Access to Higher Education
If you'd like to get the degree you've always wanted but don't have the formal qualifications to be offered a place, then an Access to HE course could be your one-year route to university
There are lots of reasons why people go back into education after a break after leaving school. It doesn't matter why, what's important is how we can help you realise your ambition to get a degree.
Our Access to HE courses cover a wide range of areas including, Health Science Professions, Computing, Humanities and Social Science and Media.
The courses are intense and you'll need to allow time to continue your studies outside of your college hours. However, if you have the determination and commitment to achieve your goals, you can be sure we'll help you get there. Studying an Access to HE Diploma will give you insight into what's involved in university study and fully prepare you for studying at degree level.
Frequently Asked Questions
Access courses are designed for anyone without formal qualifications, who wishes to progress to a higher level course such as a Degree or Foundation Degree. You will work towards the successful acquisition of a specified number of ‘credits’ that will then be accounted for when you join a full degree.
All Access to Higher Education courses are credit based. Subjects have a set number of credits and levels. You can accumulate credits for each subject unit and your tutor will advise you as to the total number of credits needed for your successful completion (see individual courses for more detail). You will get plenty of feedback to help you during your course.
There will be an advisory interview, during which we will discuss whether our Access courses can help you reach the targets you have set yourself. You should be motivated to undertake further study and usually have literacy and numeracy skills to level 2 or equivalent. If you do not have any previous literacy or numeracy qualifications we can help you to find out what level you are currently working at.
Please see individual course information for full details. How you pay will be dependent upon which course you choose and the study options. Concessions may be available. A loan may be available which you won't have to pay back if you go on to successfully complete a relevant Higher Education course. See Advanced Learner Loan for more information.
Access courses are demanding. However, College staff have years of experience in delivering these programmes and will support you throughout your course. You will be assigned a personal tutor, who will provide practical help and encouragement with your studies. We always discuss the course thoroughly with you before enrolment to ensure that you are prepared – so you don’t need to worry.
When you have decided which Access course you wish to undertake, the next step is to complete the application form (online, or a paper version is available). Once we receive your application, we will then invite you to attend an informal interview, which may involve an assessment and a group exercise. Following this interview we will confirm your place on the course, and inform you of start dates and other relevant information. You can search our Access to HE courses here
“I want to be a midwife and it’s no easy feat. It is a notoriously difficult profession to get into, however with the support of The College and the fact the course is diverse, I stand a good chance!
This course offers me a fantastic variety of knowledge that’s easy to understand and the tutors are so approachable. If there’s something I don’t understand, I know I can just ask and get the issue resolved quickly.
There’s a good balance between home and college life. This is crucial as I have two small children.
The timetable works well with my personal life too. Having two young children can make things a bit hard, but The College helps with my childcare costs and I can access most of the information from my lessons online, so I can recap when they’re in bed. The College has given me a lot of guidance towards my future career and pushes me to succeed. I now feel I’ve got the best start possible.”
Jenny Kolymvas, Access to Health and Social Care