Part of the Lincolnshire Institute of Technologoy
As part of DN Colleges Group, University Campus North Lincolnshire is a key member of the Lincolnshire Institute of Technology (IoT).
Why choose this course
- Core skills for a range of careers in operations engineering
- Lectures, small group seminars, workshops and guest lectures on campus
- Explore the impact of new digital and software technologies on engineering
- People have gone on to work in maintenance and manufacturing
- Can lead on to the Level 5 HND in Operations Engineering
Overview
The purpose of these qualifications is to develop students as professional, self-reflecting individuals able to meet the demands of employers in the engineering sector and to adapt to a constantly changing world. The qualifications aim to widen access to higher education and enhance the career prospects of those who undertake them.
Read the full overview
The objectives of these qualifications are to:
- Equip students with the skills, knowledge and understanding they need to achieve high performance in the engineering and manufacturing environment
- Develop students with enquiring minds, who have the abilities and confidence to work across different engineering functions and to lead, manage, respond to change and tackle a range of complex engineering situations
- Provide the core skills required for a range of careers in engineering, specifically those related to operations engineering
- Offer a balance between employability skills and the knowledge essential for students with entrepreneurial, employment or academic ambitions
- Develop students’ understanding of the major impact that new digital and software technologies have on the engineering environment
- Provide insight to operations engineering sector-wide operations and the opportunities and challenges presented by a global marketplace
- Equip students with knowledge and understanding of culturally diverse organisations, cross-cultural issues, diversity and values
- Allow flexible study to meet local and specialist needs.
The Level 4 units lay the foundation of learning by providing a broad introduction to the engineering sector as well as a focused introduction to operations engineering. This develops and strengthens core skills while preparing students for more specialist subjects at Level 5 or to enter employment with the qualities necessary for job roles that require some personal responsibility.
What you’ll study
8 modules
Units
- Engineering DesignUnit 4001
- Engineering MathsUnit 4002
- Managing a Professional Engineering ProjectUnit 4004
- Production Engineering for ManufactureUnit 4014
- Quality and Process ImprovementUnit 4017
- Electro, Pneumatic and Hydraulic SystemsUnit 4024
- Operations and Plant ManagementUnit 4025
- Electrical Systems and Fault FindingUnit 4026
Occasional changes to modules and course content may take place. Students will be notified when applicable.
How you’ll learn
You’ll learn through lectures, seminars and workshops.
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Workshops
- One-to-one tutorials
- Guest speakers
Read more about how you’ll learn
The primary way of delivering this course is on campus.
On campus teaching includes a combination of lectures, small group seminars, workshops, guest lectures and one to one tutorial.
Students studying part-time will receive 7 hours of teaching per week throughout this course. Additional one-to-one meetings with tutors will provide further support.
Meet us at an open event.
What you need and where it leads
- Entry requirements
- This course Level 4
- Further study
Entry requirements
BTEC National Certificate or Diploma or A Level or NVQ/VRQ level 3 qualification in a relevant subject area
You will normally be required to have achieved the BTEC National Certificate or Diploma or A Level or NVQ/VRQ level 3 qualification in a relevant subject area.
If you hold significant practical experience or craft qualifications but not the usual level 3 entry requirement, your application would also be considered, subject to an interview with an appropriate member of the teaching team.
Not sure you meet these? Talk to us and we will help you find the right starting point.
Careers it can lead to
- Engineering Technicians £39,700 a year
- Electrical and Electronics Technicians £31,000 a year
- Building and Civil Engineering Technicians £30,700 a year
- Science, Engineering and Production Technicians £35,100 a year
See all 12 careers
- Planning, Process and Production Technicians £39,700 a year
- Metal Working Production and Maintenance Fitters £37,800 a year
With further study or experience
- Engineering Professionals £41,400 a year
- Electrical Engineers £55,000 a year
- Electronics Engineers £47,700 a year
- Civil Engineers £48,200 a year
- Production and Process Engineers £44,100 a year
- Mechanical Engineers £46,400 a year
Job titles to look out for: Maintenance, Manufacturing.
Read more about careers and progression
This course is particularly relevant to people already working in or looking to develop a career within Operations Engineering.
This course provides a range of skills relevant across a variety of different professions. People who have completed this course have gone on to work in areas including Maintenance and Manufacturing.
If you wish to continue studying beyond this course, it will provide you with a strong academic basis to do so. Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Operations Engineering for England provides a solid grounding in engineering, which students can build on should they decide to continue their studies beyond the Certificate stage. The Pearson BTEC Level 5 HND in Operations Engineering for England allows students to specialise by committing to specific career paths and progression routes to degree-level study. On successful completion of the Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate, students can develop their careers in the engineering sector through:
- Entering employment
- Continuing existing employment
- Linking with the appropriate Professional Bodies
- Linking with the appropriate vendor accredited certificates [if appropriate]
- Committing to Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Typical pay is the UK median for each job (Lightcast, October 2026).
Our partnerships
Didactic Services and Festo
Fees and funding
£3,585
a year for UK students
Financial support
UK students can take out a tuition fee loan to cover the cost of their course and a maintenance loan to cover living costs.
We also have a range of other financial support available.
Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE)
If your course starts on or after 1 January 2027, you may need to apply for student finance through the new Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE). It’s loan funding you could use across your working life, and applications are now open.
- Applications for the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) are now open
- Student finance if your course starts on or after 1 January 2027
- How much LLE you could get
Find out more on our Lifelong Learning Entitlement page.
Additional costs
Your Tuition fees cover most costs associated with your course (including registration, tuition and assessment.)
There may be some extra costs that you might need to make, or choose to pay, for example:
- Books (you’ll have access to books from your module reading lists in the HE library, but you may want to buy your own copies)
- Printing and photocopying
- Trips and enhancement opportunities
Questions about funding?
Your next step
Apply now, come and see us first, or ask us anything.
What happens after you apply
1
You apply
Apply direct to us online, and we’ll reply by email.
2
You hear back
You’ll get an unconditional offer, a conditional offer, or an unsuccessful application.
3
You get ready to start
Before you enrol we’ll need photo ID and copies of your certificates. Apply for Student Finance early.