Access to Higher Education Courses

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Access to Higher Education is a qualification that prepares people who are returning to education and don’t have the traditional qualifications to study at university.

They are designed to give you the skills and knowledge you need to start a university degree with confidence. Open to anyone aged 19 or over, Access to Higher Education courses are widely recognised by UK universities and come in a variety of subjects, from nursing and midwifery to public services.

How our Access to Higher Education courses work

Studying an Access to HE course with Open Study College gives you flexibility in that you can study from wherever you like, as long as you reside in the UK. While you will be able to work around your current lifestyle, be that work, caring for a family, or any other commitments, you will still be working around a timetable. This means that you will have deadlines when it comes to submitting assignments.

When you enrol, you will be provided with all your course materials, including information about your deadlines. You will use the skills forward platform to find out your assignment briefs, as well as using it to submit all of your work.

You will receive support from personal tutors, with whom you can have a one-to-one session online (using Zoom/Microsoft Teams) for each unit. At the beginning of each unit, you will receive an email introducing you to your new personal tutor. Your tutor will also provide you with feedback after end-of-unit assignments.

What is an Access to Higher Education diploma equivalent to?

After successfully completing your Access to Higher Education course, you will receive a diploma that is equivalent to three A Levels. With this, you can then apply to study for a university degree. We recommend that you check with your preferred university to ensure they accept the Access to Higher Education diploma before applying.

What universities accept Access to Higher Education?

Access to Higher Education students are accepted to over 140 different universities each year, so there is a long list to choose from. If you have a preferred university, we recommend that you check that they accept the Access to Higher Education diploma before applying through UCAS.

Are there any entry requirements for Access to Higher Education courses?

You must be at least 19 years of age to enrol onto one of our Access to Health Education courses. It is also essential that you have GCSEs in English and Maths at levels 4 (C) and 3 (E) respectively. We also accept Functional Skills Level 2 English and Maths.

How long does an Access to Higher Education certificate last?

The Access to Higher Education diploma can be used up to five years after they are achieved.

How many UCAS points is an Access to Higher Education course worth?

You can check how many UCAS points your Access to Higher Education course is worth with their UCAS tariff points calculator.

Is Access to Higher Education full-time?

If you study an Access to Higher Education course with us, you can choose to study at a time and place that suits you. You will have two years to complete the course, using a timetable to help you stay on track, allowing you to fit your studies around your lifestyle.

Can I enrol on an Access to Higher Education course if I live outside the UK?

This course is for UK residents only, meaning we are unable to accept enrolments from students outside of the UK.

When can I start my Access to Higher Education course?

We have two intake dates for our Access to Higher Education diplomas each year, one in February and the other in October. You can enrol at any time of the year and choose which cohort you wish to join depending on what suits you best.