Access to Higher Education International Study Programme

The Access to Higher Education for Speakers of Other Languages is a full-time programme lasting one year which prepares you for successful university or other vocational studies. You study English, maths and three academic subjects. The programme is for students who are over 19 and who intend to go to a British university.

Each full-time student on Access to HE for Speakers of Other Languages chooses three subjects which can combine different pathways, or specialise in one pathway:

HUMANITIES PATHWAY
Choose from:
Business Studies
Law
Culture and Society
European Studies
Psychology

SCIENCE PATHWAY
Choose from:
Biology
Chemistry
Physics

All students study English Language which also helps those of you who will need to take an IELTS exam. The English subjects are:
• academic writing: learn how to write proofread and edit effective academic essays
• grammar: learn how to communicate accurately in English at an advanced level
• presentation skills: learn how to debate and give presentations
• vocabulary: learn how words are formed and used
• reading: learn how to read a variety of academic texts and take notes

Tutorial: Your personal tutor helps you to make a good application to a British university and to apply for financial support.

Maths: all students have a class in maths, either at Level 2 or at Level 3. This is to satisfy university entrance requirements, and can be in addition to your course.

Assessment: you build up a portfolio of credits during the year based on your coursework, examination performance and attendance in class. These credits are awarded by the Credit 4 Learning Open College Network . Your performance can be assessed at Level 2 or at Level 3. Level 3 credits are awarded at pass, merit or distinction grades. To get the Access Diploma, you need to achieve a minumum of 60 credits. 45 must be at Level 3.

You improve your English language skills for academic situations and you gain the study skills you need for higher education.

The other skills you improve include speaking in front of an audience, academic research skills, independent study, time management and how to work under pressure. The English language part of the course also helps if you need to take an IELTS exam.

You will usually have successfully completed high school in your own country at Level 2 (GCSE level).

If your education was interrupted and you have no qualifications, you should be able to show that you have experience and understanding that is equivalent to formal educational qualifications. This might include work experience at a professional level, voluntary activities or even bringing up a family in the UK.

You will need to demonstrate that you have a good upper-intermediate level of English, equivalent to IELTS 5.5 or ESOL Reading and Writing Level 1. We will ask you to complete a piece of writing at interview so we know what language level you have.

To apply for the course fill in the application form giving full details of your qualifications from your own country as well as details of any English Language tests you have taken.

Our students are very successful in gaining places at excellent universities. Some study nearby at Oxford Brookes, Ruskin College Oxford and Buckinghamshire New University, and some move further away. Other students use their improved skills and qualifications to move back into employment, perhaps taking on more responsibility or moving into a different area of work.

Note that the Access Diploma is only recognised in the UK and meets minimum university entry requirements: some universities will set higher requirements for certain courses.