Diploma of Higher Education in Engineering
Online United Kingdom
Diploma
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
GBP 14,544 *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* total cost; part-time at a rate of 60 credits is £3,636 per year
Key Summary
About: This Diploma of Higher Education in Engineering at The Open University covers engineering fundamentals, maths and specialist modules in design, electronics, mechanical and environmental technologies. You’ll study by distance learning with tutor support, complete practical work and continuous assessment, and undertake professional development. It prepares you to progress to a BEng (Hons) or MEng. Study is part-time 4 years with a 12-year time limit.
Career Outcomes: You’ll build problem-solving, teamwork, communication, design and project management skills. It gives a foundation for specialist roles and engineering management. Potential careers include electronic, environmental, manufacturing, materials, mechanical, production and structural engineering roles.
This diploma of Higher Education in Engineering is part of our general engineering programme. During your study, you’ll explore the fundamentals of this creative and analytical subject. You’ll develop techniques, concepts and knowledge needed by professional engineers. Choose from specialist modules in engineering design, electronics, mechanical engineering, environmental technologies, energy and sustainability, and mathematical methods.
Key features
- Provides general engineering skills and knowledge with the opportunity to specialise
- Develop your skills in mathematics, which is key to the successful study of engineering
- Incorporates personal and professional development planning and practical work
- Provides a solid foundation for further study, with the option to progress to a BEng (Hons) or an MEng
Accessibility
We make all our qualifications as accessible as possible and have a comprehensive range of services to support all our students. This qualification uses a variety of study materials and has the following elements:
- Online learning events
- Using mathematical and scientific expressions, notations and associated techniques
- Working online in a group with other students
- Using and producing diagrams and screenshots
- Finding external/third-party material online
- Using technology for research purposes involving access to catalogues and databases online
- Working with specialist reading material
- Continuous and end-of-module assessment in the form of essays, short answer questions, and in some cases an examination
- Using feedback: continuous assessment involves receiving detailed feedback on your work from your tutor and using this feedback to improve your performance
- Engagement with learning and assessment within a pre-determined schedule or timetable – time management will be needed during your studies and the University will help you to develop these skills throughout your diploma
- Some modules require you to use specialist software
- Some modules contain a compulsory practical element.
How long it takes
- Part-time study - 4 years
- Time limit - 12 years
Knowledge and understanding
On completion of this qualification, you’ll have knowledge and understanding of:
- Relevant engineering principles, analytical methods, modelling techniques, quantitative methods and appropriate computer software to formulate solutions to clearly defined real-world problems
- Undertake specified engineering-related investigations and design tasks with due consideration for current social, commercial, ethical/legal and management practices.
Cognitive skills
On completion of this qualification, you’ll be able to:
- Put forward design solutions to given engineering challenges that require the application of scientific principles and quantitative and qualitative analysis
- Capture user requirements for given engineered systems in terms of performance, manufacture, use and disposal.
Practical and/or professional skills
On completion of this qualification, you’ll be able to:
- Choose materials, processes and designs to meet the performance requirements of given engineered systems by using analytical approaches and practical experimental work
- Plan specified engineering activities to take account of ethics, environmental risk and sustainability, and relevant legislative frameworks
- Explain how you propose to address given engineering challenges in terms of the engineering principles on which your solutions are based.
Key skills
On completion of this qualification, you’ll be able to:
- Present, in appropriate formats and using appropriate tools, reports of your work as an individual and as a member of a team, and plans for your continuing professional development.
This diploma of higher education has two stages, each comprising 120 credits.
- In Stage 1, you’ll study four 30-credit modules.
- In Stage 2, you’ll study three 30-credit core engineering modules and one 30-credit option module.
Stage 1 (120 credits)
You'll study all four of the following:
- Engineering: origins, methods, context (T192)
- Engineering: frameworks, analysis, production (T193)
- Engineering: mathematics, modelling, applications (T194)
- Engineering: professions, practice and skills 1 (T176)
Stage 2 (120 credits)
You'll study all three of the following:
- Core engineering A (T271)
- Core engineering B (T272)
- Engineering: professions, practice and skills 2 (T276)
You'll choose one from:
- Design for engineers (T218)
- Electronics: sensing, logic and actuation (T212)
- Energy and sustainability (T213)
- Environmental management: systems and sustainability (T220)
- Mathematical methods (MST224)
- Mechanical engineering: heat and flow (T229)
Assessment
Our assessments are all designed to reinforce your learning and help you show your understanding of the topics. The mix of assessment methods will vary between modules.
Computer-Marked Assignments
- Usually, a series of online, multiple-choice questions.
Tutor-Marked Assignments
- You’ll have a number of these throughout each module, each with a submission deadline.
- They can be made up of essays, questions, experiments or something else to test your understanding of what you have learned.
- Your tutor will mark and return them to you with detailed feedback.
End-of-Module Assessments
- The final, marked piece of work on most modules.
- Modules with an end-of-module assessment won’t usually have an exam.
Exams
- Some modules end with an exam. You’ll be given time to revise and prepare.
- You’ll be given your exam date at least 5 months in advance.
- Most exams take place remotely, and you will complete them at home or an alternative location.
- If a module requires you to take a face-to-face exam, this will be made clear in the module description, and you will be required to take your exam in person at one of our exam centres.
Skills for career development
You’ll develop your knowledge, competence and skills, including applying general engineering knowledge to solve problems creatively; collaborative working and communication; project management; and turning concepts into reality. This diploma will give you the foundation of skills to provide solutions to engineering problems. These could involve using existing or developing new technologies and designs; refining production systems, or developing new services.
Career relevance
This diploma is a general engineering qualification but can be the foundation that provides entry into a wide range of more specialist engineering roles, including:
- Electronic Engineer
- Environmental Engineer
- Manufacturing Engineer
- Materials Engineer
- Mechanical Engineer
- Production Engineer
- Structural engineer
- Other roles within Engineering Management
With our unique approach to distance learning, you can study from home, work or on the move.
You’ll have some assessment deadlines to meet, but otherwise, you’ll be free to study at the times that suit you, fitting your learning around work, family, and social life.
For each of your modules, you’ll use either just online resources or a mix of online and printed materials.
Each module you study will have a module website with
- A week-by-week study planner, giving you a step-by-step guide through your studies
- Course materials such as reading, videos, recordings, and self-assessed activities
- Module forums for discussions and collaborative activities with other students
- Details of each assignment and their due dates
- A tutorial booking system, online tutorial rooms, and your tutor’s contact details
- Online versions of some printed module materials and resources.