Access to HE Student

Moving into HE after an Access course

Your Access to HE Diploma course is the perfect preparation for the next step – moving into HE-level study.

Check the entry requirements for HE courses

Entry requirements for HE courses vary, but Access to HE Diplomas are widely recognised by universities and colleges for many of their courses. However, for degrees or other HE courses that interest you, it is important to find out what Access to HE Diploma subjects are acceptable and the grades required. You can check entry requirements for particular courses by looking at university and college websites and by using the UCAS course search facility.

Some HE courses require high grades in the Access to HE Diploma (merits and distinctions) because of the academic demands or the popularity of the course. For some courses there’s a lot of competition with many more students applying than places available. When you come to apply for HE, it’s wise to use your UCAS course choices to apply for courses offered by a variety of HE institutions.

Access to HE Diplomas and the UCAS Tariff

The Access to HE Diploma has recently been added to the UCAS Tariff. The Tariff is used to translate your qualifications and grades into numerical points which you can then compare with the points required for the HE courses that interest you. (Bear in mind that not all courses express their entry requirements in Tariff points; some still ask for specific Access to HE units, credits or grades.) 

If the HE course that interests you uses Tariff points, check how many you need so that you know what grades to aim at in your Access course. There’s more information on the UCAS Tariff, including a video explaining how to work out Tariff points for Access courses on the UCAS website

Festival of Learning Award

New Directions Award

Each year the Festival of Learning Campaign celebrates and issues awards to Adult Learners for their inspirational achievements.  Hear about Jo Wyard who returned to education with few qualifications when she was 41 to take an Access to HE course, went onto to study a Social Work Degree and is now fully qualified and in full time work. 

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