For anyone returning to education with the intention of studying at university, there has never been a better time. Whether you are looking to change careers, gain new skills or progress towards higher education, there are now more flexible learning routes available than ever before.
Traditional and distance learning educators offer individuals several paths to higher education.
Arguably the most common and widely recognised options are Access to Higher Education Diploma courses and A Levels.
Both qualifications can provide a pathway to university, but they are designed for different types of learners and study goals.
However, the two approaches are different with advantages and drawbacks to both. In truth, it comes down to the kind of educational experience you want from your study.
The right choice will depend on factors such as your previous qualifications, the degree you want to study, the entry requirements of your chosen university and how you want to balance learning alongside your existing commitments.
Whether you know exactly what you want to study at university and what you need to study in order to be eligible to enrol will help determine which route is right for you.
You also need to consider how long you want to spend gaining your Access to Higher Education Diploma or A Levels. Or perhaps a better way of putting it is – how much time can you commit.
For many adult learners, flexibility is an important factor when choosing a qualification, particularly when balancing education with work, family and other responsibilities.
We break down the two approaches, so you know which route to Higher Education is right for you.
Access to Higher Education Diploma Courses
The Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma qualification was created so more people could study at university if they chose to.
The qualification was developed to provide an alternative route into higher education for adults who may not have followed the traditional school-leaver pathway.
This was in response to the fact that the education had failed certain individuals. Or left them behind altogether. It also reflects the changing world and our desire to educate ourselves or retrain should we have need or desire.
Today, Access to HE Diplomas support thousands of adult learners each year who want to return to education, change careers or progress towards university-level study.
The Access to HE Diploma route to university is ideal for anyone who didn’t achieve good (or any) grades at school. Or anyone who must juggle a busy work and home life in addition to study.
However, Access to HE Diplomas are not only for learners who missed out on qualifications earlier in life. They are designed for anyone aged 19 or over who wants to gain a recognised Level 3 qualification before progressing to university.
Although it’s important to understand Access to HE Diplomas aren’t just for people who didn’t do as well as they’d hoped at school. They are intended for anyone over the age of 19 so really, anyone wanting to go to university can get a diploma.
They are particularly popular with mature learners and career changers because the courses are designed with adult education in mind.
This is ideal for anyone who wants to train in an entirely new field but can’t get on to their chosen course with the qualifications they have.
Access to HE Diplomas are available in a wide range of subjects, allowing learners to choose a pathway aligned with their future career goals. For example, Stonebridge College offers Access to Higher Education Diplomas in areas including nursing, midwifery, social work, health and social care, psychology, business, education, computing, engineering, criminology and veterinary science.
There are two big advantages to Access to HE Diplomas over A Levels.
The first is the course material is targeted at a more mature audience which means it will feel much more on your level.
Unlike traditional school-based qualifications, Access to HE Diplomas are specifically designed for adult learners returning to education and focus on developing both subject knowledge and the academic skills needed for university study.
The second is that you only need to study one subject, rather than 3 if you were taking A Levels. This is great providing you know what course you want to study at university.
Instead of completing multiple separate qualifications, an Access to HE Diploma provides a focused pathway towards a specific area of higher education.
This is a considerable time saving, especially as an Access to HE Diploma can be completed within around 9-12 months depending on your pace of study and circumstances. This means you can gain your qualification and apply potentially within a year.
Learners have flexibility in how they complete their studies, allowing them to balance their qualification alongside work, family commitments and other responsibilities.
There’s also lots of different courses to choose from so you’ll be able to gain a diploma that meets the entry requirements of almost any degree course.
However, it is important to check the entry requirements for your chosen university and degree course before enrolling.
Just make sure you check with your chosen university that:
- they accept Access to HE Diplomas – because not all do and
- the diploma you have chosen will get you on to the university course.
Universities set their own requirements, so you should confirm that your chosen Access to HE Diploma is suitable for your intended degree pathway.
You will also need to have completed your course in full before you can start your degree. Access to HE Diplomas consist of 60 credits – 45 at level 3, 15 credits at level 2 or 3. You need all 60 credits to be awarded your diploma.
Access to HE Diplomas consist of 60 credits, including 45 graded Level 3 credits and additional ungraded credits. Learners must successfully complete the full qualification before receiving their diploma.
The other important thing to quick is that your Access to Higher Education Diploma is recognised by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). If not you course, while no doubt very interesting, won’t help you get into university.
It is also important to choose an Access to HE Diploma that is regulated within the Access to HE framework overseen by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). This ensures the qualification meets the recognised national standards required for progression to university.
A Levels
A Levels are – relatively speaking – the more traditional route into Higher Education. They have been the standardised school-leaving qualification since 1951 and have helped millions of people progress to university.
It is for this reason that all universities recognise them.
A Levels remain a widely recognised qualification and continue to be a common route into higher education, particularly for school-leavers.
Whereas you only need one Access course to get into university, you will need two to three A Levels. Depending on the course and the university.
The number of A Levels required depends on the university and degree course, with many institutions setting specific subject and grade requirements.
However, this allows you to study subjects that complement each other to give you a strong foundation upon which to build your knowledge.
Studying multiple A Levels can provide a broader academic foundation and may be suitable for learners who want to keep their future study options open.
If you already have A Levels, you may find the university will only require you to take one or two additional courses. Rather than having to start from scratch.
Your previous qualifications and experience can influence which route is most suitable, so it is always worth checking the requirements of your chosen university before deciding how to progress.
Another big advantage is, because A Levels are the widely recognised, adding to existing qualifications helps your employability.
A Levels can demonstrate academic ability and remain recognised by employers and education providers. However, for adults returning to education, an Access to HE Diploma may provide a more direct route towards a specific career goal.
One of the main criticisms of A Level study for older students is having to study with college age students. Understandably this can be off putting.
Especially if you didn’t do well at school the first-time, or you’ve been out of education for some time. Or both.
For adult learners returning to education, studying alongside younger students can feel like a concern. However, distance learning provides a flexible alternative, allowing you to study independently from home.
Distance learning allows you to study your A Levels in the privacy and comfort of your own home. No classrooms, no judging teenagers. You can just focus on the learning.
With online study, learners can focus on their education in a way that fits around their lifestyle and commitments.
The obvious drawback to this is it takes longer to complete your studies than an Access to HE Diploma. Assuming an A Level can be completed in 6-9 months, your studies will take two or three times longer.
The overall timeframe will depend on how many A Levels you need and your own pace of study. Completing multiple qualifications may take longer than completing a single Access to HE Diploma.
If you’re in no rush, however, then it’s not a problem. You can still be ready to apply in a couple of years.
What Next?
First, if you haven’t already check what the entry requirements are for the course you’d like to study are. That will inform your decision. If that university doesn’t accept Access to HE Diplomas then you may have to study A Levels.
The first step is to research your chosen degree course and check the entry requirements with your preferred university. This will help you understand which qualifications are accepted and which pathway is right for you.
In addition, check what grades you will require. Whereas a diploma is pass or fail, A Levels are graded so factor that into your decision-making process.
It is also important to understand how qualifications are assessed. Access to HE Diplomas include graded and ungraded units, while A Levels are awarded based on final grades.
Once you have chosen your preferred route to Higher Education it is simply a case of enrolling on the course of courses and commencing your studies.
Once you have chosen your pathway, you can begin your studies and start working towards your future goals.
Both A Levels and Access to Higher Education Diplomas can be studied via distance learning providers. This means you can study when it suits you at a pace you are comfortable with.
Access to Higher Education Diplomas are particularly suited to flexible online learning, allowing adult learners to study around existing commitments.
While it is possible to complete these courses in 6-9 months many students take longer. You have up to 2 years ago complete any Access to Higher Education Diploma course you enrol on so if you think time is going to be an issue, that may well be considered choice.
Many learners complete their Access to Higher Education Diploma within around 9-12 months, although the flexible structure allows additional time if required.
Stonebridge College offers a wide range of Access to Higher Education Diplomas designed to help adult learners progress towards university and achieve their career goals.
With 100% online study, qualified tutor support and a flexible subscription-based learning model, you can work towards your qualification in a way that fits around your life.
Whether you are looking to start a new career, gain the qualifications needed for university or return to education after a break, Stonebridge College can support your next step.
Explore our Access to Higher Education Diplomas today and begin your journey towards higher education.
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