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Student Handbook
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Our Degree Top-Up Programme in Engineering is designed as a transformative journey for individuals seeking to enhance their skills and employability in Northern Ireland's dynamic engineering sector. This course philosophy outlines our commitment to aligning with strategic initiatives such as the Department for the Economy (DfE) Strategy, the Northern Ireland Skills Barometer, and the Programme for Government. The integration of key modules in Operations Management, Innovation through Engineering Design, Business Management, and Automation and Robotics, coupled with a research dissertation, forms the backbone of our forward-looking programme.
It aims to produce graduates who understand the underlying principles which underpin engineering, who can conceive, design and implement a solution to a problem, creating something new which adds value to an organisation and society, within the boundaries of organisational strategy.
The course is a ‘Top Up’ option for those who have already completed a relevant programme to Foundation Degree, HND or equivalent in Engineering.
This course is offered through the Higher Level Apprenticeship pathway. Higher Level Apprenticeship
Advance your career with comprehensive expertise in engineering and management through this dynamic programme.
Modules are delivered primarily face to face, with some supplementary blended material.
20 credit modules are 200 effort hours, usually 50% taught( lecture, tutorial, practical, seminar) and 50% independent study.
Dissertation includes a higher level of independent study.
Detailed information can be found in module specifications.
Download Regulations for Validated Awards of the Open University
Download the Full Programme Specification
Download the Open University Student Guide
There are no optional modules on this course.
The Honours Degree Top Up top up will be available to any candidate who satisfies the criteria below:
All applicants must have reached the age of 18 years on admission.
To be eligible to commence study on the HLA pathway, applicants must have secured full-time paid employment in an engineering-related position.
Students, for whom English is not their first language, must demonstrate their competence in written and spoken English at IELTS – Academic 6.0, with minimum 5.5 in all four elements of the test. Trinity ISE - Pass at Level 3 also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.
Assessment is varied and broadly aligned to the skills which are prevalent in the engineering industry. This will include, but is not limited to, a range of activities such as reports, presentations, group work, project-based learning activities, lab work, practicals, and exams.
On Successful completion of this Honours Degree, you will be able to go straight into a job commensurate with a degree level education.
You will also be in a position to progress onto a Master’s degree programme with another institution.
South West College is approved by The Open University as an appropriate organisation to offer higher education programmes leading to Open University validated awards.
The Open University regulations can be found Please see link to OU Regulations for validated awards of the Open University here.
You can also download the full programme specification here.
During your course you may be required to purchase course textbooks and incur additional costs for printing, photocopying, and binding. The overall additional costs incurred to support your studies may be in the region of £100 or more per year.
P6030DP10B
Session Code
2 Year(s)
Duration
Higher Education
Mode of Study
9.25
Hours per Week
30
Number of Weeks
Interview Required
25/26
Academic Year
08/09/2025
Start Date
09:00-19:00
Time
Tuesday
Day/s
aine.haren@swc.ac.uk, Noreen.McGirr@swc.ac.uk
Coordinator(s)
Total Annual Fee N/A
Total Concessionary Fee N/A
Fees Payable Each Year
**Am I eligible for concessionary fees?
P6030OP10B
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