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Don't have the qualifications needed for university? Here's your chance. If you're an adult learner an Access course gives you the opportunity to get the qualifications you need to get back to work, start a new career or update your study experience. Many of our Access students are now pursuing new careers and making changes to their lives they never thought possible.

Access to HE FAQs

What is an Access to Higher Education course?

An Access to Higher Education course is a 1 year pre-university course that prepares adults for study at university. It has been designed to give you relevant academic subject knowledge and the opportunity to learn how to approach study at university-level and develop techniques to help you succeed. This course is ideal if you have been out of education for a while, planning a career change or want to upskill in your current job. A typical Access course is 2-3 days a week, 9.30am-3pm and is taken by students of all ages and backgrounds.

What qualification do I achieve?

Upon successful completion of your Access to Higher Education course you will receive a Level 3 Diploma and will be ready to progress onto an undergraduate degree or further study.

How much does an Access course cost?

The cost of our Access to Higher Education Courses are £3,384. Prices of Access to Higher Education courses vary depending on the College or provider. 

The majority of our Access students pay for their course using a 19+ Advanced Learner Loan. You can find out more about Advanced Learner Loans here. Your Advanced Learner Loan is ‘written off’ once you complete a Higher Education course.

Don’t just take our word for it!

Amy, 33 and from Ongar, studied the Access to Nursing, Midwifery & Health Studies and is now off to the University of Hertfordshire to study Nursing.

“The encouragement and support we had as a class gave me the push I needed, it was lovely. I was working full-time and I have two children, so at first I wasn't sure if I could fit everything in, but I tried to do as much as I could in my free time. I worked on my assignments in the evenings and I was lucky enough to have support from family.

From talking to people who are at Uni and have done the Access course, it helps so much. I don't think I would feel as confident going into year one without doing the Access course. It prepares you well. It’s given me a good step forward for year one of University.”

Built Environment – Access to Higher Education Diploma

SUBJECT TO VALIDATION

Access to Built Environment is an intensive construction/civil engineering based course designed to provide an alternative route for non-traditional students into higher education.

It is a course for mature students who may include:

  • Those with experience in the built environment / construction industry who are looking for formal qualifications
  • Those who wish to change from their field of employment to the built environment industry
  • Those who have previously studied in further or higher education but whose studies did not constitute a suitable preparation for industry

Childhood Studies – Access to Higher Education Diploma

SUBJECT TO VALIDATION

This course will be in line with the current T-level course in Early Years to give the Access to HE learners a similar experience in a shorter time frame. Students graduating from this course will be able to apply to different professional roles and or progress onto Early years in Education Foundation Degree or Early Childhood Studies BA such as advertised at Anglia Ruskin University.

This Access to HE Diploma is to include a two week placement at minimum. This will be optional for the Access course but highly recommended.

The Course will give learners a great foundation of knowledge and confidence to go onto the next level of education such as HNC, Degree apprenticeship or university.

The one year intensive course prepares them for the fast pace intensive nature of courses. 

Criminal Justice and Policing – Access to Higher Education Diploma

SUBJECT TO VALIDATION

This Access course is designed for students to gain entry to approved degrees that offer Criminology/ Criminal Justice & Policing Studies. The course is specifically designed to cater for students who want to learn about crime, psychology and the criminal justice system. They will gain a criminology and criminal psychology foundation and explore topics such as offender profiling, stalking psychopathology, gender, race and discrimination, crime scene investigation.

Medicine – Access to Higher Education Diploma

Subject Descriptor CompliantAccess to Medicine is an intensive science‐based one year full time course tailored to the requirements of a medical degree, designed to provide an alternative route for non-traditional students into medical training.

It is a course for mature students who, having achieved in other areas, now wish to retrain as doctors. These include:

  • those with experience in other health-related professions
  • those whose initial career choice has proved unsatisfying and who wish to change their field of employment to the health care sector
  • those who have previously studied in higher education, but whose studies did not constitute a suitable preparation for medical training

What is an Access to Higher Education course? 

An Access to Higher Education course is a 1 year pre-university course that prepares adults for study at university. This course is ideal if you have been out of education for a while, planning a career change or upskill in your current job. A typical Access course is 2-3 days a week, 9.30am-3pm and are taken by students of all ages and backgrounds.

Nursing, Midwifery & Health Studies – Access to Higher Education Diploma

Get on the fast track to a professional career in nursing, midwifery or other supporting health-based practices. If you want to go to university but don't yet have the necessary qualifications this course is for you.  

What is an Access to Higher Education course? 

An Access to Higher Education course is a 1 year pre-university course that prepares adults for study at university. This course is ideal if you have been out of education for a while, planning a career change or upskill in your current job. A typical Access course is 2-3 days a week, 9.30am-3pm and are taken by students of all ages and backgrounds.

Psychology and Counselling - Access to Higher Education Diploma

This pathway is for those who wish to study for a Counselling and/or Psychology degree at university or undertake the Higher National Diploma at college. The Counselling Diploma programme is the most suitable route for you if you are looking to go on to study a degree in subjects such as: Psychology, Psychology with Counselling, Criminology, Counselling and Psychotherapy, Education with Psychology, Sociology, Psychology with Professional Development or other similar subjects.

What is an Access to Higher Education course? 

An Access to Higher Education course is a 1 year pre-university course that prepares adults for study at university. This course is ideal if you have been out of education for a while, planning a career change or upskill in your current job. A typical Access course is 2-3 days a week, 9.30am-3pm and are taken by students of all ages and backgrounds.

Supporting Teaching & Learning in Schools – Adult Course Level 3

This qualification will give you the knowledge and skills needed to work as qualified Teaching Assistant supporting children in primary, secondary or special schools. This qualification is ideal if you are interested in working as a teaching assistant or learning support assistant or are currently working in an unsupervised role that supports pupils' learning, including specialist roles. You will need to be working, volunteering or on practical placement as you will need to show competence in both knowledge and skills.