Access to Higher Education: Diploma in Engineering, Level 3

3

Level
Level 3
Duration
1 year
Start Date
September 2025
Venue
City College Norwich campus
Course Code
A0231

What You Will Study

Our Access to Higher Education Diploma in Engineering, as validated by CAVA, is a qualification which prepares students aged 19 years and over, without the relevant qualifications for study at degree level. It aims to give you both the confidence and skills necessary to embark on a new career direction.

This one year, full-time course will support you towards 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 OffShore, Building Services Engineering, Design and Environmental Engineering.

You will study units including: 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, as well as completing a Study Skills Portfolio of coursework and a Research Project.

The course is structured over 2.5 days a week.

Entry Requirements

You need to have achieved, or be working towards achieving, GCSE English Language at grade 4 or above and GCSE Maths at grade 5 or above.

How You Will Be Assessed

You will be supported throughout the course by a personal tutor who will also give you guidance in applying for Higher Education courses. You will 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.

Course 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 with City College Norwich Higher Education such as: HND Mechanical Engineering, HND Electrical Engineering or BSc in Professional Aviation Engineering Practice.

Previous students have also progressed to UEA, Leeds University, Loughborough, Oxford Brookes, The Open University, Winchester, Brunel, Coventry and University of West England.

Where Your Course Can Take You

This course could lead you to a range of careers including: 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.