Access to Higher Education

OCNSER Access Workspaces using Glasscubes Coming early 2010

Our old BT Workspaces for centres and moderators will be replaced by a new service on 'Glasscubes' in early 2010.

OCNSER's Access Vision and Policy Statement

Please click HERE for a summary of our commitment to the development of Access to HE in the region.

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 OCNSER 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 older and adult learners into higher education. On most Access courses you will be able to apply direct to a university using the UCAS application process. In most cases you have to be interviewed by the university and pass the Access Course and on some courses passing the course may guarantee you entry to a particular university.

QAA Access to HE Diploma

The QAA Access to HE Diploma and credit specifications are now offered on all OCNSER validated Access provision. Click HEREto go to the QAA specifications.

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. Use this site to discover more about how to apply to higher education and which courses to apply for.

UCAS
This is the central body responsible for co-ordinating the applications process for higher education institutions. http://www.ucas.ac.uk/students/maturestudents/

The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education
http://www.accesstohe.ac.uk/
The agency responsible for assuring the quality of the Access to HE Framework which guarantees the standards of Access to HE programmes. You can use this site if you are a student, Access Tutor or HE Admissions Tutor to discover more about Access to HE Diplomas. There is also a searchable online database of Access courses at https://ava.qaa.ac.uk/SubSites/PublicSearch/search.aspx