The Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma

So, you want to know about the Access to Higher Education Diploma? Well you're in the right place!

Scroll down for some frequently asked questions to help you understand a little more about what the qualification is all about. If you have a question that isn't answered here, why not suggest it in the comment box at the bottom of the page?

The Access to HE (Higher Education) Diploma is an academic course offered as an alternative to traditional A-Levels or BTEC Level 3 for getting into Higher Education. The diploma is regulated by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), and developed, approved and monitored by Access Validating Agencies. 

The Access to HE Diploma is normally completed within one year, full-time, although can be completed over a longer period if studying part-time. 

You will study 60 credits which is the equivalent of 600 guided learning hours. Over one academic year (approximately 35 weeks), this works out at around 17 hours per week. Be mindful that this is just a guide, and some students feel that they need a little more time to dedicate to their studies in order to achieve the grades that they want/need for their chosen next steps. Similarly, some academic years will be longer/shorter depending on the individual provider.

 Access to HE Diplomas are available via face-to-face providers, often in Further Education colleges, but can also be found via hybrid or fully online providers too. You can find a list of approved courses and their providers here. Once you have found a course that you would like to apply for, visit the website of the provider and follow their application process. If you need more information about the course, contact the provider directly - often they have friendly admissions teams ready to answer any questions that you might have!

No, it's not free however, many people find themselves eligible to use the Advanced Learner Loan to cover their tuition fees. The Advanced Learner Loan is available if you meet certain criteria (find out more about eligibility here) and if you progress into HE and complete your programme, your loan balance is waivered in full. For many learners then, this means that they have indeed studied for 'free', but it's important to establish that it's not the course that's free, but the specific funding arrangements that can mean many students do not pay the tuition fees. 

It's also important to note that not all providers of Access to HE will accept the Advanced Learner Loan regardless of your eligibility for it. The Advanced Learner Loan is linked to government funding streams so you are most likely to find that government funded providers such as Further Education colleges will accept the loan, whereas many private/independent providers who are not in receipt of government funding will not accept the loan. Make sure that you seek clarification from your provider before you enrol if you are wanting to utilise the loan to cover your tuition fees.

 All Access to HE Diplomas are worth 60 credits in total. You achieve these by doing 45 credits from graded units, and 15 credits from ungraded units. Learning is a process and the ungraded credits account for this - you cannot swap ungraded units for graded ones, and you must still meet all the learning outcomes in the ungraded units to achieve your diploma. 

The specific units you study are unique to your diploma which is often unique to your provider. If you would like more detail on the units that you would be studying, speak with the provider directly and they will be able to give you the relevant unit information. 

 Access to HE Diplomas are designed to facilitate progression into Higher Education (HE). The next step after completion of the course then is to progress to a university, or another degree-level course (such as a higher or degree apprenticeship) providing that you meet the entry criteria. It is widely accepted by HE providers that the Access to HE Diploma satisfies entry criteria for a variety of degree programmes from Nursing to Law, Biochemistry to English, Art to Engineering - and plenty more! 

No, these courses are not the same however, they are taught at the same level - Level 3 - and as such, they would both be at an equivalent academic level to A-Level, and they would both support progression into a Higher Education course. Both the Access to HE Diploma and Foundation Year courses have their pros and cons depending on your individual circumstances and what your aspirations are so make sure you explore your options fully before you make a decision as to which one is right for you.

This is a very subjective thing to think about! The Access to HE Diploma is a rigorous qualification that some students might find more challenging than others, but the same can be said for any qualification at any level!