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.

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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 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.

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Recognised by universities:

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

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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.

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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.  

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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.

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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

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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:

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Explore Courses:
The first course is Leadership and Management*, with more courses to follow in 2025.
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Enquire and Apply
Register interest in the course that fits your goals and schedule.
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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.
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Achieve:
Complete your course and gain a recognised qualification that opens new career opportunities.
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Get Advice and Support

Benefit from our comprehensive support services, including live support and optional in-person support.

Connecting Britain’s learners, employers and further education providers

“As a founding partner, HRUC is delighted to collaborate with College Online to support adult learners in accessing high-quality online courses, meeting the needs of learners and aspirations of employers.”

Keith Smith - CEO of HRUC

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"Widening access to higher technical skills is an important goal for New City College and we look forward to working with College Online to further this shared mission."

Gerry McDonald - Group Principal & CEO, New City College

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"I believe many students today want to combine work with study. A skills-based approach where you can apply your learnings in the workplace is incredibly powerful." 

Albert Hitchcock - Non Executive Director of Nationwide Building Society

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"The college sector has a central role to play in helping to close the growing skills gap. We look forward to working in partnership with College Online to enable busy adults to learn the higher technical skills they need for a fulfilling career."

Graham Razey OBE - CEO, East Kent Colleges Group

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"We look forward to partnering College Online to help close the skills gap and support working adults who wish to acquire valuable skills but need the flexible delivery system offered. HTQs are valuable qualifications from which our learners will benefit."

David Akeroyd - Principal & CEO, Barnsley College

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Free learners resources

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Blog

Job Advert: Student Enrolment Advisor

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College Online launches to help tackle the UK's skills gap

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HTQs are central to delivering a coherent tertiary system

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Return to work: How online education puts you back on Track

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How to change career with the support of an online education course

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*subject to course approval

Enquire

Use this form to register your interest in a course with a college in the College Online partner network.