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Access to Higher Education: Computing and IT (Remote Delivery)

Accessible from anywhere in the UK, the Access to Higher Education: Computing and IT course provides remote support to build essential life skills and achieve outstanding results, preparing you for success in higher education and beyond.

Why Choose This Course?

The Access to Higher Education: Computing and IT course offers a flexible, remote-supported pathway designed to ignite your passion for computing. Whether you’re looking to gain a formal qualification to match your professional experience or to develop the skills for a career shift, this course provides a solid foundation and preparation for university.

Starting from fundamental concepts, we guide you to university-level competence over the year. No prior IT knowledge is required; we cover each topic from the basics up, ensuring all students, regardless of background, progress confidently.

With remote access and support available across the UK, this course prepares you for further education and employment. Over 90% of our students advance to university or secure relevant, full-time roles within six months of completion, with many progressing to Level 4 apprenticeships in areas like network engineering and software development.

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Start date: 15/09/2025

Course code
ACCOMRE25T
Level
Level 3
Location
Truro College
Duration
1 year
Qualification
Access to HE

What Will I Learn?

Units that you will study include:

  • Hardware and Software: Ever wondered how computer programs interact with hardware? The Hardware and Software unit explores computer components, including modern innovations like NVME, and delves into software requirements and processes essential to today’s operating systems.
  • Operating Systems: What makes an OS function? What is the role of the Kernel? In the Operating Systems module, you’ll explore various OS families and their relevance across fields, from penetration testing to networking, to understand how an OS supports diverse industry practices.
  • System Security: As security becomes central to IT, this unit examines common threats, security management activities, and best practices aligned with legal obligations, equipping you with essential knowledge for secure IT operations.
  • Programming: For those keen to dive into coding, our Programming module develops your logical thinking from the basics of “hello world” to code obfuscation. The curriculum covers Python and both Linear and Object-Oriented Programming, giving you a broad foundation in coding principles and practices.
  • Web Design: Creating a professional, modern website requires precision and creativity. Our Web Design module covers everything from acquiring a domain to crafting an engaging, user-friendly site. You’ll learn essential HTML5 and CSS3 skills, as well as techniques for publishing and hosting your web pages.
  • Study Skills: The Study Skills unit equips you with tools to maximise your success at university. Covering essential skills like essay planning, exam strategies, and question analysis, this module prepares you for a smooth transition into higher education, with a focus on referencing and research skills essential for academic achievement.

Where Will It Take Me?

Successfully completing this course opens pathways to university, apprenticeships, or direct employment within the IT industry. Many students advance to Level 4 qualifications, such as Network Engineer or Software Developer courses with City & Guilds. Others pursue full degrees in fields like Software Development, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, System Security, Computing Technology, or Computer Science.

How is it funded?

This course is either free or fully funded through the Advanced Learner Loan, which is designed to make education accessible without financial strain. Here’s how it works:

  • Full Fee Remission: For learners aged 18 to 24, this may be your first full Level 3 qualification (equivalent to A-Levels), in which case you could qualify for complete fee remission, making this a fully funded opportunity at no cost to you.
  • Repayment Flexibility: The loan follows the same repayment schedule as standard student loans, meaning repayments begin only once you are earning over the threshold (currently £27,295 per year). If your income falls below this threshold, repayments pause until you’re earning above it again. This makes it flexible and manageable for most students.
  • Loan Written Off: If you progress to complete a degree after this course, the Advanced Learner Loan is written off, meaning it will no longer need to be repaid. This ‘loan forgiveness’ is a substantial benefit, ensuring that funding for your Access to Higher Education course won’t impact your finances as you pursue a university degree.
  • Private Funding: If you prefer, private funding options are available to self-fund the course fees of £3,928 this can be paid for in installments of £1309.50 in August and December with a final payment of £1309 in March.

Assessment Arrangements

This is a credit-based course where each completed unit awards three credits. A minimum of 60 credits is required: 45 credits at Level 3 from Academic Subject Content (ASC) units and 15 credits at Level 3 from Higher Education Study Skills (HESS) units. Credits are earned by completing assignments within each unit.

Grading: Level 3 credits from ASC units are graded as Pass, Merit, or Distinction based on work quality. Universities increasingly offer conditional admissions to Access students, requiring a specified number of credits at Merit or Distinction level, sometimes in specific areas like programming or web design to align with degree prerequisites.

Entry Requirements

An interview with the course leader is required, during which your experience and attitude will be evaluated. We recommend having GCSE English and Maths at a minimum Grade 4 (C) before starting the Access course. However, we encourage you to contact us to discuss your qualifications and future plans so we can offer tailored advice.

For applicants who do not hold GCSE Maths and English, an aptitude test will be required to assess your current skill level in relation to the course requirements. Based on the results, some candidates may be advised to complete an Entry Level 2 Computing qualification through their Local County Council’s Adult Education team before being offered a place. This ensures all learners have the foundational skills needed for success in the Access to HE: Computing and IT course.

Be sure to check the specific GCSE requirements for any higher education course you wish to pursue after completing the Access course, as they may vary.

Additional Information

This course is available in both blended and remote formats, providing flexibility to study from anywhere in the UK or with a mix of in-person and Online sessions. Running approximately 30 weeks from September to May, it includes 15 hours of taught and self paced sessions per week, plus a 1.5-hour weekly tutor session for guidance. Blended learners benefit from face-to-face contact alongside remote learning, while fully remote learners have access to live and recorded sessions that fit around their schedule. For those seeking to complete GCSE Maths or English, there are opportunities to integrate these subjects into your studies.

Awarding Body: CAVA

Meet the staff, tour the campus and find out about life as a student at one of the best colleges in the country.

What you could earn

  • IT Business Analysts, Architects and Systems Designers
  • IT User Support Technicians
  • IT Operations Technicians
  • Programmers and Software Development Professionals
  • Sales Accounts and Business Development Managers
  • Business, Research and Administrative Professionals
  • Financial Administrative Occupations
Potential Salary

£77,033

Entry Level Salary

£27,363

Average Salary

£46,660

Annual openings in Cornwall

25

Potential Salary

£49,984

Entry Level Salary

£21,367

Average Salary

£32,158

Annual openings in Cornwall

19

Potential Salary

£45,509

Entry Level Salary

£20,369

Average Salary

£29,279

Annual openings in Cornwall

12

Potential Salary

£85,401

Entry Level Salary

£28,922

Average Salary

£51,729

Annual openings in Cornwall

65

Potential Salary

£84,515

Entry Level Salary

£25,256

Average Salary

£47,483

Annual openings in Cornwall

73

Potential Salary

£83,036

Entry Level Salary

£28,880

Average Salary

£49,230

Annual openings in Cornwall

14

Potential Salary

£34,385

Entry Level Salary

£9,319

Average Salary

£21,269

Annual openings in Cornwall

37

Truro College

Tel: 01872 305000
Email: enquiry@truro-penwith.ac.uk

Truro College,
College Road, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3XX
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Penwith College

Tel: 01736 809000
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Penwith College,
St Clare Street, Penzance,
Cornwall, TR18 2SA
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STEM & Health Skills Centre

Tel: 01208 224455
Email: enquiry@truro-penwith.ac.uk

STEM & Health Skills Centre,
Ottery Building, Old Callywith Road, Bodmin, PL31 2GU
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University Centre

Tel: 01872 305750
Email: heenquiry@truro-penwith.ac.uk

University Centre Truro & Penwith,
Fal Building, College Road, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3XX
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Future Skills Institute

Tel: 01872 308000
Email: futureskills@truro-penwith.ac.uk

Truro & Penwith College,
College Road, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3XX
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