New students starting in September: You can find more information about Induction days and submitting your GCSE results in our Start of Year Guide.
Access to
Higher Education
Truro and Penwith College has developed a comprehensive Access to Higher Education programme to meet the needs of mature students. The majority of students who have followed Access programmes at the College have been successful in gaining places at Colleges and Universities of their choice.
What is an Access course?
These Courses provide learners with a step-up to Higher Education by giving them the necessary grounding and qualifications for progression to University Courses. This route provides excellent study skills in specific subject areas, giving people the confidence to succeed.
You can see a full list of Access Courses available at the College further down this page.
Financial Support
Transport
Term Dates
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
The credit system
The course is credit based. Students need to collect 15 ungraded credits at Level 2 or Level 3 and 45 graded credits at Level 3. Most credits are gained by continuous assessment or assignments.
Progression routes
The Access to Higher Education programme is designed to give students the necessary grounding to progress on to Higher Education courses. The majority of British Universities will accept Access to Higher Education courses as an alternative to A Levels and other more traditional routes. In previous years students have gained places to train as Nurses, Teachers, Occupational therapists and in other caring professions. Others have chosen to follow degrees in a diverse range of subjects, including Anthropology, Forensic Science, English, Zoology and Journalism.
Core subjects
The Study Skills unit is designed to give students the full confidence that they will need for Higher Education. Skills developed include: Note taking, essay writing; referencing; presenting information to peers; etc. Learners would be given full support by their tutor while completing their application to university.
We have a large network of computers with Internet access and a large range of software. Many of our students have never used a computer, whilst others have considerable experience. Whatever your level, we will help you to develop your skills.
Select your course
Access to Higher Education: Computing and IT (Remote Delivery)
Full Time
Truro College
Access to Higher Education: Science
Full Time
STEM & Health Skills Centre Bodmin
Access to Higher Education: Nursing / Human Sciences
Full Time
STEM & Health Skills Centre Bodmin
Access to Higher Education: Computing and IT
Full Time
STEM & Health Skills Centre Bodmin
Access to Higher Education: Health & Social Care
Full Time
Penwith College
Access to Higher Education: Art & Design
Full Time
Truro College
Access to Higher Education: Computing and IT
Full Time
Truro College
Access to Higher Education: Creative Media and Photography
Full Time
Truro College
Access to Higher Education: Humanities, Teaching and Law
Full Time
Truro College
Access to Higher Education: Medicine
Full Time
Truro College
Access to Higher Education: Nursing / Human Sciences
Full Time
Truro College
Access to Higher Education: Psychology and Social Work
Full Time
Truro College
Access to Higher Education: Science
Full Time
Truro College
Access to Higher Education: Creative Arts
Full Time
Penwith College
Access to Higher Education: Humanities
Full Time
Penwith College
Mature Access Pathway
Mature students receive extra support to help them return to study and make the move to university and careers thanks to the College’s partnership with the University of Exeter providing access to its Mature Access Pathway.
The Mature Access Pathway allows students to experience what university life is like and polish their study skills through workshops, talks, and on-campus activities. The Pathway includes social events and advice about money and living matters as well as specialist information and advice provided by experts from the University of Exeter and the College.
Adult Bursary for Access to HE Diploma Students
Access to HE Diploma students aged 19+ can apply for the adult bursary. Eligible students may receive a free college meal on days timetabled to be in college, a fuel allowance or free bus pass, help towards the cost of equipment and, if applicable, help towards the cost of childcare. Hardship funds are also available and are considered on a case-by-case basis. The annual household income threshold for the adult bursary is £35,000. If living independently or with a partner, the household income must be declared when making an application. If you are living with your parents, you will be assessed based on your income.
For further information about adult bursary contact studentservices@truro-penwith.ac.uk
Bursary applications are made online via PayMyStudent. If you intend to travel to college by bus, you must choose your travel option before applying for the bursary.
Please note: If you are an Access to HE student who will be 18 years old at the start of the course, you will not be eligible for the adult bursaries. You can find out more about the college bursary and financial support you can apply for by visiting this webpage.
Frequently asked questions
We recommend that you have GCSE English and Maths at a minimum of Grade 4 (C) before you commence the Access courses. However, please contact us to discuss your prior qualifications and planned progression route and we would be happy to advise based on your particular set of circumstances.
It is advisable to check the GCSE requirements for the higher education course you wish to complete following the Access course, as they may have different stipulations.
Course Fees for the Access to HE Diploma
Cornwall Council are now 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. The following is a quick guide to sources of funding for the Access course.
19 to 23 year old
- Annual earnings below threshold of £26,009 or unemployed, have or have not achieved a full level 3 qualification - fully funded
- Annual earnings above threshold of £26,009, have not achieved a full level 3 qualification - fully funded
- Annual earnings above threshold of £26,009, have achieved a full level 3 qualification - advanced learner loan
24 years +
- Annual earnings below threshold of £26,009 or unemployed, have or have not achieved a full level 3 qualification - fully funded
- Annual earnings above threshold of £26,009 and not unemployed - advanced learner loan
If you do not meet the eligibility criteria you can apply for the advanced learner loan, or you could choose to self-fund.
Advanced Learner Loan
The loans are 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.
*Excluding degree apprenticeships
For further information about course fees, fee remission criteria, the advanced learner loan or self-fundng , please email mis24plus@truro-penwith.ac.uk Â
Courses normally start in mid-September and end in mid-June. Taught hours vary between 11 - 16Â hours per week depending on the pathway chosen. Courses usually run over 3 days and offer parent friendly hours (i.e. 9.15am to 4.15pm).
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.
our stories
Vicki’s Story
With personalised support from tutors Angie and Asun through the Multiply Project, Vicki gained confidence and improved her maths skills, which were essential for her to progress her career and start a nursing degree. Vicki is now set to begin her studies and her success has inspired her to advocate for the Multiply programme to others.
Rey – Access to Medicine
Determined to fulfil her ambition of becoming a doctor, Rey returned to education after previously being unable to complete her A Levels, and is now heading to Exeter University to study Medicine.
Cam – Access to Science
From working in a local supermarket to getting offers to study physiotherapy at university, Cam has been able to pursue his future aspirations with an Access to Science course at Truro and Penwith College.
Bethany – Access to Science
Mum of two Bethany reignited a lifelong passion for science after enrolling on the Access to Science course at the University Centre Truro & Penwith, and now hopes to become a dentist after continuing her university journey.
