Advance to Electronics - Level 6 (January)
- Location
- Cardonald Campus
- SCQF Level
- 6
- Start Date
- 18 Jan 2027
- Qualification Type
- NQ
- Course Type
- Short Full-Time
- Duration
- 18 Weeks (January to June)
Do you have a passion for electronics? Advance to Electronics is an 18-week course that will build your confidence in electronics. During the course you'll study a range of units which combine practical workshop activities and engineering theory. If you enjoy investigating how technology works, solving problems and making things, then this could be the course for you.
This is an entry-level course which has a clear progression path and is suitable for school leavers as well as adults returning to study who want to prepare for further study or an apprenticeship.
What will I learn?
During Advance to Electronics you'll learn a range of electrical and electronic engineering theory at SCQF Levels 5 and 6, plus extensive hands-on hardware and software work, including:
- Electrical/electronic principles: Understand how components and circuits behave.
- Mathematics: Develop the calculations needed to analyse engineering problems.
- Communications: Explain technical ideas and record your work clearly.
- Computer networks, cybersecurity and industry 4.0: Explore connected systems and their use in engineering.
- Python and C++ programming: Learn how to turn a problem into a sequence of instructions.
- Microcontrollers: Connect code to hardware for control applications.
- Soldering and circuit assembly: Develop careful, repeatable construction techniques.
- Engineering project: Bring design, construction and programming together to produce and evaluate a working solution.
Entry requirements (minimum)
- A minimum of four National 4 qualifications, or equivalent, including Mathematics and a Science subject; OR
- We are happy to consider applications from those with relevant industrial experience in lieu of formal qualifications.
- You should provide detailed information on relevant life and employment experience within the personal statement in the application form, in addition to demonstrating a genuine interest in the subject.
- Please list on your application any qualifications you have already obtained, with dates and details of the awarding body.
The Scottish Credit and Qualifications (SCQF) Framework can help you to check if you're choosing the right level of study. Take a look at the SCQF Interactive Framework here.
Employer and industry links
Glasgow Clyde College work in partnership with many engineering employers which provide opportunities for industry talks, visits and potential placements (subject to availability).
Jobs and further study
If you successfully complete this course, it may be possible to progress to:
- HNC/D Electronics or to Year 1 of the Pre-Graduation Apprenticeship BEng (Hons) Engineering (Electrical, Electronics and Mechanical) Pathway.
- You will have the potential to apply for a modern apprenticeship with a variety of electronic industries
- You will have the potential to apply for a graduate apprenticeship with a variety of engineering companies.
What's the best that could happen? You could build a career in one of Scotland's most exciting industries.
Take a look at the course progression map for electronics and electrical engineering courses.
I've applied — what happens next?
When you apply
You will receive an automated email confirming that we have received your application (remember to check your SPAM folder).
Your application will be reviewed by the admissions team and you will either be:
- Invited to book an interview session
- Advised that your application is unsuccessful – you have not met the entry requirements for this course and are advised to contact the College Student Advice Centres to discuss alternative options which may be available to you.
- We aim not to reject an application and if you don’t meet the entry requirements you may be referred to a different course or level.
You will be invited to attend to the College from December onwards for an interview session based on your qualifications and/or experience. The interview session will involve a short one-to-one interview.
A decision on whether you are successful or not will be based on your application and interview.
The interview process should take no more than 30 minutes.
If you are invited to interview, you will be informed of the outcome of your interview by email within 14 working days. The outcome will be one of the following:
- Unconditional offer of a place – you have met all the entry requirements and your place is guaranteed. You will be required to accept this offer to secure your place.
- Conditional offer of a place – your place is secured pending you meeting the entry requirements. This may mean achieving school or college qualifications which you may not be able to provide to us yet. You will be required to accept this offer to secure your conditional place. Once your conditions are met this will change to an unconditional offer of a place which you must accept before you can enrol on the course. Remove we will check SQA in August for results.
- Waiting list – you have met all entry requirements, and have been interviewed however, the course is now full so you have been placed on a waiting list. If any spaces become available you may be contacted, usually around the course start date. We would advise that you also consider other application options.
- Reserve list – following your interview, you have unfortunately not been successful in this round of recruitment. We have placed your name on a Reserve list and your application may be reconsidered at a later date. This could happen any time up to the start date of the course but it is very possible that you will not be offered a place. We would advise that you also consider other application options.
- Unsuccessful – your interview has been unsuccessful. You may be offered a place on a course at a different level, or advised to contact the College Student Advice Centres to discuss alternative options which may be available to you.
Once an offer is received you must reply within 14 working days or risk losing your place.
Once you have accepted your offer of a place, you will be sent further information e.g. Student Funding, Joining Instructions, Kit List, Induction Date. This will be issued in December / January.