Access to Higher Education

On this page:

• What is Access to Higher Education?
• Links to relevant agencies for further Access information

OCNSER - the AVA for Access in SE

OCN South East Region is the regional Acess Validating Agency operating across the full range of the South East Region.

Access News for Centres Feb/March 2008 now available - click opposite to download

Download documents for Access

Click on the link in the following title to go to our Access Downloads Page from this page you can download Access moderation and accreditation information as well as our Access Briefings and Newsletters

Access to HE Directory for 2008 - now available - click on image to download a pdf version.

What is Access to Higher Education?

Access courses are an exciting alternative to 'A', A/S Levels etc. for people who want to go on to study at a higher level such as a degree or Higher National Diploma. These courses are designed locally, usually by further and adult education colleges in conjunction with local universities. Their quality is assured by the OCN and the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA). The courses all meet a set of national standards but will vary in content regionally depending on the specialisms available at each centre.

Access Courses are nationally recognised Qualifications and they provide one of the main routes for adult learners into higher education. On most Access courses you will be able to apply direct to a university. In most cases you have to be interviewed by the university and pass the Access Course and on some courses passing the course will guarantee you entry to a particular university.

QAA Access to HE Diploma

The QAA Access to HE Diploma and credit specifications are being implemented by OCNSER between now and the end of 2007-08. From 2008 onwards all Access provision in the South East Region will be validated as Access to HE Diplomas. Click HEREto go to the QAA specifications.

During 2007-08 we are applying a Diploma Compliance process to all Access provision accredited by OCNSER. We have published a separate Diploma Compliance Page (click the link to go there) to provide further information for providing organisations.

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Links to relevant agencies for further Access information

The links on this section will take you to sites which contain further useful information relating to Access programmes and higher education.

UCAS
This is the central body responsible for co-ordinating the applications process for higher education institutions. It has useful information about Access programmes which whilst aimed at admissions tutors in higher education, also provides valuable information for anyone interested in Access to HE. UCAS also hosts a central database of Access to HE programmes making it easy to find information about approved Access courses. You can search for location, subject etc. http://www.ucas.ac.uk/access/

The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/access/
The agency responsible for assuring the quality of the Access to HE Framework which guarantees the standards of Access to HE programmes. You can find information about the reviews of AVAs and other useful information at this site.

Information for Kent & Medway

In Kent the following universities regularly take successful Access students on to their degree courses:

Canterbury Christ Church University College
http://www.cant.ac.uk

Canterbury Christ Church University College - Thanet Campus
http://www.cant.ac.uk/thanet/

University of Greenwich
http://www.gre.ac.uk

University of Kent at Canterbury
http://www.ukc.ac.uk

University of Kent - Bridge Wardens' College site
http://www.bwc.ukc.ac.uk

University of Kent at Canterbury - Unit for Regional Learning
http://www.ukc.ac.uk/url/

University College of Creative Arts
http://www.ucreative.ac.uk/

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