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General Engineering

For HM Forces

Award

FdSc

Study option

Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Start dates available

May 2026

Apply now

MOD focused

Curriculum content designed to complement your professional development

Virtual Learning Environment

Highly interactive distance learning award delivered through Blackboard (our VLE)

Flexible Learning

No attendance required on campus, with remote/onsite support available for all modules

Our General Engineering FdSc course and its online delivery is designed specifically for MOD personnel.

The award set is designed to meet the needs and profile of the wide range of prospective engineering branch entrants from technicians to Commissioned Officers requiring an academic perspective. It provides a range of destination awards based around a spine of common core modules.

To make an initial enquiry about this programme please contact the HM Forces team.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: FdSc General Engineering

Course content

Higher levels will increasingly reflect and draw upon the students work environment and experience, recognising that many will be operating in a technical leadership and instructional role. The structures are specially adapted versions of our existing engineering provision.

Fees

The total course fee for 240 credits of study is £6120.00

Entry requirements

NVQ Level 3 in an Engineering discipline
Working in an Engineering role
Currently serving or have served in the Armed Forces

Compulsory Course Briefing Day Attendance

Prior to submitting your online application, you are required to participate in a compulsory Course Briefing Day (CBD), which can be either online or at the Stoke Campus. The purpose of the day is to provide an in-depth overview of how the course is structured, the commitment required to study and how to claim accreditation for previous qualifications or experience gained throughout your career. The award tutors will also guide you through the application process.

We offer two types of CBD:

Attendance – An opportunity for students to physically attend a CBD event at the university. 

Online – An opportunity for students to participate in an online CBD which is delivered in real time but via the internet, thus negating the requirement to travel to the university.

If you would like to participate in a CBD, please contact the HM Forces team.

How to apply

The application process will be explained during the CBD following which you will be sent the application links and documentation required to submit your online application.  Please do not submit an application until you have participated in a CBD.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

As a distance learning student, you will be an active learner interacting with content, your fellow students and your module tutors. Support is available when you need it. You can contact your module tutor, your personal tutor, Information Service staff and subject specialist librarian by phone, email or in person.

Our teaching is supported through our Virtual Learning Environment called Blackboard. This means you can access a range of materials to support your studies wherever you are via your PC, tablet or phone. This includes accessing video, audio and discussion forums where you can debate subjects with your tutors and fellow students.

Assessment

All modules are individually assessed via one or more methods dependent upon the requirement of that module. The method of assessment is chosen to ensure that we can verify that you have met the learning outcomes of the module. These methods may include individual coursework assignments, written reports, discussion contributions and practical exercises.

Typically, assignment submission and feedback will be via Blackboard Learning Portal, using a system called Turnitin. Practical assessments are all completed online throughout the Foundation Degree. Module results will also be made available electronically through the Turnitin system.

Learning support

A personal tutor will be appointed who is a subject matter expert. Support for any modules will be conducted via email, telephone or online collaborate.

Additional support

Our AccessAbility Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment or learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

Feedback

Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally (through formative feedback) before you complete the formal assessments. Where appropriate, a module will include practice or 'formative' assessments where you will receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark but are essential for you to develop academically as a student. There is a formal or 'summative' assessment at the end of each module and the grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark. You will normally receive provisional feedback on coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission. The feedback you receive will help to focus you to achieve better grades on the next set of modules you study. The final mark on each module is subject to 2^nd marking and agreement by the Award Board.

Apply now to General Engineering

Location	Award	Study option	Start date	Apply Link
Stoke-on-Trent campus	FdSc	Part-time, distance learning	25 May 2026	Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.