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Gower College Swansea · Undergraduate
HND Mechanical Engineering Foundation degree at Gower College Swansea
HND Mechanical Engineering at Gower College Swansea. As a nationally recognised UK degree, it equips you with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in mechanical systems and design.
HND
Award
–
Years
Part-time
Study mode
Gower College
Location
About this course
HND Mechanical Engineering is a Foundation degree (HND) at Gower College Swansea, based in Gower College. It is studied part-time; duration varies by route.
For Engineering and technology graduates from this provider, typical earnings around £38,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Engineering, see the sections below.
Curriculum & modules
A typical UK Engineering degree builds from foundations to specialist options and a final project. An indicative structure:
| Stage | Module |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | Engineering Mathematics Calculus, linear algebra and numerical methods for engineers. |
| Year 1 | Mechanics & Materials Statics, dynamics and how materials behave under load. |
| Year 1 | Design & Practical Skills CAD, workshop practice and the engineering design process. |
| Year 2 | Thermodynamics & Fluids / Circuits & Systems The discipline core, mechanical or electrical stream. |
| Year 2 | Engineering Analysis & Computing Simulation, programming and data analysis for engineering problems. |
| Year 2 | Group Design Project A team build against a real specification, reviewed like industry. |
| Year 3 | Specialist options Typically energy, robotics, structures, communications or manufacturing. |
| Year 3 | Professional Engineering Practice Safety, ethics, sustainability and project management. |
| Year 3 | Individual project A substantial supervised design/research project, the degree's centrepiece. |
Typical structure for this subject (indicative). Modules vary by university. Check the provider's course page for the exact curriculum.
Specialisations & pathways
MechanicalElectrical & electronicCivil & structuralRobotics & mechatronicsEnergy & sustainabilityChartered (CEng) pathway
Tip: click a specialisation → current jobs in that area.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
You'll study the core principles and practice of mechanical engineering, typically progressing from foundational mathematics and mechanics through to specialist options and a final project. A course like this normally moves from first-year essentials, engineering mathematics, mechanics and materials, design and CAD, into second-year discipline-specific work in thermodynamics, fluids, circuits and systems, alongside computing and simulation. Throughout, you'll complete team and individual design projects reviewed against real-world specifications. In the final stage, you'll choose specialisations such as robotics and mechatronics, energy and sustainability, civil and structural engineering, or the Chartered (CEng) pathway, combine these with professional engineering practice, and undertake a substantial supervised project that forms the capstone of your degree.
Who it's for
This course suits those seeking practical engineering qualifications whilst balancing other commitments, given its part-time structure. It's designed for learners who want to develop specialist knowledge in mechanical engineering without committing to a full-time programme. Whether you're early in your career, returning to study, or looking to upskill, the flexible delivery allows you to progress at your own pace whilst gaining a nationally recognised qualification.
Careers & job market
Across engineering courses nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of completing their degree. Of those working, 80% are in highly skilled roles or pursuing further study. National graduate earnings data shows that engineering graduates earn £29,000–£35,000 at the 15-month mark, rising to £33,150–£46,800 after five years.
University & format
This HND Foundation degree is delivered part-time at Gower College Swansea in English. The qualification is recognised by a UK degree-awarding body, making your degree nationally recognised. The part-time format allows you to balance study with work or other commitments whilst working towards a qualification that opens pathways to professional registration, including the Chartered Engineer (CEng) route.
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
2027 entry deadlineApply directly to the provider
Part-time application dates vary by provider. UCAS dates
2026 entryLive availability check
Opened 2 July 2026; last choice 19 October 2026. Check vacancies now. A cached page never claims a place is still available.
Entry & how to get in
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check Gower College Swansea's official course page for the current offer.
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Offer-based entry
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
Apply byApply directly to the providerfor this course
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by Apply directly to the provider
Part-time application dates vary by provider. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask Gower College Swansea whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Internationalset by the university
Set under Wales's student-finance system; the provider's page is authoritative.
Check fees at Gower College Swansea →If you normally live in Wales
Living at homeup to £10,685 / yr
Away from home, outside Londonup to £12,590 / yr
Away from home, in Londonup to £15,720 / yr
2026/27 total maintenance support from Student Finance Wales. How much of it is grant and how much is loan depends on household income; the total does not. If you normally live elsewhere, use your home funding body.
Check your entitlement with Student Finance Wales →Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: paid directly to the university by Student Finance Wales.
- Maintenance support: a mix of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales, weighted to household income.
- Repayment: only above the income threshold, and written off at the end of the plan term.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
Wales runs its own system through Student Finance Wales; check studentfinancewales.co.uk for current rates.
Funding matched to this course
All Gower College Swansea funding →Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
care leavers
Check eligibility →students with disabilities
Check eligibility →Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
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Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check
Careers & earnings
What Engineering graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £38,000 | £30,000 – £44,500 | 100 |
| 3 years after | £35,500 | £29,000 – £43,000 | 50 |
| 5 years after | £41,000 | £33,000 – £49,000 | 60 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 100. Cohort 2021-22.
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in engineering · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Engineering nationally
Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£38,000
£29,000 – £35,000After 3 years LEO
£35,500
£26,775 – £37,800After 5 years LEO
£41,000
£33,150 – £46,800national rangethis course’s medianaxis £25,000 – £48,500
National figures for Engineering graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Engineering courses at the same study level.
This course £41,000Peer median £38,500Middle 50% £35,500–£42,500
62nd percentile
Compared with 2,256 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
Job market & outlook
How Engineering graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
90%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Engineering courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes80%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled88%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuationHow AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Engineering graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Engineering & manufacturing firms
- Automotive & aerospace
- Energy & utilities
- Defence & consultancies
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Engineering graduates.
Engineering Surveyor (Machine Control)BAM UK & IrelandEngineering Operations Project ManagerFdo Consulting LimitedEngineering ManagerVerto PeopleEngineering ManagerRobert WaltersEngineering ManagerPremier Technical RecruitmentEngineering ManagerRedline Group LtdLive from the StudySmarter job board · as of 2026-08-01.See all matching jobs
Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
💷
Student finance
Fees for this course are set under Wales's own student-finance system, not the England cap; check the provider's course page for the exact figure. If you normally live in Wales, Student Finance Wales can pay an eligible Tuition Fee Loan directly to the university, and maintenance support is a mix of grant and loan weighted to household income. You repay only above the income threshold.
📈
Where graduates go
Most graduates were in work or further study, with a median salary of £38,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Gower College Swansea
All students30
International0%
Aged 25+83.3%
Engineering and technology across the UK
Students176,530
Aged 25+23%
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Gower College
614 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Violent Crime 247Public Order 83Shoplifting 65Criminal Damage Arson 41Anti Social Behaviour 38
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Engineering right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to Gower College Swansea from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by Gower College Swansea; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check Gower College Swansea’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with Gower College Swansea and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at Gower College Swansea
Common questions
What are the entry requirements?
Set by Gower College Swansea. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
What do graduates go on to do?
For Engineering and technology graduates from this provider, typical earnings around £38,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
What will it cost me?
Fees for this course are set under Wales's own student-finance system, not the England cap; check the provider's course page for the exact figure. If you normally live in Wales, Student Finance Wales can pay an eligible Tuition Fee Loan directly to the university, and maintenance support is a mix of grant and loan weighted to household income. You repay only above the income threshold. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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