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Access to Higher Education Diplomas

Truro and Penwith College has developed a comprehensive Access to Higher Education programme to meet the needs of mature students. Access to HE Diplomas are full Level 3 qualifications recognised by universities throughout the UK. These courses prepare adults for university by providing essential academic skills and subject knowledge.

View all Access courses
A group of Access students from the University Centre Truro and Penwith stand together smiling at the camera.

What is an Access to Higher Education Diploma?

These courses provide you with a step-up to Higher Education by giving you the necessary grounding and qualifications for progression to University Courses. This route provides excellent study skills in specific subject areas, giving you the confidence to succeed.

The majority of students who have followed Access programmes have been successful in gaining places at colleges and universities of their choice, including King’s College London, University of Exeter, UWE Bristol and many more. You can find out more in our Access to HE guide.

Download our Access to HE guide

THE CREDIT SYSTEM AND COURSE CONTENT

The Access to HE Diploma is a 60 credit course made up of units worth 3, 6 and/or 9 credits. Students need to complete 15 ungraded credits at Level 2 or 3 and 45 graded credits at Level 3. Graded units provide the core subject knowledge, while ungraded units develop the essential academic skills needed to complete the diploma and progress to university.

Whatever your level of confidence in IT, we will help you to develop your skills in word processing, presentation software and spreadsheets. Whilst this is not taught as a separate subject, IT skills are embedded into the Access course. We have a large network of computers with internet access, an extensive eLibrary and a diverse range of software available for students to use.

Access students have a weekly tutorial session where they receive support with their university application. Tutors conduct regular one to ones with students to monitor progress and their is a focus on developing employability skills. Student also have access to an extensive enrichment programme.

 

PROGRESSION ROUTES

The Access to Higher Education Diploma is designed to give students the necessary grounding to progress to Higher Education courses and is an accepted alternative to A Levels and other more traditional routes to university. This course is accepted as a valid route of entry to a wide range of Higher Education courses, including the courses we have on offer at the University Centre Truro & Penwith. Please view course pages to see examples of progression routes from each Access to HE Diploma.

A picture of Katie in her nurse's uniform. She is wearing a lanyard, has her hair tied up and has a stopwatch and pens in her pockets.
The Access tutors would check-in regularly with us to ensure we were happy with where we were at, helped us and answered our questions. I wouldn’t be where I am without Truro College and of course my own hard work and dedication!
Katie
Access to Nursing & Human Sciences

Course Fees for Access to HE Diplomas

Cornwall Council are responsible for the Adult Skills Fund (ASF) for Cornwall’s residents. This is the fund from which the Access course fee is paid for applicants who meet the eligibility criteria.

Funding can depend on factors such as age and prior qualifications. Applicants also need to be resident in Cornwall at the start of the course. Under certain circumstances you may qualify for full funding. For example, if you are aged 19 to 23 years and do not hold a full level 3 qualification you may receive full funding.

If you are aged 19 to 23 and have a full level 3 qualification or aged 24 years plus, you may be eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan to cover the course fee or you can choose to self fund.

The advanced learner loan is not subject to credit checks and household income is not taken into account. If after your Access course you go on to complete a Higher Education course*, your advanced learner loan will be written off by the Student Loans Company.

*Excludes degree apprenticeships

For further information about course fees, fee remission criteria, the advanced learner loan or self-funding please email mis24plus@truro-penwith.ac.uk or visit truro-penwith.ac.uk/funding-free-courses.

Additional Information

Entry Requirements

We recommend that you have GCSE English and Maths at a minimum of Grade 4 (C) before you commence an Access to HE Diploma. Level 2 functional skill (FS) may be accepted in lieu of GCSEs, but this will be dependent on your planned progression route.

The exception to this is the Access to HE Medicine Diploma which has GCSE requirements that are in line with the expectations of medical schools. More information can be found on the relevant course page.

It is advisable to check the GCSE requirements for the higher education course you wish to complete following the Access to HE Diploma. While some university courses accept Level 2 FS in lieu of GCSEs, others may not. In addition, the university may stipulate they require a wider range of GCSEs and/or a higher grade profile.

Please contact us to discuss your prior qualifications and planned progression route and we would be happy to advise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Designed specifically for mature learners, Career Coach can help you search for Access to HE courses linked to your future career goals. The interactive tool gives you up-to-date information as well as highlighting the skills and knowledge that you will need to enter certain industries and the job roles within them. Find the Career Coach tool by clicking here. 

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