It’s never too late! Our courses are specifically designed for adults aged 19 and over returning to study, either after a break or as part of a career change. They offer a proven and successful route to university study.
Key facts
- Full-time (2 days) studied over one year.
- Specifically designed for adults aged 19+ without traditional qualifications.
- A fast-track route to university.
- Level 3 qualification.
- Relevant to what you want to do.
- Student loans are written off when students complete a degree.
Our YouTube playlist
Hear from our students, tutors & alumni on our Access to HE playlist.
Navigate through the films by clicking on the top right icon!
Photo gallery
Five Access to Higher Education pathways
These programmes help build confidence and give you the subject specialist knowledge and study skills to provide entry into a range of colleges and universities.
We have an excellent track record of students achieving their first choice university - over the last three years, 85% of our students progressed to their first choice university within a year of completing the course - and our students are fully prepared and know what to expect from university life upon leaving the college. Our facilities are industry-standard, with state-of-the-art equipment to provide practical experience, combined with teachers who are industry experts in their field delivering high-quality academic tuition.
- The Business pathway is new, and information will be coming soon!
- The Health & Human Sciences pathway is a stepping stone to all branches of nursing, paramedic science, occupational therapy, social work, nutrition, physiotherapy, forensic psychology and more.
- The Humanities & Social Sciences pathway can lead to various degree programmes, including Psychology, Sociology, History, Languages and Linguistics.
- The Policing & Criminology pathway is excellent preparation for people who wish to change their careers and prospects.
- The Sciences pathway can lead to engineering, marine biology, microbiology and nuclear physics careers.
Advanced Learner Loans
You can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to cover the cost. The loan is easy to apply for, doesn’t involve a credit check, and you don’t have to pay it back until you’ve finished your course and earn over £25,000 a year. If you complete an Access programme, Student Finance England will ‘write off’ your loan once you complete a degree-level course. This means you don’t have to repay it!
There is also financial support to help with the costs of coming to college, for example, transport and childcare. You can learn more about the Advanced Learner Loan and Bursary Funds in our Student Money section.
Meet your tutor
Sarah Spibey
Watch moreI have worked in the criminal investigation and teaching fields for many years and I relish passing the knowledge down to the next generations. Learners will study fascinating subjects, receive first-hand knowledge of working with offenders, conduct simulated crime scene and criminal investigation practical experiments and develop analytical skills.
Meet your tutor
Steve Richardson
Read MoreBefore becoming a lecturer, I worked for 18 years in the industry, firstly as a government scientist measuring air pollution and later as a consultant and manager. I became an advisor to the UK Government and European Commission, helping to write the technical parts of the EU and environmental protection directives.
Meet your tutor
Debbie Kavanagh
Read MoreI'm positive about the broad range of opportunities that are available in the industry today. The sense of reward and achievement from knowing that you’ve helped someone is a fantastic feeling.
View our courses
This course offers progression onto higher education degree level courses and a change to your career and prospects. You could progress to courses in nursing (all branches), midwifery, physiotherapy, radiography, paramedic science, social work and occupational therapy, along with many other professions within the Health and Social Care sector.
This course offers progression onto degree-level courses and a change to your career and prospects. You could progress to degree course both at university or Distant learning and also higher education apprenticeships. You need to be at least 19 years of age to study on this course.
It is never too late for a change in direction. Are you interested in criminology or a career in the police force?
This course offers progression onto higher education degree level courses and a chance to change your career and prospects. You could progress to courses in, for example, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Pharmacy, Radiography, Biomedical Sciences and a range of related degrees.
The Access to HE Diploma in Business Studies is a one year course to prepare learners for university. This course is aimed at those who may not have traditional level 3 qualifications that would be used as entry criteria for university. This qualification provides you with the appropriate knowledge, and skills that would be required for higher education and allows you to develop to reach the academic level that would be required.
