Students' frequently asked questions
These are some of the most frequently asked questions we get asked by potential, current and former Access to HE students. If you have a particular question we haven't answered here, please feel free to contact us at access@qaa.ac.uk.
Introductory information about Access to HE courses
- What is Access to Higher Education?
- What does an Access to HE Diploma course involve?
- How long will it take?
- Am I too old?
- What qualifications do I need?
- Is the Access to HE Diploma recognised by universities?
- How do I apply?
- How much does it cost?
- When do Access to HE courses start?
More detailed information about Access to HE courses
- How can I find out if an Access to HE course is of an appropriate quality?
- What are credits?
- What are levels?
- How long does it take to get a credit on an Access to HE course?
- How many credits do I need to achieve an Access to HE Diploma?
- Where can I find out more details about the structure of the Access to HE Diploma?
- What level is an Access to HE qualification equivalent to?
- Why do Access to HE certificate courses contain different amounts of credit to the new Access to HE Diploma?
- The university that I’ve applied to requires more credits than my Access to HE course contains - what should I do?
Choosing an Access to HE course to study
- Does my Access to HE course have to be in the same subject area as the one I study at university?
- As part of the Access to HE course I’ve been told I can also gain GCSE equivalences in English language, mathematics and science: but what does ‘equivalence’ mean?
Applying to university
- Do I have to finish my Access to HE course before I apply to university?
- When I’ve finished my Access to HE course, how soon can I start university?
Overseas
- I’m an international student - can I take an Access to HE course?
- I’m a UK student but I want to apply to overseas universities - will they accept my Access to HE qualification for entry purposes?
Shelf life of Access to HE
UCAS Tariff
- Some employers ask how many UCAS points the Access to HE qualification has. I’ve been told that Access to HE doesn’t have UCAS points because it isn’t included in the UCAS Tariff - what should I do?
- Will the Access to HE qualification appear in the UCAS Tariff?
HE Admissions
Introductory information about Access to HE courses
What is Access to Higher Education?
The Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma is a qualification which prepares students for study at university more>>
What does an Access to HE Diploma course involve?
To achieve an Access to HE Diploma, you need to complete a programme that includes certain units of study in relevant subject areas more>>
How long will it take?
Most Access to HE Diplomas can be completed in a year or less more>>
Am I too old?
No! Almost everyone considering an Access to HE course worries that they may have left it too late. Your life experience will be valuable on the course more>>
What qualifications do I need?
One of the key features of Access to HE courses is that most don’t require you to have any particular previous qualifications more>>
Is the Access to HE Diploma recognised by universities?
Access to HE courses have been around since the 1970s and have been designed and developed with the support of universities more>>
How do I apply?
Once you’ve found a course you’re interested in, simply contact the course provider and they will advise you about what you need to do next more>>
How much does it cost?
Many Access to HE students don’t have to pay fees and, depending on your circumstances, you may be able to get financial help towards the costs of your learning, and related costs like travel and childcare more>>
When do Access to HE courses start?
Most courses start in September, with recruitment starting the previous January and going through to the summer before the course starts. You should contact the provider directly for the start date.
More detailed information about Access to HE courses
How can I find out if an Access to HE course is of an appropriate quality?
You should check that the course is QAA (Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education) recognised. You can do this by searching for the course in the database of QAA-recognised Access to HE courses. Certificates issued by Access (AVAs) carry the ‘recognised by’ logo.
Find out more about QAA’s Recognition Scheme.
What are credits?
Credits indicate the amount and value of learning on an entire course or a unit of study. Credits can be achieved at different levels.
What are levels?
‘Level’ indicates the degree of challenge of a particular unit or a course of study.
How long does it take to get a credit on an Access to HE course?
One credit takes approximately 10 learning hours to achieve. Learning hours for units of study may include directed and private study, practical and project work, assignments and assessment time.
How many credits do I need to achieve an Access to HE Diploma?
All Access to HE Diplomas have a standard 60 credit target.
Where can I find out more details about the structure of the Access to HE Diploma?
You can find more information on the Access to HE Diploma and credit specifications page on the Access to HE website.
What level is an Access to HE qualification equivalent to?
The Access to HE qualification is equivalent in standard to other level 3 qualifications, such as A levels, and has been recognised as a full level 3 qualification in the Labour Force Survey.
Why do Access to HE certificate courses contain different amounts of credit to the new Access to HE Diploma?
In all cases, the Access to HE certificate indicates ‘readiness for higher education’. In the past, there were different ways of recording students’ achievements which related to different credit systems. This situation has been addressed by the introduction of the new Access to HE Diploma, which has a standard 60 credit target. All QAA-recognised Access to HE courses will be consistent with this single credit target from 2008-09.
The university that I’ve applied to requires more credits than my Access to HE course contains - what should I do?
In the first instance, it will be useful to talk to your Access to HE tutor as he/she may have dealt with a similar response before. Your tutor may be able to contact the university on your behalf to explain the structure of your course. If your tutor cannot help, you may wish to contact the AVA which awards your Access to HE qualification for further advice.
Choosing an Access to HE course to study
Does my Access to HE course have to be in the same subject area as the one I study at university?
Some, but not all, university courses will require you to have studied a similar subject or they may have other specific requirements. Other university courses will welcome students who’ve studied a range of subject areas. You should seek advice from the Access to HE course provider or check with the university that you wish to apply to.
As part of the Access to HE course I’ve been told I can also gain GCSE equivalences in English language, mathematics and science: but what does ‘equivalence’ mean?
GCSE equivalence means that you have attained, in the subject studied, a standard which has been accepted as equivalent to a GCSE by local higher education institutions (HEIs). Athough you may not have undertaken the volume of study that would be achieved from a full GCSE, you will have achieved an equivalent level of study. You are not awarded a full GCSE in that subject, but your achievement of equivalence will be certificated by the AVA. This provides evidence to the university to which you have applied that you have attained a suitable level of competence in that subject area. The acceptance of such qualifications for admission to HE depends on the admissions policies of individual HEIs: while HEIs generally accept GCSE-equivalent units/qualifications where they have been involved in the approval of the course, and often accept those approved elsewhere, there can be no guarantee that these qualifications will be accepted unless an HEI explicitly makes such a guarantee.
Applying to university
When can I apply to university? Do I have to finish my Access to HE course before I apply to university?
UCAS deals with applications to UK higher education institutions. Find out more about when to apply on the UCAS website.
When I’ve finished my Access to HE course, how soon can I start university?
Providing you’ve met the conditions of your offer and were able to provide confirmed results to the university, you should be able to start soon after your Access to HE course has finished.
Overseas
I’m an international student - can I take an Access to HE course?
Access to HE courses are only delivered in the UK and are intended for progression to UK higher education. So if you make a successful application to study in the UK and can meet the course’s entry requirements, such as English language skills, and you can pay the course fees, then you will be able to take an Access to HE course. You should contact the course provider in the first instance, a list of QAA-recognised Access to HE courses. If you are intending to apply to a specific university in the UK, you should also check their entry requirements before enrolling on the Access to HE course.
I’m a UK student but I want to apply to overseas universities - will they accept my Access to HE qualification for entry purposes?
The Access to HE qualification was designed for the purpose of entry to higher education in the UK, where it is widely recognised and accepted. There can be no certainty that the qualification will be similarly recognised overseas, as there are no trans-national agreements about the acceptability of the Access to HE qualification in any other country. If you intend to apply to a university overseas you should contact the university to discuss your situation as early as possible. Your tutor and/or the AVA should be able to provide you with detailed information about the course content, should this be required. You may also wish to refer the university to this website for further information.
Shelf life of Access to HE
I took my Access to HE course several years ago - how long does the qualification last for?
The Access to HE qualification doesn’t expire. However, universities may have entry criteria that require applicants to demonstrate evidence of recent study at a suitable level.
UCAS Tariff
Some employers ask how many UCAS points the Access to HE qualification has. I’ve been told that Access to HE doesn’t have UCAS points because it isn’t included in the UCAS Tariff - what should I do?
It’s true that the Access to HE Diploma - like a number of other qualifications - is not yet in the UCAS Tariff. The main reason for this is that, until 2009-10, the qualification was ungraded, so it was not possible to identify the appropriate number of Tariff points for Access to HE students’ achievement. However, the Access to HE Diploma is a full Level 3 qualification (the same level as A levels) and is now awarded with grades. It is probably best to contact the employer directly to explain this situation.
Will the Access to HE qualification appear in the UCAS Tariff?
QAA is in discussion with UCAS about the inclusion of the Access to HE Diploma in the UCAS Tariff.
HE Admissions
Is there any guidance for HE admissions staff in dealing with applications from Access to HE students?
Yes, we’ve produced guidelines for higher education admissions staff.