Access to Higher Education Diploma

University is not exclusively for school leavers. The Access to Higher Education Diploma is a pathway built specifically for adult learners who want to pursue degree study but have not taken the traditional A Level route.

Pass Learn supports adult learners in earning the qualifications needed to gain university entry, advance professionally and pursue the futures they have been working towards. Access to Higher Education Diplomas are online, flexible and designed to fit around busy adult lives.

From nursing and midwifery to psychology, education, health professions, veterinary science and youth work, an Access to HE Diploma covers the academic ground needed to walk into a degree programme with confidence.

What Is an Access to Higher Education Diploma?

An Access to Higher Education Diploma is a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification created to ready adult learners for university study. It draws in learners who either did not take A Levels or who have been out of education for a significant period and want to make a return.

Universities across the UK accept the Access to HE Diploma as a legitimate entry route onto degree programmes. For quality assurance and recognition details, the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education is a helpful point of reference.

Online and self-paced, the Access to HE Diploma does not demand that learners fit around a school or college timetable. Instead, it slots into the learner’s own life, making degree-level ambitions achievable for people with jobs, families and other responsibilities.

Study Access to Higher Education Online

Every Access to HE Diploma on offer through Pass Learn is delivered in full online. Learners can study from home without class attendance, at a pace that fits their schedule.

There are no written examinations. Progress is assessed through assignments submitted online. A personal tutor reviews each piece of work and provides feedback designed to help the learner develop and move forwards.

Learners who study with Pass Learn benefit from the ability to:

• Study the full diploma online from home
• Arrange their study schedule around other commitments
• Submit all assignments through an online platform
• Receive tutor guidance at every stage of the course
• Build academic writing and critical thinking skills for university
• Leave the course with a recognised qualification for their UCAS application

Access to HE Diplomas Available with Pass Learn

Pass Learn has curated a range of Access to HE Diploma pathways, each one specifically aligned with the academic requirements of a different university subject or professional ambition.

The diplomas available include:

• Access to HE Diploma in Nursing
• Access to HE Diploma in Health Professions
• Access to HE Diploma in Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Professions – Midwifery Pathway
• Access to HE Diploma in Education
• Access to HE Diploma in Veterinary Science and Zoology
• Access to HE Diploma in Careers in Education, Youth Work and Child Development
• Access to HE Diploma in Psychology and Mental Health

Each pathway has been developed to give learners a solid subject-specific foundation before they begin their degree, regardless of which field they are entering.

A Flexible Alternative to A Levels

An Access to HE Diploma is a well-regarded and broadly accepted alternative for adults who want to attend university but do not hold A Levels.

It is considered by most universities to be equivalent to three A Levels and can be worth up to 144 UCAS points, depending on results. The official UCAS Tariff calculator gives a precise points breakdown.

As entry requirements vary significantly across institutions and programmes, learners should always confirm what their preferred course demands. The Discover Uni website is a useful comparison tool for doing this research.

Who Are Access to HE Diplomas For?

Access to HE Diplomas are for adult learners who have a clear ambition to study at university level but do not currently have the standard entry qualifications most degree programmes require.

The qualification is typically a strong match for:

• Adults coming back to education after time away
• Those who did not complete A Levels
• People changing career who need academic qualifications to do so
• Adults applying or preparing to apply to university
• Learners seeking careers in nursing, midwifery, psychology, health or education
• Anyone who needs a study route that is entirely online and self-managed
• People with work or family commitments who need flexible study hours

To give a practical example, an adult planning to train as a midwife would typically study the Access to HE Diploma in Midwifery before entering a degree programme. For anyone navigating a career path in the NHS, NHS Health Careers is an excellent guide.

How Access to HE Courses Work

The process of studying for and completing an Access to HE Diploma with Pass Learn is simple and clearly laid out.

Learners choose the pathway that corresponds to their university or career goal, then enrol. Course materials are available online immediately after sign-up.

Throughout the course, learners complete written assignments and submit them digitally. Their tutor assesses each submission and provides constructive feedback. When all units are completed to the required level, the diploma is conferred.

The structure is built to guide adult learners step by step from their first lesson through to university application.

Support Choosing the Right Access Course

Identifying the most suitable Access to HE Diploma can feel unclear, particularly for learners who are uncertain which universities or courses they are applying to.

Pass Learn’s team is available to talk things through. A call to the support line connects learners with an advisor who can walk them through the different pathways and help them identify the one best matched to their circumstances and aspirations.

Whatever the final destination – nursing, education, health sciences, psychology or another degree entirely – Pass Learn provides the guidance needed to move forward.

Start Your Access to Higher Education Diploma with Pass Learn

Choosing to pursue an Access to Higher Education Diploma could be the moment everything changes – the start of a path towards university, a new profession and lasting personal progress.

Fully online, assessment by coursework, and tutor support from day one to completion: Pass Learn is set up to make the return to education straightforward for adult learners who are ready to take the leap.

Find the full range of Access to Higher Education Diplomas and start your university journey with Pass Learn.

Written by

Pass Functional Skills Team

We help thousands of students each year with revision, courses and online exams.