Careers Brief - Electrical Technology HNC/FdSc
Overview
The part-time HNC and Foundation degree in Electrical Technology, offer you nationally recognised qualifications to improve your career development and the opportunity to continue your studies to a higher level.
Engineering is one of the larger employing sectors and opportunities are good for most engineering sectors. There is a need for skilled and qualified electrical engineers. You will be developing your technical skills and knowledge to design, develop and test high and low power analogue and digital systems.
Additionally, you will be developing transferable skills and competencies useful to a wider range of employers. Key personal skills include: numeracy, IT, problem-solving, team work, written and verbal communication and working to deadlines.
Go to the website links below to find out more.
Further Study
Direct progression is possible from the HNC onto either the part-time Foundation degree in Electronics & Computer Technology or Electrical Technology. These are both Bournemouth University courses studied at Bournemouth & Poole College. Go to www.thecollege.co.uk/courses/ for course information.
Further progression is possible onto a related short top-up degree course to achieve an Ordinary or Honours degree, though entry may be selective.
Progression could be onto the part-time BSc (Hons) Electronic Engineering Top-up at Southampton Solent University. Go to www.solent.ac.uk/courses/ for information on this course.
Alternatively, you could transfer onto a relevant Honours degree. Year of entry would depend on your grades, industrial experience and overlap between courses but could be onto the final year.
To search degree courses go to www.ucas.com/search/ (UCAS - Universities and Colleges Admissions Service for the UK). Use the university/college links for course details.
You will need to use UCAS to apply for courses. Contact the Course Tutor of your chosen course to find out your position before you make your formal application.
Find out how much this will cost you. Where is your funding coming from? Go to the university/college website for information on course costs and finance and to www.direct.gov.uk/uni/ for additional help with student support.
With a good Honours degree (First or 2.1), you may progress onto an appropriate higher level Masters and/or PhD doctorate. This could be to develop your area of study to a more in-depth practical and/or academic level or to gain other specialist training.
For information on postgraduate study and finance, go to the national online directory at www.prospects.ac.uk/study.htm .
Go to the main section Further Study of this Guide for more information and help.
Useful Links
www.prospects.ac.uk/starting_out.htm
Graduate Prospects - national careers website for HE students studying in the UK:
Drop down 'Job sectors' and click on 'Engineering and manufacturing'
Drop down 'Jobs' and click on 'What jobs would suit me?' to use Prospects Planner
The Institution of Engineering and Technology - go to sub-headings 'Careers & Training' + 'Education'
BCS - The Chartered Institute for IT
Drop down sub-heading 'Qualifications, Training, Careers' and click on sections 'Careers' + 'Students'.
The Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies - click on the Sector button
ETB - engineering and technology careers
http://jobseekers.direct.gov.uk/
Government Careers database and links to jobs nationally. Search by either clicking on side-heading 'Careers' and choose a category or type in job title.
http://careersadvice.direct.gov.uk/helpwithyourcareer/jobprofiles/
Government Careers Advice service
www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u/
Jobs4U Careers Database - click on sub-heading 'Job Families & Articles' or Quick Search by typing in job title
GTI Media publication for graduate jobs and careers advice - click on sub-heading 'careers advice'
GTI Media graduate careers publication - Advice by graduate career area
Inside Careers publication specialists in Graduate Careers
Engineering and technology careers and news
The Engineering Council UK
Searchable UK directories
Searchable global guide to manufacturers and services
Go to the Job Applications section of this Careers Guide for additional help and advice with making applications.
