EDEXCEL Level 5 BTEC Higher National Diploma in Marine Engineering
Qualification summary
BTEC Higher Nationals in Marine Engineering have been developed to focus on:
• the education and training of marine engineers/technicians who are employed at a
professional level in a variety of types of technical work, eg design, operation and
maintenance of marine systems and equipment
• providing opportunities for marine engineers/technicians to achieve a nationally recognised
level four vocationally specific qualification
• providing opportunities for full-time learners to enter employment as an
engineer/technician, or progress to higher education vocational qualifications such as a full
or part-time degree in marine engineering or related areas
• providing opportunities for learners to focus on the development of the higher level skills in
a technological and management context
• providing opportunities for learners to develop a range of skills and techniques and
attributes essential for successful performance in working life
• providing a significant basis for progression to Incorporated Engineer level, via further
learning
Qualification details
5 (Current NQF Level)
4 (Original NQF Level)
Accreditation start date:
Operational start date in centres:
Funding arrangements not specified
The 16-unit BTEC Higher National Diploma provides greater breadth and specialisation than
the BTEC Higher National Certificate. Higher National Diplomas are mode free but are
followed predominately by full-time learners. They allow progression into or within
employment in the marine engineering sector, either directly on achieving of the award or
following further study to degree level.
The BTEC Higher National Diploma in Marine Engineering provides opportunities for learners
to apply their knowledge and practical skills in the workplace. Full-time learners have the
opportunity to do this through formal work placements or their part-time employment
experience.
The qualification prepares learners for employment in the marine engineering sector and will be
suitable for learners who have already decided that they wish to enter this area of work. Some
adult learners may wish to make the commitment required by this qualification in order to enter
a specialist area of employment in marine engineering or progress into higher education. Other
learners may want to extend the specialism that they followed on the BTEC Higher National
Certificate programme.
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04 Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies
The assessment of these BTEC qualifications is criterion-referenced and centres will be required to assess the learners’ evidence against published learning outcomes and assessment criteria. This gives transparency to the assessment process and provides for the establishment of national standards for each qualification.
It is recognised that learners present with varying experiences of education and training and/or work and centres are encouraged to take an open approach to the choice of assessment methods in the general guidance from Edexcel and other support material such as Tutor Support Material. In particular Edexcel has always supported a learner-centred approach to learning and the associated assessment so that maximum use is made of learner’s environment and experience.
A range of assessment methods are available to centres that include open-book projects or assignments, practical tests, closed or open short answer questions, essays, performance or artefacts. Centres are expected to use assessment methods that are fit-for-purpose in relation to the size and subject content of each qualification and the nature of the learners so that there are maximum opportunities to present evidence that will meet the requirements of the learning outcomes and assessment criteria. For part time learners who principally study for the BTEC Higher National Certificate, Edexcel encourages centres to make maximum use of the learners’ current and/or past work and other experience. For the full time learners on the BTEC Higher National Diploma programmes, while full use should be made of any work experience, it is likely that realistic case studies and research into companies and organisations will offer a more appropriate assessment approach
The guidance section of the specifications and the Information for Tutors section of the units will provide guidance about suitable assessment strategies.
Candidates must complete all six mandatory units from group A and ten specialist units from group B.