The Access to HE Diploma is widely recognised by UK universities, and many actively encourage applications from Access to HE students. Browse our range of courses below.
Business
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The Access to Higher Education Diploma (Digital Technologies in Business Management) is a Level 3 qualification which prepares people without traditional qualifications for study at university.
Access to Diploma in Digital Technologies in Business Management (North Kensington)
Fashion
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This diploma is delivered in strategic partnership with the University of the Arts: London College of Fashion and Ravensbourne University, and is for people who intend to progress to university to study for a degree in Fashion.
Access to HE Diploma: Fashion (Waterloo)
Law
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This pathway is intended for students who wish to study for a Law degree at University but do not have the required entry qualifications. Our Diploma is recognised by all HE Institutions: last year all of our successful students went on to study law at University
Access to Higher Education: Law (North Kensington)
Arts & Humanities
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Our Diploma courses lead to nationally-recognised qualifications that enable successful students to progress onto degree-level study at University.
Access to HE Diploma: Humanities and Social Sciences (North Kensington)
Access to HE Diploma: Humanities (North Kensington)
Access to Higher Education: Humanities (North Kensington)
Access to HE Diploma: Humanities and Social Sciences (North Kensington)
Access to HE Diploma: Social Science (Waterloo)
Access to Higher Education: Social Science (North Kensington)
Access to Higher Education: Arts and Humanities
Access to HE Diploma: Counselling (North Kensington)
Access to HE Diploma: Counselling and Psychology (North Kensington)
Art and Design
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The UAL Art Foundation Diploma is an intensive part-time programme of study in Fine Art. Expand your experience, knowledge and skills in drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, digital media, mixed media (textiles), and contextual studies.
UAL Foundation Diploma in Art and Design: Level 3 (Waterloo)
Creative Arts and Digital Media
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The Access to Creative Digital Media Programme is is a well-established, successful course run in partnership with the London College of Communication (UAL). To assist your application to University you will learn both practical skills and theoretical thinking through exciting, challenging projects, which cover a wide range of modern digital media technologies – all taught in specialist studios with the latest equipment and tutors who are practising professionals.
Access to HE: Creative Industries (Chelsea)
Human & Health Sciences
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The Access to Midwifery and Nursing Diploma is an intensive programme that will provide you with the foundation knowledge of the health care profession and human anatomy and physiology.
Access to HE Diploma: Health and Human Science (Nursing, midwifery, health) (Waterloo)
Access to HE Diploma: Health and Human Science (Nursing, midwifery, health) (North Kensington)
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The Access to HE Diploma: Radiography is an ideal course for adults (anyone aged 19+) with a keen interest in the study of Radiography in Higher Education. The course is suitable for students with a wide range of previous educational or career experiences who now wish to pursue further study in Diagnostic and Therapeutic Radiography fields.
Access to HE Diploma: Radiography (North Kensington)
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An Access to HE Diploma in Medicine and Medical Biosciences could be your first step towards a career in areas related to medicine and medical science. This programme provides a thorough grounding in scientific principles in preparation for study in the areas of medicine or medical sciences.
Access to HE: Medicine (Waterloo)
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This one year course offers a flexible and comprehensive range of modules. Students select a personalised course that can meet a variety of outcomes. These are applied to sport and exercise through classroom study, discussion and practical workshops.
Access to HE Diploma: Science (Sports Science route) (North Kensington)
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The Access to HE Diploma: Science is an ideal course for adults (anyone aged 19+) with a keen interest in the study of science in Higher Education. The course is suitable for students with a wide range of previous educational or career experiences who now wish to pursue further study in science.
Access to HE Diploma: Science (North Kensington)
Access to HE Diploma: Science (Waterloo)
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An Access to HE Diploma in Health and Human Sciences could be your first step towards a career in the nursing, midwifery, or allied health professions, such as radiography, physiotherapy, dietetics, nutrition, or occupational therapy.
Access to HE Diploma: Health and Human Sciences (Waterloo)
Access to HE Diploma: Health and Human Science (North Kensington)
Download our Access to Higher Education guide
Courses designed for adults
Courses are designed, in particular, for people who have been out of education for some time, especially those who left school with too few qualifications to be able to go straight to university. Access to HE courses provide a good foundation in the knowledge and skills required for studying at university level, so that students are confident and well prepared when they go on to higher education.
Our Access to HE Diploma courses are also Level 3. These courses are designed to help you get into university if you don’t already have the right qualifications. Despite being classed as ‘Advanced Learning’, these courses don’t necessarily require previous experience or qualifications, just a good standard of English, maths and IT.
Preparing for study at degree level
The Access to HE Diploma is a full level 3 qualification. Study on the Access to HE Diploma makes academic demands that are at an equivalent level to those of other level 3 qualifications.
Access to HE Diplomas are made up of 60 credits. 45 of these are at level 3 and graded. The remaining 15 credits are not graded and may be at level 2 or level 3. You must successfully achieve 60 credits to be awarded a Diploma.
The Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma is a qualification which prepares students for study at degree level. 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.
Recognised by all UK universities
Each year, around thousands of Access to HE students across the country, apply for a degree course at a UK university. They go on to study a wide range of subjects, including arts, business, fashion, humanities, law, media, medicine, and science.
Advanced Learner Loan
If you’re aged 19 or above and studying a Level 3, 4, 5, or 6 course, you may be eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan. This loan covers the full cost of your course and does not depend on your income or credit history. Repayments are based on your income and only start once you earn above a certain threshold.
Useful facts about the Advanced Learner Loan
- An Advanced Learner Loan does not depend on your income and is not subject to credit checks
- You won’t have to pay it back until your income is over the threshold amount for your repayment plan. The threshold amounts change on 6 April every year.
- If your earnings drop below the threshold at any time, then your repayments are automatically paused, and will only start again once your earnings go above the threshold
- If you take an Advanced Learner Loan to fund an Access to HE Level 3 Diploma and then go on to complete a degree in the same subject, your loan will be written off
- When any outstanding balance is automatically written off depends on which repayment plan you’re on
View courses eligible for funding with the Advanced Learner Loan
NB: you may be paying the loan back while you study if you are still working if you earn more than the repayment threshold for your plan
