Not having A Levels does not mean university is out of reach. The Access to Higher Education Diploma is one of the most accessible and flexible pathways available to adult learners who want to take that step.

At Pass Learn, learners can gain the qualifications they need to enter higher education, develop their professional lives and move towards the future they have planned for. Access to Higher Education Diplomas are online, flexible and built around the realities of adult life.

Nursing, midwifery, teaching, psychology, health professions, veterinary science, youth work – the diploma provides the knowledge, skills and qualification needed to enter any of these fields through a university degree.

What Is an Access to Higher Education Diploma?

A nationally recognised Level 3 qualification, the Access to Higher Education Diploma has been designed to give adult learners what they need to enter university. It is most often chosen by those who did not sit A Levels or who stepped away from education years ago and are only now returning.

Universities across the UK accept it as a valid route onto degree courses. The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education oversees the recognition and quality standards associated with Access to HE qualifications.

Delivered online and studied at the learner’s own pace, the diploma makes university a realistic goal for adults who need to balance their studies with the rest of their lives.

Study Access to Higher Education Online

Pass Learn provides its Access to HE Diplomas in a fully online format. Learners have the freedom to study from home, progress at their own speed and manage their time around existing responsibilities.

There are no formal examinations. Learners are assessed through assignments submitted online throughout the course. A tutor reviews each submission and provides written feedback at every stage.

Studying with Pass Learn means learners can:

  • Complete the diploma from home without attending classes
  • Study on a schedule that works around work and personal commitments
  • Submit all assignments through an online portal
  • Access regular tutor feedback and support throughout
  • Develop the academic writing, analysis and research skills universities expect
  • Gain a recognised qualification that counts towards university entry

Access to HE Diplomas Available with Pass Learn

Pass Learn offers a range of Access to HE Diploma pathways, with each one tailored to the specific academic requirements of a university subject or career field.

Current diploma offerings include:

Every diploma is designed to equip learners with the subject knowledge and academic skills associated with their target degree, making the move into higher education as smooth as possible.

A Flexible Alternative to A Levels

An Access to HE Diploma offers a credible and well-recognised alternative route to university for adults who do not hold A Level qualifications.

It is considered by most universities to be equivalent to three A Levels and can carry up to 144 UCAS points depending on the results achieved. Learners can calculate their exact points total using the UCAS Tariff calculator.

Entry requirements vary between universities and between courses, so it is important to check what a specific degree asks for before applying. The Discover Uni website is an excellent place to compare programmes and review entry requirements.

Who Are Access to HE Diplomas For?

Access to HE Diplomas are intended for adult learners who want to attend university but do not currently have the formal qualifications that most degree courses require.

They are particularly suited to:

  • Adults who are returning to education
  • Those who never completed A Levels
  • People who want to change careers and need recognised academic qualifications
  • Adults in the process of applying to university
  • Learners who want to pursue nursing, midwifery, education, psychology or health careers
  • Anyone who requires the flexibility of a fully online study option
  • Adults balancing study with work and family commitments

As one example, someone preparing to enter veterinary science might study the Access to HE Diploma in Veterinary Science and Zoology ahead of applying for a degree. Those interested in healthcare careers can find guidance on NHS pathways through NHS Health Careers.

How Access to HE Courses Work

Completing an Access to HE Diploma with Pass Learn is a structured and well-supported experience from start to finish.

Learners identify the diploma that best matches their university goal or career target, then sign up. After enrolment, course materials are available online immediately.

Assignments are completed and submitted online throughout the diploma, with the tutor reviewing each one and providing feedback. The diploma is awarded when all units have been completed to the required standard.

The process is designed to take adult learners from their very first session to a genuine state of readiness for university study.

Support Choosing the Right Access Course

Identifying the right Access to HE Diploma can be challenging, particularly for learners who have not yet decided on a university or career direction.

Pass Learn’s team is there to make that decision easier. Learners can call and speak with an advisor who will talk them through the available pathways and help identify the diploma that best fits their situation, goals and background.

Whatever the aim – nursing, teaching, psychology, health sciences or anything else – Pass Learn can help learners take the next step with confidence.

Start Your Access to Higher Education Diploma with Pass Learn

Beginning an Access to Higher Education Diploma with Pass Learn could be the moment an adult learner starts moving decisively towards the university place, career and future they have in mind.

Fully online, assessed through coursework and supported by a dedicated tutor throughout, Pass Learn makes Access to HE a practical and rewarding route for adults who are ready to commit to their goals.

View the full range of Access to Higher Education Diplomas and start your university journey with Pass Learn.