About the course
Whatever your background and however complicated and busy your life may be, there is always a way back into education.
Access to Higher Education courses are a great starting point to retrain for a new and exciting career or get the degree that you promised yourself. Access to Higher Education makes it possible.
Designed for students aged 19 and over, these courses lead to a 60 credit Level 3 Diploma and are a flexible alternative to A Levels. The qualifications are widely recognised by UK universities and earn up to 144 UCAS points.
If you are not sure that you a ready to take the step to apply for an Access to Higher Education full year programme, why not join our fully funded 12 week Pre-Access course, to brush up on your study skills and get ready to get back into education.
This course provides a recognised route to Higher Education courses and Apprenticeships including as Education, Psychology and Early Childhood Studies.
Entry requirements
Applicants must be 19 years of age or older on 31st August prior to the course beginning. Entry is by interview and successful completion of a task within a given time frame.
GCSE English and Maths Grade 4/C or above
or
Functional Skills English and Maths Level 2
Find out more about Maths and English qualifications offered at the college.
Qualifications
Access to HE Education and Teaching Level 3 Diploma
What you'll learn (core modules)
Preparation for Higher Education
Academic Writing Skills
Developing Professional Attributes
Research Skills for Education
Inclusivity and Disability in Education
Supporting the needs of ESOL Learners
Teaching Experience
Understanding Assessment in Learning
Behaviour Management in a Learning Environment
Socio-Economic Factors in Educational Achievement
Safeguarding Children, Young People and/or Vulnerable Adults
Supporting Numeracy Development
How will I be assessed?
A number of different assessments are used on the Access course.
These include essay writing; presentations; research reports; exams; an e-portfolio of Higher Education Study Skills and an Independent Research Project.
These assessments will develop your academic skills in line with university expectations ensuring a smooth transition into degree level study programmes.
Where is the course delivered? (facilities/classrooms)
UPDC
73 Western Way
IP33 3RL
NCTC Chatteris
Metalcraft House
1 Engineers Way
PE16 6FU
Where will this course take me?
You will be able to progress to degrees such as Primary Education, Social Work and Psychology.
You can also access degrees here at USWSC in subjects such as Psychology, and Early Childhood Studies.
How much will it cost?
If you are aged between 19 and 23 and studying for your first full Level 3 qualification, your course will be fully funded through our Adult Education Budget and you will not incur any fees.
If you are 19-23 and already have a full level 3 qualification or are over 24, you can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to fund your course.
If you need help with funding
We offer flexible payment plans to help spread the cost of fees.
If you are aged between 19 and 23 and studying for your first full Level 3 qualification, your course will be fully funded through our Adult Education Budget and you will not incur any fees.
If you are 19-23 and already have a full level 3 qualification or are over 24, you can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to fund your course.
For students studying Access to HE diplomas, Student Finance England will write off any outstanding Advanced Learner Loan balances taken out to pay for an Access course should you complete a degree. This means that you would not have to repay your access loan.
Study is hard enough without struggling to pay for the things that you may need to undertake your course. A discretionary bursary fund, depending on household income and family circumstances may provide support for travel, childcare and materials required for your course. Apply for a Bursary..
I'm interested. What should I do now?
Please apply online, or email us to find out more: AccesstoHE@wsc.ac.uk
Days & times
Starting 01/09/2025
Monday 09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00