Subject Exam Board

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National

Extended Certificate in Engineering Edexcel (Pearson)

Description:
These qualifications are designed to be the substantive part of a study programme for
learners wanting a strong core in a specialist engineering sector. Specialisations are
available in Engineering, Electronic/Electrical, Mechanical, Computing, Manufacturing and
Aeronautical Engineering.
The BTEC courses actively encourage students to work independently and teachers are
there to guide and facilitate learning. Some lessons are still delivered in a more traditional
way due to their content, however great emphasis is out on independent guided tasks.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Engineering

This qualification provides a broad basis of study for the engineering sector. It has been
designed to support progression to higher education when taken as part of a programme of
study that includes other appropriate BTEC Nationals or A Levels.
360 GLH (465 TQT) Equivalent in size to one A Level. 4 units of which 3 are mandatory and 2
are external. Mandatory content (83%). External assessment (67%).

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Engineering

The qualification has been designed to be the substantive part of a 16–19 study programme
for learners who want a strong core of sector study and a focus on the wider engineering
industry. It may be complemented with other BTEC Nationals or A Levels or non-qualification
elements to support progression to specific job roles or to higher education courses in
engineering. 720 GLH (975 TQT) Equivalent in size to two A Levels. 10 units of which 5 are
mandatory and 2 are external. Mandatory content (58%). External assessment (33%).

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Engineering (1080-credit)

This qualification has been designed as a two-year, full-time course that meets entry
requirements in its own right for learners wanting to progress to employment in
Engineering. It extends and deepens the specialist work-related focus from the Level 3
Diploma. There is potential for the qualification to prepare learners for appropriate direct
employment in the vocational sector and it is suitable for those who have decided that they
clearly wish to enter a particular specialist area of work. It is broadly equivalent to three
GCE A Levels. 15 units of which 7 are mandatory and 3 are external. Mandatory content
(56%). External assessment (33%).

Units:
Unit Unit Title 60 120
Credits Credits
1 Engineering Principles 120
2 Delivery of Engineering Processes Safely as a Team 60
3 Engineering Product Design and Manufacture 120
4 Applied Commercial and Quality Principles in Engineering 60
5 A Specialist Engineering Project 60
6 Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems 60
 7 Work Experience in the Engineering Sector 60
8 Computer Aided Design in Engineering 60
9 Electrical Installation of Hardware and Cables 60
10 Electronic Devices and Circuits 60
11 Electronic Printed Circuit Board Design and Manufacture 60
12 Computer Networks 60
13 Computer Aided Manufacturing and Planning 60
14 Manufacturing Joining, Finishing and Assembly Processes 60
15 Mechanical measurement equipment and inspection 60
technology
16 Manufacturing secondary machining processes 60
Method of Assessment:
Some units are mandatory and externally assessed and optional units which are
internally assessed in the BTEC qualifications in this specification.
All assessment for the BTEC qualifications in this specification is criterion referenced,
based on the achievement of specified learning outcomes. Each unit within the
qualification has specified assessment and grading criteria which are to be used for
grading purposes.
A summative unit grade can be awarded at pass, merit or distinction:
• to achieve a ‘pass’ a learner must have satisfied all the pass assessment criteria
• to achieve a ‘merit’ a learner must additionally have satisfied all the merit grading
criteria
• to achieve a ‘distinction’ a learner must additionally have satisfied all the distinction
grading criteria.
• Learners who complete the unit but who do not meet all the pass criteria are graded
‘unclassified’.

Link to Specification:
https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/BTEC-
Nationals/Engineering/2016/specification-and-sample-assessments/SPEC-BTEC-NAT-ENG-
ExtCert.pdf
Staff Contact:
Mr J Donkor – Head of Engineering and Technology (BTS)