The Access to HE Diploma is a national Level 3 qualification that is recognised by universities in England and Wales and is designed to enable learners without traditional qualifications to progress onto degree courses and higher degree apprenticeships. By choosing an Access to HE Diploma you are embarking on a journey which has proven successful and life changing for hundreds of thousands of students over the years.Â
Did you know QAA recently celebrated the registration of the one millionth Access to HE student?
A typical Access to HE Diploma programme may be studied for one year full-time or two years part-time. Programmes offered during the day are generally organised to allow students to fit their study around their home, family and work commitments and can be delivered in a traditional classroom setting, or as a blended learning course depending on the particular Diploma and centre.
To support your decision making you may choose to access two tools designed by QAA â Career Coach and Course Search.
Access to Higher Educationâs Career Coach is a great interactive tool which supports students to choose an Access to HE course relevant to their career aspirations. It provides tailored advice and information on the skills and knowledge needed for particular jobs, common progression routes and salaries, along with a CV builder and the latest vacancies.
Visit:Â www.accesstohe.ac.uk/about-access/career-coach
QAAâs course search will help you to find approved Access to HE Diplomas. You may search by Diploma title, subject area, location or both. Search results will provide the details you require to seek further Information from the centres. Â
The course search can be accessed by visiting Course Search (accesstohe.ac.uk)
Your programme will consist of 60 credits in total, 45 of which will be graded and 15 will be ungraded. The graded units will be awarded a pass, merit or distinction, whilst the ungraded units will be awarded an achieved status.Â
Studentsâ assessments and outcomes will be externally quality assured by our Access to HE Moderators. A Final Award Board will be held to approve and verify achievement, followed by the issuing of certificates.
Further information regarding the grading scheme and how the Diploma will be awarded can be found at Arrangements for the award and assessment of the Access to HE Diploma
AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group have in place policies to support centres with their delivery and to ensure compliance with our regulators. Â All centres approved to offer the AIM Access to Higher Education Diplomas must follow the policies below and these are also accessible to students.
Funding for Access to HE Diplomas can be dependent on the studentâs prior achievement and funding available to the centre offering the Diploma. Students should discuss any funding queries directly with their centres.
Some Access to HE students may be able to apply  for an Advanced Learner Loan to help with the costs of a course. Loan eligibility does not depend on income and there are no credit checks. There is also the possibility that Student Finance England will âwrite offâ any outstanding Advanced Learner Loan balances student owe for an Access to HE course if there is achievement of the Access to HE Diploma and achievement at higher education level.
For up to date information regarding the advanced learner loan, visit www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan or discuss further with your centre.
