If you don’t have the qualifications needed to get to university, we’ll make sure there are no barriers to learning, and help you on the journey to achieving your goals.
Access to Higher Education department is located in our University Centre, Clarence Street (L3 5TP)
With small class sizes and outstanding personal support, you will be fully supported on your college journey.
Our courses are designed to build up the knowledge and skills required to ensure our students can progress to Higher Education and be successful. It doesn’t matter if you have been out of education for a decade or if you have recently completed a different course – we will ensure you gain the skills you need to progress to university.
Our recently refurbished laboratories and dedicated academic studies centre is kitted out with the latest equipment to ensure that your learning experience is of the highest standard.
All our equipment has been carefully selected to reflect what you will encounter in the professional world. You’ll gain real-world skills and industry knowledge, ready to set you on the road to your ultimate career.
Our highly qualified tutors have a wealth of experience in their fields of expertise. They’re passionate about what they do, meaning that you’ll be learning from lecturers with real industry knowledge and connections. We also have outstanding personal tutors who are here to help support students overcome barriers that are unique to adult learners.
There are also guest lectures and workshops with some of the sector’s leading professionals, who will inspire you to think beyond the classroom and feed your ambition.
The Access to HE department has developed a range of partnerships with industry leaders over the years.
Through collaboration with these, we make sure our programmes are in tune with the latest innovation and technological advances; so that our students are well placed to either enter the workforce or move up to higher level study. These partnerships also provide our learners with meaningful higher education insight relevant to their chosen career path, as well as a positive learning experience.
The Access to Higher Education Science Diploma is a Level 3 qualification w...
The Access to Higher Education Science Diploma is a Level 3 qualification w...
The Access to Higher Education Allied Health Professions Diploma is a level...
The Access to Higher Education Allied Health Professions Diploma is a level...
The Access to Higher Education Business and Finance Diploma is a level th...
The Access to Higher Education Business and Marketing Diploma is a level th...
The Access to Higher Education Science Diploma is a Level 3 qualification w...
The Access to Higher Education Humanities Diploma is a level three qualific...
The Access to Higher Education Humanities Diploma is a level three qualific...
The Access to Higher Education Allied Health Professions Diploma is a level...
Former Access to HE students have a lot to say about what makes The City of Liverpool College a great place to learn…
Our Access to Higher Education (HE) diplomas have been designed for learners who are either returning to education or have left school without the qualifications required to be able to progress on to higher education and university.
The courses provide students with a good level of understanding about their chosen subject to prepare them for an undergraduate degree at university and come with UCAS tariff points to help them secure their place.
Access to HE Diplomas are available for anyone aged 19 and over. So if you have left school without A Levels (or an equivalent) but decide you want to go to university, Access to HE Diplomas could be the perfect solution. The qualification is designed to allow learners to go on to study at degree level or progress in their employment.
Absolutely! Access to HE Diplomas can be an ideal route back into education for mature students. We know that re-entering education after any period away can be daunting and we will make sure you get the support you need whilst studying at the college to help you to achieve your full potential.
All of our Access to HE courses take one year of full-time study to complete.
Typically, students who are completing the Diploma spend around 12 hours per week studying, so it can easily be studied alongside other commitments. We also offer our allied health Access course as an evening class.
Access to HE courses are widely recognised by UK universities as an alternative to ‘traditional’ qualifications for entry into undergraduate degree courses. In fact, many universities across the UK are directly involved in the creation of courses and many actively encourage applications from Access to HE Diploma holders.
UCAS tariff points are hugely important for getting into university. For an Access to HE Diploma, UCAS tariff points are anywhere between 48 and 144 points, depending on the grade you receive. It’s therefore possible for Access courses to generate the same amount of UCAS points as A Level or BTEC courses.
All Access to HE courses are designed to equip students for university level study in a specific subject or subject area. The content will therefore vary on the subject area you choose, but all courses will generally provide you with the knowledge and skills required for university and equip you with the study techniques required to be successful at that level.
Just like A-Levels and BTECs, our Access to HE Diploma is a full Level 3 qualification, so it meets the same academic demands.
Units are formally assessed in a variety of ways. This may include exams and portfolio work, depending on the Diploma.
We offer a variety of Access to HE courses, including:
– Allied Health Professions and Nursing
– Business & Finance
– Engineering
– Humanities
– Professions in Teaching and Education
– Science
– Social Science
– Law and criminal justice
Last year, Access to Higher Education had a pass rate of 99.5%.
91% of last year’s Access who applied for university were successful in securing a place, most of them (83%) went onto study at universities in the North West, with 71% joining universities based in the Liverpool City Region.
Here are some of the subjects our students from last year (2020-2021) have gone onto study at university:
| Access to HE Diploma | What our learners from last year are studying at university |
| Business | Accounting and Finance
Business and Management Business and Public Relations Business Management Economics Marketing
|
| Education Professions | Education and English Language
Educational Psychology Primary Education with QTS (5-11) Special Educational Needs and Sport & Physical Education
|
| Engineering | Aeronautical Engineering with Foundation Year
Aerospace Engineering with Pilot Studies Architecture Civil Engineering Computer Science Electrical & Electronic Engineering Mechanical Engineering
|
| Allied Health Professions | Adult Nursing
Child Nursing Mental Health Nursing Midwifery Nursing Nutrition Paramedic Science
|
| Humanities | Ancient, Medieval and Modern History
Creative Writing and English Literature Criminology English Literature and History History Law Law and Criminal Justice Philosophy and Politics
|
| Science | Biochemistry
Biological Sciences Biomedical Science Dental Therapy Diagnostic Radiography Optometry Pharmacy Physiotherapy Veterinary Medicine
|
| Social Science | Childhood & Youth and Social Policy
Forensic Psychology Psychology and Sociology Social Work Sociology
|
We work with Ascentis, an award-winning provider of cutting-edge qualifications for education, training and business in the UK and overseas. To find out more about them, visit: https://www.ascentis.co.uk/qualifications/access-to-higher-education
To find out more about our course options and to begin your application, please click here.
