Access to Higher Education

Wish you could study at university-level (Level 4 and above) but don’t have the qualifications you need?

If you would like to study a degree, Higher National Certificate/Diploma (HNC/D) or Higher Apprenticeship but don’t meet the entry requirements, we have a range of Access to Higher Education (HE) Diplomas which can help you get there.

Designed for adults looking to return to education, these courses are ideal if you’re looking for a career change, or if you have a wealth of industry experience but are looking to gain an official qualification to recognise your skills.

An Access to HE Diploma will give you a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification to help you meet the entry requirements for university. Studying an Access to HE course will make the same academic demands of you as an equivalent Level 3 qualification.

Access to Higher Education Courses

• Creative Arts (Art and Design)
• Childcare
• Creative Digital Media
• Health Science Professions
• Criminal Justice and Policing

We also offer some Pre-Access courses at Level 2 in Health, Childcare and Education.

You may be eligible for free or reduced course fees. If eligible, you could take out an Advanced Learner Loan to cover the cost of your Access to HE Diploma and the good news is that this loan will be written off if you go on to successfully complete a HE course, for example, a degree.

If you want to join us, but can’t commit to studying on campus, we offer a range of courses, including Access to HE Diplomas, that can be studied online and at your own pace.

To browse the full list of our Access to HE Diplomas and find out more information on each course, please visit our Adult and Part-time Courses page.

What our students say

Want to know where an Access to HE course can take you? Read about our alumni Vicky Whitaker’s success below…

Vicky joined the College in 2014 as a mature student. She studied GCSE English, which allowed her to progress onto the College’s Level 3 Access to Higher Education (HE) in Education Professions Diploma.

Upon completion of her Access to HE Diploma, she studied at the University of Huddersfield and obtained her BSc Psychology degree, before completing her MSc Investigative Psychology degree with a Distinction grade.

Vicky joined our Childcare and Health department in September 2022, as an Access to HE Teacher, to give back to the place her career started, by teaching the College’s Pre-Access and Access to HE in Health Science Professions.

Vicky said: “I became a teacher at the College to give individuals the same opportunity I had. I received so much support and encouragement during my time on the Access course. It helped me develop and overcome my own challenges and enabled me to progress and achieve all that I have.

“I really enjoy seeing the students transform throughout their journey on the course – I watch them grow, develop and above all believe in themselves.”

Find out more

Find out more about our access courses at our Higher Education Open Day or check out our FAQs page for more information.

If you have outstanding questions, you are welcome to get in touch with our friendly Information Team on 01226 216 123 or email: info@barnsley.ac.uk