Access to HE Diploma
If you haven't studied A-levels at school or college and still want to go to university, you can study for the Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma
What is an Access to HE diploma?
It is a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification that offers a route to university for those who didn't go on to study A-levels after leaving school.
Delivered by further education (FE) colleges in England and Wales, these courses are available in over 1,200 subjects, including business, education and law, to prepare students for degree-level study.
To be eligible for the 'Access to HE' title, the course must be accredited by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).
Get the lowdown on these qualifications by visiting the official QAA Access to Higher Education website.
How does this qualification differ from a DipHE?
An Access to HE Diploma is a Level 3 course aimed at providing a stepping stone from school or college to university, while a Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) is a two-year, Level 5 qualification comparable to two years studying a Bachelors degree.
What is an Access to HE Diploma equivalent to?
Access to HE Diplomas are equivalent to three A-levels and the Welsh Baccalaureate.
They consist of 60 credits/modules, which are divided into:
- 45 subject-specific credits at Level 3 and graded
- 15 study skills credits at either Level 2 or 3 and not graded.
To achieve a diploma, you need to successfully complete 60 credits.
Discover how different qualifications compare with our guide to undergraduate qualifications.
How long is an Access to HE Diploma?
Access to HE courses are typically completed within a year if studied full time. However, they can sometimes be achieved within nine months.
In addition, you can also choose to study them part time over two years or longer. Distance and online learning options are widely available from providers such as Learndirect.
Who are these diplomas for?
You'll typically need to be aged 19 or over. There's no upper age limit.
Despite this, you will find some one-year courses for 18-year-olds. These are available as Level 2 Pre-Access programmes to prepare students without the right qualifications for a Level 3 diploma.
In addition to young people who left school without gaining the qualifications to go to university, the Access to HE Diploma is also ideal for:
- anyone wishing to develop the study skills required to achieve academic success
- mature students looking to return to education
- those interested in retraining or changing careers.
What subjects can I study?
The Access to HE Diploma is available in a range of subjects, including:
- art and design
- business
- computing
- education
- engineering
- journalism
- law
- nursing
- social studies.
What are the entry requirements?
The specific entry requirements will depend on the institution and course. However, you'll typically need to hold GCSEs at grade C/4 in English (language or literature), mathematics, and possibly a science subject, to study the following diplomas:
- Access to HE Diploma in Business at University College Birmingham
- Access to HE Diploma in Health Science at Stoke-on-Trent College
- Access to HE Diploma in Law Online at City of Oxford College
- Access to HE Diploma in Nursing at Coventry University (CU) Group
Many of these colleges will also accept a Level 2 in Functional Skills for entry. Find out more about functional skills qualifications.
If you lack the necessary qualifications, a Pre-Access course can also help you gain the GCSEs required for a full diploma.
For entry to the Pre-Access in Science and Social Science from Peterborough College, you'll typically require Functional Skills at Level 1 (equivalent to GCSEs at grade D or E). However, the college may also accept any industry experience or work training you've done that is relevant to the course.
Where can I find courses?
The best place to explore what's available is to visit the Access to Higher Education course search, which currently displays over 1,360 courses.
You can also find diplomas at your local level, so explore what's on offer from colleges in your area.
How are courses delivered and assessed?
The common teaching methods typically include:
- lectures
- seminars
- tutorials
- group work.
You'll likely be assessed through:
- coursework/reports
- essays
- exams
- presentations.
However, this will all depend on the course and institution you're studying at. For instance, the Access to HE Diploma in Medicine from UCEN Manchester also involves assessment through practical laboratory work.
What do these diplomas involve?
The course content will vary according to the subject you're studying, but you can expect it to be challenging. You'll need to complete at least 15 hours of independent study each week.
For example, on the Access to HE Diploma in Science at Bolton College, you'll study academic modules in:
- chemistry
- biology
- physics.
Within these modules, the units you'll focus on will include:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Organisation of the Body
- Physics of the Senses.
In addition, you'll study a variety of developmental skills units to support your future academic studies.
What skills will I gain from the diploma?
Again, this will depend on the subject you're studying and the format of the course.
To give you an idea, the Access to HE in Allied Health Professions at Bradford College for those looking to work in healthcare (such as a physiotherapist) will help you develop skills in:
- critical thinking and evaluative skills
- independent research
- information and learning technology (ILT), including virtual learning environments (VLEs) and the online library
- Harvard style referencing
- solving or offering solutions to problems
- time management - see our 7 time management tips for students
- Word processing, including using footnotes.
It's also important to remember that many universities will expect applicants to have gained some form of work experience alongside their undergraduate application.
Therefore, it's recommended that you try to secure some relevant voluntary or paid industry experience at some point over this year or two of study. These workplace skills can prove invaluable to your career.
Find out how to ask employers for work experience. Some Year 12 work experience opportunities may also be open to those aged 18 or 19 who aren't studying A-levels.
How much do these courses cost?
You'll find that individual institutions set their own fees, so the amount you can expect to pay will depend on the institution and course you're applying for.
Many colleges, including the following, are charging tuition fees of 拢3,384 per year for Access to HE Diplomas in 2025/26:
- Bradford College
- Cornwall College
- EKC Canterbury College
- Peterborough College - the tuition for their Pre-Access Science and Social Science course is set at 拢724.
Learndirect's diploma courses range from 拢67.40 to 拢77.24 per month. By completing them within 12 months, this works out at 拢808.80 to 拢926.88 respectively. It's important to bear in mind that these online qualifications can take nine months to two years, depending on your existing commitments.
Is funding available for the Access to HE Diploma?
All students aged 19 or over are usually expected to pay their tuition fees in full.
If you're living in England, you may be eligible for a repayable and non-means-tested loan through the government's Advanced Learner Loan Scheme, which can be put towards these course fees. You'll start making loan repayments once you're earning more than 拢25,000 a year.
By completing a recognised Access to HE course followed by an undergraduate qualification, you won't have to repay the outstanding balance for the Access to HE course. The Advanced Learner Loan will be written off as long as you're not studying for a degree while earning an annual salary of over 拢25,000.
Read more about funding at GOV.UK - Advanced Learner Loan Scheme.
If you are planning on using the qualification as a platform for going to university, get clued up about student loans and finance. You may also be able to benefit from university scholarships and bursaries.
When do courses start and end?
The academic calendar is in line with other college and university qualifications, so you'll typically start full-time programmes in September. They usually finish at the end of June or early July.
How do I apply for the diploma?
To apply for an Access to HE Diploma, you'll need to contact the course provider directly, as you would when making other college applications.
By visiting their website, you'll find details on their application process, which may include:
- filling out an online application form
- attending a college admissions interview
- taking an entrance exam.
Find out more about applying for college in the UK.
What can I do with an Access to HE Diploma?
Every year, around 20,000 Access to HE graduates apply to study Bachelors degrees at UK universities.
If you decide to go down this path, discover how to:
Get the lowdown on the process for getting into university.
Other options include studying for a foundation degree or Higher National Diploma (HND).
You could also consider a degree apprenticeship, where you'll get to achieve a degree while earning a wage. Weigh up the pros and cons of going to university or doing an apprenticeship. Read about other alternatives to university.
Find out more
- Explore the full range of college courses.
- Consider other forms of adult education.
- Get an overview of the UK's FE sector.