Access to Uni: How to Get Into University Without A Levels

For many adults, the idea of going back to a classroom is the thing that stops a university plan before it starts. Shifts, childcare and household bills rarely leave room for fixed timetables. The good news is that one recognised route to access to uni can now be studied entirely online, from home, at hours that suit you.

This guide explains what fully online study for an Access to Higher Education Diploma involves, from submitting work and tutor support to grading and how universities view it.

What the Access to HE Diploma Is

The Access to Higher Education Diploma is a Level 3 qualification regulated by the QAA (Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education). It is described as equivalent to three A Levels and is worth up to 144 UCAS points, which is why it is so widely used by adults who either never took A Levels or took them many years ago.

No previous qualifications are needed to enrol, so you do not need GCSEs or A Levels to begin. Learners must be at least 16 and have a UK address, although the course is recommended for those aged 19 and over. The diploma is awarded by Open Awards, a QAA-recognised Access Validating Agency responsible for standards, assessment requirements, quality assurance and the final award.

How 100% Online Study Works Day to Day

Studying online means no classroom and no fixed class times. Course materials are unlocked as soon as you enrol and are available 24 hours a day, so you can study around full-time or part-time work and family life.

If you would like to see how the online route is set out for university entry, Pass Learn’s page on the Access to HE Diploma for university explains the structure, pathways and entry points in one place.

If life gets in the way partway through, it is possible to request an extension or a study freeze.

Submitting Work Through the Diploma Portal

A common worry about online learning is how the work actually gets marked. With this diploma, assessment is 100% assignment-based and there are no exams at all. Assignments are submitted online through the Diploma Portal, so everything from your first draft to your final piece of work stays in one place.

You can expect written assignments such as essays, reports and structured written tasks, along with research tasks and reflective work, including case studies.

The Tutor Support You Can Expect

Studying from home does not mean studying alone. Learners have a diploma tutor from the very first day through to completion, and unit tutors mark each piece of work and give detailed feedback on it.

Resubmission may also be allowed, within the limits approved by the Access Validating Agency, which can make the first few assignments far less daunting for adults returning to education.

Does Online Study Carry the Same Weight?

This is perhaps the most important question for anyone weighing up an online course. Pass Learn states that studying the diploma online carries the same weight as studying it at a college, and the qualification itself is the same QAA-regulated Level 3 award either way.

Universities use the Access to HE Diploma in the same way as A Level results. It is accepted by hundreds of UK universities, including many Russell Group universities, subject to the entry requirements of each course, and it is also accepted by initial teacher training providers.

It is worth being clear, though, that completing the diploma allows you to apply rather than guaranteeing a place. Every university sets its own entry requirements, particularly for competitive courses such as nursing, midwifery and physiotherapy, so it is up to you to check that your chosen university accepts the diploma for your course.

How the Diploma Is Graded

The diploma is made up of 60 credits. Fifteen of these are ungraded and cover study skills that prepare you for university-level work, while the remaining 45 are graded credits in the academic subjects of your chosen pathway. Only the graded credits count towards UCAS points.

Each graded unit is awarded a Pass, Merit or Distinction. As a general guide, the overall total ranges from 48 points if every graded credit is a Pass to 144 points if every one is a Distinction. Pass Learn’s explainer on Access Diploma grades and UCAS points goes into more detail, including why some universities ask for a grade profile, such as a set number of credits at Distinction and Merit, rather than a points total.

Choosing a Pathway and Planning Your Time

Online Access courses are offered across a range of pathways. These include Nursing, which is the most popular, as well as Midwifery, Health Professions, Education and Teaching, Psychology and Mental Health, Youth Work and Child Development, and Veterinary Science and Zoology. You can compare the full list of Access to HE courses before deciding which one matches the degree you have in mind.

Because study is self-paced, the length of the course depends on how much time you can give it. On a fast-track pace it can take as little as 6 to 9 months, while most learners at a standard pace take 9 to 12 months.

Maths and English are worth checking at this stage too. Universities usually expect Level 2 maths and English, and most degrees ask for GCSE maths and English at grade 4/C or above, or an accepted equivalent such as Functional Skills Level 2. Pass Learn offers a range of online qualifications for adults, and Functional Skills can be arranged alongside the diploma, with the exam sat from home.

Applying and Paying for Your Course

At Online Exams, we know that studying remotely raises practical questions about cost and applications as well as coursework. We recommend looking for a provider that is clear about what its fee covers. Pass Learn, for example, describes its Access course as low cost with no hidden fees, and includes materials, tutor support, assessment and certification in the diploma fee.

If paying in one go is difficult, Pass Learn also lists ways to spread the cost, including Clearpay, Klarna, Payl8r, Partially and PayPal. Knowing what is included helps you plan ahead.

When it comes to the application itself, the UCAS guide for mature undergraduates is a useful starting point. UCAS explains that full-time courses are applied for online through UCAS, while flexible and part-time courses are applied for directly with the university or college. Its list of steps also includes looking into finance and support for your degree.

Conclusion

Studying an Access to HE Diploma online removes many of the barriers that keep adults from university. There is no classroom, no exams and no fixed timetable, yet the qualification is the same QAA-regulated Level 3 award. We recommend checking your chosen course’s entry requirements early, so the pathway and grades you aim for match the place you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any exams in an online Access to HE Diploma?

No. The diploma is 100% assignment-based, with essays, reports, research tasks and reflective work submitted online rather than sat as exams.

Do I need A Levels or GCSEs to start?

No previous qualifications are needed to enrol. However, universities usually expect Level 2 maths and English for degree entry, so it is worth checking whether you need GCSEs or Functional Skills alongside the diploma.

Can I start an online Access course at any time of year?

Yes. Start dates are rolling throughout the year, and course materials are available as soon as you enrol.

Will universities accept a diploma studied online?

Hundreds of UK universities accept the Access to HE Diploma, including many Russell Group universities, subject to each course’s entry requirements. Always confirm that your chosen university accepts it for your course.

Written by

Online Exams Team

We help thousands of students each year with revision, courses and online exams.