If you’re aged 19 years or older and dream of pursuing a career in Engineering or Physics but don’t yet have the qualifications you need, then this course could be for you.
The course is validated through Ascentis and is a recognised QAA qualification.
This one-year, intensive programme is designed to support you in getting the qualifications you need to get into university to study degree programmes such as:
Run by a team of friendly, supportive and approachable teaching professionals, the course has been designed to support you in your career journey.
On the course you will study:
Engineering and Physics
Mathematics
Study Skills
The standard entry requirements are GCSE grade 4 or above in maths, English and a science. If you have relevant industry experience in the science and engineering sector or personal experience in a relevant role, for example shadowing a friend or family member, we would encourage you to apply.
You will complete ongoing assessments during your time with us.
This will include Essays, Reports, Portfolios, Case studies, exams and other assessment types to help you show your understanding of the topics covered in the course.
You will also carry out your own research project in practical engineering science.
Our teachers are ambitious, talented and passionate about making your experience at college the very best it can be.
They have up-to-date industry experience to share with you and the energy and enthusiasm to help you get where you need to be.
They also understand that returning to study as an adult can be tough and that you’ll have lots of other priorities to juggle.
They pride themselves on offering lots of one-to-one support to help you do your very best.
Although work experience is not a mandatory element of this course we strongly recommend you complete voluntary work in a scientific environment to support your progression to university. There may be opportunities to gain work experience with our employer partners.
We can support you through this and we have our very own industry placement and business development team ready to offer help and advice. Across the year, we engage with local universities to support students who are making decisions about their progression.
We have working relationships with:
We also work closely with several universities to support our students in gaining volunteer work in laboratories to support their university applications.
We currently work closely with Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust to develop our units and they also provide us with exciting industry placement opportunities both on the wards and in hospital laboratories.
Students on the access course make use of facilities at the Baltic campus including our libraries, laboratories, clinical practice rooms, programming facilities and classroom environments.
You will have access to our Careers and Guidance team to help you with your university application and to help you prepare for interviews and assessments.
Many of our students progress to local and national universities to study degree programmes.
Some of the courses our students have progressed to are:
To search university programmes and their entry requirements, you can use the UCAS website www.ucas.com.
If you are aged 19-23 and do not yet have a full level three qualification, you will get the course for free.
If you are aged 24 or higher, or already have a full level three qualification, the full cost of the course is £3,384.
However, the full amount can be covered by the Adult Advanced Learning Loan.
Student Finance England will “write off” the loan once you complete a university degree following on from the Access to HE Diploma, meaning you would not pay anything back.
If you are aged 19-23 and do not yet have a full level three qualification, you can study this course for free.
If you are over 23 and need help to cover the cost of this course, you can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.
This is a low interest loan with no upfront fees or payments, no credit checks and is paid back in instalments once you are earning a certain amount.
Once you have completed the Access to HE course, if you go onto complete a higher education degree course, the remaining balance of your Advanced Learner Loan, including any interest, will be ‘written off’, which means you won’t have to pay it back.
If you do apply for an Advanced Learner Loan you may also be eligible for additional grants to help with costs associated with the course such as travel or childcare through the Advanced Learner Loans.
For one-to-one advice, please contact our friendly team who will be able to give you the right information. You can reach them on email at [email protected] or 0191 490 0300 or via Live Chat.
Please note: The fee shown may be subject to change. If this happens, you will be contacted directly before the course is due to start.
All courses will run subject to sufficient student numbers.
Whatever support you need, we’re here for you and will make sure you get the most out of your time at college. We have expert teams in place to look after every single one of our students.
To contact our dedicated Learning Support team email [email protected] or head to Live Chat
Knowledge
Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Psychology: Knowledge of human behaviour and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioural and affective disorders.
Clerical: Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
Sociology and Anthropology: Knowledge of group behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
Median Salary
£38,565
Averge Qualifications
Mechanical: Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Engineering and Technology: Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Design: Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
£42,121
Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Personnel and Human Resources: Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labour relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modelling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
£34,944
£38,523
Building and Construction: Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
£29,268
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
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Monday 23 March 2026
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Thursday 26 March 2026
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View or download our course guide for 16-18 year olds.