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An image to illustrate the Diploma of Higher Education in Engineering
Explore the creative and analytical world of engineering with this diploma, part of our general engineering programme. You’ll gain essential knowledge, techniques, and professional skills while developing your personal planning and problem-solving abilities. Choose from specialist modules in engineering design, electronics, mechanical engineering, environmental technologies, energy and sustainability, or mathematical methods to shape your studies according to your interests. This diploma provides a solid foundation for further study, and on completion, you can progress to a full Bachelor of Engineering degree (BEng) or an Integrated Master of Engineering (MEng), equipping you for a wide range of engineering careers.
Stage 1 of this Diploma of Higher Education is the same as our Certificate of Higher Education in Engineering (T48) and Stage 1 of our Bachelor of Engineering (Q65) and Master of Engineering (M04).
This engineering diploma has two stages, each comprising 120 credits.
You’ll study four 30-credit core engineering modules at a part-time study pace over two years, gaining the foundational knowledge and skills for further engineering study and taking your first steps in personal development planning.

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study all four of the following:
Engineering: origins, methods, context (T192)30Apr | Oct
Engineering: frameworks, analysis, production (T193)30Apr | Oct
Engineering: mathematics, modelling, applications (T194)30Oct
Engineering: professions, practice and skills 1 (T176)30Feb

You’ll study three further 30-credit core engineering modules, developing essential engineering skills and progressing personal development planning,  plus choose a further 30-credit specialist module.

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study all three of the following:
Core engineering A (T271)30Oct
Core engineering B (T272)30Apr
Engineering: professions, practice and skills 2 (T276)30Feb

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll choose one from:
Design for engineers (T218)30Oct
Electronics: sensing, logic and actuation (T212)30Oct
Energy and sustainability (T213)30Oct
Environmental management: systems and sustainability (T220)30Oct
Mathematical methods (MST224)30Oct
Mechanical engineering: heat and flow (T229)30Oct

By studying this diploma, you’ll:
You’ll be supported by personal tutors, high-quality materials, and online tutorials, with practical work designed to develop grounding for professional and further study.
You’ll be awarded a Diploma of Higher Education in Engineering upon successful completion.
You'll also have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
If you plan to work or study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether this qualification meets local requirements. Find out more about the international recognition of Open University qualifications.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
We regularly review our curriculum to keep it up to date. This means the structure, availability, and content of the course or modules may change. We’ll update this page as soon as possible if there are any changes. If you have already registered for this qualification, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes where practicable. For more details, see our Academic Regulations or contact us.
Our module-by-module approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that works best for you.
You can study every stage of this qualification part-time. That’s roughly half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.
From Stage 2, you also have the option to study at a full-time pace. That’s similar to a student at a campus-based university.
You have up to 12 years to finish your diploma.
At the OU, flexibility and support go hand in hand. You’ll be in control of when and where you study, with clear deadlines to guide your progress. Whether you’re balancing work, family or other commitments, our approach helps you fit learning into your life. Students consistently praise the support we provide, and from the very start, you’ll be part of a vibrant OU learning community.
As you progress through your qualification, you’ll have access to a dedicated online study space, expert tutor guidance, optional live tutorials, and a wide range of resources to help you succeed. The sections below outline what you can expect.
Your module website will be a central hub for your learning, giving you easy access to:
Discover how the OU’s module websites, course materials, and support tools help you study online with confidence.
Each module has a dedicated tutor who will guide you through your studies. They’ll provide feedback, help you find resources, mark your assignments and support your learning journey.
For extra support, you can attend optional live tutorials with your tutor. These are usually conducted online, and most are recorded so you can review them later.
See how OU tutors and tutorials help you build confidence, connect with others, and get the support you need to succeed in your studies.
Our assessments reinforce what you’ve learned and show your understanding. Assessment types vary by module and may include:
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to a wide range of support services and be part of a vibrant learning community. Our subject-specific Student Support Teams can help with general queries and any updates to your OU account. You’ll also benefit from:
Discover the support network and learning tools you'll have access to throughout your studies.
There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification.
Even though there are no entry requirements, you’ll need some knowledge of mathematics, an interest in technology, and the ability to read and write to a good standard of English.
Check you have the necessary skills with our self-assessed engineering quizzes.
The compulsory modules T271 and T272, and option module T229 use software that requires a 64-bit operating system. Therefore, you’ll need a computer with Windows 11.
You’ll find detailed computing requirements for each module in the ‘Computing requirements’ section of the module descriptions.
If you’ve studied at university level before, you may be able to transfer the academic credit you've been awarded towards an OU qualification. This could save you time and money by reducing the modules you need to study.
It’s not just university study that can be considered; you can also transfer study from a wide range of professional or vocational qualifications, such as HNCs and HNDs.
You should apply to transfer credit before registering, at least four weeks before the registration closing date. We will need to know what you studied, where, and when, and you will need to provide evidence of your previous study.
For more details and to download an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.
£15,568*
Your course fees cover your tuition, assessment and study materials, but there are still a few additional costs that can come with studying. For this qualification, you'll need:
*The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to the part-time fee limit, as set out in section 5 of the University's Fee Rules.
Pay nothing upfront – over 85% of our students in England fund their studies with a Part-Time Tuition Fee Loan (sometimes called a student loan), meaning they pay nothing upfront.
Learn more about this and our other funding options below.
Repay in monthly instalments while you study.
Pay for each module with a debit or credit card in one quick, simple payment.
More than 1 in 10 OU students are sponsored by their employer.
Combine your payment options to fund your studies the way you want.
If you’re a serving member of the British Armed Forces (or you’ve recently left), you may be eligible to use ELCs to cover up to 100% of your course fees.
You may be eligible for:
You'll develop your knowledge, competence and skills, including: applying general engineering knowledge to solve problems creatively; collaborative working and communication; project management; 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.
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:
Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you’ll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice – including online forums, website, interview simulation, vacancy service, as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.
Credit transfer: apply by 12/02/2026
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Our prospectus will help you explore your course options, get a feel for life as an OU student, and register for study.
Request a prospectus
Credit transfer: apply by 12/02/2026
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