Access to HE Diploma: everything you need to know
The Access to Higher Education Diploma is a one-year route to university for adults aged 19 and over. For most refugees it is free through the Adult Skills Fund. It is accepted by almost all UK universities and earns up to 144 UCAS points. The key is choosing the right subject pathway.
What is the Access to HE Diploma?
Level 3, age 19+The Access to Higher Education Diploma is a one-year Level 3 qualification for adults aged 19 and over who have been out of education and want to go to university. It is recognised by almost all UK universities and generates UCAS Tariff points.
This qualification is regulated and quality-assured by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). A private online course that is not QAA-validated is not an Access to HE Diploma, even if it uses similar wording. Always check that the course is QAA-validated.
Structure of the diploma
60 credits- 60 credits in total.
- 45 graded credits from subject-specific academic units — assessed at Pass, Merit or Distinction.
- 15 ungraded credits in academic study skills (essay writing, research methods, referencing).
- Around 600 Guided Learning Hours.
- Study full-time over one year, or part-time over two years.
- Courses are validated by Access Validating Agencies (AVAs), such as Skills and Education Group Access.
UCAS Tariff points
up to 144 points| Outcome | UCAS points | A-level equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 45 credits at Distinction | 144 points | Three A* at A-level |
| 45 credits at Merit | ~96 points | About three B grades at A-level |
| Mix of Pass | Lower | Points are still generated, at a lower level |
12 subject pathways
match it to your degreeYou must choose a pathway that matches the degree you want to do. Choosing the wrong pathway will create problems when you apply to university.
- Nursing and Midwifery
- Allied Health Professions (radiography, physiotherapy, paramedic science)
- Social Work
- Computing and Digital Technologies
- Sciences (biology, chemistry, physics)
- Engineering
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- Law
- Business and Management
- Education / Teaching
- Art and Design
- Combined / General
Funding
as of 8 May 2026Important: the Access to HE Diploma is funded through the Adult Skills Fund (ASF), not through the Free Courses for Jobs scheme. These are separate programmes.
The Advanced Learner Loan is written off by the government if you successfully complete an eligible undergraduate degree through Student Finance England.
University acceptance
post-92 and Russell GroupUniversities founded after 1992 (post-92) accept the Access to HE Diploma widely, often with progression agreements with local colleges.
Russell Group universities accept it too, but with stricter grade requirements. For competitive courses, universities may require a high proportion of Distinction grades from your 45 graded credits. King's College London and the University of Manchester, for example, state that many of the graded credits must be at Distinction level for competitive programmes.
Most Russell Group medical schools require A-levels or the IB for standard entry. A small number of widening participation programmes accept Access. A confirmed route:
- University of Sheffield Access to Sheffield (Medicine): a structured two-year widening access programme.
- King's College London Extended Medical Degree Programme (EMDP) — check with KCL Admissions whether the programme is still running.
- Lancaster University A900 (MBBS): a widening participation programme — check the conditions for Access to Medicine students with Lancaster Admissions.
Prerequisite: English language
B1 or aboveYou need English at B1 level or above before you start an Access diploma. Most FE colleges ask for GCSE English grade 4/C or Functional Skills Level 2 in English as a condition of enrolment.
Red flags
5 common mistakes- Taking a course that is not QAA-validated but is sold as an "Access Diploma" — universities will not accept it.
- Choosing the wrong subject pathway.
- Assuming the Advanced Learner Loan covers living costs — it covers tuition only.
- Assuming every Russell Group course treats Access the same as A-levels — some ask for a very high share of Distinction grades.
- Trying to use an Access diploma for Oxford or Cambridge — both treat it as a very rare case-by-case exception.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Access to HE Diploma?
The Access to Higher Education Diploma is a one-year Level 3 qualification for adults aged 19 and over who have been out of education and want to go to university. It is recognised by almost all UK universities and generates UCAS Tariff points. It is regulated by the QAA — a private online course without QAA validation is not an Access to HE Diploma.
Is Access to HE free for refugees?
Access to HE Diploma is funded through the Adult Skills Fund (ASF), not through Free Courses for Jobs. Adults with refugee status, humanitarian protection, or Ukraine Scheme status qualify for ASF without the standard 3-year residency wait. If income is below the ASF threshold, the course may be fully funded.
How many UCAS points does Access to HE with Distinction earn?
A student who gets 45 credits with Distinction scores 144 UCAS points — the equivalent of three A grades at A-level. 45 credits with Merit gives 96 points.
Do Russell Group universities accept Access to HE?
Yes, but with stricter grade requirements. For competitive courses, universities may require a high proportion of Distinction grades from your 45 graded credits. For Oxford or Cambridge, the Access route is treated as a very restricted case-by-case exception.
What happens to an Advanced Learner Loan if I complete my degree?
The Advanced Learner Loan used to fund Access to HE is written off by the government if you successfully complete an eligible undergraduate degree through Student Finance England. This is an important advantage compared to other loan types.
Last updated: 8 May 2026. Sources: Access to HE (QAA), GOV.UK — Advanced Learner Loan, UCAS. Course fees, ASF funding thresholds and university requirements change every academic year — check them on the college website and the official sites before you apply.