Access to Higher Education

Course Code: 3893

Duration : 1 year

Access to HE Diplomas are a well established set of qualifications designed for people who do not have the qualification to enter a university level course but who do have life experience and a willingness to learn.

Learners accumulate credits throughout the course towards the Access Diploma awarded by LASER (Formerly OCN South East Region) which is regulated by the QAA (Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education).

The courses are Designed for Mature Learners (19+) and enable us as far as possible to put together a programme of study which best suits their needs.
The course prepares learners for a wide range of studies at university and will build confidence and abilities in literacy, numeracy. I.T., research and study skills and a Level 3 qualification.

Many of our students progress to local universities such as Canterbury Christ Church, Greenwich and University of Kent, although some decide to go further afield and progress to universities across the country.


Access to Humanities

The Humanities pathway consists of four mandatory modules and one optional module which is chosen by the learner. The pathway generally opens up employment in such areas as teaching, the legal profession, politics and journalism and well as numerous others.

The compulsory modules are Study Skills and IT Skills and two Humanities subjects.

Study skills is compulsory and prepares you for HE by informing you of the essential skills needed for writing essays and making oral presentations, as well as other academic requirements such as note -taking, researching, revision and examination techniques. Advice will also be given on time management and personal organisation.

The IT unit aims to develop your IT skills so that you can work effectively and confidently with Word Processesing, Powerpoint and Spreadsheets. The course is designed to be accessible and useful to everyone, from the complete beginner to the experienced user.

Access to Health Professions

The Health Professions pathway consists of Human Biology and 2 other mandatory modules for the main subjects as well as compulsory IT and Study skills.
Study skills prepares you for HE by informing you of the essential skills needed for writing essays and making oral presentations, as well as other academic requirements such as note-taking researching, revision and examination techniques. Advice will also be given on time management and personal organisation.
The IT unit aims to develop your IT skills so that you can work effectively and confidently with Word Processing, PowerPoint and Spreadsheets. The course is designed to be accessible and useful to everyone, from the complete beginner to the experienced user.
You will be offered additional support in the form of weekly tutorials with an academic tutor and have access to a pastoral tutor if required.
No formal external examination however there are ongoing assessments throughout the course and a portfolio is submitted for external validation.


For those learners who do not already have GCSE maths, English, science or equivalent, these can also be included.

Entry Requirements:

No formal qualifications but all learners must complete an initial assessment in Math and English and achieve a minimum level of competency followed by a successful interview.

Career Options:

The college has developed close links with local universities and also offers many HE courses in Tonbridge and Ashford.

Course Starting: Monday 10 Sep 2012 - Full Time - Dover

Course Starting: Monday 10 Sep 2012 - Full Time - Ashford

Course Starting: Monday 10 Sep 2012 - Full Time - Tonbridge