Not all learners going to university this year will have got there following the traditional A-level route. The Access to Higher Education Diploma is equivalent to A-levels and is recognised by top UK universities as an accepted entry requirement into undergraduate courses, proving that there is more than one route into university.
Twenty students sitting in lecture halls next year will have completed their Access to Higher education diploma with ACL Essex. Many of the learners on the access to higher education courses have come back to education later in life after gaining important work experience, setting them ahead of an average student. ACL recognises that not everyone follows the same path in education and there is more than one reason why someone might not achieve their potential in the normal education pathway. That’s what makes the access to higher education diploma great, learners who might not have the traditional entry requirements required to get into university can still achieve success at degree level.
Access to HE Learners at ACL Essex can choose between a Science pathway, to study Biology, Chemistry and Physics, or the social science pathway, studying Sociology, Psychology and Criminology. As well as these academic subjects, learners also make progress in areas such as academic writing, wellbeing and resilience and professional attributes. This blend of academic content enriched with wider skills sets up our students for success.
“I previously did an A-Level and I wasn’t taught the academic skills my Access to HE Diploma did; referencing, researching, presenting and reporting – we’re much more prepared for university and beyond!”
Access to HE student
This year, learners overcame so much more than just academic struggles, with the impact of the coronavirus moving all sessions online, learners and tutors had to adapt to a new way of teaching and learning. Through the perseverance of all the learners on the course and the commitment of tutors to providing individualised support, 95% of learners enrolled on an access to higher education course with ACL Essex will progress on to university study this year.
Building on the success of last year, from September, ACL Essex will be offering blended Access to Higher education courses, consisting of two days in-person and one day online. With in-person sessions running in Colchester, Witham, Maldon and Basildon. There are part time options too starting in January 2022.
The access to higher education course is open to all adults aged 19+, who have achieved or are due to achieve a level 2 qualification in English and Maths. (GCSE A*-C/4-9 or Functional Skills Level 2). Our learners come from a diverse range of backgrounds but are all united by a keen interest in the subjects they study and a determination to succeed. If you would like to find out more for you or someone you know, book a place on a pre-assessment session.
