The Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT) has announced that its affiliated college in the United Kingdom, the Engineering College of Technology (ECT), has officially been granted Degree Awarding Powers (DAPs) by the Office for Students, the independent regulator of higher education in England.
Dean of EIT, Dr Steve Mackay, described the achievement as a “monumental milestone,” highlighting that students around the world can now choose between earning a high-quality Australian engineering degree through EIT or a British engineering qualification through ECT.
The approval follows a rigorous four-year process, led by the dedicated efforts of the ECT Governance and Academic Boards. Based in Britain, the Boards were steered by Professor Mike Rodd, Chair of the Governance Board, and Professor Denis Marchant, Chair of the Academic Board, whose leadership ensured that ECT met the stringent requirements set by the Office for Students.
Professor Rodd noted that ECT’s new status significantly broadens access to engineering education. “ECT has evolved from the Australian Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT), a leading international provider of online engineering and IT courses,” he said. “Using the same advanced technology, ECT will now deliver British degrees and qualifications from its European base.”
He added that ECT’s course delivery is almost entirely online, combining interactive instruction, tutorials, and personal academic support with remote access to experiential learning applications.
According to Rodd, the programs are particularly suited for working professionals seeking to enhance their qualifications, with many students able to complete project work within their own workplaces.
With EIT’s extensive global reach across more than 160 countries, its affiliation provides ECT with valuable academic resources, experienced lecturers, and access to international industry connections, including organizations such as NASA, Rolls Royce, and BHP. This partnership positions ECT to deliver high-quality education that meets global industry standards.
ECT has already launched four online engineering degrees:
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Industrial Automation
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Electrical Engineering
- Master of Science in Industrial Automation and Instrumentation Control
- Master of Science in Power System Analysis and Renewable Integration
These programs are delivered entirely online through an advanced digital platform that includes remote laboratories, simulation software, learning support officers, and interactive webinars hosted by British and international lecturers. Students will also have the opportunity to attend hands-on workshops at the ECT Learning Centre in Stevenage, Hertfordshire — a location that also hosts the prestigious Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
The registration marks the start of a dynamic new chapter for ECT, with strong interest already emerging from Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America. Building on EIT’s reputation and ECT’s growing success in micro-credentials, the college is poised to become a leading player in the UK’s engineering education sector.
Looking ahead, ECT remains committed to equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in an ever-changing engineering landscape.
For more information about the Engineering College of Technology, see here.
