New Engineering qualifications in Space Technologies
The introduction of the world’s first HNC/HND in Space Technologies at a leading University Centre in Cornwall marks a new frontier for space education.
About the new Space Technologies qualifications
The University Centre Truro & Penwith and awarding body Pearson have formed a stellar partnership to co-write the new Degree-Level qualification that will be rolled out across the UK later this year.
The qualification is backed by support from the UK Space Agency, Spaceport Cornwall, Goonhilly Earth Station, Airbus Defence and Space, the University of Leicester, the Open University and the University of Exeter.
The University Centre Truro & Penwith will be one of the first institutions to offer the new HNC/HND that it has developed in September 2022 and is accepting applications.
Learners can expect to gain fascinating insight into engineering for space missions and ground stations with topics including; satellite structures, in-space power generation, space craft altitude control, rocket propulsion and space communication to name a few.
Successful completion will provide opportunities to progress to further study where learners can achieve a BEng in Space Systems or Aerospace Engineering.
Graduates will be equally well placed to start a quality career in a wide range of roles including; Satellite Communications Technician, Satellite Manufacturing Technician, Spacecraft Mechanical Engineering Technician and Spacecraft Propulsion Engineering Technician among many more.
About The University Centre Truro & Penworth
Training will be delivered at the new £7.3 million Valency building, part of the South West Institute of Technology at Truro College with facilities that rival the best in the UK for digital, engineering and manufacturing.
The University Centre is part of Truro and Penwith College’s Future Skills Institute and has been spearheading the development of space skills in Cornwall through its ESF part-funded Cornwall Space & Aerospace Technology Training (CSATT) project ahead of Virgin Orbit’s first horizontal launch from UK soil in Newquay this summer.
The world-first qualification follows the University Centre’s introduction of the University-Level Space Engineering Technician Apprenticeship in February and will ensure a steady supply of talented Space Technicians for engineering companies across the UK and in particular Cornwall, where engineering firms will form a vital part of the Space sector supply chain which is expected to be worth £1bn to the Cornish economy and create hundreds of jobs.
Collaboration with Pearson
Dr Heidi Thiemann, ESF Project Manager for Space & Aerospace at the University Centre led the team that wrote the new qualification and commented: “We are thrilled to have partnered with Pearson and a large number of institutions and NGOs, including the UK Space Agency in the development of this University-Level qualification.
“Students are already starting on our new University-Level Space Technology Apprenticeship in September. The HNC/HND was written to align with the Apprenticeship and I’d like to extend my thanks to my colleagues Leslie Nickola, an Engineering specialist who joined the College last year from South Africa, Professor Nigel Bannister from the University of Leicester and Roy Haworth from Airbus Defence and Space who were instrumental in co-writing the programme with us. We aim to be running the new programme part-time from September 2022 and will recruit a full-time cohort in 2023.”
Rebecca Mameli, Strategic Lead for HE Research and Product Solutions at Pearson said: "We are delighted to have collaborated with University Centre Truro & Penwith to develop a new Engineering BTEC Higher National qualification in Space Technologies. The growth of higher technical education that reflects current industrial and regional needs and opportunities is vital. Students need the opportunity to access cutting-edge learning opportunities in their local area. We are committed to working with the further and higher education sector to make this happen."
Want to find out more?
Whether you’re already delivering HNs in Engineering and / or Aeronautical Engineering, or are a centre looking to start delivering these qualifications, if you have any questions, please get in touch with us via Pearson Support.
