It should be easier to acquire the skills employers value. Now it is.

Higher Technical Qualifications that can lead to a degree, endorsed by employers, and delivered online by the College Online network of England’s leading colleges.

Boost your career with flexible, well-supported higher technical qualifications.

How it Works

College Online’s approach is unique

College Online works in partnership with excellent colleges with a long history of delivering high quality courses. Our partnership model reflects a clear division of responsibilities.

We provide initial guidance and support on the options available, and help learners enrol with their chosen college. Our college partners are responsible for final selection, academic tuition and final assessment. You enrol directly with a college which is using our technology and resources.

College Online provides the best-in-class technology and the rich learning resources that our partner colleges can use us to make HTQ courses accessible to students unable to attend campus-based programmes.

College Online is funded by people committed to widening access to career focused skills education up to degree level and is part-owned by the education sector.

Valued by employers:

Programmes developed with and enriched by Britain’s leading employers, providing you with career-enhancing experiences and industry-recognised qualifications.

adult learner male working on his hnc on a laptop

Recognised by universities:

Stackable courses that can be topped up to a degree (Level 6) qualification with a range of UK universities.

Government-backed loans:

These programmes attract government-backed student loans which cover the cost of tuition fees and are paid directly to your college. The tuition fee loan is repaid once you complete the course, and you are earning £27,295 a year or more.

Quality of provision:

These courses provide high-quality content and support when needed. Expert tuition from our Founding Partner Harrow, Richmond, and Uxbridge Colleges (HRUC), one of England’s leading colleges.

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More affordable:

Enjoy lower fees compared to a traditional degree programme, with access to government-backed student loans.

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More flexible:

Attend live online sessions with the option to drop into your chosen college for extra support. Choose to continue to a top-up degree with a leading university at level six, or stop after level four or level five with a valuable employer recognised qualification.

older male working on his laptop with a coffee next to him

More support:

Receive the support you need from your very first enquiry, with access to a Student Enrolment Advisor even before you apply.

From the moment you enrol, benefit from the colleges’ personal Tutors, peers, and a dedicated Student Success Coach who provides non-academic support.

We are here
to help you

Make a career change

Return to work

Speed up your career development

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College Online’s Partners

Course in Leadership and Management leading to a Higher Technical Qualification

The first course starts in January 2025 delivered by our Founding Partner Harrow, Richmond, and Uxbridge Colleges (HRUC). It will initially lead to a Pearson BTEC HNC qualification* and then on to an HND.

Develop the skills you need to succeed in management. This course covers key skills in marketing, HR, leadership and management, accounting principles, project management, operational planning, and digital business in practice.

If you enrol for the course leading to an HNC, you have the option to continue to the HND higher technical qualification and beyond to a degree.

*Subject to course approval

Learn More

Alternative courses from colleges in the College Online partnership network

Over the course of 2025 and beyond we plan to develop more courses in Digital Technologies (such as cybersecurity, software engineering, data science), Green Technologies (such as advanced manufacturing and construction) and Health (such as counselling and health and social care practitioner).

How it works:

Explore Courses:

The first course is Leadership and Management*, with more courses to follow in 2025.

Enquire and Apply

Learn:

Learn at your own pace, with access to course materials anytime, anywhere. Receive expert tuition from a partner college and additional support from one of our Student Success Coaches.