Studying an Access to HE course comes with a vast array of benefits, including:
Rather than spending two years on A Levels or extended diplomas, you can gain the equivalent UCAS points in a single year and progress to degree-level study sooner than you might expect.
Whether you’re pivoting into a completely new field or finally pursuing something you’ve always wanted to do, an Access to HE Diploma gives you the qualification to make it happen.
If you take out an Advanced Learner Loan to fund your Access to HE course, the good news is that the entire balance is wiped out the moment you complete and graduate from the university degree you progress on to.
Note: If you land a high-earning job before university (say, during a gap year) or while you’re studying, standard automatic deductions will kick in once you cross the income threshold. These payments come straight from your wages and can’t be refunded, but whatever balance is left over is completely written off on the day you graduate.
If you’ve got a clear idea of where you want to go but aren’t sure how to get there, an Access to HE Diploma gives you a structured, supported route into university study. It’s designed for adults who are ready to commit to something, whether that’s a complete career change, a long-held ambition you’re finally acting on, or simply the next logical step in your creative development.
With three distinct music pathways covering production, DJing and electronic music, and performance, there’s a course built around what you actually want to do rather than a generic academic programme that doesn’t speak to your interests. You’ll develop both the practical skills and the academic confidence that universities are looking for, taught by people with genuine industry experience in the subjects they cover.
Our Access to Higher Education diplomas gives you the academic skills and formal qualifications needed to progress to university, no A Levels required. It's a direct route into higher education, built around the creative subjects you actually want to study.
You'll learn in spaces that are built to industry standard, not classroom standard. From music studios and production suites to media labs and rehearsal rooms, the kit you use here is the same kit you'll encounter when you're working professionally.
Access to HE is a step up from Level 3, and that's the point. You'll take on independent projects, develop your critical thinking, and get used to working at the kind of pace and depth that university demands.
Every tutor on Access courses have genuine experience in the field they teach. That means the feedback you get, the connections you make, and the insight you gain into your industry come from people who've actually worked in it.
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 courses.
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 18 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.
Access to HE courses for the academic year 2026-2027 are £4,835. If eligible and over the age of 19, you can receive an Advanced Learner Loan from the UK government to cover the cost. If you continue to Higher Education and complete your degree, Student Finance will ‘write off’ any outstanding Advanced Learner Loan balances you owe.
Our Access to Higher Education diplomas gives you the academic skills and formal qualifications needed to progress to university, no A Levels required. It's a direct route into higher education, built around the creative subjects you actually want to study.
You'll learn in spaces that are built to industry standard, not classroom standard. From music studios and production suites to media labs and rehearsal rooms, the kit you use here is the same kit you'll encounter when you're working professionally.
Access to HE is a step up from Level 3, and that's the point. You'll take on independent projects, develop your critical thinking, and get used to working at the kind of pace and depth that university demands.
Every tutor on Access courses have genuine experience in the field they teach. That means the feedback you get, the connections you make, and the insight you gain into your industry come from people who've actually worked in it.
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 the facilities for these three music-focused Access to HE Diplomas (Music Technology) at their Bristol, Manchester and Plymouth campuses. All of these courses are taught by Access Creative College.
These Access to HE courses 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. With these facilities, and the teaching power from Access Creative College’s staff, these courses provide you a fantastic opportunity to get on the right ladder for your music career.
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 courses.
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.
