Access to Higher Education

About Access to Higher Education

Welcome to the Online Access to HE Diplomas at Sandwell College!

Traditionally, to secure a place at university you would need a certain number of A Levels, but now, most universities accept Access to Higher Education Diplomas as equivalent qualifications. Sandwell College can help you move up to degree-level study by offering a range of accredited Access to Higher Education Diploma courses in an array of subjects.

Our career-specific courses are delivered online, giving you the freedom to tailor your study schedule around your existing commitments. What’s more, you won’t have to take any exams, and you could complete your course in less than a year! Learners have two years to finish an Access to Higher Education Diploma, but on average, our learners take around 9 months.

The online delivery is through the platform PEARL (Personalised E-Assisted Responsive Learning). Pearl allows learners to achieve recognised Access to Higher Education Diplomas from home, on the move or in the workplace. Learners are at the centre of their learning journey and you will receive full support and guidance on making the most out of the online platform.

Pearl is more than just a delivery tool, course materials, assessments and interactive content are mapped to your specific regulated diploma through a cloud-based Virtual Learning Environment. Learners are able to track their progress through the interactive dashboard, communicate with their peers and tutors, view study materials, resources, eBooks, assignments and feedback.

As a learner on the online Access to Higher Education Diploma you also have the opportunity to drop into college for one-to-one sessions with your course tutor, who will also provide online support throughout the working week.

How will I be assessed?

Learning is assessed in a variety of methods to prepare you to study at university. These may include essays, report writing, academic posters, and presentations.

You must achieve 60 credits at Level 3 to be awarded the Access to HE Diploma:

• Graded – 45 are Graded Credits in Academic Modules at Pass, Merit or Distinction
• Ungraded: 15 are Ungraded Credits in Study Skills.

On successful completion of the Access to Higher Education Diploma, you will receive a Skills & Education Group Access, QAA recognised, Access to Higher Education Diploma at Level 3 with 60 credits.

By studying a recognised and accredited Access to Higher Education Diploma you will gain the essential knowledge in your chosen subject which will underpin your future higher-level study.

We currently offer the following Level 3 Diplomas with multiple enrolment dates throughout the academic year:

Access to HE Diploma (Health Science Professions) Online

Access to HE Diploma (Nursing) Online

Access to HE Diploma (Midwifery) Online

Access to HE Diploma (Radiography) Online

Access to HE Diploma (Biology & Chemistry) Online

Access to HE Diploma (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) Online

Access to HE Diploma (Sports Science) Online

Access to HE Diploma (Paramedic Science) Online

Access to HE Diploma (Veterinary Science) Online

Access to HE Diploma (Psychology) Online

Access to HE Diploma (Law) Online

Access to HE Diploma (Criminology) Online

Access to HE Diploma (Social Work) Online

Access to HE Diploma (Sociology & Psychology) Online

Awarding Body

Skills & Education Group Access

An Access Validating Agency with a strong social purpose to recognise achievement, particularly for those who have benefited least from their previous educational experiences, Skills and Education Group Access supports the needs of learners, providers, businesses and communities by enabling progression into higher education.

For further information, please contact: [email protected] Online Access to HE Coordinator.