Choosing between A Levels and an Access to Higher Education Diploma is one of the biggest early decisions for adults planning to go to university. Both are Level 3 qualifications, both are accepted by UK universities, and both can lead to the same degrees. The difference is in how they teach, how long they take, and who they are designed for.
This guide compares the two side by side, then gives you a decision framework based on your age, target degree, and time available.
The headline difference
A Levels are three separate subject qualifications, taken over two years, and are the default academic route for school leavers aged 16 to 19. You pick three subjects, sit written exams at the end of Year 13, and your grades feed directly into UCAS Tariff points.
The Access to HE Diploma is a single, combined Level 3 qualification designed specifically for adults over 19 who want to progress to a specific degree. It takes one year full time (or up to two years part time or online), covers subject content matched to your target degree, and is graded on 45 Level 3 credits at Pass, Merit, or Distinction.
A Levels vs Access to HE: side-by-side
| Feature | A Levels | Access to HE Diploma | Which is better for you? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 2 years full time | 1 year full time (or up to 2 yrs part-time / online) | Access if you want to progress faster |
| Age typically | 16-19 | 19+ | A Levels if you are under 19 |
| Assessment | Terminal written exams (May/June) | Continuous coursework + graded units | Access if exam pressure is a concern |
| UCAS points | A*-E = 56-144 per subject (up to 432 for 3 A*s) | 48-144 points across the Diploma | A Levels give a higher ceiling for competitive courses |
| Subject flexibility | Any 3 subjects | One themed diploma (e.g. Nursing, Social Work, Teaching) | A Levels if you want breadth; Access if you have a specific degree target |
| Cost (typical, private) | £300-£500 per subject exam fee, plus tuition | £1,000-£3,000 for the full Diploma | A Levels can be cheaper if self-studying; Access includes everything |
| Funding | Free at school/6th form; self-fund privately | Advanced Learner Loan available (written off if you complete a degree) | Access if you need funding help |
| University acceptance | Universally accepted | Accepted by 99% of UK universities including Oxbridge conditionally | Both are widely accepted — check your target uni for the exact offer |
When A Levels are the right choice
A Levels are the better route if:
- You are under 19 and still eligible for free school or sixth form study.
- You are targeting a highly competitive course (Medicine, Law at Oxbridge, top-tier Engineering) where subject-specific A Level grades are non-negotiable.
- You are not yet sure of your degree subject and want the flexibility to pick between three.
- You are strong at terminal exams and prefer a two-year runway.
When Access to HE is the right choice
Access to HE is the better route if:
- You are over 19 and want to reach university in a single year.
- You have a clear target degree (Nursing, Midwifery, Social Work, Teaching, Psychology, Business).
- Coursework and continuous assessment suit you better than sitting exams.
- You need Advanced Learner Loan funding, which is written off if you complete your degree.
- You have been out of education for a while and want a course designed around adult learners.
Do universities prefer one over the other?
For the vast majority of degrees, no — universities accept both. What matters is the specific grade profile you achieve, not the qualification type. A student with 45 Distinctions on an Access to Nursing Diploma is competitive for the same nursing degrees as a student with three A grades at A Level.
Where A Levels have an edge is with a small number of highly selective courses (mainly Oxbridge Medicine, some Cambridge sciences, and a handful of competitive law programmes) where a specific A Level subject is part of the entry criteria. If you are targeting one of those, check the exact requirement on the university course page before choosing.