EDEXCEL Level 5 BTEC Higher National Certificate in Aerospace Engineering
Qualification summary
BTEC Higher Nationals in Aerospace Engineering have been developed to focus on:
• the education and training of aerospace engineers/technicians who are employed in a variety of
types of technical work, such as aerospace systems design, manufacture, maintenance and
technical services areas of the aerospace industry
• providing opportunities for aerospace engineers/technicians to achieve a nationally recognised
level 4 vocationally specific qualification
• providing opportunities for full-time learners to enter employment as engineers/technicians or
progress to a higher education vocational qualification such as a full-time degree in the aerospace
engineering fields of electronics, mechanical, mechatronics or related areas
• providing opportunities for learners to focus on the development of higher level skills in a
technological and management context
• providing opportunities for learners to develop a range of skills, 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:
For information on the approval of qualifications for funding in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, see the links to DCSF, DIUS, DCELLS, DELNI and DENI below.
When undertaking a qualification that does not appear on the governments' lists as eligible for funding for specific age ranges, users must be aware of legal requirements. Not all qualifications are suitable for all age ranges.
For further information on 14-19 qualifications offered in England, please refer to the DCSF
Section 96 website.
For further information on 19+ qualifications offered in England, please refer to the DIUS
Section 97 website.
For further information on Wales, visit the
DCELLS website.
For further information on Northern Ireland, visit the
DELNI and
DENI websites.
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 Aerospace Engineering mainly offers a progression route
for learners who are employed in aerospace systems design, manufacture, maintenance and technical
service areas of the aerospace engineering industry.
Aerospace Engineer
Aerospace Engineering Technician
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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 units from Group A and choose five units from Group B