- Location
- Anniesland Campus
- SCQF Level
- 8
- Start Date
- 25 Aug 2025
- Qualification Type
- HND
- Course Type
- Full-Time
- Duration
- 2 Years (August to June)
This popular HND course is a crucial gateway for anyone who wants a career in mechanical engineering. You’ll get all the foundational knowledge and skills you’ll need to excel - from practical engineering skills to theoretical principles such as heat transfer, fluid mechanics and design for manufacture. Engineering jobs are experiencing high demand, and this course caters to the evolving needs of the industry, so you’ll be equipped with skills to help you succeed both now and in the future.
What will I learn?
Throughout the duration of the course, you will undertake SQA HN Units which will lead to the HND Mechanical Engineering Award (G841 16). Course content includes:
- Engineering practical skills
- Plant systems
- Heat transfer and fluid mechanics
- Strength of materials
- Design for manufacture
- Engineering measurement
- Mechanical engineering Graded Unit 2: Project-based
Entry requirements (minimum)
- One Higher, or equivalent, from Maths or Physics; OR
- A relevant NC, or equivalent.
- If English is not your first language, then a level 6 ESOL qualification is required, due to the technical demands of the subject.
- We will consider your applications if you have relevant experience but no formal qualifications
Entry requirement equivalency table
If you do not meet the entry criteria for your chosen course, you may be offered an alternative course in the same subject area.
Employer and industry links
Glasgow Clyde College work in partnership with the majority of engineering employers and are seen as the engineering college of choice within the Greater Glasgow area. These partnerships provide opportunities for industrial visits, placements and industry talks as well as providing opportunities for you to progress into employment.
Due to these excellent links the College is continually at the forefront of technological advances with continual investment in its engineering facilities which provide you with a world-class learning experience. The HND will equip you with the skills you will need to seek employment as an engineering technician, and with some additional studies, as an Incorporated Engineer, in a wide range of manufacturing, service and public sector organisations.
Jobs and further study
Studying HND Mechanical Engineering can help engineers to progress to university and towards professional engineering status. Progression routes include:
- Full-time students who complete this course with a Graded Unit result of B or above will be eligible to apply for second or third-year entry into the various engineering degree programmes at Glasgow Caledonian University, University of the West of Scotland and Napier University
Please note that direct entry into the third-year will require HN Units in Engineering Mathematics 1 to 5. - Part-time students who successfully complete this course with a Graded Unit 2 result of B or above will be eligible to apply for part-time engineering degree programmes at Glasgow Caledonian University, University of the West of Scotland and The Open University
- You will have the potential to progress to engineering jobs in the energy, maintenance, design, manufacturing and mechanical engineering sectors at technician or junior level.
Take a look at the course progression map for engineering courses.
Making an application
For courses starting in August, you can make up to two applications.
Applications are made to a course and a first choice of campus. If the course is oversubscribed at your first choice you will be automatically considered for alternative sites and may be made an offer without a further application.
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:
- Made a direct offer (unconditional or conditional)
- 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.
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.
- 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, as the system will automatically decline your offer after 14 days.
Once you have accepted your offer, you will be sent out instructions about student funding, joining instructions and induction date. This will normally be sent out in June / July.