The Student Room Group

Doing an A-level alongside an Access to HE Diploma

I am 21 years old with no A-levels (having dropped out in my second year) and after a few years of figuring out what I want to do I've decided I want to return to education and apply to study Computer Science at university. So I was planning on starting a year-long Access to HE (Engineering) offered by one of my local colleges. The course starts in September 2025 and I would apply to start university for 2026 entry.

The access course is two thirds Mathematics and one third Physics and is aimed at students who want to study any degree with a significant mathematical component. Although for many universities this should meet their entry requirements, some still require the A-level (Uni of Bristol for example wants either an A in Maths or for you to pass a mathematical ability test and Uni of Surrey requires A-level Maths grade B).

So I'm now trying to decide whether it would be worth spending the time and money to enroll in an online A-level Maths course to take exams in summer 2026. Is it superfluous to study A-level Maths alongside an already maths-heavy access course? I'm not sure exactly how much overlap there is in terms of content but surely there will be a reason some universities prefer applicants with the full A-level?

I should mention that my first choice uni (Exeter) does not explicitly require the A-level and simply wants 12 credits at Merit grade in an acceptable Mathematics subject area.
Reply 1
I have all a* it is easy
Reply 2
Original post by ryanfeliscatus
I am 21 years old with no A-levels (having dropped out in my second year) and after a few years of figuring out what I want to do I've decided I want to return to education and apply to study Computer Science at university. So I was planning on starting a year-long Access to HE (Engineering) offered by one of my local colleges. The course starts in September 2025 and I would apply to start university for 2026 entry.
The access course is two thirds Mathematics and one third Physics and is aimed at students who want to study any degree with a significant mathematical component. Although for many universities this should meet their entry requirements, some still require the A-level (Uni of Bristol for example wants either an A in Maths or for you to pass a mathematical ability test and Uni of Surrey requires A-level Maths grade B).
So I'm now trying to decide whether it would be worth spending the time and money to enroll in an online A-level Maths course to take exams in summer 2026. Is it superfluous to study A-level Maths alongside an already maths-heavy access course? I'm not sure exactly how much overlap there is in terms of content but surely there will be a reason some universities prefer applicants with the full A-level?
I should mention that my first choice uni (Exeter) does not explicitly require the A-level and simply wants 12 credits at Merit grade in an acceptable Mathematics subject area.

Hey im in the same boat however, I failed A Level Mathematics and got a E in geography, Im planning to now do an access course and hoping I get accepted.
Original post by ryanfeliscatus
I am 21 years old with no A-levels (having dropped out in my second year) and after a few years of figuring out what I want to do I've decided I want to return to education and apply to study Computer Science at university. So I was planning on starting a year-long Access to HE (Engineering) offered by one of my local colleges. The course starts in September 2025 and I would apply to start university for 2026 entry.
The access course is two thirds Mathematics and one third Physics and is aimed at students who want to study any degree with a significant mathematical component. Although for many universities this should meet their entry requirements, some still require the A-level (Uni of Bristol for example wants either an A in Maths or for you to pass a mathematical ability test and Uni of Surrey requires A-level Maths grade B).
So I'm now trying to decide whether it would be worth spending the time and money to enroll in an online A-level Maths course to take exams in summer 2026. Is it superfluous to study A-level Maths alongside an already maths-heavy access course? I'm not sure exactly how much overlap there is in terms of content but surely there will be a reason some universities prefer applicants with the full A-level?
I should mention that my first choice uni (Exeter) does not explicitly require the A-level and simply wants 12 credits at Merit grade in an acceptable Mathematics subject area.

i'm literally in the same boat as you with the exact same circumstances. i hope someone has an answer for us lol

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