The Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma is a qualification that prepares students for University-level study. It is designed for people who would like to progress to Higher Education but do not have the traditional qualifications such as A-Levels, to meet the Higher Education entry requirements.

Many different people study Access to HE – adults who have been out of education for some time and/or have few or no formal qualifications and those who have a desire and potential to study for a degree at University. There are no upper age restrictions so you don’t have to worry that you have left it too late to return to education.

An Access to HE programme is challenging and rewarding. The course involves a mix of classroom study, tutorials, independent learning, homework tasks, assessment tasks, research projects and exams. You will study a package of units, all designed to ensure you are fully equipped for study at university. As each unit is successfully completed you will attain credits that will build towards the total of 60 credits that are required for the Access to HE Diploma.

If you are aged 19 or over you will either have to take out an Advanced Learner Loan to cover the cost of the tuition fees or pay the course fees yourself. This will be further discussed with you at our pre-course Access to HE Events or Open Days.

For those not meeting the entry requirements, we also offer Level Two pre-access courses, catering for those who need additional qualifications before they are eligible for an Access course.

The only entry requirement stipulated for the Level Three Access to HE course is English at Functional Skills level Two. If you do not have Maths at Functional Skills Level Two, you will be expected to study this alongside your Access to HE Diploma. Both Maths and English Functional Skills level Two will form part of the Level Two Pre-Access courses.

The Level Two Pre-Access programme is designed for those who need additional qualifications, knowledge or skills before they are ready to move onto the full Access to HE programme. It is the perfect opportunity to re-enter education and will allow you to attain Level Two Functional Skills English and Maths alongside developing your vocational and study skills in readiness for the Access to HE programme.

This year Access to HE Business students at LAEC have had offers from a range of courses, such as Criminology, Marketing, HR and Business. They have offers from local universities such as University of Leicester and De Montfort University and some from further away. The qualification is QAA approved and recognised by universities all over the country.