This site provides information about a pathway to professional qualification for working engineers without the full exemplifying academic qualifications, who are interested in becoming professionally qualified and are unable to commit to full-time study. With the support of their employer, employees are able to demonstrate the required competences for professional registration (UK-SPEC) at the same time as meeting the learning outcomes for an academic qualification.

The framework for this route was developed as part of a government-funded initiative 'Gateways to the Professions'. The Engineering Council led the work which also involved  universities, PEIs and employer representatives.

A Learning Contract approach is used and successful completion leads to the award of an appropriate academic qualification (Masters or Bachelors degree) and eligibility to apply for a Professional Review Interview with a participating Professional Engineering Institution. A summary of the pathway and benefits is here. Individuals enrol with one of the participating universities. Programmes at other universities are being developed.

The MSc Professional Engineering opens a route to Chartered Engineer. A similar model is available for those seeking to become Incorporated Engineers Guide to the Bachelors degree in Professional Engineering.

An interim Registration Protocol between the Engineering Council and the Professional Engineering Institutions describes the process for the registration of candidates enrolled on the programmes. Interested PEIs are invited to contact the Engineering Council.

A toolkit for universities interested in adopting the engineering gateways model is under development as part of the National HE STEM programme's workforce development programme. Academic institutions interested in participating should contact the Engineering Council.

The engineering gateways framework provides flexible work-based learning 'escalator' that allows progression to professional registration without the need to leave work, minimising the level of debt incurred and at the same time maximising employment and earnings prospects.

Reports evaluating the engineering gateways initiative reveal positive feedback from all stakeholders and are available here.