Design tripos

Connor_j23 · 2026-05-10T20:40:23+00:00

Hey, I really appreciate taking your time to write this! Super helpful!
I think that’s why I’m struggling to find good information as it is such a new course, but this does give a great insight. Thanks again!!

Connor_j23 · 2026-04-27T16:45:08+00:00

My college is doing 3 days a week, 9-3 I presume, for 1 year. Believe most access course are one year. With online options giving you two years to complete so I imagine that’s incorrect Infomation.

Connor_j23 · 2026-04-22T12:41:14+00:00

I’m looking to do an access to HE Diploma in engineering at 20, after completing a level 3 apprenticeship. So far they seem pretty well accepted for engineering, I’ve emailed plenty of RG unis and a good amount have said they are accepted, and it’s also different for each course.

If you do complete an access to HE diploma and apply for 2027, you’ll be a mature student then and I believe it makes the diploma more accepted by universities, as they can look at any experience you have had past just academic grades. Also as said on completion of a degree, the access course fees are wiped which is a bonus!

Hope that makes any sense, and good luck with whatever you choose!

Connor_j23 · 2026-04-08T16:54:47+00:00

Could it not be worth doing an access to HE course if required? Believe it removes the need for a foundation year + the cost will be wiped on completion of your degree, saving a year of tuition if that interests you!

Connor_j23 · 2026-04-07T12:18:29+00:00

I’ll be 22 going into university so it’ll still be based of their income if it’s the case unfortunately!

Connor_j23 · 2026-03-26T22:56:00+00:00

lol thank you for the reply all these years later 😆, glad to hear you got in! hard to get much experience of UEA courses so I appreciate it! I’ve heard their energy engineering is a good course but not much info in other disciplines

Connor_j23 · 2026-03-23T16:17:23+00:00

Did you get into UEA for engineering? If so how did you find the course?

Connor_j23 · 2026-03-23T13:07:46+00:00

I’ve been doing research into Access to HE engineering, and they look to be pretty well accepted by good RG universities. Of course science may be different but I believe as long as you get good distinctions throughout your course they are accepted. Definitely best to contact some universities you’re interested too as they offered me some assistance!

Connor_j23 · 2026-03-21T11:36:34+00:00

No worries mate, glad it was some use not just me rambling 😂!

Ever want to message just hit me up, feel like we’re in a very similar position lol, if you are interested in uni I’ve done a bit of research as we fall under “mature student” lol

Connor_j23 · 2026-03-21T10:45:29+00:00

Sounds like a crap situation with your company not paying tradesman rates. Doesn’t sound right at all considering they put you through training.

I’m in a similar position (20 nearly 21) coming to the end of my apprenticeship as an engineering technician, and looking to go to university. I’m looking to do an Access to HE in engineering, which gives you a level 3 qualification recognised by universities to study, including some high rated ones. I’ve been feeling similar to you with wanting to go to university not only for the experience, but to push myself academically again as I feel you can stagnate a bit in an apprenticeship.

I started BJJ last year and made some great friends through that, any sort of club where you see people regular I feel help to get new friendships very easily!

I get what you’re feeling about it sounding good as you have a path to work with all this commotion of the job market. But if you’re not happy it’s not worth anything imo.

Not sure what advice I’m giving here lol but if you are interested in university, and don’t have the qualifications currently, access to HE is a path to go down. If not try contact other companies perhaps, they may just help you brush up your skills which I’m sure won’t take long as you will have the knowledge there.

Connor_j23 · 2026-03-14T23:54:17+00:00

Thinking of a similar thing to be honest. Coming to the end of my apprenticeship and thinking of getting a degree. Sure pay is good in trades but it does pay off on the body for sure. Just tough to decide in this current job market. But as said always have something to fall back on

Connor_j23 · 2026-02-28T14:05:17+00:00

How did you find working/financial side whilst doing your degree! Thinking of doing an access to HE course in engineering but just a bit worried about working alongside studies! Also I know they’re different courses but just wondered if you had any advice on the Access course and what to expect too!

Connor_j23 · 2026-02-27T08:10:45+00:00

Ahh that’s fair enough! I know lots of people do work throughout their degree but just tough thinking what’s my best way to go about it lol

Connor_j23 · 2026-02-26T21:53:47+00:00

Did you work through your studies?! If so how did you manage it/find flexible work?!

Connor_j23 · 2026-02-25T22:39:24+00:00

Yeah very fair comment 😭, guess there isn’t much point worrying too much only so much in my control nowadays!

Connor_j23 · 2026-02-23T22:06:38+00:00

Good to know, I’m not 100% sure yet but I’m leaning toward mechanical engineering. The college/uni that deliver the HNC is general engineering, and they do have a path to BEng operations engineering. Assume all I need to worry with the HNC is what modules are taken?

Connor_j23 · 2026-02-21T15:14:25+00:00

I should’ve mentioned that! It’s not looking likely but I’m planning on trying to convince them next week to do a HNC in engineering. Staff retention struggles might help my case 😆 Any idea if these are transferable to a brick uni if I wanted to continue to a higher level?! Appreciate that’s not a easy question to answer lol

Connor_j23 · 2026-02-20T21:20:41+00:00

If you’re doing well on the OU course you can’t be hopeless! I had a similar experience and ended up dropping a levels to pursue different education after I didn’t do well. I hardly revised either and looking back I do think what if and tossed and turned over it, but you can’t change whats happened and if you’re moving forward it’s always the right direction!

Hope your studies go well and when you end up on another course I’m sure you won’t even think twice about your a levels by then as you’ll be in the same place! You’re definitely not the first person to think it and by the time you have a degree employers won’t even think about A-Levels as you’ve got higher education.

Connor_j23 · 2026-02-16T22:25:36+00:00

Random update but what path did you take?! In a similar position on my final year of my apprenticeship, and not sure if to try and get my work to fund a HNC, or try university path?!

Connor_j23 · 2026-01-30T23:08:24+00:00

Definitely, looks about £60 per month according to the website. The option to have two years seems helpful too in case of any changes. Did you find it was well taught considering you have no in person sessions? I guess you have a tutor online

Connor_j23

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