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Students who are looking to start careers in engineering may be pleased to hear that the new engineering vocational diplomas will be valued the same as three and half A-levels by universities.

The diplomas, which are also available in construction and health and development among others, will start next year.

Martin Temple, director general at manufacturers' body the EEF, said: "Industry will applaud this announcement as a welcome recognition by the universities that the new diplomas will have sufficient prestige. This is one more step on the road towards bridging the divide between academic and vocational routes into higher education."

If students achieve the highest marks possible on the diplomas they will have the equivalent of 420 Ucas points, giving them a great chance of getting into universities. A-levels are worth 120 points.

Anthony McClaren, the chief executive of Ucas, said that the Ucas tariff places the diploma "firmly within the spectrum of routes for entry to higher education".

He added that the final decision on applicants remains a matter for the universities themselves.

The diplomas are part of the government's plans to increase the number of people entering into graduate engineering jobs in the future, where there is a serious skills shortage.

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