Degrees Foundation degree hospital engineering

The course will provide students with an undergraduate education in the field of hospital engineering. This foundation degree aims to offer an enjoyable, intellectually demanding and stimulating programme of study and to create graduates who:

• Understand technology principles associated with Hospital Engineering
• Undertake work based practical work to the required competence level
• Have excellent presentation and communication skills
• Have an opportunity to progress to further, higher study
• Demonstrate the centrality of experiential learning to the developing practices in the workplace
• Utilise a range of information technology tools for work based learning and personal development
• Develop skills of interpersonal and adaptive communication necessary to perform as a Hospital Engineering Technologist
• Apply knowledge and skills to improve competence in the workplace
• Demonstrate awareness of life-long learning

You will undertake a variety of modules, covering a range of hospital engineering disciplines:

Year 1: Engineering science, health and safety and infection control in hospitals, personal progress portfolio, and building services technologies.

Year 2: Decontamination, medical gases, HVAC, water hygiene, fire safety and electrical services, and management principles.

Your course will be delivered across four teaching blocks to coincide with four study weekends held at Eastwood Park. In each year, 120 credits are delivered across an academic year.

The foundation degree is highly work-focused and employment- relevant, and will allow you to both develop and apply your learning in the work place. The award is designed to further enhance your employability and to enable you to develop your skills and knowledge towards your next career goals.

Entry requirements

You need to be in relevant employment and an appropriate job role.

Normally you will have an English GCSE and Maths A level (for maths we are however happy to provide alternative assessment as well as support, if necessary, to ensure an appropriate level is attained for the degree).

For direct entry into the second year you will need a relevant level 4 qualification (e.g. an HNC, or first year degree qualification) however we will consider applicants with alternative experience and knowledge.

Ideally you will have completed these qualifications no longer than 5 years ago.

Supported learning and earning

It's a work-based, blended learning programme enabling you to learn in the workplace and through Moodle with online study, workbooks plus direct practice.

In addition, there are four residential study and assessment weekends per year at Eastwood Park's residential training centre.

Your degree programme tutors are experts in their own specialisms and are accessible throughout to assist you. You really do get the opportunity for 1:1 support and small-group learning with industry leaders.

Moodle - our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) - is a valued resource, full of reference sources as well as providing a confidential online forum for discussion with fellow students. It's easy to use and fully accessible to suit you.

Student support

A range of academic and pastoral  support is available throughout your degree from Staffordshire University – read more on their website. You will also have access to our dedicated degrees support team to further assist learning, answer queries and provide advice throughout.

Maths support

We know it can feel somewhat daunting returning to study and we are aware some learners may find particularly the maths requirements of the degrees challenging.  To help, we have built in additional maths support to complement the Engineering Science I module. During this learning, we supply staged study material with practice questions, a forum to discuss learning with peers and tutors, and opportunity for more formal classroom learning during study weekends. 

Even when you are remotely learning you are never far from help and support.

Fees

Fees for the degree are in line with equivalent undergraduate qualifications, for which you may be eligible for a student loan, subject to certain criteria.

Foundation degree hospital engineering year one - £6,500 (+VAT)
Foundation degree hospital engineering year two - £6,500 (+VAT)

There will also be some small additional costs related to the four study weekends that take place each year.

This degree is awarded by Staffordshire University.

Eastwood Park is partnered with Staffordshire University, an institution with over 100 years' experience in higher education. SU is renowned for its focus on graduate employability and provides industry-relevant courses in a variety of subject areas, including computing, engineering, healthcare and science.

Facilities

Classrooms

Classrooms are available for theory learning and group exercises (close to training laboratories when practice activities are included).

FAQs

• Do I need to pay for the course in one go?

  Yes. If you’re offered a place on one of our degrees, we send you a booking form which breaks down all the costs, explains payment processes and includes our Degree Programme Booking T’s & C’s. Your course fees and study weekend costs will need to be paid in advance of the first study weekend -  where we will guide you through your electronic enrolment with Staffordshire University to formally register you as a degree student.

   

• How much does the degree cost?

  See above for up-to-date fee information and for any other costs you can expect.

• How do I apply?

  Simply email us or call +44 (0)1454 262777.

• What are your terms & conditions?

  You can view and download our booking terms and conditions here.

• How much time will I need to spend studying?

  We have calculated an average of 15-20 hours study time per week is required to complete your modules successfully. Keep in mind however that talking to other departments, reading log-books or auditing something, the practical things you do ‘on the job’ that will physically apply what you learn, very much count toward this study time.

• When I graduate, will my certificate say "distance learning" on it?

  No. You have the same status as any on-campus student, so your certificate will reflect that.

• Do I need to buy a special computer?

  Not at all, a standard PC or MAC is fine. As a distance learning student, you will find it useful to have your own computer and not just rely on a work PC. You will also benefit from having a WiFi and Word or similar-enabled laptop or tablet at study weekends.

• What happens if I become ill or work schedules prevent study?

  Make the Higher Education Coordinator aware of any difficulties you may experience during your study as soon as you can. They will be able to advise you on the best course of action.

• Can I attend a graduation ceremony?

  Yes of course! Staffordshire University invite all distance learners to join their graduation ceremony just as an on-campus student would.

• Can I start study whenever I want?

  Eastwood Park’s online distance learning degrees still follow a semester calendar. The start date is usually in early October. Visit our degrees page to find out more about our different degrees’ structure.

• Can I use levy funding?

  Our degrees are not apprentice degrees so are not eligible for payment via the levy.

• What are the entry requirements?

  Entry requirements vary for each degree. You can see what qualifications meet our entry requirements by visiting our degree page and clicking on the degree you're interested in.

• What are the English Language requirements?

  International students will need an English language qualification, e.g. IELTS average of 6.0, TOEFL score of 550 (213 computer-based). We use English for learning, teaching and assessment. You will not gain the full benefit from your online distance learning course unless you have the appropriate standard of English. If you need additional support for your English language skills, contact Staffordshire University who offer a range of courses through their International Student Centre.

• How am I assessed?

  We use a range of assessment methods to examine if you understand the learning outcomes associated with each module. You'll submit your work online and you'll get your grades and feedback online too.

• Where do I get help?

  Help is available at Eastwood Park from our Higher Education Coordinator, or for enrolled learners looking for course content advice, from each module’s dedicated tutor. Via Staffordshire University, there are support services ranging from specialist librarians to finance advisers. Visit their support pages for potential applicants or current learners for more information.