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Access to University Level

Have you always wanted to study for a degree or diploma at university, but didn’t think you had the qualifications to do so?

Access to Higher Education Diplomas are one-year qualifications that help you gain the relevant entry requirements for a university level course or degree.

Access to University Level

Find out more about Access

Click the links to find out more about the benefits, support and to view our qualifications

What is an Access to HE Diploma?

Access to Higher Education Diplomas – to give them their full title – are one-year qualifications that help you gain the relevant entry requirements for a university level course or degree.

They have been specifically designed for adults who have been out of education for a period of time and are looking for an opportunity to retrain for a new career, re-engage with education and study at university.

Our access qualifications can be studied in a number of key sectors. It is important to note that you do not need to have prior experience of working or studying in these sectors before you start with us.

To be able to study an Access to HE Diploma, you will need to have the desired entry requirements, which are usually a GCSE grade C/4 in English Language and Maths. Please also be aware that some of our qualifications have additional requirements which are listed on the course pages on our website.

When you’ve decided what you want to study, successfully complete the qualification and university awaits!

Entry requirements

To be able to study an Access to HE Diploma, you will need to have the desired entry requirements, which are usually a GCSE grade C/4 in English Language and Maths.

Please also be aware that some of our qualifications have additional requirements which are listed on the course pages on our website.

When you’ve decided what you want to study, successfully complete the qualification and university awaits!

What can you study?

We have fantastic courses on offer at The Sheffield College, with a variety of subjects available. You can study in the following areas and take advantage of all the benefits an Accesss Diplmoma with us has to offer!

What are the benefits?

  • No upper age limit or previous experience required
  • Accessible entry requirements
  • Perfect for retraining
  • It doesn't matter if you've been out of education for a while
  • University recognised qualifications
  • Fantastic financial and personal support
  • Graduate from university and your loan could be written off

Pre-access

Don’t have the entry requirements yet? Our Pre-access qualifications support your progression onto an Access to Higher Education Diploma the following year by improving your study skills and helping you gain GCSEs in English Language and Maths.

One of our Tutors will be able to advise you if this is the programme for you at interview stage.

Testimonial Steve Nisbett

"For anybody thinking of going into education or re-doing college or for anyone who thinks it’s too late to go to university – it’s not. It’s never too late."

Steve Nisbett
Former access to health sciences student