Access to Higher Education courses

With award-winning support and first-class facilities to help you succeed

Want to go to university, but don't have the qualifications?

Our Access to Higher Education courses are a great option for anyone over 19 who wants to return to education and progress onto a university-level course but does not have the right qualifications to do so. They are one year long and very flexible. With the Diploma, you can apply to various universities around the UK. Being out of education for a while can be daunting, but our courses aim to make the transition to university a smooth one.

Take a look at our courses below and find the best Access to Higher Education course for you.

Our courses

Access to Higher Education Diploma (Business)

Want to study business at university, but don’t currently meet the entry requirements for higher education?

This one-year course will supply you with a foundation of business-related knowledge, alongside essential academic skills to prepare you for the next level of study.

Find out more

Access to Higher Education Diploma (Computer Science)

Are you an adult learner looking to take your first step towards a career in the world of IT and computing?

This one-year Diploma will give you an intensive introduction to computer science and a qualification equivalent to A-levels; opening the doors to university study.

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Adult nursing student and a teacher at the Health Suite Moss House

Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health Professions)

Are you looking to return to study or change careers but find you don’t yet meet the entry requirements for higher education courses?

This one-year Diploma is a highly-recognised Level 3 qualification that can help you take the next step into a career in nursing or a wide range of jobs in the health professions.

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Male coding on a computer with a female in the background looking at her computer.

Access to Higher Education Diploma (Data Science)

Do you have a strong interest in data science and want an introduction to this field while boosting your study skills to prepare you for higher education?

By completing this Access to HE Diploma, you can take your first step towards various industry careers, from systems analyst or data scientist to financial analyst or database developer. You will also be ready to embark on a range of degree-level courses within the computing sector.

Find out more

Three great reasons to study a college course with us

First-class facilities

Our facilities are nothing short of world class.

We have invested over £200 million into state-of-the-art facilities in Birmingham city centre that will help you to explore your ambitions through hands-on learning and practical experience, mirroring what you will find in the workplace.

Explore our facilities

Unrivalled support

Best student support in the region, as voted by students.

We have dedicated teams to give you tailored award-winning support, including learning, finance, health and wellbeing and disability support, career advice, workplace preparation, work experience and even help with starting your own business.

Support available

More opportunities

We help you thrive and progress towards your dream career.

You will be welcomed into a diverse, ambitious community and encouraged to develop your skills. You will also have various progression opportunities in the form of our apprenticeships and undergraduate degree courses.

Progression opportunities

College courses - University College Birmingham

How to apply

Complete an application form, learn more about the interview and offer process at University College Birmingham. You can also call our friendly Admissions team on 0121 214 2919 if you want to know more before you apply.

Apply for September

FAQs on Access to HE courses

Is an Access to HE course right for me?

An Access to HE course is right for you if:

You look back in time and regret not going to university. Or feel like you missed the opportunity to further your education, because of having to prioritise other things.
You want to progress on to a university course, but do not have the traditional qualifications needed to apply to one.
You need greater flexibility to complete your course, but also want to get things moving and gain your qualification within a year’s’ time.

What is an Access to HE Diploma equivalent to / what can I do with one?

Access to HE courses are equivalent to 3 A-levels; and between 48 and 148 UCAS points.
These courses have been around for a long time, and over 20,000 Access to HE students apply for a degree course at a UK university, every year
We offer progression opportunities onto our Undergraduate courses, here at University College Birmingham; for all Access to HE students – subject to individual course entry requirements.

Take a look at our specific course pages above!

What are the entry requirements for starting an Access to HE course?

GCSE English Language and Maths at grade 4 (grade C) or equivalent.

"My teachers have the time and patience to explain any questions raised. What I have learned has helped me organise my assignments, learn how to research essential information on the internet and in text books, and given me a fair idea about what I will be studying at the University."

Gifty Adubea Darko Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science and Health)

Fees and tuition

If you are aged 19 – 23 and studying your first full Level 3 qualification, you will not need to pay the course fee for your access course.
You can find a full list of who is/isn't expected to pay for their course fees on our fees and tuition page. And you can access our college course fees pdf for a list of tuition fees by course.
If you are aged 19 and over on the first day of your course, and are expected to pay for your fees, you may qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan. This is a non-means tested loan available from the UK Government to pay the tuition fees of full level 3 qualifications. The loan is paid directly to University College Birmnigham to cover the cost of your tuition and does not have to be repaid until you are earning over £27,295 a year.
Student Finance England will also ‘write off’ any outstanding Advanced Learner Loan balances you owe for an Access to HE course once you complete a higher education course. This means you do not have to repay it. The higher education course must be eligible for student finance.

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Student life – college

Find out more about being a college student or apprentice at University College Birmingham, including what to do when you arrive and our range of support services.

Youth, Community and Families undergraduate students

Undergraduate courses

Our extensive range of specialist BA, BSc and foundation degree courses are highly valued by industry, with the majority accredited by the University of Warwick.

Chat with our students

Find out what it's like to study at University College Birmingham by chatting with our current students and staff, reading our blog and get in touch with us today.

Student support

Whether you need support with your learning, finances, health and wellbeing or other areas, our range of dedicated support services are here for you.

College and Sixth Form term dates

Check the key dates for our college courses, as well as information on activity weeks and our awards events for college students.

Fees and funding

Whether you need advice on childcare, bursaries, scholarships or free meals, we have people who can help.