Careers Forum

Hi,
I am currently in full time employment, and my company is willing to pay for me to further my education.

I am a Maintenance Engineer in a factory, and my main qualifications are an advanced apprenticeship, an advanced diploma in engineering, and NVQ 3 in Engineering Maintenance.

I think the next step is a HNC or HND, but is there anything higher I could possibly do instead?

It would need to be distance learning though, so is it impossible to do anything higher than a HND this route? I'm not 100% sure what is higher in terms of HND, Beng, 'degree' etc??

I know logis-tech.co.uk do distance learning for HNC, but they don't seem to do HND?

Any pointers would be great, or links to websites I can investigate.

I am currently getting my EngTech status, and would like to work towards IEng and my CDP, so would like the qualification to be accredited by the SOE or ECUK.


Thanks a lot
Chris

Does anyone have any advice please, as I have a meeting tomorrow morning with my line manager and the company director to discuss my options.

Thanks

You could certainly do BEng through OU, but it is a bit pricey, but if your not paying then why not? It would lead on to IEng and if you carried on to MEng then CEng. I wouldn't bother unless you have got a lot of spare time on your hands though as will take 2-3 years but you may get credits from prior learning.

Thanks for the reply.

Which OU would I look at for the BEng? *Hopefully* cost won't be an issue, and my company will hopefully see it as an investment.

Is a BEng regarded a lot better qualification than a HNC/D?

How much more time would a BEng take compared to a HNC/D?


Thanks
Chris

Hi Chris,

I am in the same position as yourself and have recently registered with the OU to do the Bachelor of Engineering degree (BEng) starting in October. You only pay for one course at a time and OU have a budget account where you pay monthly instead of a large payment at the start of the course.

Lots of info on their Website, including an "Open Learn" section where you can get free tasters.

Hi Chris,

I am currently completing an HNC through Teeside University using distance learning.

I considered the OU BEng but it really is alot more money and a huge amount more work. It is also a massive step up from an NVQ. I plan on possibly using the HNC as a stepping stone.

As for difference between HNC/HND, the HND is clearly higher however in proffesional terms I think they are both considered about equal.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the replies.

I've just had a quick meeting, and the outcome was a HNC/HND would be more beneficial for the company at the moment. But once the HNC is complete, I could possibly go further.

I am wanting to do Electrical Engineering, and ideally would like to do a HND as it is that slightly higher.

How is the best way about going about doing a HND? Which websites to go through for example?
Has anyone done a HND through logis-tech.co.uk? As they seem to do accredited courses, but only at HNC level?

If doing it through logis-tech.co.uk, I believe the format is that I will get sent packs/assignments through, complete them and send them back to be marked. Does this happen if I went straight through Teesside University for example?


Cheers

Chris,

Check the topic below:

http://www.soe.org.uk/discussion-forum/thread?thread=305

It might help you in yout quest.

Best Regards

Dave