Access to Higher Education programmes are one-year courses that will allow you to access your chosen degree, or an apprenticeship. They are designed to provide a progression route for those who have been out of formal education, or who do not have the qualifications to progress straight to Higher Education.
Alongside your course you can also receive support with UCAS applications, careers guidance, and industry expert tutors to help with your progression.
If you do not already have a full Level 3 qualification and are 19-23 years old, your Access to Higher Education course will be free! When you graduate, your Advanced Learner Loan for your Access to Higher Education course will be completely written off so you won't have to pay back your fees. This does not relate to a similar foundation year course at University. A student who takes out an Advanced Learner Loan for their Access to Higher Education course will study for free, if they go on to complete their higher education studies, as the government will write off their loan.
*If you are aged 19-23 and have not already achieved a full Level 3 qualification, you may be entitled to full funding for a Level 3 course.
Entry requirements for an Access to Higher Education course are at least 4 GCSE's at 4/C or above, including Maths and English. A Pre-Access course is available for those who do not have these qualifications
Some students can receive financial assistance for their courses through a loan, which becomes repayable once their income surpasses a certain amount. For more information on financial support you can receive as an adult student Click here.
