Access to Higher Education online

The Access to HE Diploma is a Level 3 qualification designed for adults who want to go to university but do not have A Levels. It is recognised by every UK university and replaces traditional academic entry routes. You study online over 12 months, with no exams.

It is for adult learners (19+) who want to go to university but do not hold the usual qualifications. Common reasons include changing careers, returning to study after a break, or not getting the A Level grades needed first time. There are no formal entry requirements beyond GCSE English and Maths at grade 4 / C.

Yes. The Access to HE Diploma is regulated by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) and recognised by all UK universities for entry to undergraduate degrees. Specific universities and courses set their own grade requirements, usually between Pass and Distinction.

Lift College runs a self-funded pay-monthly model, no Advanced Learner Loans, no credit checks, no exit fees. You pay a flat monthly subscription and can pause or cancel anytime. Funding is not means-tested and there are no eligibility checks.

The standard duration is 12 months studying part-time online, around 10 to 15 hours per week. You can study faster if you have more time, or pause your subscription if life gets in the way. There is no fixed end date.

Pick the pathway that matches the degree you want to study. Nursing, Midwifery, and Health Science Professions lead to NHS-aligned degrees. Education Professions leads to teaching degrees. Criminology, Psychology, Social Work, Business, and Engineering each map to their named degree subject. If unsure, book a callback and we will help you choose.

An Access to HE Diploma is a Level 3 qualification, regulated by the Quality Assurance Agency and awarded by bodies such as Open Awards, designed for adults without traditional school leaver qualifications who want to progress to a specific degree subject. It usually takes 9 to 24 months and reports UCAS tariff points based on your grades.

Access to HE is for adults, typically aged 19 and over, who left school without A Levels and now want to go to university, most commonly into nursing, midwifery, social work, paramedic science, psychology or education professions. It is also used by career changers moving from an unrelated field into a regulated profession.

Yes, in principle. Access to HE Diplomas are quality assured by QAA and recognised UK wide as an alternative Level 3 qualification. In practice, always check the specific entry requirements of your target course and university, since some competitive programmes set additional criteria such as a required grade profile or subject content.

Most learners at Lift College self-fund on a monthly plan or pay in full up front to lock in the reduced price. There is no credit check, no fixed contract, and no interest on the monthly option. When you progress to university, tuition and maintenance are then supported by student finance, and NHS-linked pathways can also unlock the NHS Learning Support Fund.

Most Access to HE Diplomas take 9 to 24 months, depending on study intensity and whether you study full time or fit it around work. Diplomas are typically built from 60 credits, and how quickly you complete assignments and receive tutor feedback affects your overall timeline.

For nursing, choose the Access to HE Diploma (Nursing) pathway rather than a general science diploma, since it is built around the biology, anatomy and healthcare content that nursing admissions tutors expect. Some universities also accept the Health Science Professions or Science pathways, so check the entry requirements of your chosen nursing course first.