Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Access to HE Courses

What is an Access to HE Course?+

It is a one year (although can be studied part time over 2 or more years) Level 3 Diploma which prepares adult students for, and gives them the entry requirements (UCAS points) required for degree level study. This course enables those who do not yet have a relevant Level 3 qualification to go straight to university. Access to HE Diplomas are equivalent to 3 A Levels!
So, if you need a degree to enter your new dream career then this course is the course you need to get there.

Who can study an Access to HE Course?+

To study an Access to HE Course you must:

  • Be aged 19 or over by 31 August in the year you wish to study
  • Be a resident in the UK
  • Be able to read, write and understand basic maths - GCSE maths and English to C or 4 grade is helpful but not essential - apply without any qualifications!

Don't worry if you haven't been in education for a long time - you are exactly who this course is designed for and our teachers are experts in helping you get back into education.

I'm 17 can I do an access course instead of A Levels?+

No. Access courses are designed for adults with life experience to contribute to their studies. Students must be over 19 to study an access course. Universities will expect students under 19 to study A Levels.

Do I need to have GCSE English and maths?+

No! You will be accepted on to your Access to HE course without any GCSEs. Note that your intended University may require you to have GCSE English and maths or equivalent, so many Access students choose to study these with us alongside their Access to HE Diploma.

Do Access courses offer UCAS points?+

Yes! Access to HE Diploma students receive between 48 and 144 UCAS points depending on their final grade profile. A Pass grade is worth 44 UCAS points, a Merit grade is worth 96 UCAS points and a Distinction grade is worth 144 UCAS points.

Is it hard to study an Access to HE Course?+

Some students find Access to HE Diplomas hard at first because many of them have not been in education for some years or do not have the confidence and study skills which make it easier. At Access Courses Online we understand this and we will teach you the study skills you need to succeed. It is our job to properly prepare you for university level study, and this we will do if you put in the effort and follow your tutor's instructions to the letter. Regardless of the level you are at when you join us, you will quickly be at the required level when you leave us so get started - browse courses.

Is it worth studying an Access to HE Diploma Course?+

If you want a well paid, rewarding, respectable, professional graduate level career then yes it is worth studying your Access to HE Diploma for a year. Most successful people in life have gone to university to obtain their profession and you will probably need to do the same. See our careers information pages and blogs or contact us via the live chat below, to find out whether your chosen career requires a university degree. In most cases the answer will be yes, which means you will need an Access to HE course if you do not have A Levels to apply to university with.

Why can't I find you on the Government's Access to HE portal?+

You can! Click here then tick the distance learning check box and search for our parent company - Cambridge Online Education Ltd. Access Courses Online is a trading name of Cambridge Online Education Ltd.

How do I know which course is right for me?+

Request a consultation where you can speak to our course leaders and careers advisors. click here to arrange an appointment or speak directly to us now on our live chat (bottom right of the screen) and we would be delighted to answer any questions you might have. Please don't put it off, you may never get this close to changing your future for the better again! Act now to secure your dream career and future happiness!

Can I just purchase my course without applying?+

Yes, absolutely! If you are prepared to work hard, follow your tutor's instructions, and you know which course to purchase then go for it - there are no entry requirements apart from being over 19 years old so why not? If you are unsure about which course is right for you then contact us or chat via the live chat below.

When should I apply?+

Applications are open throughout the year but there are only limited places available so apply now! Applications remain open and you will be invited to the next induction session, which happen throughout the year.

Can I study Access to HE courses for free+

Not free in the sense that there is no fee to pay - but for most full-time students the council tax saving covers the whole cost of the course, and often leaves you better off each month. Here is how that works.

Some colleges will charge you up to £3500 for this exact same course and will give you an adult learner loan to pay for it - they often say this is studying for free but it is far from free. You will have to pay these loans back with interest when you earn £27k or more per year. Most Access Course graduates will eventually earn much more than this when they become a nurse, midwife, computer scientist etc.

Our Access to HE Diploma costs £1,499, which works out at around £125 per month on our 12-month interest-free payment plan. There is no loan, no interest and nothing to pay back later.

A cheaper alternative is to buy this course from Access Courses Online using your council tax saving - our students do not pay council tax, saving them £200 per month on average! We provide students with an official letter proving they are a full-time student and this qualifies the student to get their council tax paid. With the course at around £125 per month and a saving of up to £200 per month, the council tax saving can cover your course fee in full and still leave you roughly £75 per month better off.

That means you get your course for less than half the price your local college will eventually charge you, with no interest to pay and no loan to pay back.

Additionally, we can provide you with a student card so you can get even more discounts on the products you buy.

Note. Where there is another council tax payer in the household the saving may be less depending on how much they earn, so you may not be able to cover the full course fee this way. If you are the only council tax payer in your household you should not have to pay any council tax - more information.

Level 3 International Diplomas

Who awards the International Diplomas?+
On successful completion, you'll receive a Level 3 International Diploma awarded by AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group, a national awarding organisation. Access Courses Online, part of Cambridge Online Education Ltd, is an approved education provider for these qualifications.
Are International Diplomas regulated qualifications?+
No. They are accredited and independently awarded by AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group, but they are not regulated qualifications listed on the Ofqual Register. This gives us the flexibility to design programmes specifically for international learners, while still meeting AIM's quality-assurance standards.
Can I use an International Diploma to apply to a UK university?+
Many UK and international universities will consider an AIM Level 3 International Diploma as part of an application, but every university and course sets its own entry requirements, and admission is never guaranteed. We strongly recommend checking with your intended university before enrolling, and our advisers can help you explore the right progression route.
Does the diploma guarantee university admission?+
No qualification can guarantee admission. Universities decide based on the diploma studied, your results, English-language ability, and any additional requirements for that course. We'll help you identify suitable universities and prepare a strong application.
What's the difference between a 60-credit and a 120-credit diploma?+
A 60-credit International Diploma gives focused preparation in one subject area. A 120-credit International Foundation Diploma is larger and more comprehensive, giving broader preparation for university-level study. Which one suits you depends on your target university and course.
Do I need previous qualifications to enrol?+
There are no fixed academic entry requirements for most of our International Diplomas. You will need sufficient English-language ability and study skills to complete Level 3 work, and our advisers are happy to talk through whether a particular diploma is right for you.
Can I study from outside the UK?+
Yes. Every International Diploma is delivered entirely online, so you can study from almost anywhere in the world without needing to travel to the UK.
How will I be assessed?+
There are no traditional exams. You'll be assessed through coursework and assignments, which can include written work, research, presentations, discussions and reflective tasks, marked on a pass/fail basis for each unit before a final review by the Examination Board.
Will I get support with my university application?+
Yes. Our advisers can help you research suitable universities, understand their entry requirements, and plan your application. Depending on your course package, we can also support you with your personal statement and the application itself.
Does the diploma come with a UK student visa?+
No. Studying online doesn't require or provide a UK student visa. If you later receive an offer from a licensed UK university for in-person study, that university will explain the visa sponsorship process.
What does "Level 3" mean?+
Level 3 describes the academic level of study in the UK framework, beyond Level 2 (GCSE-equivalent) and preparing you for higher education. Because our International Diplomas are non-regulated, they shouldn't automatically be treated as equivalent to A Levels or assigned the same UCAS Tariff points.
Are International Diplomas the same as A Levels?+
No. They are AIM-awarded Level 3 International Diplomas, an alternative programme of study that some universities will consider for admission, not A Levels. Always check the precise requirements of your intended university and course.
Do International Diplomas carry UCAS points?+
Not automatically. These non-regulated qualifications don't come with fixed UCAS Tariff points, but universities don't rely on tariff points alone and may consider the diploma individually. Our advisers can help you contact universities directly to confirm how they'll treat your diploma.
What will appear on my certificate?+
You'll receive an International Diploma certificate awarded by AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group, showing your diploma title and result. Access Courses Online, part of Cambridge Online Education Ltd, provides the teaching, assessment and learner support behind it.
Can I apply to universities outside the UK?+
Potentially, yes. Recognition and entry requirements vary by country, university and course, so you should get confirmation from your chosen institution before relying on the diploma for admission.
Can you confirm my acceptance before I enrol?+
We can help you review published entry requirements and contact admissions teams on your behalf, but the final decision always sits with the university. Any acceptance that matters to your plans should be confirmed in writing by that institution.
Can I start at any time?+
Yes. International Diploma enrolment runs throughout the year rather than a single September intake, so you can begin as soon as you're ready. It's worth factoring in your target university's start date when planning.
How much do the diplomas cost?+
Our 60-credit International Diplomas start from £1,999, and our 120-credit International Foundation Diplomas start from £2,999. Flexible payment plans, including Buy Now, Pay Later spread over 12 interest-free months, are available on most courses; exact pricing and instalment options are shown on each course page.
Are there any additional fees?+
Each individual course page sets out exactly what's included in your tuition fee and flags any registration, certification, reassessment or application-support charges that apply. We'd always recommend reviewing these details before you enrol.

Studying Online

How often will I have to attend?+

Lessons are 1 hour per week with further 1to1 time with your tutor when needed, depending on the diploma chosen. Lesson times will be at mutually agreed times where possible - we understand that our students have jobs and families they need to attend to. All lessons are video-recorded for your convenience and you will be able to watch them back if you are unable to attend the live lesson. You are then expected to complete the equivalent amount of time on independent study and assignments.

How many hours per week of study?+

It depends on how fast you want to complete your Access to HE Diploma course and how fast you study. Studied over one year it's a full-time course (21 hours per week) and so you should get your council tax paid in full meaning the course fee can be paid out of the council tax saving (usually around £200 per month). However, in reality the number of hours you will study will depend on how hard and efficiently you work; 10 to 21 hours per week are usually sufficient to complete an Access to HE diploma in one year. Clearly, far fewer hours are required if you study over two or more years, perhaps as little as 3 hours per week over 3 years. Students studying over more than one year would not qualify for free council tax as they would be part-time students.

How are your courses delivered online?+

Our courses are 100% online and flexible, so you study from home and organise your learning around your existing commitments. There is no requirement to travel to a campus at any point.

You join a live online lesson each week with your tutor, and every lesson is video-recorded, so if work or family means you miss a session, you simply watch it back in your own time. The rest of your study is independent work on your assignments, which you complete at the times that suit you.

Will I have to sit exams?+

Our courses use coursework-based assessment. You demonstrate your knowledge through internally set assessments rather than relying on traditional final examinations, so there is no exam hall to sit in and no single exam day that your whole result depends on.

You will be assessed on assignments and coursework completed throughout the course, with guidance and feedback from your tutor as you go, so you always know where you stand before you submit.

What support will I get from my tutor while studying online?+

You get expert tutor support with personalised guidance as you develop your subject knowledge, academic skills and confidence. Alongside your weekly lesson, you get further 1-to-1 time with your tutor when you need it, whether that is to talk through an assignment, catch up on something you found difficult, or get feedback on your progress.

Studying by distance learning does not mean studying alone. If you are unsure about anything, your tutor is the first person to ask, and our team is also available on live chat during the working day.

Online Payments

What payment options do you offer?+

You can pay for your course in full, or spread the cost over manageable monthly payments. We offer Buy Now, Pay Later plans over 12 months interest-free, which is how most of our students choose to pay.

A variety of payment options is shown at the checkout, and the exact monthly amount for the course you are looking at is displayed on that course's own page before you buy.

Is the Buy Now, Pay Later plan really interest-free?+

Yes. Our Buy Now, Pay Later payment plans are spread over 12 months with no interest to pay. You pay the same total whether you pay in one go or monthly, so there is nothing extra added for choosing to pay in instalments.

How much do your courses cost?+

Access to HE Diplomas cost £1,499 in full, which works out at around £125 per month on our 12-month interest-free payment plan. Our Level 3 International Diplomas start from £1,999 for a 60-credit diploma and £2,999 for a 120-credit International Foundation Diploma.

Every course page shows the full tuition fee for that specific diploma along with the payment options available, so check the page for the course you are interested in for the exact figure.

Are there any additional fees on top of the course price?+

For Access to HE Diplomas, exam board fees of approximately £160 apply and are payable direct to the Awarding Body. This is separate from your course fee and is not paid to us.

Any other charges that apply to a particular course are set out on that course's own page, so always check the individual course page before you enrol so you know exactly what is included.

Why are your courses so much cheaper than Learn Direct?+

Access Courses Online was set up by Dr. Troy Page as part of his mission to improve a million lives through education and not for profit alone. Making our courses more affordable makes this mission more attainable.

Book a Meeting with Our Access Courses Online Team

At Access Courses Online, we’re dedicated to helping you make the best decision for your future. Choosing the right course and understanding how studying remotely works can feel like a big step, but we’re here to guide you every step of the way. That's why we've made it easy for you to book a personal, face-to-face meeting with one of our course leaders.

Whether you're wondering which course fits your career goals, curious about how our online learning platform works, or have specific questions about the enrollment process, we're here to provide the answers. In your one-on-one meeting, you’ll be speaking directly with a knowledgeable member of our team who will give you the support and clarity you need to take the next step with confidence.

Ready to get started? Booking your meeting is simple! Just click the link below, choose a time that suits you, and we’ll take care of the rest. This is your opportunity to explore your options, get personalised advice, and feel empowered about your future.

We look forward to speaking with you and helping you on your path to success!

Book a meeting

Be what you want to be - without any qualifications