Access To Higher Education
Hello everyone,
I'm currently in my mid twenties and really wanting to go to university to fulfil my passions either in music or film studies (preferably music). However, researching the different universities and their requirements/ whether they accept access to higher education diplomas and it is a rocky road so I'm looking for advice.
Can any access to higher education course get you into the top universities given you attain a credible score? I figured it's better to aim for a university you really want to get into regardless of the difficult acceptance rate rather than shy away from it.
My main question is does your access to higher education course have to be related to the degree that you wish to study once you make it to university? The problem is I cannot find any access to higher education courses that are related to music or performing arts in general.
I'd be more than willing to do social studies and humanities or the likes of English Literature as a stepping stone towards the degree I actually want to do in the future. Any advice?
Thank you in advance.
I'm currently in my mid twenties and really wanting to go to university to fulfil my passions either in music or film studies (preferably music). However, researching the different universities and their requirements/ whether they accept access to higher education diplomas and it is a rocky road so I'm looking for advice.
Can any access to higher education course get you into the top universities given you attain a credible score? I figured it's better to aim for a university you really want to get into regardless of the difficult acceptance rate rather than shy away from it.
My main question is does your access to higher education course have to be related to the degree that you wish to study once you make it to university? The problem is I cannot find any access to higher education courses that are related to music or performing arts in general.
I'd be more than willing to do social studies and humanities or the likes of English Literature as a stepping stone towards the degree I actually want to do in the future. Any advice?
Thank you in advance.
Reply 1
Original post
by Lee5020SOGHello everyone,
I'm currently in my mid twenties and really wanting to go to university to fulfil my passions either in music or film studies (preferably music). However, researching the different universities and their requirements/ whether they accept access to higher education diplomas and it is a rocky road so I'm looking for advice.
Can any access to higher education course get you into the top universities given you attain a credible score? I figured it's better to aim for a university you really want to get into regardless of the difficult acceptance rate rather than shy away from it.
My main question is does your access to higher education course have to be related to the degree that you wish to study once you make it to university? The problem is I cannot find any access to higher education courses that are related to music or performing arts in general.
I'd be more than willing to do social studies and humanities or the likes of English Literature as a stepping stone towards the degree I actually want to do in the future. Any advice?
Thank you in advance.
I'm currently in my mid twenties and really wanting to go to university to fulfil my passions either in music or film studies (preferably music). However, researching the different universities and their requirements/ whether they accept access to higher education diplomas and it is a rocky road so I'm looking for advice.
Can any access to higher education course get you into the top universities given you attain a credible score? I figured it's better to aim for a university you really want to get into regardless of the difficult acceptance rate rather than shy away from it.
My main question is does your access to higher education course have to be related to the degree that you wish to study once you make it to university? The problem is I cannot find any access to higher education courses that are related to music or performing arts in general.
I'd be more than willing to do social studies and humanities or the likes of English Literature as a stepping stone towards the degree I actually want to do in the future. Any advice?
Thank you in advance.
Hi @Lee5020SOG.
While a subject-specific course is ideal, it’s not always necessary. Most universities accept Access courses in Humanities, English, or Social Sciences for arts-related degrees, including many music or film programmes, especially if the course has strong essay-writing and analytical components. Where practical or creative elements are involved, such as in performance or production degrees, your portfolio, experience, or audition often carry more weight than the course title.
Top universities can and do accept Access students, provided you achieve the required number of Distinctions and meet any GCSE requirements. The key is to research individual universities carefully and contact admissions teams directly where needed, as policies vary widely.
If you’re unable to find an Access course in music or performing arts, choosing a broader one such as Humanities or Literature is a strong and accepted alternative. Supplementing this with your own creative work and experience can make you a strong candidate, even at competitive institutions.
In short, your plan is realistic. Aim high, choose your Access course strategically, build a strong portfolio if needed, and don’t hesitate to reach out to universities. You’re more capable and eligible than you might think!
LJMU Student Rep
Tomike
Reply 2
Original post
by Lee5020SOGHello everyone,
I'm currently in my mid twenties and really wanting to go to university to fulfil my passions either in music or film studies (preferably music). However, researching the different universities and their requirements/ whether they accept access to higher education diplomas and it is a rocky road so I'm looking for advice.
Can any access to higher education course get you into the top universities given you attain a credible score? I figured it's better to aim for a university you really want to get into regardless of the difficult acceptance rate rather than shy away from it.
My main question is does your access to higher education course have to be related to the degree that you wish to study once you make it to university? The problem is I cannot find any access to higher education courses that are related to music or performing arts in general.
I'd be more than willing to do social studies and humanities or the likes of English Literature as a stepping stone towards the degree I actually want to do in the future. Any advice?
Thank you in advance.
I'm currently in my mid twenties and really wanting to go to university to fulfil my passions either in music or film studies (preferably music). However, researching the different universities and their requirements/ whether they accept access to higher education diplomas and it is a rocky road so I'm looking for advice.
Can any access to higher education course get you into the top universities given you attain a credible score? I figured it's better to aim for a university you really want to get into regardless of the difficult acceptance rate rather than shy away from it.
My main question is does your access to higher education course have to be related to the degree that you wish to study once you make it to university? The problem is I cannot find any access to higher education courses that are related to music or performing arts in general.
I'd be more than willing to do social studies and humanities or the likes of English Literature as a stepping stone towards the degree I actually want to do in the future. Any advice?
Thank you in advance.
researching the different universities and their requirements/ whether they accept access to higher education diplomas and it is a rocky road so I'm looking for advice.
I haven't come across a single website or AI that would list all of the courses from all of the universities that explicitly accept Access courses. Unfortunately, you would have to do things the old fashion way and look up the entry requirements for the individual courses at the individual universities to check for yourself. Even if the university accepts Access courses in general, they might still reject your application for specific courses if you apply with an Access course.
Do note, entry requirements can change year to year, so you have to check regularly if you decide to apply next year.
Can any access to higher education course get you into the top universities given you attain a credible score?
It's accepted at certain top universities, but not necessarily in others. For example, I know Imperial College doesn't accept them.
The standard entry requirement for most universities (top and mid-tier) tend to be 30 Distinctions and 15 Merits. It's usually the top of the top that requires the straight 45 Distinctions (usually with other requirements on top).
I figured it's better to aim for a university you really want to get into regardless of the difficult acceptance rate rather than shy away from it.
This is generally a good attitude to have. Sometimes you get more than you bargained for.
My main question is does your access to higher education course have to be related to the degree that you wish to study once you make it to university?
It depends on the entry requirements of the individual degree course. The general rule of thumb that I have when it comes to application using Access is if it requires specific A Level subjects in its requirements for A Levels, then chances are you would likely need a subject specific Access course with an subject specific A Level on top of your Access course. If it doesn't (like it doesn't for film degrees), then you generally don't.
Top end music degrees generally require Music A Level as part of their requirements, so you would need to check on this. Having said that, some music schools care more about your music ability than your grades, so you might be able to get away with applying with an Access course so long you can perform in the interview. In some cases, you can even use your music certificates to meet part of the entry requirements. As in all cases, you would need to check the entry requirements (with a fine toothcomb) to be sure.
The problem is I cannot find any access to higher education courses that are related to music or performing arts in general.
Yeah, they're usually a pain to find. I don't think I have come across an Access course that cover film, but there are a couple for music. See the following search engine for example: https://www.accesstohe.ac.uk/course-search
On the other hand, you typically have BTEC Level 3 in music and performing art subjects. If the university accepts Access, then chances are they will accept BTEC as well. Although BTEC requires 2 years, they should cost roughly the same. Again, I would check the entry requirements of the individual course at the individual university to check.
I'd be more than willing to do social studies and humanities or the likes of English Literature as a stepping stone towards the degree I actually want to do in the future. Any advice?
This again will depend on the entry requirements of the individual degree at the individual university. For subjects like film where they practically don't care what subjects you picked so long you have the grades, your Access could be in any subject and you can still get in so long you meet grade requirements. Don't like social studies, humanities, or English? They should accept Access in science, psychology, computer engineering as well. Degrees like film are flexible; they're not the problem.
The problem comes where you are required to have specific subjects like for some music degrees. Even if you did an Access in a random subject, they might very well require additional A Levels or other qualifications on top to supplement your application. See the following for example:
https://www.ncl.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees/w300/
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/2025/music/ba-music/#entry-requirements
https://www.york.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/ba-music/#entry
For some universities, the Access course needs to be specifically in Music (as opposed to Music Tech, etc.):
https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/2026/music-bmus#entryreqs
https://courses.leeds.ac.uk/a004/music-ba#entry
https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/music-degree-ba#entry
The only way to know for sure if it's not clear is to contact the undergrad admissions of the specific music department of the specific university that you wish to study at. Sometimes the entry requirements for the music degree is not made obvious for applicants with Access diplomas (e.g. a number of Scottish, Welsh, and Irish universities). Even then, the entry requirements might be out of date.
(edited 10 months ago)
Reply 3
Original post
by Lee5020SOGHello everyone,
I'm currently in my mid twenties and really wanting to go to university to fulfil my passions either in music or film studies (preferably music). However, researching the different universities and their requirements/ whether they accept access to higher education diplomas and it is a rocky road so I'm looking for advice.
Can any access to higher education course get you into the top universities given you attain a credible score? I figured it's better to aim for a university you really want to get into regardless of the difficult acceptance rate rather than shy away from it.
My main question is does your access to higher education course have to be related to the degree that you wish to study once you make it to university? The problem is I cannot find any access to higher education courses that are related to music or performing arts in general.
I'd be more than willing to do social studies and humanities or the likes of English Literature as a stepping stone towards the degree I actually want to do in the future. Any advice?
Thank you in advance.
I'm currently in my mid twenties and really wanting to go to university to fulfil my passions either in music or film studies (preferably music). However, researching the different universities and their requirements/ whether they accept access to higher education diplomas and it is a rocky road so I'm looking for advice.
Can any access to higher education course get you into the top universities given you attain a credible score? I figured it's better to aim for a university you really want to get into regardless of the difficult acceptance rate rather than shy away from it.
My main question is does your access to higher education course have to be related to the degree that you wish to study once you make it to university? The problem is I cannot find any access to higher education courses that are related to music or performing arts in general.
I'd be more than willing to do social studies and humanities or the likes of English Literature as a stepping stone towards the degree I actually want to do in the future. Any advice?
Thank you in advance.
You can search Access to HE courses here: https://www.accesstohe.ac.uk/course-search
I searched for "music" and it came back with one Music course, four Music Technology, and one Creative Entrepreneurship in Music. The Creative Entrepreneurship in Music and one of the Music Technology courses are distance learning.
Reply 4
Original post
by Lee5020SOGHello everyone,
I'm currently in my mid twenties and really wanting to go to university to fulfil my passions either in music or film studies (preferably music). However, researching the different universities and their requirements/ whether they accept access to higher education diplomas and it is a rocky road so I'm looking for advice.
Can any access to higher education course get you into the top universities given you attain a credible score? I figured it's better to aim for a university you really want to get into regardless of the difficult acceptance rate rather than shy away from it.
My main question is does your access to higher education course have to be related to the degree that you wish to study once you make it to university? The problem is I cannot find any access to higher education courses that are related to music or performing arts in general.
I'd be more than willing to do social studies and humanities or the likes of English Literature as a stepping stone towards the degree I actually want to do in the future. Any advice?
Thank you in advance.
I'm currently in my mid twenties and really wanting to go to university to fulfil my passions either in music or film studies (preferably music). However, researching the different universities and their requirements/ whether they accept access to higher education diplomas and it is a rocky road so I'm looking for advice.
Can any access to higher education course get you into the top universities given you attain a credible score? I figured it's better to aim for a university you really want to get into regardless of the difficult acceptance rate rather than shy away from it.
My main question is does your access to higher education course have to be related to the degree that you wish to study once you make it to university? The problem is I cannot find any access to higher education courses that are related to music or performing arts in general.
I'd be more than willing to do social studies and humanities or the likes of English Literature as a stepping stone towards the degree I actually want to do in the future. Any advice?
Thank you in advance.
@Lee5020SOG
Hello
I've taught on Access to HE for over 10 years (one year included Film and Media).
I would speak to the admissions tutors for the Universities of your choice. When the Government cut funding to F.E colleges in the 2010's a lot of film and media programs disappeared, because the learners could be put on the Access to HE Social Sciences pathways instead and still progress. It isn't the diploma titles that matter, depending on previous qualifications some universities want to see evidence of recent study - I had someone who did Access to Primary Teaching who went on to do music technology.
In terms of your knowledge, doing a Access to Film and Creative Media type program would be best, and if you are doing the course at a college and they have a H.E centre, they might have progression routes for you more locally. This is common in areas like Manchester where there is media city just up the road.
The unique selling point for Access, is that the course is free if you are 19+ and haven't used up your level 3 allocation (like A levels, BTEC), but it is also free if you have used it up and apply for an advanced learner loan. The loan is completely written off when you complete your degree which is not the same for similar programs.
I would also talk to the Head of Studies for Access at your local F.E college for additional advice
Marc
Arden University Student Ambassador
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