BTEC Firsts Structure and assessment

Structure and assessment
The BTEC First Award in Engineering Design and Product Investigation is one of three specialist engineering qualifications we've developed in partnership with the Royal Academy of Engineering.
Structure of the qualification
Two core units and one mandatory unit provide the fundamental knowledge and understanding of the engineering sector.
Unit | Core units | Assessment method | GLH |
---|---|---|---|
2 | Investigating an Engineered Product | Internal | 30 |
9 | Interpreting and Using Engineered Information | External | 30 |
12 | Engineering Design (mandatory) | Internal | 60 |
Assessment
Built on the rigorous assessment standards expected of BTEC qualifications, the new qualification includes an externally assessed unit, Unit 9: Interpreting and Using Engineering Information.
We've designed the external assessment to be appropriate for the sector, reflecting the skills and aptitudes required. The external assessment takes the form of a one-hour paper-based exam consisting of short- and long-answer questions, with an opportunity for extended writing within the exam.
Unit overview
Unit 2: Investigating an Engineered Product
This unit ensures learners understand the performance requirements of an engineered product and the selection of specific materials for use in the components that make up an engineered product.
Unit 9: Interpreting and Using Engineering Information (externally assessed)
Learners will understand how to interpret and use information from drawings and other documentation.
Unit 12: Engineering Design
This unit looks at the factors influencing the design of a new product and how to develop a product design specification (PDS) and prepare design proposals and design solutions that meet the requirements of a PDS.
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