Aeronautical Engineering

The Higher National Diploma (HND) in Aeronautical Engineering is a rigorous specialist vocational programme, linked to professional body requirements and with a strong work related emphasis. At Level 4 students develop a broad knowledge and awareness of key aspects of the engineering sector through four core units, including one unit assessed by a Pearson-set assignment. The core units are:

Unit 1: Engineering Design
Unit 2: Engineering Mathematics
Unit 3: Engineering Science
Unit 4: Managing a Professional Engineering Project*

Graduates successfully completing the course will be able to demonstrate a sound knowledge of the basic concepts of engineering and the nature of the underpinning concepts of aeronautical engineering. They will be able to communicate accurately and appropriately and they will have the qualities of personal responsibility needed for employment. They will have developed a range of transferable skills to ensure effective team working, independent working with growing fault-finding and problem-solving strategies, and organisational awareness. As part of the Gatwick Diamond, students engage in a range of employment opportunities as part of the growing 128,000 jobs in aerospace which contributes £31bn to UK industry.

They will be adaptable and flexible in their approach to work, showing resilience under pressure and the ability to meet challenging targets within a reasonable, pre-set, timeframe. They will also demonstrate regard for the ethical responsibilities of the engineer, for cost and for the importance of protecting and sustaining the environment.

This pathway is linked to Professional Body standards (where appropriate) and can provide progression towards professional status or entry to the later stages of an appropriate degree.
At Level 5 students continue to build on the essential skills, knowledge and techniques necessary for all engineers whilst working through a larger number of subject-specific specialist and optional units. The two mandatory core units at Level 5 are:

Unit 34: Research Project
Unit 35: Professional Engineering Management.

The HND Aeronautical Engineering course comprises of 15 modules and they are:
Year 1
Engineering Design
Engineering Maths
Engineering Science
Engineering Project (Pearsons-set)
Aircraft Aerodynamics
Aircraft Electrical Power and Distribution Systems
Composite Material for Aerospace and Applications

Year 2
Research Project
Professional Engineering Management
Further Mathematics
Aircraft Flight Control Systems
Aircraft Structural Integrity
Advanced Composite Materials for Aerospace Applications
Aircraft Gas Turbine Engine Design

As a student of Chichester College, you will have access to all of our services, which includes study support, the Students' Union, nurseries and our library's online resources.

Special features of this programme include:
You can progress onto a final top-up year and achieve a full degree
Opportunity to tailor your HND through optional units
Small group sizes ensure you get the support you need to succeed

You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. The team includes senior academics, professional practitioners with industry experience, demonstrators and technical officers and guest speakers.

STEM building

The college has unveiled plans to build a multi-million pound facility at Crawley College that will put the college at the cutting edge of training delivery in computing. The new building will be home to a suite of modern teaching and interactive spaces, which will be used to integrate the use of technology and STEM (science, technology, engineering & maths) in to its curriculum.

Building work began in January 2020, and the building is set to open to students in 2021.