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Access
There are many routes you can take to gain access to a university course. Students at Reading College progress successfully to university not only from A Levels, but also Access, vocational and Art Foundation courses. In 2012, 94% of our 194 students achieved their Access qualification.
If you know which undergraduate course you want to study for, check its entry requirements to find out what qualifications are accepted for the course.
Some university courses will also take into account work experience as well as the qualifications you have.
24+ loans
If you are 24 or over and studying on a Level 3 course, you are eligible to apply for a loan to cover your tuition fees. The loans are not means-tested or subject to credit checks and you start repaying it when you earn over £21,000 per year. Repayments will not start before 2016. Loans are administered by the Student Loans Company and you can start applying for a loan from April 2013.
24+ loans for access to higher education courses are automatically cleared if you go on to complete a higher education course with support of a higher education student loan.
Access to higher education courses
Access to Higher Education courses are aimed at returners to education who wish to progress onto university or other higher education provision. These one-year courses do not require any formal qualifications and offer a number of career pathways.
The Access to Higher Education Diploma is a nationally recognised qualification and concentrates on providing sufficient credits to gain a place in higher education.
The Ascentis Access to HE diploma provides you with a minimum of 60 Credits at both Level 2 and Level 3 which ensures that learners who are awarded the diploma are fully prepared for a course of undergraduate study.
You will study and gain knowledge within a pathway that relates to your chosen degree area. There is plenty of support and guidance from staff regarding your higher education options upon completing this course. Almost all Access students progress successfully to the higher education course of their choice.
Access students' activities:
Full-time courses:
- Accounting - Access to Higher Education
- Art and Design - Access to Higher Education
- Business - Access to Higher Education
- Social Work - Access to Higher Education
- Healthcare, Midwifery and Nursing - Access to Higher Education
- Psychology - Access to Higher Education
- Science - Access to Higher Education
- Teaching/Education Studies - Access to Higher Education
- Humanities - Access to Higher Education
- Speakers of other Languages - Access to Higher Education
Part-time courses:
- Healthcare, Midwifery and Nursing - Access to Higher Education
- Humanities - Access to Higher Education
Visit our course search page for further information.
Case studies
Amy Page
Access to Nursing and Midwifery Pathway
Before Access I was a full-time receptionist at a health club. My experience on the Access course has been a great one; learning new things and meeting new friends. The great thing is that it I am now one step closer to where I want to be in the future.
Top Tip: Stay focussed on your studies. If you feel you can’t do it then think of the place you want to be in a few years’ time, this will encourage you. Don't give up on the course, although it will be hard, you will get through it with help from your lecturers and fellow students.
Destination: I am going to get some work experience in a care setting and apply for midwifery in 2013.
Vikki Carter
Access to Teaching/Education Pathway
I worked in IT sales for 6 years before joining Access. The course has really helped with preparation for university and enabled me to get back into education after a long break.
Top Tip: If you are hoping to go into teaching make sure that you have already started gaining work experience. You also need to make sure that you prepare yourself for this course - it is really intensive and does take over everything!
Destination: I am doing an English degree and then going on to complete a PGCE.
