Electrical engineering. HND vs Degree

[gazdkw82]

Im interested in some further education. I am really interested in electrical engineering. The problem is I'm not sure if to go down the HND or degree route.

I know a degree would look alot more impressive on a CV but I have some reservations on that because I think it may be too complicated for me. I work at a university and spend some time in the engineering department. I've seen some of the maths involved in the electrical engineering and it's quite scary.

Has anyone on here done any of the above courses?

Thanks

 

[Jim_e_Jib]

I did an HND in electronic engineering a fair few years ago. I didn't have A Level maths and some of the maths on the HND really pushed me. To have done the degree, I'd have either needed A Level maths or I think there was an option to do a foundation year first which taught much of the maths needed.

If, like me, maths isn't your strongest point, I'd go for the HND. I suppose it ultimately depends on what you want to do and which qualification you'll need for that though.

 

[telectrix]

years ago now, i went on HND with A level maths. the maths in the HND was way above me in some ways, but i managed to pass the HND . then again, this was back in the day when computers had valves inside.

 

[gazdkw82]

I did an HND in electronic engineering a fair few years ago. I didn't have A Level maths and some of the maths on the HND really pushed me. To have done the degree, I'd have either needed A Level maths or I think there was an option to do a foundation year first which taught much of the maths needed.

If, like me, maths isn't your strongest point, I'd go for the HND. I suppose it ultimately depends on what you want to do and which qualification you'll need for that though.

Thanks for the info. My maths is around GCSE B/C. I had to do functional skills maths a few years ago and that's based on C/B GCSE in old money.

I think long term a degree would be better but I'm 36, no rush for that. Maybe I can do a HND and then work on my other skills to prepare for the extra year or so to complete the degree.

 

[Jim_e_Jib]

Thanks for the info. My maths is around GCSE B/C. I had to do functional skills maths a few years ago and that's based on C/B GCSE in old money.

I think long term a degree would be better but I'm 36, no rush for that. Maybe I can do a HND and then work on my other skills to prepare for the extra year or so to complete the degree.

Sounds like a good plan!

My maths was about the same level as yours but I was eighteen at the time - with the extra life experience (25yrs!) and learning I have now, I think I'd find the HND (and maths) a lot easier and be able to relate more of what we did to the real world. Then again, without the HND, my life experiences and learning would probably be slightly different...

I'm certain your age and experience will work in your favour!

 

[TJ Anderson]

Thanks for the info. My maths is around GCSE B/C. I had to do functional skills maths a few years ago and that's based on C/B GCSE in old money.

I think long term a degree would be better but I'm 36, no rush for that. Maybe I can do a HND and then work on my other skills to prepare for the extra year or so to complete the degree.

Hi Gaz. If you are looking to up skill, 2391 and 2396 would be much better real world quals for you that you will use and get paid well for.

 

[gazdkw82]

Hi Gaz. If you are looking to up skill, 2391 and 2396 would be much better real world quals for you that you will use and get paid well for.

Thanks, I've done 2391

 

[TJ Anderson]

Thanks, I've done 2391

Cool, nice one. What sort of work is it that you do?

 

[gazdkw82]

Cool, nice one. What sort of work is it that you do?

Mainly maintenance but I don't plan on that long term

 

[Silly Sausage]

Thanks for the info. My maths is around GCSE B/C. I had to do functional skills maths a few years ago and that's based on C/B GCSE in old money.

I think long term a degree would be better but I'm 36, no rush for that. Maybe I can do a HND and then work on my other skills to prepare for the extra year or so to complete the degree.

I would say you need A level Maths at least if you're thinking of degree level, 2nd order differential equations can be quite mind boggling!!!

 

[TJ Anderson]

Mainly maintenance but I don't plan on that long term

What is it you would like to do?

 

[gazdkw82]

What is it you would like to do?

Tbh I'm not quite sure. What I do know is I really like to learn, like a challenge and enjoy engineering generally.

 

[TJ Anderson]

Tbh I'm not quite sure. What I do know is I really like to learn, like a challenge and enjoy engineering generally.

That's great and it's fine earlier on. Hang fire on courses until you really know which way you want to go. You have 2391 so I guess you have an approved card. You're in a good position already and have enough to get your foot in the door at lots of things. Try some different things before committing, there are so many specialisations now, its not all about quals, experience is more important really if I'm honest.

 

[gazdkw82]

That's great and it's fine earlier on. Hang fire on courses until you really know which way you want to go. You have 2391 so I guess you have an approved card. You're in a good position already and have enough to get your foot in the door at lots of things. Try some different things before committing, there are so many specialisations now, its not all about quals, experience is more important really if I'm honest.

Thanks. I have interest in engineering, HV courses, a little interest in design etc.

I enjoy education and development but I'm also a hands on person and don't think I could ever see myself in a position where I couldn't get hands on at all (suppose that may change as I get older)

 

[Charlie_]

After I came out of my apprenticeship I went down the route of; c course, onc, hnc and then went onto a degree. I found that a very successful strategy as each year my abilities grew steadily and wasn't overwhelmed by any of the subjects

 

[gazdkw82]

What's a c course?

 

[Pete999]

What's a c course?

C&Gs course C gives you Technician grade, or it did when I took it.

 

[Stspark]

Go for the hnd, then when completed if you wish to carry on learning, you can enroll onto a degree starting a few years ahead. Good luck

 

[bomjac]

There is ample opportunity these days to work your way through the qualifications. Go for the HND, then on completion you can swing across to a degree. COLU at teeside offer a HND distance learning, with a load of different modules you can take.

Or find somewhere that offers a degree part time. COLU at teeside offer HND distance learning, with a load of different modules you can take. Its a bit pricy since the Tories doubled tuition fees a few years back (£450 per module last time I looked). If HV is something you fancy, their HV operations courses actually count as a credit to it. It wil set you back about £1500 for the HV though.

If you have an issue with maths, I would highly recommend Engineering Mathematics, by K.A. Stroud. Its what I used through my degree, and will stand you in good stead right up to Honours level. I actually completed the whole book cover to cover, as well as "Further Engineering Mathematics". Well I did enjoy Maths.

 

[gazdkw82]

Some great responses. This place never fails to amaze me.

I think I will look into the HND route and I will also get that book ;-)

Thanks again

 

[Bobster]

After the HND you can top up to a Beng on a shorter deg. It's what I did.

Also, gives you a solid background on the math involved. As the math gets pretty solid at degree level. Even the HND math is higher than the modern A level math.

 

[gazdkw82]

After the HND you can top up to a Beng on a shorter deg. It's what I did.

Also, gives you a solid background on the math involved. As the math gets pretty solid at degree level. Even the HND math is higher than the modern A level math.

Thanks Rob. Think that's what I'll do

 

[Marvo]

After I came out of my apprenticeship I went down the route of; c course, onc, hnc and then went onto a degree. I found that a very successful strategy as each year my abilities grew steadily and wasn't overwhelmed by any of the subjects

Exactly the route I went. I did my HND over several years as block release whilst I was an apprentice then went on to complete a degree a couple of years later.

 

[gazdkw82]

Been doing some research.

I've come across this course which seems to cover areas around electrical and mechanical HND level.

https://leicestercollege.ac.uk/course/mechanical-electrical-engineering-higher-national-diploma-2019-20-c5523-engineering/

Thoughts?

 

[telectrix]

only problem i see is the higher up you go, degree etc. , you get shovelled into desk jobs. that happened to me with HND. after 6 months sitting at a desk, i quit and went in at the deep end, having little experience on the tools, but with th right mindset to learn, bei basically hands-on. rebuilt motorbikes, done some electrical experiments whilst in teens, all helped.

 

[Pete999]

What's a c course?

Deleted

 

[gazdkw82]

only problem i see is the higher up you go, degree etc. , you get shovelled into desk jobs. that happened to me with HND. after 6 months sitting at a desk, i quit and went in at the deep end, having little experience on the tools, but with th right mindset to learn, bei basically hands-on. rebuilt motorbikes, done some electrical experiments whilst in teens, all helped.

Yeh I do fear that a little bit tbh. However, I think long term I am better to build my quals up now. I can still keep my hand in on the tools with side jobs etc. I do that now anyway

 

[Silly Sausage]

only problem i see is the higher up you go, degree etc. , you get shovelled into desk jobs. that happened to me with HND. after 6 months sitting at a desk, i quit and went in at the deep end, having little experience on the tools, but with th right mindset to learn, bei basically hands-on. rebuilt motorbikes, done some electrical experiments whilst in teens, all helped.

I have quite a similar experience to you.
Got my degree (mid 30s), and after deluding myself for about 18-24 months I could get a job as an Engineer, I (I think anyway) fell on my feet and got a job as an Instrument Tech, best work ever, did have loads of previous practical skills. In later jobs I had to get my basic Electrical quals in the bag, 16th, 2391, 2400.

 

[Pajero]

Hi.

I was like you a couple of years ago.

I got 100% at almost every C&G exam when I did 2365, so I decided to keep studying, as like you I like learning.

For your case, I wholeheartedly recommend having a look at doing a degree with Open University. It’s tailored to mature students, people who are already in the industry that want to get the corresponding degree, etc. It also starts at the very beginning, so it’s perfect if you’ve been out of school for a while/didn’t get A-levels/you’re not quite sure whether or not you can hack it.

It’s also designed for part time students, so you can keep working at the same time, as the workload is very manageable and they are quite flexible. It takes a bit longer than with a brick and mortar uni, but the degree is the same. It does require discipline, though. Once a year, you attend a residential week where they concentrate all the practical labs you’d do over the course of the year

I did my first year with open uni, and then moved to a brick and mortar uni because they offered a degree (Master) in the exact discipline I wanted (naval engineering), which Open didn’t offer.

It’s also much cheaper than other degrees.

Let me know if you need any more information, happy to help. Even though I have moved to a brick and mortar uni, I still keep in touch with the guys I did the first year.

Tbh I'm not quite sure. What I do know is I really like to learn, like a challenge and enjoy engineering generally.

 

[gavin948]

Hi Guys,

Interesting read. Well I am 46 qualified electrician and now doing a desk job managing facilities companies.
Looking for a new challenge and doing HND electrical engineering.
Question is - What type of work would I pick up and what sort of salary would you expect. On guy told me he gets 60k as an engineer??

Thanks

 

[gavin948]

Hi Guys,

Interesting read. Well I am 46 qualified electrician and now doing a desk job managing facilities companies.
Looking for a new challenge and doing HND electrical engineering.
Question is - What type of work would I pick up and what sort of salary would you expect. On guy told me he gets 60k as an engineer??

Thanks

 

[Zerax]

If you have an issue with maths, I would highly recommend Engineering Mathematics, by K.A. Stroud.

I've still got my copy on the bookshelf ! Absolute classic.

 

[Julie.]

I've still got my copy on the bookshelf ! Absolute classic.

Yup, absolute classic text, did me well for the first year or so of my degree - still around now!

 

[Marvo]

Thanks for the info. My maths is around GCSE B/C. I had to do functional skills maths a few years ago and that's based on C/B GCSE in old money.

I think long term a degree would be better but I'm 36, no rush for that. Maybe I can do a HND and then work on my other skills to prepare for the extra year or so to complete the degree.

This is the route I took many years ago. It suited me better because the OND and HND were completed on block release and nightschool whilst I was working, I then just took one year off to complete my degree.

 

[SheffSimon]

Hi Guys,

Interesting read. Well I am 46 qualified electrician and now doing a desk job managing facilities companies.
Looking for a new challenge and doing HND electrical engineering.
Question is - What type of work would I pick up and what sort of salary would you expect. On guy told me he gets 60k as an engineer??

Thanks

As always, it depends on your experience as well as your education, and just being lucky to drop on the right role.

I'm assuming you want a technical role rather than managerial.

If you had factory or process automation experience, then software engineering is very lucrative, especially if you have good SCADA/DCS skills. I'm describing myself, and if I work in petrochem, or pharma, or nuclear, way more than 60K a year is achievable contracting.