Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma Courses

Access 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. These 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.

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.

Courses designed for adults

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 and 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.

Recognised by all UK universities

Each year, around thousands of Access to HE students across England 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