Access to Higher Education
Aim high and achieve your dreams.
NSCG's programme of Access to Higher Education Diplomas aged at adult learners aged 19+ can help you to get to where you want to be and will give you the necessary skills to prepare you for university study.
A nationally recognised qualification (equivalent to A Levels) it allows adult learners to progress to Higher Education. These courses are ideal if you have been out of education for some time, especially if you left school with too few qualifications to be able to go straight to university.
Available Courses
Stafford College
Access to HE Diploma (Health Professions) - Day and Evening
Level 3
Part-Time
Adults
Newcastle College
Access to HE Diploma (Health Professions) - Evening
Level 3
Part-Time
Adults
Newcastle College
Access to HE Diploma (Social Science) - Day & Evening
Level 3
Full-Time
Adults
Stafford College
Access to HE Diploma (Social Science)
Level 3
Full-Time
Adults
Newcastle College
Access to HE Diploma (Social Science)
Level 3
Full-Time
Adults
Stafford College
Access to HE Diploma (Health Professions)
Level 3
Full-Time
Adults
If you want to change your career and become more confident in your career choices as an adult learner aged 19+, then one of our Access to Higher Education (Access to HE) courses are designed to fast track your route to university.
Our courses are filled with return-to-work mums, mature people looking for a more meaningful career, and adults who maybe weren’t sure what they wanted when they left school, but now want to train for a profession – you’ll get to study and socialise with learners from a variety of backgrounds.
Studying has never been easier. With flexible study options, including full and part-time courses, you could soon be on your way to becoming a nurse, midwife, paramedic, teacher, prison officer or social worker, just like many of our recent mature students.
What financial support can I access? You can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to help with the costs of your course if you're 19 or older and the course you are studying is an eligible Level 3, 4, 5 or 6 course. Visit nscg.ac.uk/support for more information
What can I expect? The Access to HE Diploma is a course which runs over one year (September to May). Students should expect to be in college for 15 hours per week over 3 days and to undertake 15 hours private study per week.
The Access to HE Diploma (Health Professionals) pathway can be studied on a part-time basis over 1 year. This is an intensive course, and you would be expected to attend college 2 evenings per week plus some private study from home.
What will I learn? All students will study at least three subject modules at Level 3 relevant to their chosen progression route and study skills (preparing for higher education).
Coming back as an adult learner can be daunting, but well worth the sacrifices. It’s so rewarding even if your unsure of going to university. The friends you’ll make and the experiences and confidence you’ll gain will be worth it.
Heather Gent
Course(s)
Access to HE Diploma (Science)
Destination
University of Edinburgh to study Biomedical Science
I decided to apply for the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health Professionals) so that I could concentrate on my goal to qualify as a paramedic. I am grateful that this course has provided me with a positive focus.
Daniel Hillifer
Course(s)
Access to HE Diploma (Health Professionals)
Destination
Staffordshire University to study Paramedic Science
An inspirational environment.
Take a look at some of things our Access to HE students have been up as part of their studies.
Upcoming events
Access to Higher Education drop-in session
Have you been out of education for a while, but hope to progress to university to pursue your dream career in the near future?
14 February 2025
2 - 11am
Newcastle
