For adults who want to study an Access to HE Diploma (Engineering) online, Lift College's Access to HE Diploma (Engineering) costs £79.99 a month with a 7-day free trial, no contract and a 14-day money back guarantee on every payment, and you can start any time; a year of study costs £815.99 paid up front, below every upfront course fee listed by the other providers here. learndirect, Stonebridge and Access Courses Online also offer an online engineering route, with upfront prices from £1,424.99 upwards.
The Access to HE Diploma is a QAA approved qualification: the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education licenses the awarding bodies (Access Validating Agencies) that award it, and QAA says Access to HE Diplomas are accepted at over 140 universities every year. The diploma carries UCAS tariff points, which universities accept for entry to many degrees: 45 graded credits at Distinction give 144 points, the maximum. See what UCAS points are.
Online Access to HE Engineering courses compared
Prices and study times as shown on each provider's own website, checked 12 October 2026. Every course listed is an Access to HE Diploma recognised through QAA; Lift College's awarding body is TBC.
| Provider | Course | Price | Typical study time | UCAS points stated | Trial or guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lift College | Access to HE Diploma (Engineering) | £79.99 a month, £67.99 a month if you start without the trial, or £815.99 for a year | 12 to 18 months, at your own pace | Up to 144 | 7-day free trial; 14-day money back guarantee on every payment |
| learndirect | Access to Higher Education Diploma (Engineering) | £1,424.99 (sale price, was £1,899.99), or £9.99 deposit and 6 payments of £237.17 | 9 to 12 months on average; 24 months of access | Not on course page | 14-day cancellation right in its terms |
| Stonebridge | Access to Higher Education Diploma (Engineering) | Subscription only on the page: £89.99 to £119.99 a month | 9 to 12 months on average; up to 2 years | Not on course page | 7-day free trial on the £119.99 monthly plan |
| Access Courses Online | Access to HE Diploma (Engineering) | £1,499, plus an external moderation and certification fee of £160 (stated in its FAQ) | Not stated on course page | 48 to 144 (FAQ) | Not stated on course page |
Lift College's diploma is 60 credits, 100% online and assessed by coursework only, with no exams, a personal tutor from day one and marking in 3 to 5 working days.
What it costs
Most providers sell the diploma as one course fee. Lift College charges by the month instead, so what you pay depends on how long you study:
| How you pay at Lift College | Cost |
|---|---|
| Monthly after the 7-day free trial | £79.99 a month (£959.88 over 12 months) |
| Start now without the trial | £67.99 a month for as long as you study |
| Pay for a year up front | £815.99 |
Among the other providers, the upfront course fees on their own pages run from £1,424.99 to £1,499 (Stonebridge also sells an annual subscription at £89.99 a month, charged upfront). Check what each price includes: Access Courses Online's FAQ states an external moderation and certification fee of £160 on top of its course price. Our Access to HE cost guide sets out every way to pay.
Where the Engineering pathway leads
The pathway prepares you for engineering degrees (BEng and MEng). Acceptance varies by university: Exeter's BEng Mechanical Engineering (2027) asks Access applicants for 24 Level 3 credits at Distinction and 21 at Merit, including 12 at Merit in maths and 12 in a science, while Nottingham's BEng Mechanical Engineering does not accept the Access to HE Diploma. Check each course before you apply. Engineering pathways carry more maths and physics than other routes, because that is what engineering admissions tutors look for in your graded credits.
Universities set their own grade profiles, so check the exact requirement for each course you apply to, and see which universities accept Access to HE for how to read an offer.
How long it takes
QAA says the Access to HE Diploma usually takes one year full time, or two or more years part time. At Lift College the typical study time for the Engineering pathway is 12 to 18 months, at your own pace. Several providers in the table quote around 9 to 12 months on average.
How to choose
- Check the pathway matches your degree. Admissions tutors look at the subjects in your 45 graded credits.
- Compare the total cost for the time you will need, including any registration or certification fees.
- Look at how you pay. A monthly plan with no contract lets you stop if your plans change; an upfront fee or finance agreement does not.
Ready to start? Try the Access to HE Diploma (Engineering) free for 7 days or browse all Access to HE pathways.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the online Access to HE Diploma (Engineering) QAA approved?
How much does an online Access to HE Diploma in Engineering cost in the UK?
How long does an online Access to HE Diploma in Engineering take?
Do universities accept an online Access to HE Diploma in Engineering?
Can I study an Access to HE Diploma online while working full time?
Sources checked
- Lift College course page: https://liftcollege.co.uk/qualifications/access-to-he/access-to-he-diploma-engineering (checked 12 October 2026)
- learndirect: https://www.learndirect.com/course/access-to-higher-education-diploma-engineering (checked 12 October 2026)
- Stonebridge: https://www.stonebridge.uk.com/course/access-to-higher-engineering-diploma-engineering (checked 12 October 2026)
- Access Courses Online: https://accesscoursesonline.com/products/access-to-he-diploma-engineering (checked 12 October 2026)
- QAA, About the Access to HE Diploma: https://www.accesstohe.ac.uk/about-access/about-the-diploma
- QAA, Access to HE: https://www.accesstohe.ac.uk/
- UCAS tariff for Access to HE: https://www.ucas.com/media/205216/download
- https://www.exeter.ac.uk/undergraduate-degrees/beng-mechanical-engineering/