Build your mechanical engineering knowledge while continuing to work in industry.
The HNC Mechanical Engineering (Day Release) course is designed for those who are already employed, apprenticed, or gaining hands-on experience in engineering and want to strengthen their technical knowledge alongside their job. Delivered over two years on a day-release basis (1 day per week) at our Springburn Campus, this course allows you to develop essential engineering skills without stepping away from employment.
You’ll study the core principles of mechanical engineering, focusing on how theory is applied in real industrial and manufacturing environments. Learning combines classroom-based study with CAD and laboratory work in our purpose-built Innovation Engineering Lab, helping you link what you learn directly to the work you do on site or in the workshop.
Taught by experienced lecturers with strong industry connections, the course supports you to build confidence in engineering maths, design, materials, and systems — strengthening your ability to solve problems, communicate technical ideas, and progress professionally.
Whether you’re looking to move into a more technical role, support an apprenticeship, or prepare for progression to HND or degree-level study, this day-release HNC provides a flexible and practical route to the next stage of your engineering career.
This course is ideal if you:
Considering Day-Release Study?
This HNC qualification is also available through our Modern Apprenticeship pathway, which includes the HNC alongside structured workplace training, competency assessment and nationally recognised apprenticeship certification.
The Modern Apprenticeship route is fully funded (subject to available places) and leads to trade papers on successful completion.
You’ll gain a strong grounding in both the theoretical and practical elements of mechanical engineering. The course develops your analytical, design, and technical problem-solving abilities.
Core Topics Include:
Applicants should have one of the following:
✅ Higher Maths or a relevant Science subject (preferably Physics), OR
✅ Foundation Apprenticeship in Engineering, OR
✅ Access STEM or Access Engineering qualification, OR
✅ Relevant experience or alternative qualifications (considered on an individual basis).
Additional Requirements:
Entry to the course will be based upon a competitive review of the applications.
ℹ️ Applicants must be 16 years or older at the start of the course.
ℹ️ For this course, if English is not your first language
This qualification prepares you for a range of early-career roles in the engineering and manufacturing industries, including:
⚙️ Junior Mechanical Technician
🏭 Engineering Apprentice
🧰 Maintenance or Manufacturing Technician
💡 CAD Design Assistant
📏 Quality Control or Testing Assistant
Graduates often move directly into employment or combine part-time work with further study.
On successful completion, you can progress to:
We have strong progression links with universities across the west of Scotland, giving you clear routes to degree-level study and professional registration.
The best parts about the course we’re always the hands on parts, and the lectures abilities to relate the theories learned in classrooms to physical aspects in the workshops.
My name is Vahid. I studied HNC Mechanics in Glasgow Kelvin College.
What I did before I came to Glasgow Kelvin College, I went to St Andrew High School. Woodwork and metalwork with numeracy.
I was good with my hands. That's why I picked a mechanical engineering. What I like about this mechanical engineering course is it helped me focus.
I've learned some topics like CNC, CAD, materials, quality, mass.
Thank God I have good friends that put me choose.
My plan was that after college, I already applied for like five universities. You never know, they might not be doing a position to get more knowledge to get more practical work.
Advice for people that are going to study is just, they need to know what they're doing. Yeah, they need to know maths, a lot of maths, calculations. They have to be focused. They need to be in the game.
There's a good part with universities. Yeah, they help you with universities. Yeah, that's what I love. The application, it's open. Gotta be quick. You have to be fast.
