025-26 | 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time per year | £8,925 | £9,460 |
| Part-time (per HN credit) | £595 | £630 |
Part-time study is not open to international student requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.
Funding
UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.
Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.
Additional costs
- You will be required to visit a UHI campus to undertake practical work and assessments
What can I do on completion of my course?
This course prepares you for a variety of jobs in engineering, including:
- engineering design
- manufacturing
- offshore engineering
- the developing renewables sector
Can I progress into further study?
You can progress to year two of the HND Engineering Systems. You may also be eligible to progress to the second year of:
Course eligible for on-campus students requiring a Student Route Visa with the following conditions:
- Location: UHI Moray, UHI Perth or UHI North, West and Hebrides – Thurso
- Start: August/September
- Study mode: Full-time (1 year for HNC courses or 2 years for HND courses)
Please see guidance for international applicants regarding entry requirements and visas
This course was right for me because I wanted to do a degree, and also wanted to gain work experience, with the flexibility and variety of courses that UHI offer.
I like how laid-back it is but also that lecturers are always willing to take time to explain things in more detail, and always give good feedback. I like that I am able to do a mixture of practical, lab based classes alongside theory.
My favourite thing about UHI is that everyone is very welcoming and it is a nice, friendly environment.
Neve studied the HNC Engineering Systems at UHI Inverness.
Apply for Engineering Systems HNC
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.