Access to Higher Education Diploma

The Access to Higher Education Diploma – Health Professions is a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification accredited by Gateway Qualifications, an authorised validating agency which awards nationally recognised certification for Access programmes. This course is suitable for those who have been out of full time education for some time and are aiming to progress onto further study at university or higher education courses.

This diploma consists of one mandatory subject and one secondary subject. The mandatory subject for this diploma is;

Students can choose which secondary subject they study from the list below:

You will also have the opportunity to study one of the following subjects alongside your core units in academic writing skills, research and presentation skills.

The Access to Higher Education Diploma – Humanities and Social Sciences is a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification accredited by Gateway Qualifications, an authorised validating agency which awards nationally recognised certification for Access programmes. This course is suitable for those who have been out of full time education for some time and are aiming to progress onto further study at university or higher education courses.

This diploma consists of one mandatory subject and one secondary subject. The mandatory subject for this diploma is;

Students can choose which secondary subject they study from the list below:

You will also have the opportunity to study one of the following subjects alongside your core units in academic writing skills, research and presentation skills.

The Access to Higher Education Diploma – Science is a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification accredited by Gateway Qualifications, an authorised validating agency which awards nationally recognised certification for Access programmes. This course is suitable for those who have been out of full time education for some time and are aiming to progress onto further study at university or higher education courses.

This diploma consists of one mandatory subject and one secondary subject. The mandatory subject for this diploma is;

Students can choose which secondary subject they study from the list below:

You will also have the opportunity to study one of the following subjects alongside your core units in academic writing skills, research and presentation skills.

The Access to Higher Education Diploma – Social Work and Related Professions is a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification accredited by Gateway Qualifications, an authorised validating agency which awards nationally recognised certification for Access programmes. This course is suitable for those who have been out of full time education for some time and are aiming to progress onto further study at university or higher education courses.

Students will study two mandatory subjects for this diploma, which are:

You will also have the opportunity to study one of the following subjects alongside your core units in academic writing skills, research and presentation skills.

The Access to Higher Education Diploma – Humanities is a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification accredited by Gateway Qualifications, an authorised validating agency which awards nationally recognised certification for Access programmes. This course is suitable for those who have been out of full time education for some time and are aiming to progress onto further study at university or higher education courses.

This diploma consists of one mandatory subject and one secondary subject. The mandatory subject for this diploma is;

Students can choose which secondary subject they study from the list below:

You will also have the opportunity to study one of the following subjects alongside your core units in academic writing skills, research and presentation skills.

The Access to Higher Education Diploma – Science and Maths is a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification accredited by Gateway Qualifications, an authorised validating agency which awards nationally recognised certification for Access programmes. This course is suitable for those who have been out of full time education for some time and are aiming to progress onto further study at university or higher education courses.

This diploma consists of one mandatory subject and one secondary subject. The mandatory subject for this diploma is;

Students can choose which secondary subject they study from the list below:

You will also have the opportunity to study one of the following subjects alongside your core units in academic writing skills, research and presentation skills.

The Access to Higher Education Diplomas offer pathways into the following higher education courses and training;

Access to Higher Education Diploma – Health Professions

Access to Higher Education Diploma – Humanities and Social Sciences

Access to Higher Education Diploma – Science

Access to Higher Education Diploma – Social work and related professions

Access to Higher Education Diploma – Humanities

Access to Higher Education Diploma – Science and Maths

Applicants for the Access to Higher Education Diploma must be aged 19 years old or over at enrolment and will require a minimum of Level 2 Maths and English.

Depending on the specific entry requirements of your chosen University programme you may need GCSE Maths, English or Science at Grade C (4) or above.

You will be required to attend an interview. At interview please bring in the email correspondence you have had with the universities you are intending to apply to, providing such information as the required GCSE maths and English/Level 2 qualifications. Please note that many degree courses have a GCSE Maths and/or English and/or Science requirement for courses, although some will be satisifed with a level 2 Functional Skills in these subjects.  It is therefore important that you contact your chosen universities and ask about their specific GCSE requirements and bring this information to your interview.  It is not possible to study GCSE qualifications alongside Access.

Things to consider

• Do you intend to be working in paid employment whilst studying? If you are, how many hours a week would this involve?
• Have you considered how you will be able to support yourself financially whilst you are studying?
• Do you have any other responsibilities that will demand your time when studying?
• How many hours a week do you think you will need to devote to your studies if accepted on the Access Course (including time and homework)?

You should prepare a written response to the questions below, and during your 20 minute interview be prepared to answer questions on what you have researched. You should bring in and submit your notes of this research (word-processed or handwritten) as these will also be used to assess you for selection. The interview process involves determining whether you have sufficiently researched you chosen degree pathway.

Please also bring in the email correspondence you have had with the universities you are intending to apply to, providing such information as the required GCSE maths and English/Level 2 qualifications.

You should take time to research your chosen Higher Education programme and future career, you will be asked questions about your research at interview.

• What have you been doing in the last 3-4 years?
• At which University and which Higher Education programme do you wish to progress onto following the Access programme?
• What has influenced your choice of Higher Education programme?
• Describe some of your strengths and explain how these can be applied to further study or your career goal.
• Describe some of your weaknesses and how you could improve them.
• Where do you wish to study?
• What qualifications are required to progress onto your Higher Education programme, including Access grade, preferred subjects to be studied and Access Diploma type.
• Details of any work experience/voluntary work required.
• Mode of HE study e.g. modules studied on the programme, work placements, exams.
• In relation to a career, what do you know about factors such as shift patterns, pay, location, jobs market etc.
• What is the level of competition for a place on the higher education course to which you would like to apply?
• What alternative course/s have you researched if your degree application is unsuccessful?

Use the UCAS link to help you research which university course programme you wish to progress to following completion of your Access to Higher Education Diploma