Full name of specification
Cambridge National Certificate in Engineering Design
Exam board specification link
Name of textbook if used
What is Engineering Design?
Engineering is exciting, rewarding and creative. If you are analytical, imaginative and innovative, have a passion for problem solving and a keen eye for detail then this course is for you.
Why study this course?
We provide this course to make sure that the next generation of young engineers is equipped with the skills demanded by employers in the engineering community. The Cambridge Nationals in Engineering provide sufficient breadth to maintain the skills central to engineering while also allowing specialist skills to be developed.
Engineering Design give you a real foothold in the process of engineering design from contextualisation, through to realisation. You will be picking up the skills to help you become a design champion of the future.
What will I study?
There are 3 main units in this program of study
- R038: Principles of engineering design
- R039: Communicating designs
- R040: Design, evaluation and modelling
How will I be assessed?
- R038: Principles of engineering design (External Assessment)
- R039: Communicating designs (Centre Assessed Project)
- R040: Design, evaluation and modelling (Centre Assessed Project)
Unit R038 is worth 40%, with the two Centre assessed projects worth 30% each. You will be graded between Level 1 pass through to Level 2 Distinction*
How is it assessed?
One unit is assessed through an exam and three further units which are centre assessed.
How will it prepare me?
Students will develop skills, knowledge and understanding through these qualifications which are relevant to both work and further study. It will support progression into employment through work-placed or college-based apprenticeships in areas such as Engineering and Manufacturing. It will also support students progressing to A Levels or to Cambridge Technical Level 3 in engineering.
There are lots of different careers in engineering. Some examples of areas of work are
- Defense
- Space
- Energy
- Transport
- Environmental
- Medical and pharmaceutical
- Construction
- Marine
- Food and drink.
And the following potential main areas of expertise are
- Design
- Research and prototype development
- Production
- Installation and maintenance
- Safety and quality assurance.
Additional activities within this subject
Within this qualification we aim to create a series of real world engineering projects, tied to our employer partners, giving each learner the skills that will help them adapt the challenges or working in a real life engineering environment.
Teachers
Dan Howard, Gary Brezinski, Andrew Plevin