HE QUALIFICATIONS EXPLAINED

Access to Higher Education Diplomas are specifically designed for learners aged 19 or over, who wish to take a university-level course but don’t have the normal entrance requirements for higher education. These qualifications are recognised by universities and other higher education institutions as an alternative to the standard A Level/BTEC entry.

Our Access to HE Diplomas are available to study either full-time over one year (three days a week in our University Centre), and/or part-time over two years, offering you greater flexibility and the opportunity to balance your home and work life.

Year after year, our students secure places at the country’s leading universities on courses such as midwifery, nursing, psychology, paramedic science, sport and exercise science, optometry and many more.

If you don't have the grades you need to join our Access to HE course, don't worry! Our pre-Access to HE course, called 'Award in Skills for Employment, Training & Personal Development' will give you the academic and professional skills needed to prepare you for any Access to HE or HE programme.

Higher National Certificates (HNCs) are a Level 4, one-year vocational qualification.

They focus on ‘learning by doing’ and teach you very specific skills relating to a particular job. These qualifications are very highly regarded by employers both in the UK and overseas and can also count towards membership of professional bodies and other employer organisations. 

Most of our HNCs are available to study full-time over one year, or part-time over two years. offering you greater flexibility and the opportunity to balance your home and work life.

Because HNCs are specifically designed to give you the skills for a particular field of work, they can lead straight to a career. You can also use the qualifications to progress within your current career to gain professional status.

A Higher National Diploma (HND) is a Level 5, two-year vocational qualification.

If you know exactly what industry or career you want to work in, completing an HND can offer a faster and more direct route into your chosen job by training you in the specific skills you need to excel in your career.

You can complete an HND direct from college or from full-time employment.

Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) are a new government initiative, created in response to skills shortages in specific areas of the economy, and the need to attract people with Level 4 and Level 5 qualifications into these job roles.

The new qualifications have been developed in collaboration with employers and businesses and have been rigorously assessed by a panel of experts at the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.

HTQs will provide students with the skills and qualifications needed to progress into their chosen career, or progress to further higher-level study including a full degree programme or degree apprenticeship.