Engineering - Level 3 National Foundation Diploma

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If you're interested in product design, aerospace, manufacturing, electronics, electrical engineering or the automotive industry as a project leader or designer, this course will equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to progress to university or employment.

You will be taught in our modern, bright and airy engineering classrooms, each with new smartboards, alongside our well-equipped workshops with all the hand tools and machine tools you need to get a head start in your engineering career.

The course can also include work placements with many reputable companies around Greater London. There are also industry projects to take part in and guest visits from engineers who have designed railway stations, airports and shopping centres.

This BTEC course consists of two separate qualifications. In your first year of study, you will work towards the Level 3 90-credit National Foundation Diploma. Following successful completion of this qualification, you will be able to progress to the Extended Diploma. Our Extended Diplomas offer equivalent UCAS points to studying 3 A Levels and will have a progression route to university.

The topics covered in the first year are:

• Unit 01 - Engineering Principles
• Unit 02 - Delivery of Engineering Processes Safely as a Team
• Unit 03 - Engineering Product Design and Manufacture
• Unit 04 - Applied Commercial and Quality Principles in Engineering
• Unit 07 - Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems
• Unit 09 - Work Experience in the Engineering Sector
• Unit 10 - Computer-Aided Design in Engineering

The topics covered in the second year are:

• Unit 05 - A Specialist Engineering Project
• Unit 06 - Microcontroller Systems for Engineers
• Unit 08 - Further Engineering Mathematics
• Unit 17 - Power and Energy Electronics
• Unit 19 - Electronic Devices and Circuits
• Unit 28 - Dynamic Mechanical Principles in Practice
• Unit 31 - Thermodynamic Principles and Practice
• Unit 41 - Manufacturing Secondary Machining Processes

You will need:

• Three GCSE's at grade 4 or above, including English Language, Maths and Science (Combined Science, or two individual Sciences) or an equivalent Level 2 qualification at Merit (and Functional Skills in English and Maths at Level 2.

All applicants must have an interview and assessment to confirm that the course is suitable for them.

Assessment is continuous throughout the year through completing written assignments and projects as well as performing practical work that is assessed internally within the college. There will also be some written examinations, assessed externally via Pearson, the BTEC awarding body.

AGED 16 - 18

If you will be aged 16, 17 or 18 on 31st August 2025 before the start date of the course, and you have the legal right to remain in the UK for the duration of your course then your study with us will be free.

Please see here for the documents you need to show us.

Some courses have additional costs, such as specialist materials and trips.

Many of our students are eligible for financial support. See here for details.

Adults - Level 3

This course may be free if you meet certain conditions:

• If you are not working or have a low income. You need to show proof of your income or benefits.
• If you are aged 19-23 and you do not have a full Level 3 qualification (a full L3 is the equivalent of two A-levels at A* - E grade). You need to show us proof of any qualifications you already have.
• Residency rules apply. You need to show you have permission to live, work and study in the UK without conditions if you live in London, or 3 years if you live outside London.
• There are some exceptions, such as certain visa types.

Check here which documents you need to show us, and which visa types are allowed.

If you do not meet the residency rules, you can still enrol on the course but you may have to pay some fees. All applicants are fee-assessed during enrolment.

If you are not eligible for a free or reduced-cost course, you need to pay the full fee yourself, or apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.

If you have to pay for your course, and decide to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan (ALL), the residency rules are different: https://www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan.

Some courses have additional costs, such as for specialist materials and trips.

Many of our students are eligible for financial support. See here for details.

On successful completion of this course, you will progress onto the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering or you are able to apply for an Engineering Apprenticeship.

This qualification is designed as a one-year, full-time course that enables progression to a second year for the completion of the BTEC Extended Diploma in Engineering course or to an apprenticeship or work in the engineering sector. 

Who is this qualification for?

The Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in Engineering is intended to be an Applied General qualification for post-16 learners wanting to continue their education through applied learning and who aim to progress to higher education, and ultimately to employment in the engineering sector. The qualification aims to provide a coherent introduction to the study of the engineering sector. Learners need not necessarily have studied engineering previously but will have successfully completed a level 2 programme of learning, with GCSEs or vocational qualifications.

Engineering covers a broad variety of roles and it involves the application of scientific principles and practical knowledge to transform ideas and materials into products and systems safely and support them during their lifetime. This qualification focuses on a broad range of engineering specialist areas.

Learners taking this qualification will study mandatory content covering:

• Engineering principles and mathematics
• Health and safety, teamwork and interpreting and creating computer-aided engineering drawings
• Design and manufacture of products
• Commercial principles and understanding and application of quality systems

The content of this qualification has been developed in consultation with academics to ensure that it supports progression to higher education. In addition, employers and professional bodies have been involved and consulted in order to confirm that the content is appropriate and consistent with current practice for learners planning to enter employment directly in the engineering sector.

You will need:

• Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English Language and Science or an equivalent Level 2 qualification in science or engineering at Merit and above
• GCSE Maths (Higher Tier) at Grade 5 and above
• A reference from your previous school/college

All applicants must have an initial assessment and interview to confirm that the course is suitable for them.

The course is assessed throughout the year with practical assignments, tasks and written exams. The tasks and exams are set and marked by Pearson, and allow you to demonstrate your confidence in recalling and applying technical information and fundamental knowledge, as well as your application of knowledge and skills.

AGED 16 - 18

If you will be aged 16, 17 or 18 on 31st August 2025 before the start date of the course, and you have the legal right to remain in the UK for the duration of your course then your study with us will be free.

Please see here for the documents you need to show us.

Some courses have additional costs, such as specialist materials and trips.

Many of our students are eligible for financial support. See here for details.

Adults - Level 3

This course may be free if you meet certain conditions:

• If you are not working or have a low income. You need to show proof of your income or benefits.
• If you are aged 19-23 and you do not have a full Level 3 qualification (a full L3 is the equivalent of two A-levels at A* - E grade). You need to show us proof of any qualifications you already have.
• Residency rules apply. You need to show you have permission to live, work and study in the UK without conditions if you live in London, or 3 years if you live outside London.
• There are some exceptions, such as certain visa types.

Check here which documents you need to show us, and which visa types are allowed.

If you do not meet the residency rules, you can still enrol on the course but you may have to pay some fees. All applicants are fee-assessed during enrolment.

If you are not eligible for a free or reduced-cost course, you need to pay the full fee yourself, or apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.

If you have to pay for your course, and decide to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan (ALL), the residency rules are different: https://www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan.

Some courses have additional costs, such as for specialist materials and trips.

Many of our students are eligible for financial support. See here for details.

This qualification enables progression to a second year for the completion of the BTEC Extended Diploma in Engineering course or to an apprenticeship or work in the engineering sector. 

This course covers a wide variety of engineering areas, and can help you if you have not decided which engineering pathway to follow.

On this course you will:

• Develop your research skills
• Advance your technical knowledge
• Design and create your own solutions to everyday engineering problems
• Develop your mathematical skills
• Complete a project on a related topic of your choice

This course consists of two separate qualifications. In your first year of study, you will work towards the Level 3 90-Credit Diploma. Following successful completion of this qualification, you will be able to progress to the Extended Diploma. Our Extended Diplomas offer equivalent UCAS points to studying 3 A Levels.

Year 1

• Engineering Principles
• Delivery of Engineering Process Safely as a Team
• Engineering Product Design and Manufacture
• Applied Commercial and Quality Principles in Engineering

Year 2

• A Specialist Engineering Project
• Microcontroller Systems for Engineers
• Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems

You will need:

• Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English Language, Maths and Science or an equivalent Level 2 qualification, such as Science, at Merit (and Functional Skills in English and Maths at Level 2/GCSE English Language and Maths at grade 4 or above)
• A reference from your previous school/college

All applicants must have an initial assessment and interview to confirm that the course is suitable for them.

The course is assessed throughout the year with practical assignments, tasks and written exams. The tasks and exams are set and marked by Pearson, and allow you to demonstrate your confidence in recalling and applying technical information and fundamental knowledge, as well as your application of knowledge and skills.

AGED 16 - 18

If you will be aged 16, 17 or 18 on 31st August 2025 before the start date of the course, and you have the legal right to remain in the UK for the duration of your course then your study with us will be free.

Please see here for the documents you need to show us.

Some courses have additional costs, such as specialist materials and trips.

Many of our students are eligible for financial support. See here for details.

Adults - Level 3

This course may be free if you meet certain conditions:

• If you are not working or have a low income. You need to show proof of your income or benefits.
• If you are aged 19-23 and you do not have a full Level 3 qualification (a full L3 is the equivalent of two A-levels at A* - E grade). You need to show us proof of any qualifications you already have.
• Residency rules apply. You need to show you have permission to live, work and study in the UK without conditions if you live in London, or 3 years if you live outside London.
• There are some exceptions, such as certain visa types.

Check here which documents you need to show us, and which visa types are allowed.

If you do not meet the residency rules, you can still enrol on the course but you may have to pay some fees. All applicants are fee-assessed during enrolment.

If you are not eligible for a free or reduced-cost course, you need to pay the full fee yourself, or apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.

If you have to pay for your course, and decide to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan (ALL), the residency rules are different: https://www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan.

Some courses have additional costs, such as for specialist materials and trips.

Many of our students are eligible for financial support. See here for details.

This course will help you to move on to higher level courses, such as a Bachelor of Science, an apprenticeship or other employment.