There are many routes you can take to gain access to a university course. Students at Reading College progress successfully to university from A Level, Access, vocational and Art Foundation courses.

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.

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.

Successful completion of the course will give you at least 60 OCN credits (with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, and 15 credits at Level 2), which is the minimum number required by QAA for university entrance.

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 to Education

Access to Education is a one year programme for returners to education who are not yet at the level for the Access to higher education programme and would benefit from extra work on their English, Maths and study skills.

Full-time courses:

• Overseas Academic English - Access to Higher Education Overseas Pathway
• Accounting - Access to Higher Education Pathway
• Art and Design - Access to Higher Education Pathway
• Business and Enterprise - Access to Higher Education Pathway
• Social Sciences with Humanities - Access to Higher Education Pathway
• Healthcare, Midwifery and Nursing - Access to Higher Education Pathway
• Psychology - Access to Higher Education Pathway
• Science - Access to Higher Education Pathway
• Teaching/Education Studies - Access to Higher Education Pathway
• Humanities - Access to Higher Education Pathway

Part-time courses:

• Access to Education
• Health - Access to Higher Education Pathway
• Music – Access to Higher Education Pathway
• Psychology - Access to Higher Education Pathway
• Social Work - Access to Higher Education Pathway

Visit our course search page for further information.

Case study

Adam Barrett-Alexander
Access to Higher Education – Psychology Pathway

Why this course?

I want to go to university to study Psychology so researched colleges in the area who offered relevant Access pathways and Reading had the best pathway for me. I am really enjoying the course. There is a range of different people in the group and it’s great that we all share a common interest. The lecturers are fantastic. They are enthusiastic and passionate about the subjects that they teach.

What next?

I’m hoping to complete the course successfully and then go on to study for a degree in Psychology. I then hope to progress on to a Masters in Psychology after that. I am interested in social psychology particularly child psychology including child behaviour and child welfare and would like to work in that field eventually.