Access to Higher Education Diploma (Engineering)

Overview

With the Access to HE Diploma (Engineering) you will:

• Master the underlying principles of engineering
• Work towards a highly rewarding and sought after career
• Prepare for higher education level study
• Gain access to a wide range of engineering related degrees
• Get to university without A-Levels.

About your Diploma

Engineering is one of the most in demand skill sets in the world, with many countries reporting major skill shortages. Engineers are integral to dozens of industries from defence to electronics.

As an engineer you will apply your scientific understanding of the natural world to innovate, design, and build, while solving problems and achieving practical goals.

An Access to Higher Education Diploma (Engineering) provides you with the opportunity to study a wide range of subjects within engineering in order to prepare you for higher education. During your Diploma you will study chemistry and chemical change, atomic structure and hydrocarbons. You will also learn mechanics and mechanical sciences as well as the mathematical principles that underpin them.

This programme will provide you with a strong core of knowledge upon which to build throughout higher education. Access to HE Diplomas are accepted by most UK universities as a recognised alternative to A-levels.

Getting Started

learndirect is one of the UK's leading distance learning providers, but unlike most others, all of our courses are available fully online. This method of study gives you the flexibility to complete the course in a way that works best for you.

Through online learning, you don’t need to worry about classes or physical resource material. From the moment you are enrolled you can log in to our student portal and begin learning. You will be given a dedicated distance learning tutor to support throughout your studies. They will be on hand to answer questions, provide clarification and mark your assignments. Every assignment will be returned with detailed feedback so you can improve throughout your qualification.

The Access to HE Diploma (Engineering) takes, on average, eight months to complete but as we encourage learners to move at their own pace, you can take anything from six months to a maximum of two years. 

Pursuing your career

Access to HE Diplomas are the launch-pad into a full time or part time university degree. Access courses are accepted by over 140 universities but be sure to check your chosen institute will accept the qualification before embarking on your studies with us.

Modules

Unit 1: Preparing to Study

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand how study is organised and planned
• Understand how to apply theories of learning in relation to personal approaches to learning
• Understand a range of constraints upon study
• Understand the importance of assessment feedback.

Unit 2: Academic Writing Skills

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to write with relevance in responding to an academic task
• Know how to interpret and discuss ideas and issues in responding to a set, academic writing task
• Be able to summarise for academic purposes, selecting key points, information or central ideas.

Unit 3:  Preparing a Written Assignment

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand how to use key information sources
• Understand why sources are acknowledged and referenced
• Understand a range of reading strategies
• Understand note-making methods
• Understand how to plan, draft and produce a written assignment.

Unit 4: Atomic Structure

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand protons, neutrons and electrons in terms of their relative charges and masses
• Understand the distribution of protons, neutrons and electrons in an atom given its Atomic number and Mass number, including some isotopes
• Understand the number and relative energies of the s, p and d orbitals for the principle quantum numbers and know the shapes of s, p and d orbitals
• Understand how ionisation energies of elements relate to reactivity
• Understand the position of elements within the Periodic Table from ionisation energy data.

Unit 5: Algebraic Methods

On completion of this unit you will:

• Apply series
• Apply mathematical operations on logarithms
• Apply mathematical operations on surds
• Apply algebraic methods.

Unit 6: Periodic Table

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the periodic table
• Understand periodicity in the elements of period 3
• Understand ionisation energy
• Understand oxidation and reduction
• Understand reactions of the Group 2 metals
• Understand the group 7 elements.

Unit 7: Mechanics

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand vectors and be able to do vector addition calculations
• Understand and be able to do vector resolution calculations
• Understand the nature of uniformly accelerated motion and be able to do motion calculations
• Be able to do projectile motion calculations
• Understand and be able to use Newtons Laws of Motion
• Understand and be able to do calculations involving the principles of momentum and its conservation
• Understand the concepts of energy, work and power in physics, and be able to do work/force calculations
• Understand internal energy
• Understand and apply the ideal gas laws
• Understand the simple kinetic theory of gases and be able to do related calculations.

Unit 8: Trigonometry

On completion of this unit you will:

• Apply the trigonometrical functions.
• Apply trigonometry.
• Understand the principles of trigonometric graphs.

Unit 9: Hydrocarbons

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the importance of organic compounds
• Understand the structure and characteristic reactions of alkanes
• Understand the structure and characteristic reactions of alkenes.

Unit 10: Calculus

On completion of this unit you will:

• Apply differentiation
• Apply integration
• Apply differentiation and integration to solve problems.

Unit 11: Engineering Mathematics – Principles

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to evaluate complex expressions involving indices, perform a range of arithmetic operations on a scientific calculator, and solve engineering problems using the laws of logarithms and indices
• Be able to apply algebraic techniques to solve simple simultaneous equations, evaluate and transpose complex formulae and plot and determine/sketch linear and non-linear relationships
• Be able to solve engineering problems using a range of geometrical and trigonometrical techniques.

Unit 12: Engineering Mathematics – Algebraic and Trigonometric Techniques

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to apply algebraic techniques to form and solve quadratic equations for engineering applications
• Be able to use matrix algebra to solve linear equations, simple matrices; and relate matrices to simple technical problems
• Be able to use trigonometric functions to determine basic and inverse rations and plot equations
• Be able to prove trigonometric identities and recognise, select and apply rules to solve engineering problems
• Be able to apply Pascal’s triangle and binomial theorem to expand mathematical expressions and solve engineering problems.

Unit 13: Chemical Change

On completion of this unit you will:

• Know how to measure the concentrations of solutions
• Understand energy changes during chemical reactions
• Understand factors influencing rates of chemical reactions
• Understand the concept of chemical equilibrium.

Unit 14: Engineering Mathematics - Calculus

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to apply differentiation techniques to find the rates of change for various functions, differentiate functions, and define and use functions in engineering applications
• Be able to use calculus to solve a range of engineering problems
• Be able to apply integration techniques to determine indefinite and definite integrals of functions, and areas under curves.

Unit 15: Mechanical Science - Energy and Motion

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to do calculations involving linear and angular motion
• Be able to do calculations involving the effect of forces on materials
• Be able to do calculations and problems involving friction
• Be able to do calculations and problems involving heat energy and transfer.

Requirements

If you wish to start your Access to Higher Education Diploma right now, you should hold a GCSE in maths and English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. It is a common requirement for entry to most universities and degrees. However, you can also have a relevant NVQ at level 2 if you wish to study a related degree at university.

Access to Higher Education Diplomas have been designed to help learners follow their academic aspirations and get them into their choice university. You must be mindful that each university has its own admission criteria, and some may even differ from course to course. These can include, but not be limited to:

●      A certain number of credits passed with a merit or a distinction

●      A face-to-face interview at the university

●      Literacy and numeracy assessments provided by the university

●      Course-related work placements or work experience

●      GCSE Grade A – C in Maths and English (or equivalent level 2 such as Functional Skills/Key Skills etc.) Or a full level 2 NVQ qualification in a related subject.

Students wishing to gain entry to higher education at the end of this Access to Higher Education Diploma should conduct some preliminary research on the admission criteria as soon as possible, to avoid disappointment. Each learner is responsible for researching the entry criteria and ensuring they meet the requirements. learndirect is not able to accept responsibility if anyone completing an Access to HE Diploma fails to secure an offer from a higher education institution.

Assessment

A range of units make up this qualification, with an assignment at the end of each. You will submit your work to your tutor for marking and will receive detailed feedback. You must acquire 60 credits in total in order to achieve the Access to HE Diploma (Engineering). Of these credits, 45 will be taken from graded units which focus on academic content. The remaining 15 come from ungraded units included to help you advance your study skills.

As part of your programme you will also receive help as well as guidance on your university application and the research you need to do to get the most out of your Diploma.

Qualifications

Open College Network West Midlands

On successful completion of the Open College Network West Midlands Access to Higher Education Diploma (Engineering) you will receive a QAA recognised Access to HE Diploma at level 3 (QAA ref = 40010399).

Open College Network West Midlands are a national Awarding Organisation, regulated by Ofqual, the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) and Qualifications Wales, to develop and award nationally recognised qualifications.

Open College Network West Midlands work in partnership with employers, training providers, colleges, universities, schools and voluntary and community organisations to offer vocational credit-based qualifications, Access to Higher Education Diplomas and quality assured Customised Accreditation that enables learners gain employment or to progress into further learning and Higher Education. They also Quality Endorse organisations internal training and skills delivery.

Developing your career