How do I find out what courses are available?
How long are the courses and how often are the classes?
How and when do I apply?
Are there facilities to support people with young children?
Are the courses accessible to people with disabilities?
What qualifications do I need to apply for an Access course?
What if my English or mathematics is not up to the level required for the course?
What do I study on an Access course and how is it taught?
How will my work be assessed? Will I have to do exams?
Am I too old?
Are Access courses recognised by universities?
How much does it cost? Can I get help to finance my study?
I have lost my certificate. How can I replace it?

Please note, there are more learner FAQs on the Access to HE website at www.accesstohe.ac.uk.

How do I find out what courses are available?

All OCN Access to HE courses in London are listed in our London Access to HE Courses Directory. We also recommend you visit the Access to HE website (http://www.accesstohe.ac.uk) where there is a lot of information about Access to HE, including details of courses across the regions. There is also a section about Access on the UCAS website (www.ucas.ac.uk). Most courses are delivered in further education colleges, although some adult education centres, community centres and universities also offer Access to HE courses.

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How long are the courses and how often are the classes?

Access courses vary in length and in their hours of attendance to suit the different people they cater to. While the majority run full-time during the day (over three terms for one year), some run part-time in the day and/or in the evening over one or two years with learners attending perhaps two days and one evening or three evenings a week to fit in with work, family or other responsibilities.

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How and when do I apply?

Applications can be made at any time, but it is advisable to apply early (from one year before the course starts) and it is important to remember that the academic year normally starts in September. Open evenings are held for many Access courses and at these you can find out more about the courses you are interested in. During an open evening, you can meet the course tutor and current learners.

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Are there facilities to support people with young children?

Childcare facilities are available in some colleges and adult education centres, but they may not be available on a particular site. Since places are limited it is important to apply as early as possible if you will need to use these facilities.

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Are the courses accessible to people with disabilities?

Learners with disabilities are welcomed. There are student services officers or advisers in colleges and institutions to give guidance on particular requirements.

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What qualifications do I need to apply for an Access course?

You do not need any qualifications to enrol on Access courses. One of the key features of Access to HE courses is that most don't require you to
have any particular previous qualifications to start - and it doesn't matter how long it is since you last studied. The Access to HE course will help you to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence you need to prepare you for university, without any assumptions about what you may have done in the past.
However, the tutors will want to be sure that you can cope with the demands of the Access course and the demands of studying in higher education. You may be asked to write a short piece (on your ideas, interests or background, for example). For some courses, your understanding of English and/or your mathematics skills will be assessed. For others you could be asked to produce some of your own work, such as photographs or artwork. On all courses you will be interviewed before being offered a place.

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What if my English or mathematics is not up to the level required for the course?

Colleges and institutions either provide, or can refer you to, workshops or classes which will help you bring your skills up to the level required for a particular course. There are also classes for those with English as a second language (ESOL). Colleges also offer a variety of other courses for people who are interested in returning to study or training but may not be ready for an Access course. These can be useful in giving you the opportunity to see what it is like to be studying again. They are part-time and may be short courses or may last for an entire year.
For further details about admissions criteria onto Access courses please follow this link to the QAA website: http://www.qaa.ac.uk/access

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What do I study on an Access course and how is it taught?

Learning to develop ideas, write essays and make notes are all important parts of Access courses. In addition, you are introduced to subjects that will be covered more fully in the degree and diploma courses you intend to pursue in Higher Education. Class teaching is often informal. Individual help and tutorial support are available for all learners. Many find that they are also helped by other learners on their course. While Access courses involve a lot of hard work, most learners thoroughly enjoy developing their own interests and skills.

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How will my work be assessed? Will I have to do exams?

Learners’ progress on Access courses is measured in different ways. Learners are usually assessed on the basis of the work they complete in class and at home, which may include projects, and this work is usually compiled as a portfolio. However, on most courses learners take an examination or complete assignments under exam conditions. This is essential as it prepares them for the types of assessment commonly used in higher education. On all OCN Access courses, learners can gain credits for all their assessed work.

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Am I too old?

No. Almost everyone considering an Access to HE course worries that they may have left it too late. On the contrary; your life experience will be valuable on the course and you'll find that other Access to HE learners - and learners in universities - are of a wide age range.

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Are Access courses recognised by universities?

Access to HE courses have been around since the 1970s and have been designed and developed with the support of universities. Some Access courses have links with specific higher education institutions and learners who successfully complete these Access courses are guaranteed interviews on the linked HE course. Other Access courses offer either a broad general preparation for HE or a specific area of study, and have informal links with higher education institutions. All OCN Access to HE courses are listed on the UCAS website (http://www.ucas.ac.uk/students/beforeyouapply/access_programmes/). The details of OCNLR Access courses are also available on this website for HE institutions to view.

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How much does it cost? Can I get help to finance my study?

We strongly recommend that potential learners get advice and information on funding their studies before embarking on a course. It is important to discuss your situation with the college well in advance. Having the right information will allow realistic consideration of budgetary issues, helping to prevent problems associated with financial constraints.
There are two areas of finance that you’ll need to consider: course fees and living costs. Many Access to HE learners don’t have to pay course fees and, depending on your circumstances, you may be able to get financial help towards the costs of your learning, and related costs like travel and childcare.
Student Services Officers at the college to which you are applying, or local Careers Services, can advise you on these matters. Explanations of loans, grants and state benefits are too complex and detailed to include here and we suggest that potential learners refer to their Social Security Office, Local Authority or any of the Careers Services.

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I have lost my certificate. How can I replace it?

Replacement certificate forms can be downloaded here:

Document Name	Open in MS Word	Open in PDF
Replacement Certificate Form (RC) 2009-10

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