Access to Higher Education

Change your life with an Access to HE  - a stepping stone to a degree

Access to HE Diplomas are a great option if you’re 19 or over and want to study for a degree but don’t have the right qualifications. It’s a one-year course that can be studied flexibly and enables you to progress onto a university-level course and gain a full degree.

We know that being out of education for a while can be daunting, but our courses are designed to help make your transition to university study easier. With small class sizes and plenty of individual support, we will help you to succeed and reach your goal.

Why you should study for an Access to HE

  • Each year, over 20,000 Access to Higher Education students apply for a degree course at a UK university. 
  • If you are aged 19+, you may be entitled to apply for an Advanced Learning Loan to cover the cost of your course. You don’t have to pay anything upfront, and the loan will be written off if you complete your course and go on to study for a Degree.

Our Access students come from all walks of life and all ages, but they have one thing in common, they are all people like you looking to focus on their studies and realise their ambitions.

Two students working at a desk

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
  • 15/09/2025
  • Level 3
  • Full 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
  • 15/09/2025
  • 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.

  • Orpington
  • 15/09/2025
  • 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.

  • Greenwich
  • 15/09/2025
  • Level 3
  • Full Time

Social Work - 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.

  • Orpington
  • 15/09/2025
  • 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
  • 15/09/2025
  • Level 3
  • Full Time

Healthcare Professions - 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 genuinely 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 - it's never been a better time to start your journey to becoming a qualified Nurse/Midwife.

  • Orpington
  • 15/09/2025
  • 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
  • 15/09/2025
  • Level 3
  • Full 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
  • 15/09/2025
  • Level 2
  • Part 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
  • 15/09/2025
  • 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

£27,846 Potential salary 160 open vacancies

Account Managers / Representatives

£38,444 Potential salary 148 open vacancies

Administrative Managers

£20,324 Potential salary 1157 open vacancies

Banking Branch Managers

£42,947 Potential salary 426 open vacancies

Business / Management Analysts

£38,431 Potential salary 245 open vacancies

Business Development / Sales Managers

£38,444 Potential salary 148 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.

Term Dates

Key term dates and opening times