Skills for Electronics (CertHE)
The Certificate of Higher Education: Skills for Electronics is a one-year, full-time programme designed to equip students with the essential knowledge and practical skills required for a successful career in the electronics and digital technology sectors. Ideal for aspiring electronics technicians, maintenance engineers, or those seeking a pathway into higher education, this course offers a comprehensive introduction to electronic systems, digital circuits and programmable logic controllers (PLCs).
This Level 4 qualification is perfect for those who are looking to reskill, upskill, or transition into the fast-growing field of electronics and automation. Whether you’re a recent college leaver with a vocational background or a mature learner returning to education, this course provides a flexible and supportive learning environment. With both on-campus and blended learning options available, students can tailor their study experience to fit around work or personal commitments.
The curriculum is structured across three semesters and includes 120 credits of compulsory modules. These cover core areas such as electronics principles, digital electronics, applied analytics, and problem-solving techniques. Students will also gain hands-on experience with industry-relevant tools and technologies, including PLC programming and digital systems design. A group project module further enhances teamwork, communication and project management skills - key attributes sought by employers in the engineering and technology sectors.
Graduates of this programme will be well-prepared for entry-level roles in electronics, automation, and manufacturing, or for progression to further study. Successful completion enables direct entry into Higher National Diplomas (HNDs), Level 5 Foundation Degrees, or BEng/BSc programmes in Electronics, Electrical or Computer Engineering.
With a strong focus on employability, practical learning, and academic development, the Skills for Electronics programme is a smart choice for anyone looking to launch or advance a career in the electronics industry. Start your journey toward becoming a qualified electronics professional and gain the skills that employers value in today’s technology-driven world.
Course details
- On-campus
- Full-time
- English
- Bilingual
Home: £9,000 per year
Overseas: £13,500 per year
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
The Certificate of Higher Education: Skills for Electronics is structured to provide a comprehensive and applied understanding of electronics, digital systems and problem-solving methodologies.
Over the course of three semesters, students will complete 120 credits of Level 4 modules, all of which are compulsory and designed to build both technical expertise and transferable skills.
This well-rounded curriculum ensures that graduates are not only technically proficient but also confident communicators, effective team members, and adaptable problem-solvers - ready to thrive in both academic and professional environments.
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Course Disclaimer
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The modules outlined above provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent academic teaching. We continuously review our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
You’ll typically complete 120 credits per year of study on a full-time course. For more information visit our Student Agreement.
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Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Further information
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32 UCAS Tariff Points
e.g. A-levels: E, BTEC: PPP, IB: 24
The UCAS tariff score is applicable to you if you have recently studied a qualification that has a UCAS tariff equivalence. UCAS provides a  for you to work out what your qualification is worth within the UCAS tariff. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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GCSE grade A*-C (grade 9-4 in England) in English and Mathematics is also required. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Admissions Advice and Support 
We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, such as your background, experiences and individual circumstances. This is known as ‘Contextual Admissions’. For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
English language requirements 
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses.
Visa and funding requirements 
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For full information read our visa application and guides. â¶Ä¯â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.
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A mix of coursework, practical assessments, presentations, and exams.
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Some modules in this course are available to study through the medium of Welsh either fully or partially. In all cases students will be able to submit written assessments through the medium of Welsh.
If you choose to study your course either fully or partially through the medium of Welsh, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships and bursaries to support you with your studies.
We are continuously reviewing our Welsh medium provision, the precise availability of modules will vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course offers modules available through the medium of Welsh this may vary from year to year, and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific Welsh medium modules cannot be guaranteed.
Extracurricular Welsh Opportunities
There are many ways to engage with Welsh culture and life at UWTSD, including joining clubs and societies for Welsh speakers and becoming a member of our vibrant Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol branch. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Opportunities to Learn Welsh
We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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All additional costs detailed in this section are indicative.
Optional study trips (UK approx. £50, Europe approx. £200). No mandatory additional costs.
Necessarily Incurred:
Learners will require access to suitable computer hardware and software: approximately £500.
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You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.
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This programme equips students with the essential practical and theoretical knowledge to progress into a range of technical roles or continue into higher-level study in electronic and electrical engineering. Example careers include:
- Electronics Technician
- Maintenance Engineer
- Manufacturing/Automation Operative
- PLC Programmer
Further ÃÜÌÒ´«Ã½
Successful completion of this CertHE enables progression to:
- Higher National Diplomas (HNDs)
- Level 5 Foundation Degrees
- BEng/BSc programmes in Electronics, Electrical or Computer Engineering