Access to Higher Education

An Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma is a nationally recognised qualification that offers a clear pathway to university for those without traditional Level 3 qualifications. Each year, over 20,000 Access to HE students successfully apply for degree courses at UK universities.

Our one-year Access to HE Diplomas can help you achieve your academic goals. We understand that returning to education can be challenging, so we provide all the support you need to succeed. Additionally, we offer Pre-Access courses for adults who wish to progress to one of our Access to HE Diplomas but do not yet meet the entry requirements.

Two students working at a desk

Skills for Professions in Health and Human Sciences - Pre-Access Certificate

This course will enable students to develop the skills and knowledge required, to enable progression to further study in health and social care settings and ultimately to work in these or other related sectors. This qualification is an ideal foundation, for those students who are not yet ready to progress to the Level 3 Access to H.E. qualification. Important Information for Access Course Students Students enrolled in our Access Course should be prepared to dedicate significant time to their studies outside of scheduled class hours. In addition to attending college for two days a week, each consisting of a 6-hour session from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM, students are expected to commit at least 12 hours of study outside of these college days. Attendance is crucial, and it is expected that students attend the entire session each day. Personal arrangements will need to be made to accommodate this schedule to ensure successful completion of the course.

  • Multiple Locations
  • 14/09/2026
  • Level 2
  • Part Time

Progression - Pre-Access Certificate

This course will enable students to develop the skills and knowledge required to progress on to study any of our Level 3 Access to Higher Education qualifications.

  • Orpington
  • 14/09/2026
  • Level 2
  • Part Time

Business - Access to HE Diploma

This is a one year intensive course for mature students (aged 19+). It is designed to prepare you for study on a business related bachelors degree. The Diploma may also be a beneficial qualification for students looking to go directly into employment within the business sector, where Level 3 qualifications are required.

  • Orpington
  • 14/09/2026
  • Level 3
  • Full Time

Business and Finance - Access to HE Diploma

The course aims to balance essential study skills with specialist subject knowledge to prepare the students for the academic and practical rigours of undergraduate study in Digital Business Management degree pathways.

  • Bexley
  • 14/09/2026
  • Level 3
  • Full Time

Computing - Access to HE Diploma

If you are aged 19 or over and would like to study at university but left school without the qualifications you need, then this Access to HE course could be for you. Each year, over 20,000 Access to HE students apply for a degree course at a UK university. This course will help you get the qualifications you need to study on a creative computing or IT related bachelor's degree at university.

  • Orpington
  • 14/09/2026
  • Level 3
  • Full Time

Criminology - Access to HE Diploma

If you would like to study at university but left school without the qualifications you need, then this Access to HE course could be for you. Each year, over 20,000 Access to HE students apply for a degree course at a UK university. This course will help you get the qualifications you need to study criminology, or a related course, at university. The qualification will provide you with a broad understanding of crime and the criminal justice system, whilst also covering topics such as criminal investigation, forensics, social exclusion and victimology.

  • Orpington
  • 14/09/2026
  • Level 3
  • Full Time

Nursing - Access to HE Diploma

If you have always thought about becoming a Nurse but life got in the way, or nursing has recently appealed to you as a career option, but you do not have the desired qualifications, you can still make this career switch. This one-year intensive course is designed to prepare you for study in a health-related bachelor's degree program like Adult Nursing or Midwifery. You must have a genuine desire and aptitude to enter nursing. Universities will expect you to have gained experience working in a healthcare setting and require a DBS check. We strongly advise you to have experience by the time you begin your course. With the reinstatement of the additional financial support through the University Nursing/Midwifery bursaries, there has never been a better time to start your journey to becoming a qualified nurse/midwife.

  • Multiple Locations
  • 14/09/2026
  • Level 3
  • Full Time

Psychology - Access to HE Diploma

If you want to study at university but left school without the qualifications you need, then this Access to HE course could be for you. Over 20,000 Access to HE students apply for a degree course at a UK university each year and gain degrees. This course will help you get the qualifications you need to study Psychology, or a related course, at university. The qualification will provide a broad understanding of Psychology, childhood attachment theory, various applicable therapies, stress-related illnesses, and mental health while covering topics such as psychological perspectives and learning theories.

  • Orpington
  • 14/09/2026
  • Level 3
  • Full Time

Science - Access to HE Diploma

This is a one-year intensive course for mature students (aged 19+). It is designed to prepare you for study on a science-related bachelor's degree program. The Diploma may also be a beneficial qualification for students looking to go directly into employment in a number of science and health care related professions, where Level 3 qualifications are required. Important Information for Access Course Students Students enrolled in our Access Course should be prepared to dedicate significant time to their studies outside of scheduled class hours. In addition to attending college for two days a week, each consisting of a 6-hour session from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM, students are expected to commit at least 12 hours of study outside of these college days. Attendance is crucial, and it is expected that students attend the entire session each day. Personal arrangements will need to be made to accommodate this schedule to ensure successful completion of the course.

  • Orpington
  • 14/09/2026
  • Level 3
  • Full Time

Social Work - OCN Access to HE Diploma

This is a one-year intensive course for mature students (aged 19+). It is designed to prepare you for studying a social work-related bachelor's degree at university. You need to have a genuine desire and aptitude to enter the social work profession/universities will expect you to have gained experience of working within a social/healthcare setting. You will also require a DBS check. Important Information for Access Course Students Students enrolled in our Access Course should be prepared to dedicate significant time to their studies outside of scheduled class hours. In addition to attending college for two days a week, each consisting of a 6-hour session from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM, students are expected to commit at least 12 hours of study outside of these college days. Attendance is crucial, and it is expected that students attend the entire session each day. Personal arrangements will need to be made to accommodate this schedule to ensure successful completion of the course.

  • Greenwich
  • 14/09/2026
  • Level 3
  • Full Time

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Where can it lead?

Find out more about the jobs available once you have successfully completed a course in this area.

Account Executives

£31,626 Potential salary 164 open vacancies

Account Managers / Representatives

£57,895 Potential salary 377 open vacancies

Administrative Managers

£31,102 Potential salary 250 open vacancies

Banking Branch Managers

£46,840 Potential salary 359 open vacancies

Business / Management Analysts

£49,267 Potential salary 202 open vacancies

Business Development / Sales Managers

£30,259 Potential salary 407 open vacancies

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Student Support

Starting college can be a giant leap if you have just finished school or are returning to education after a few years. We will make this transition as easy as possible, providing all the support you need to settle in

Financial Support

We are committed to supporting students in order for them to overcome any financial barriers to learning.

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