HND Engineering Systems Foundation degree at UHI
HND Engineering Systems at UHI. You'll develop specialist knowledge via optional pathways whilst completing an independent project and building professional skills throughout the two years.
About this course
HND Engineering Systems is a Foundation degree (HND) at UHI, based in UHI North West Hebrides,UHI Perth. It runs 2 years, studied full-time.
For Electrical and electronic engineering graduates from this provider, 100% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 55% in highly skilled roles. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Engineering, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met Sample size is not included in this snapshot. Cohort 2021-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 100% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2021-23. Continuation 70% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 2 20 modules
- Business awareness and continuing professional development
- Design for manufacture
- Engineering systems analysis: system modelling and control
- Engineering systems: graded unit 2
- Engineering: practical skills
- Mathematics for engineering 2
- Principles of safe engineering systems
- Project management: managing the implementation of a project
- Fundamentals of control systems and transducersOptional
- Quality management: an introductionOptional
- Sequential logicOptional
- Single phase AC circuitsOptional
- Three phase systemsOptional
- Heat transfer and fluid mechanicsOptional
- Power electronicsOptional
- Renewable energy store: hydrogenOptional
- Renewable energy systems: technologyOptional
- Renewable energy systems: wind powerOptional
- Renewable energy systems: wave and tidal energyOptional
- Mathematics for engineering 3Optional
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
You'll study engineering fundamentals grounded in mathematics, mechanics and materials science, moving progressively towards specialist practice. Year 1 typically covers Engineering Mathematics, Mechanics & Materials, and Design & Practical Skills including CAD and workshop methods. Year 2 introduces discipline-specific core content such as Thermodynamics & Fluids or Circuits & Systems, alongside Engineering Analysis & Computing and a team-based Group Design Project assessed to industry standards. The course allows specialisation in areas such as Mechanical, Electrical & Electronic, Civil & Structural, Robotics & Mechatronics, Energy & Sustainability, or the Chartered (CEng) pathway. Your studies culminate in Professional Engineering Practice (covering safety, ethics and sustainability) and a substantial supervised individual project.
Who it's for
This course suits people with strong analytical and practical abilities who want to work in engineering without pursuing a traditional three-year degree path. You'll thrive if you're curious about how systems work, comfortable with technical concepts, and keen to apply theory to concrete challenges. The two-year timeline and focus on both knowledge and employability appeal to those ready to move into engineering roles relatively quickly, or to use it as a springboard for further study. Most entrants hold A-levels or equivalent.
Careers & job market
Across Engineering courses nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months, with 80% of working graduates in highly skilled roles or pursuing additional qualifications. Graduate earnings data shows national figures starting at £29,000–£35,000 (15 months after graduation), rising to £33,150–£46,800 after five years. These are based on national Graduate Outcomes and Longitudinal Educational Outcomes surveys, not university-specific guarantees.
University & format
This HND Engineering Systems Foundation Degree is studied full-time over 2 years at the University of the Highlands and Islands, a UK degree-awarding body. Teaching takes place at UHI North West Hebrides and UHI Perth. Instruction is in English. The award is nationally recognised.
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 70% |
| another higher-education qualification | 30% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
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.
- 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 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. 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.
Fees & funding
UHI publishes tuition by domicile, award level, study mode and delivery. Use the individual course page for the exact year-by-year fee.
Published UHI fee framework
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 years after | £21,500 | £15,500 – £30,500 | 110 |
| 5 years after | £30,000 | £22,500 – £38,500 | 160 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Published threshold met. Sample size is not included in this snapshot. Cohort 2021-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 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
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.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2021-23. Published threshold met. Sample size is not included in this snapshot. Cohort 2021-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Engineering courses at the same study level.
Compared with 2,256 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Engineering professionalsSOC 2020 212 · 35% of published destinations · ASHE median £50,325
- Elementary occupationsSOC 2020 9 · 20% of published destinations · ASHE median £19,087
- Skilled trades occupationsSOC 2020 5 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £34,241
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionalsSOC 2020 31 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £34,828
- Process, plant and machine operativesDiscover Uni category · 10% of published destinations
- Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 20; response rate: 65%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Engineering graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How 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 LtdIs this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Fees and funding
UHI publishes tuition by domicile, award level, study mode and delivery. Use the individual course page for the exact year-by-year fee.
Where graduates go
100% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.5 out of 10: in work or study 100% · continued 70%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
University of the Highlands and Islands
Engineering and technology across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Is Engineering right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
Related courses
More at UHI
Common questions
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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