Access to Higher Education (HE) qualifications were first established in the 1970s; intended as a route for adults who have taken a break from education, want to change careers or who might not have the qualifications needed to earn a Degree or other Higher Education qualification.
Access to HE qualifications are one-year courses that are equivalent to three A Levels or one T Level, and are widely accepted by UK universities. Access to HE courses have become more popular in recent years, providing real and accessible routes to a university education.
Studying an Access to HE course comes with a vast array of benefits, including:
The range of Access to HE subjects is vast, with courses available across the UK in everything from nursing to biomedical science, engineering to business and more.
dBs Institute of Music, our sister HE provider, offers three music-focused Access to HE diplomas at their Bristol, Manchester and Plymouth campuses.
The Access to HE courses offered at dBs have been designed to provide a strong foundational knowledge of modern music techniques across performance, production and DJing, whilst building academic skill and confidence in preparation for degree-level study.
dBs campuses are state-of-the-art facilities, situated in the heart of three of the UK’s biggest cultural hotspots, and studying with them brings a multitude of extra benefits, including direct access to industry through bespoke enrichment calendars, personalised careers advice, and work experience; as well as unparalleled networking and collaboration opportunities.
Access to HE courses are one-year, specialised courses, aimed solely at preparing adult learners without Level 3 qualifications for university, whereas A Levels are broader, two-year qualifications that are aimed at school leavers and prepare them for employment, university or an apprenticeship at a slightly slower pace. A Levels are also more academically focused, whereas Access to HE courses are more practical and skill-focused.
Yes, most UK universities accept Access to Higher Education diplomas.
Access to HE qualifications are worth between 48 and 144 UCAS points, dependent on your grades. Please check your chosen provider’s website for more information on available UCAS points.
Access to HE courses are one year in length.
You must be aged 19 or over to study Access to HE. There is no upper age limit, but courses usually have specific criteria for entry. Please refer to your chosen provider’s website for more information.
