Technical Design – Digital Manufacturing

Technical Design – Digital Manufacturing

Study Facts

    • Prog. Code
      PTDM2
    • NQF Level
      5.2
    • Credits
      120
    • Valid from
      H26
    • Version
      v1.0 (2025-12)
    • Study Mode
      Full-time, Part-time
    • Program Manager
      Solveig Friberg
About the Programme

Technical Design – Digital Manufacturing is a two-year higher vocational education (120 ECTS) in the field of mechanical engineering. The programme prepares candidates for collaborative work environments in the mechanical engineering industry, with a particular focus on product data management and schematics.

Students gain knowledge of the most common materials used in mechanical design solutions, including principles of material selection. The programme also provides foundational competence to produce technical documentation for manufacturing processes in accordance with established specifications and standards. 

After completing the two-year study programme, graduates may qualify for introductory positions in industries such as engineering, manufacturing, energy, maritime and offshore, construction, and related sectors. Candidates acquire the ability to work independently on defined tasks, contribute to collaborative projects, and perform effectively under supervision. 

The programme is aimed at individuals who want to work with mechanical design, technical documentation and specifications, computer-aided design (CAD), prototyping, manufacturing, materials, schematics and product data management. It is suitable both for those with general study competence—who have a keen interest in mechanical design and manufacturing—and for those with prior experience, such as mechanical engineers or related professionals, who wish to formalise or expand their competence.

Learning Environment

The Digital Classroom  
All students at Noroff have access to a digital classroom, referred to as the learning platform. Here the student can access relevant academic and practical information about the study programme. The learning platform also contains learning content, activities, delivery deadlines, work requirements and assessments for every course.

Online
Online studies are flexible since students can study from anywhere and at their own pace according to the academic progression and scheduled deadlines. Students access their learning material for each course through the learning platform, and discussion forums are used for communication between fellow students and teachers. Lectures and live-stream sessions are not a part of the primary offer but may be provided as an additional activity depending on the course.

Campus 
As part of the campus community, students will have access to on-site teachers, guest lecturers, and other students during their learning journey. Students on campus study in modern working environments and have access to professional equipment for practical training.

After Graduation

Vocational education at Noroff can expand career opportunities and lay lifelong learning foundations. Throughout the programme, students will familiarise themselves with key competencies relevant to industry employment. 

Career opportunities 
After graduation, the candidate may qualify for work within these areas:

  • CAD Designer
  • Technical Drafter
  • CAD Operator
  • Mechanical CAD Technician
  • Mechanical Design Technician
  • PDM Coordinator
  • Technical Documentation Specialist
Overall Learning Outcomes

The Norwegian Qualifications Framework for lifelong learning (NQF) defines the levels of qualifications in the Norwegian educational system. These levels describe the knowledge, skills, and competence a learner is expected to achieve as a result of a learning process. Categories in NQF are defined as:

Knowledge: Understanding theories, facts, principles, procedures in the discipline, subject area and/or occupation.
Skills: Ability to utilise knowledge to solve problems or tasks (cognitive, practical, creative and communication skills).
General Competence: Ability to independently utilise knowledge and skills in different situations.

After graduation from this programme, students have acquired the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The candidate:

  • has knowledge of relevant concepts, theories, processes, and tools used in Computer-Aided Design (CAD) for mechanical engineering and manufacturing.
  • has knowledge of essential tools and processes in engineering project management and documentation, including industry regulations, planning, revision, and data handling.
  • has knowledge of fundamental principles, standards, and techniques for creating and interpreting system drawings and schematics, including electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems, and general arrangement drawings.
  • has knowledge of common material types, properties, and selection principles, as well as basic mechanical design considerations.
  • has knowledge of common manufacturing methods, tolerancing, and technical standards for components, including welding, fasteners, and sheet metal processing.
  • can assess their own work against standards, guidelines, and regulations in CAD and mechanical engineering.
  • can assess their own work in relation to common standards and quality requirements in design work and technical documentation.
  • is familiar with the history, traditions, and role of CAD in mechanical engineering.
  • has insight into their own opportunities for development within the mechanical engineering industry, including job application strategies, recruitment processes, workplace culture, entrepreneurship, and branding principles.
Skills

The candidate:

  • can apply knowledge to practical problems related to CAD in mechanical engineering.
  • can explain their choice of tools and methods for planning and documenting engineering projects, in accordance with current practices and under supervision.
  • can explain their own choices of common principles, standards, and techniques when creating and interpreting system drawings and schematics for electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems, including the use of general arrangement drawings and related documentation.
  • can explain their own choices of standard materials and design solutions based on material properties, selection principles, and basic mechanical design considerations relevant to the mechanical engineering industry.
  • can explain their own choices of manufacturing methods, tolerancing, and technical standards when designing or assessing mechanical components.
  • can reflect on their own designs and manufacturing techniques and modify technical documentation under supervision.
  • can reflect on their own material choices for product solutions under supervision.
  • can find and refer to regulations and standards for technical documentation and assess their relevance to professional workflows within the mechanical engineering industry.
  • can find and refer to information about career opportunities, recruitment processes, workplace culture, and business development, and use this to support job applications or entrepreneurial initiatives within the mechanical engineering industry.
General Competence

The candidate:

  • can plan and carry out practical projects in CAD for the mechanical engineering industry, independently and in collaboration with others and in accordance with ethical standards and professional principles.
  • can plan and carry out projects independently or as part of a group, in accordance with regulations and standards for sustainable and user-friendly product solutions.
  • can plan and carry out evaluations of assembly and manufacturing procedures and assess their feasibility, independently or as part of a group, in accordance with relevant standards and regulations within the mechanical engineering industry under supervision.
  • can exchange points of view with peers in manufacturing and participate in discussions on design solutions and documentation relevant to the mechanical engineering industry.
  • can contribute to organisational development by applying relevant and up-to-date knowledge and skills in CAD within the mechanical engineering industry.
Course Overview
Course code Course name Semester Weeks Hours Credits
FM1AR2D75  Technical Drawing  1 5 210 7.5
FM1AR3M75  3D Mechanical  1 5 210 7.5
FM1AR3A75  3D Architectural  1 5 210 7.5
FM1ARS175  Semester Project  1 2 84 7.5
FM1ARVI05  Visualisation  2 5 210 5
FM1MEPD75  Product Design  2 5 210 7.5
 FM1MEPT75  Prototyping  2 5 210 7.5
FM1ARCP05  CAD Project  2 2 84 5
FM1AREP05  Exam Project  2 4 168 5
FM2MEPD10 Product Data Management 3 4 168 10
FM2MESD10 System Drawings 3 6 252 10
FM2MEIK05 Industry Knowledge 3 3 126 5
FM2MESP05 Semester Project – Digital Manufacturing 3 4 168 5
FM2MEMA10 Materials 4 6 252 10
FM2MEMU10 Manufacturing 4 6 252 10
FM2MEEP10 Exam Project – Digital Manufacturing 4 7 294 10
Total 74 3108 120
Course Models
Technical Design – Digital Manufacturing
Learning Sessions and Activities

Noroff offers an engaging student-active learning experience that prepares students for professional working life through unique and industry-relevant learning activities, including flexible and independent self-study. Guidance and feedback from teachers support students' learning journey.

All learning activities are aligned with the current learning outcomes, designed to promote a holistic understanding of key issues and challenges within each subject area. By fostering critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication, students will develop lifelong learning skills. 

Learning activities can vary for campus and online delivery and are composed of theoretical and practical approaches, providing students with the best possible outcome for each course. 

For all online studies, English is the primary language for teaching. English can also be used as the teaching language on some campuses. 

Assessment

Assessment consists of compulsory activities and exams. These impact the student’s learning significantly and concludes if the student has achieved the intended learning outcome and, if so, at what level. Assessments include summative and formative methods depending on the content of the learning outcome of each course. Assessments for each course are described in the course descriptions.

Equipment Requirements

Information about required equipment are available in the Programme information.
Online students are responsible for purchasing and maintaining their own equipment.

Admission Requirements

There are three ways to meet the admission criteria and be enrolled as a student: 

1. By upper secondary education (videregående skole) 

  • Higher education entrance qualification from Norway or abroad 

2. By Norwegian vocational upper secondary education  

  • Documented one of the following vocational qualifications diploma (yrkeskompetanse) within the Norwegian educations: “Bygg- og anleggsteknikk”, “Håndverk, design og produktutvikling” and “Teknologi og industrifag”,
  • Documented one of the following craft certificates (fag og svennebrev) within: Dimensjonskontrollør, Fagoperatør i Grafisk produksjonsteknikk, Industrioppmåler, Industrirørlegger, Industrisnekker, Modellbygger, Møbelsnekker, Skipsmotormekaniker, Motorsykkelmekaniker, Motormekaniker, Verktøymaker, Sveiser, Platearbeider, NDT-Kontrollør, Industrirørlegger, Industrioppmåler, Industrirørlegger, Industrimekaniker, Finmekaniker, CNC-Operatør, Aluminiumskonstruktør, Børsemaker, Truck- og liftmekaniker, Landbruksmaskinmekaniker, Annleggmaskinmekaniker, Urmaker, Flysystemmekaniker, Flyinstrumentmekaniker, Flymotormekaniker, Automatiker. 

3. Prior learning and work experience   

More Information about admission requirements is available here: https://www.noroff.no/sok/opptakskrav