Missed your grades? Your university journey doesn’t have to end here.
Receiving your A-Level results can be an emotional experience, especially if they don’t match the grades you were hoping for. If you’ve missed the entry requirements for your chosen university or course, it’s natural to feel disappointed.
The good news is that not getting the grades you expected doesn’t mean giving up on your university ambitions. Every year, thousands of learners reach higher education through alternative routes, including Access to Higher Education Diplomas.
Whether you’ve just received your results or you’re returning to education later in life, there are several ways to keep moving towards your goals.
What are your options?
If your A-Level results weren’t what you hoped for, here are some of the routes you can consider.
Contact your chosen university
If you’ve only just missed your offer, contact the university directly before making any decisions. Admissions teams may still be able to offer you a place, an alternative course or another suitable pathway.
Explore UCAS Clearing
UCAS Clearing allows universities to advertise available places on degree courses that still have vacancies. If you’re flexible about where or what you study, you may find another course that’s right for you.
Retake your A Levels
If you’re determined to study a particular subject or attend a specific university, retaking one or more A Levels may be the best option. Distance learning providers also make it possible to study A Levels online around work or other commitments.
Consider a degree apprenticeship
Degree apprenticeships allow you to earn a salary while studying towards a recognised degree qualification. These programmes combine academic learning with practical workplace experience, although competition for places can be high.
Choose an Access to Higher Education Diploma
If you’re aged 19 or over, an Access to Higher Education Diploma offers an alternative route to university.
Designed specifically for adult learners, Access to HE Diplomas are Level 3 qualifications that prepare you for degree-level study by combining subject-specific knowledge with the academic skills needed to succeed at university.
Unlike traditional A Levels, you’ll focus on one specialist subject area that’s directly related to the degree you want to study.
Why choose an Access to HE Diploma?
An Access to Higher Education Diploma is ideal if you already know the career or degree subject you’d like to pursue.
Rather than studying several separate subjects, you’ll develop knowledge that’s directly relevant to your future university course while also building essential academic skills.
Throughout your studies you’ll develop skills including:
- Academic writing
- Reading and note-making
- Independent research
- Critical thinking
- Time management and study skills
These skills are designed to help you feel confident and prepared when you begin your degree.
Many learners complete their Access to HE Diploma in around 9–12 months, although you’ll have the flexibility to study at a pace that suits your circumstances.
Flexible online learning
One of the biggest advantages of studying with Stonebridge College is flexibility.
Because your course is delivered online, you can fit your studies around work, family and existing commitments. You’ll also receive support from a dedicated tutor throughout your learning journey, along with access to our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).
This means you can continue earning while preparing for university.
A route that’s changed lives
Many successful professionals have reached university through an Access to Higher Education Diploma.
Follow in the footsteps of Access to Higher Education Diploma graduate Nneka Akudolu, who completed an Access to Higher Education Diploma before securing a place at Cardiff University. She has since gone on to become a criminal barrister, demonstrating how an alternative route into higher education can lead to an entirely new career.
Funding your studies
Starting your journey to university shouldn’t mean putting your finances under unnecessary pressure.
At Stonebridge College, our flexible subscription model helps make studying more affordable by allowing you to spread the cost of your Access to Higher Education Diploma through manageable monthly payments.
With no need to wait for a new academic year, you can enrol when you’re ready, begin studying straight away and learn at a pace that fits around your work, family and other commitments.
Combined with flexible online learning and dedicated tutor support, it’s designed to make returning to education as accessible and convenient as possible.
Your results don’t define your future
Missing your A-Level grades can feel like a setback, but it doesn’t have to stop you achieving your ambitions.
An Access to Higher Education Diploma offers thousands of learners an alternative route into university every year, helping them develop the knowledge, confidence and academic skills needed to succeed in higher education.
Whether you’re changing career, returning to education after time away or simply looking for another route to university, Stonebridge College’s Access to Higher Education Diplomas can help you take the next step towards your future.
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