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YOUR ACCESS TO SUCCESS

Access is the perfect option for people aged 19 and over who have been out of education for a while or who are seeking a career change.

Access to Higher Education is for adults aged 19 and over who would like to attend university

Why Access to Higher Education

Some of the most popular Access subject areas include IT and computing, health and social care, education, and business management, but at City College there are loads of Access and Pre-Access courses to choose from.

We also offer the option to study an express course or do all of your learning exclusively online; but for those who love learning through collaboration, our part-time and evening courses will fit neatly around other commitments. 

Please note Access to HE courses are not available to people under the age of 19.

 

Access study options

To allow as many people as possible to benefit from the opportunities offered by Access to Higher Education, City College has tried to make its delivery of these courses as flexible as possible, with many of its courses offering a choice of delivery modes. Please use the dropdowns below to see the details of each one.

Your chosen mode of delivery will be determined during your interview.

You will study at the College three days a week for one year.

You will study at the College two days a week  for one year.

You will study at the College two evenings a week for one year.

You will study from home at a time that suits you with no set timetable for one year.

For distance learning Access courses, the entry requirements are different and you must have already passed GCSE English and maths at grade 4/C or above.

Please be aware you might expected to attend the College for a number of mandatory workshops.

You will study at the College one day a week for two years.

Choose your course

Social Science (Psychology, Sociology and Law)

  • Course code: SOCFT, SOCXE
  • Level: 3
  • Qualification: Access, Diploma
  • Awarding body: Cambridge Access Validating Agency (CAVA)
  • Duration: One year
  • Course type: FREE (Eligibility Applies), Full-time, Part-time

Psychology, Sociology and Law (Online Course)

  • Course code: SOCONL
  • Level: 3
  • Qualification: Access, Diploma
  • Awarding body: Cambridge Access Validating Agency (CAVA)
  • Duration: One year
  • Course type: Distance learning, FREE (Eligibility Applies)

Pre-Access (Step-up Programme)

  • Course code: SUP01
  • Level: 2
  • Qualification: Access, Certificate
  • Awarding body: City College Plymouth
  • Duration: Six weeks
  • Course type: FREE (Eligibility Applies), Part-time
View all courses

Funding your Access course

If you’re concerned about the costs of returning to education, any student over the age of 19 can apply for a Government-funded Advanced Learner Loan. This will cover your course fees so you don’t have to worry about paying up front. Plus, any Access student who goes on to complete a higher education qualification will not have to pay back the loan for the Access course. So what’s stopping you?

See our Advanced Learner Loan page for more information and details of how to apply.

“I’m pleased I did my Access course with the College. The lecturers were really supportive and you would always get a quick response to a question.”

Caley Mead

“Even the modules I found most difficult I did well in. I don’t think I’ve ever had such good results.”

Luke Reeves

I hope to become a family law barrister, providing protection for vulnerable children. I feel my future is full of possibilities thanks to Access.”

Toni Perrin

Tony's Story: Access to Higher Education

Mature student Tony is not only learning about history, he’s creating it too!⁠

Tony, aged 71, has recently completed an Access to Higher Education course at City College Plymouth and is now set to become possibly the oldest ever history undergraduate at the University of Plymouth when he takes on a degree there.

With a remarkable story about positivity, loss and learning, Tony shows us it is never too late to learn!⁠

Learn more about Tony’s story through the video below!

Please accept marketing-cookies to watch this video.

Virtual Tour

City College Plymouth like you’ve never seen it before. Tour our facilities from the comfort of your sofa and explore our various subject area-focused introductory videos and demonstrations.

Welcome to City College

Come visit us

We hold multiple events all year round, from Year 11 taster sessions to full open days. Our events are a great way to see our facilities, meet our staff and get a feel for life at City College.