Start Date
- September 2025, Full Time
Summary
The Access to Higher Education Diploma in Engineering, as validated by CAVA, is a qualification which prepares students aged 19 years and over, without relevant qualifications for study at degree level.
The Access to Higher Education Diploma in Engineering aims to give both the confidence and skills necessary to embark on a new career direction. This one year full time course assists students toward a move into the engineering sector (Mechanical or Electronic/Mechatronic), Renewable Energy, Civil Engineering or Construction, Aviation, Computer Sciences, Structural Engineering, Production and Manufacturing, Automotive, Marine and Off Shore, Building Services Engineering, Design and Environmental Engineering. by providing appropriate knowledge and skills.
It is widely recognised by UK universities and colleges however we advise that if you are hoping to go on to do a degree course at a specific university, it would be useful to contact them to check that the Diploma you have chosen is in an appropriate subject area and is recognised by the university.
The aim of the course is to: Provide a vocational/academic electrical and mechanical engineering programme, provide a broad-based educational experience enabling students to pursue higher education routes (HND or Degree).
Units studied within this course include: Study Skills Portfolio of coursework, Research Project, Introduction to Engineering Mathematics, Electrical/Electronic Principles, Mechanical Principles, Selecting and Using Programmable Controllers, Engineering Drawing and CAD, Materials Science and Further Mathematics for Engineering.
The course is structured over 2.5 days a week.
Why Our College?
Developed with employers and progression in mind
All courses have been developed with employers and progression in mind, and many are part of the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership's 10 priority sectors
Widely recognised by universities
Access to Higher Education courses are widely recognised by UK universities and colleges, 24,000 Access to HE students are accepted at over 140 universities every year.
Financial support
City College Norwich offers flexible payment plans to help you spread the cost of fees. You can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan and bursaries are available to support childcare and travel costs
Entry Requirements
Achieved, or working to achieve, GCSE English Language at grade 4 or above. Achieved, or working to achieve, GCSE maths at grade 5 or above.
Assessment
You will be supported throughout the course by a personal tutor who will also give you guidance in applying for Higher Education courses. All students study a core of communications, research and study skills. You will be awarded credits on completion of each units with a Pass, Merit or Distinction grade. All credits are awarded are awarded at level 3 which equates to A-level study. Assessment is continuous over the whole year and is based on many set pieces of work such as essays, projects, presentations and examinations.
Progression
The Access to Higher Education Diploma in Engineering is widely recognised by UK universities. If you are planning to study a degree course at a specific university, it would be useful to contact them to check that the Access Course you have chosen is in an appropriate subject area and is recognised by the university or college. Please be aware that university entry criteria can change at any time.
Once you have successfully completed your Access course, you can progress onto a Higher Education courses at City College Norwich such as: HND Mechanical Engineering, HND Electrical Engineering or BSc in Professional Aviation Engineering Practice.
Students progressed to the following universities in 2018: UEA, Leeds University, Loughborough, Oxford Brookes, The Open University, Winchester, Brunel, Coventry and University of West England.
Career Progression
After completion many students progress into the following careers; Project Leader, Senior Mechanical Design, Engineer, Chief Engineer, Robotics, Bio-Medical Engineering, Motorsport, Project Manager, Architecture, Computer Science, Flood and Coastal and Automotive Engineering, Maths and 3D Design.
Fees
Please contact the Advice Shop for information on fees and financial support which may be available. We recommend you also check our Finance pages for further information including student travel offers.
Where Next?
Why Our College?
Developed with employers and progression in mind
All courses have been developed with employers and progression in mind, and many are part of the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership's 10 priority sectors
Widely recognised by universities
Access to Higher Education courses are widely recognised by UK universities and colleges, 24,000 Access to HE students are accepted at over 140 universities every year.
Financial support
City College Norwich offers flexible payment plans to help you spread the cost of fees. You can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan and bursaries are available to support childcare and travel costs
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