The Access to HE Handbook

This chapter starts with a little about the history of Access to HE and where it's placed within the broader education landscape in the UK. You then go on to look at the structure of the Access to HE Diploma where case studies are used to explore credits, grades and how they translate into entry requirements for HE.

Here you will be guided through common features of assessments in Access to HE such as assignment briefs, grading standards and how to navigate common methods of assessment. You will also explore how we mark Access to HE and what it means to get a 'Pass', 'Merit' and 'Distinction' - hint, if you're familiar with BTEC, it's not the same!

This chapter explores some common study skills to help you through your studies. You will explore communication, teamwork, revision styles and strategies, learning plans and also tips on maintaining motivation. You'll notice that the big study skills are missing from this chapter, but that's because they have chapters of their own...!

Love it or hate it referencing is a (if not the most) critical academic skill, especially in HE! In this chapter you will find information about why referencing is so important, and be guided through worked examples using one of the most common referencing styles (Harvard) with opportunities to apply your skills in related activities so you feel confident applying those skills into your own writing. 

Writing skills can include notetaking, understanding command words, getting the most our of your drafts, sentence structure, perspective, formatting, working to a word count, and of course, spelling, punctuation and grammar. In this chapter you will explore ALL of these features of writing to make sure you are as skilled as possible for those assignment submissions!

Not all information is created equal! Here you will take a look at how to find information (aka 'research'!), and how the purpose of it and the source of it can influence the overall quality and usefulness of that information. This lays the foundation for starting to think critically about information which is explored more in the next chapter...

In this chapter you will take a more advanced look at thinking critically by exploring questions such as who wrote the source, why did they write it, and when was it written? You'll then move onto what it means to trust a source by considering its reliability, validity, objectivity, as well as confidentiality and ethics. This chapter concludes by looking at how applying critical thinking to your studies can improve the quality and outcomes of your learning.

This chapter starts with some key terms before moving onto discuss a variety of digital skills you are likely to use in your Access to HE Diploma such as navigating a virtual learning environment, digital communications, working in shared online spaces and more! You will then take a look at generative AI (and its limitations!) whilst exploring how to use it responsibility to enhance your efforts, and not replace them!

This chapter is designed to help you explore your choices about HE. You will reflect on your motivations and interests to help choose your next steps, and look at features of HEIs and their courses to help figure out which one is right for you. Does professional accreditation matter? Should I apply to a Russell Group University? Is an apprenticeship right for me? Those questions (and more) are explored here to help you make the right choice! 

Oh, personal statements and all things UCAS? Also crammed in here too!

You've got to the end of your Access to HE Diploma (and the book!) and this final chapter is designed to help you navigate those next steps. There's information on how your Access to HE Diploma will be wrapped up officially and a brief introduction about what to expect from HE. You are provided with space to curate your own 'Key Contacts and Support' network and guided through checklists of some important considerations such as housing, finances, and both physical and mental health, to ensure you are feeling empowered and ready to succeed in your higher education journey.