Access to HE for Russell group universities?
Has anyone received a place to study at top universities with an access to HE diploma?
Ideally oxbridge or ucl/Lse
Ideally oxbridge or ucl/Lse
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Reply 1
Original post
by Cobblestones2025Has anyone received a place to study at top universities with an access to HE diploma?
Ideally oxbridge or ucl/Lse
Ideally oxbridge or ucl/Lse
Very rarely. It's not the best way to go if you have serious potential and intention to go to a competitive university.
Reply 2
Original post
by threeportdriftVery rarely. It's not the best way to go if you have serious potential and intention to go to a competitive university.
Is it rare because almost nobody does an access course or rare because access courses are not accepte? (for stem).
Since I’m interested in humanities, they are accepted at top universities in this case
Reply 3
Original post
by Cobblestones2025Is it rare because almost nobody does an access course or rare because access courses are not accepte? (for stem).
Since I’m interested in humanities, they are accepted at top universities in this case
Since I’m interested in humanities, they are accepted at top universities in this case
Have you fixed the answer in your head, or were you genuinely asking a question then?
Reply 4
Original post
by threeportdriftHave you fixed the answer in your head, or were you genuinely asking a question then?
Im asking a question
I’m asking if it’s rare to get in with an access course because almost everyone does a levels? Or rare even if someone achieved 45 distinctions meaning it is not a replacement for a levels even though universities accept it?
Reply 5
Original post
by Cobblestones2025Has anyone received a place to study at top universities with an access to HE diploma?
Ideally oxbridge or ucl/Lse
Ideally oxbridge or ucl/Lse
Yes. I’ve received offers from Kings College London and UCL with an HE diploma in History.
Reply 6
Original post
by threeportdriftVery rarely. It's not the best way to go if you have serious potential and intention to go to a competitive university.
This is really not the case. I know of several people who have got offers from Oxford and Cambridge and other top notch universities using their HE Diplomas. A diploma is the equivalent of 3 A levels they are not a walk in the park nor are they easier than A levels -I’ve done both.
Reply 7
Original post
by eis20This is really not the case. I know of several people who have got offers from Oxford and Cambridge and other top notch universities using their HE Diplomas. A diploma is the equivalent of 3 A levels they are not a walk in the park nor are they easier than A levels -I’ve done both.
It's absolutely the case. Just because you know 'several' does not mean that it it is the best route, that a high proportion of HE students will get in, that a higher proportion of HE students than A level etc. I also know 'several' HE students who have got in to Cambridge - that doesn't mean that statistically it is the best route to take, if you have the option of taking A levels.
Reply 8
HE Diplomas are specifically designed for mature students or those who faced disruption or challenges to their education, Im also on HE Diploma and I feel as though it is preparing me better for uni than A levels, which I did and got all A* in my mocks
Reply 9
Original post
by eis20Yes. I’ve received offers from Kings College London and UCL with an HE diploma in History.
Did you apply this year with predicted or already achieved access grades? Thanks
Reply 10
Original post
by Cobblestones2025Did you apply this year with predicted or already achieved access grades? Thanks
I applied with achieved grades for my diploma. Because I was applying for languages I did a French A level as well. But for other humanities you usually only need the diploma.
Reply 11
I have an offer from UCL and other top universities. I would love to see these statistics on this supposed rarity. Let's be honest though; students mostly do A-Levels.
Reply 12
Original post
by random_mattI have an offer from UCL and other top universities. I would love to see these statistics on this supposed rarity. Let's be honest though; students mostly do A-Levels.
When did you get your offer/apply and for what course??? I'm on a humanities and social sciences Access to HE Diploma and I applied mid January for Law at UCL, still no answer
Reply 13
Original post
by kaiittlouuWhen did you get your offer/apply and for what course??? I'm on a humanities and social sciences Access to HE Diploma and I applied mid January for Law at UCL, still no answer
UCL usually send out the majority of offers in April/May (I think). I applied in October and received an offer in February for Finnish and East European studies.
Reply 14
Original post
by eis20I applied with achieved grades for my diploma. Because I was applying for languages I did a French A level as well. But for other humanities you usually only need the diploma.
So the access course was from 2023-2024?
Reply 15
Original post
by random_mattI have an offer from UCL and other top universities. I would love to see these statistics on this supposed rarity. Let's be honest though; students mostly do A-Levels.
Which universities if you don’t mind? You can also message me (I’m new so messages don’t
Also, almost everyone does a levels so that’s why access courses are not that popular
Reply 16
Original post
by Cobblestones2025So the access course was from 2023-2024?
Yes. I started in March 2024 and completed it in September 2024 in time to apply to UCAS.
Reply 17
Original post
by Cobblestones2025Which universities if you don’t mind? You can also message me (I’m new so messages don’t
Also, almost everyone does a levels so that’s why access courses are not that popular
Also, almost everyone does a levels so that’s why access courses are not that popular
This year I got offers from York, Sheffield, SOAS and UCL. In the past I have had offers from Durham, Exeter and Glasgow too.
Reply 18
Original post
by kaiittlouuWhen did you get your offer/apply and for what course??? I'm on a humanities and social sciences Access to HE Diploma and I applied mid January for Law at UCL, still no answer
Let us know whether you get an offer in the end. I haven't seen many students applying with an Access to He (compared to more traditional qualifications) and for Law.
I really hope you get in though, since Access courses are usually taken by people who have faced disruptions to their education. It makes it even more admirable that you're willing to work towards your goals despite all the setbacks.
Reply 19
Original post
by Cobblestones2025So the access course was from 2023-2024?
Just a reminder. As someone pointed out earlier Access courses are specifically for mature students. You have to be 19 going on 20 to even register for an Access course. Obviously, mature students are in the minority so the vast majority of applicants will have A levels that they take at 17/18.
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