Qualification details

EDEXCEL Level 5 BTEC Higher National Certificate 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

100/3568/0
5 (Current NQF Level)
4 (Original NQF Level)
HL - Higher Level
Accreditation start date:
01/03/2004
Operational start date in centres:
Accreditation end date:
31/08/2009
Certification end date:
31/08/2012
England
No Approval Sought
Wales
No Approval Sought
N.Ireland
No Approval Sought
English
BTEC Higher National Certificates provide a nationally recognised qualification offering
career progression and professional development for those already in employment and
opportunities to progress into higher education. The qualifications are mode free but they are
primarily undertaken by part-time learners studying over two years. In some sectors there are
opportunities for those wishing to complete an intensive programme of study in a shorter period
of time.

The BTEC Higher National Certificate in Marine Engineering mainly offers a progression route
for learners who are employed in the marine engineering sector.

Access to suitable marine engineering work situations may allow learners to achieve an NVQ
qualification in Marine Engineering Operations, Engineering NVQs or individual NVQ units.
Marine Engineer
  • 04 Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies
    • 04.1  Engineering
600
Pass
Portfolio of Evidence
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.
The BTEC Higher National Certificate in Marine Engineering is a 10-unit qualification. Candidates need to achieve the Group A Mandatory units and 5 optional units from the Group B specialist units.
  • A  -  Mandatory Units
  • B  -  Specialist Units