Ascentis Level 3 Access to HE Diploma (Primary Teaching)

The Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma is for learners aged 19+ who do not have the qualifications required to enter HE. Each year around 30,000 learners in the UK take Access programs and many go on to succeed in HE and embark on life changing new careers. The Primary Teaching Diploma can give you Access to further study at HE.

We offer both daytime and evening courses for Primary Teaching students - ideal for those who are working and capable of fitting around your existing commitments.

English GCSE grade C (4) or Functional Skills in English level 2 equivalent plus Maths GCSE grade C (4) or Functional skills. We do recommend that you have the same qualification in a science as this can limit your choice of university place. No additional Level 2 qualifications are required but they would be beneficial.

During the course you will be studying two main subject sets: Biology and Psychology.
Some of the topics covered in Psychology are main psychological theories, child development and research methods.
Some of the topics covered in biology are cell biology, aspects of human physiology and the reproductive system.

An Access to HE Diploma opens doors for every student. Whether you decide to use it to gain entry to university or not, it will improve your career prospects. You gain so much by studying an Access to HE Diploma: it teaches you skills that will make you stand out. From organisational skills and time management, to the ability to self-direct and research independently - you will be capable of things you hadn't previously thought possible. This will mean you can apply for job roles previously thought of as unavailable to you such health related roles and administration roles.

After successful completion of the course you can apply to study in HE on several pathways including Psychology, Primary teaching or indeed healthcare related courses.

Our entry requirements are in place to support our students in achieving the qualifications they have chosen to study. In addition to the entry requirements, all students will be regularly assessed by East Durham College at an early stage in their study programme. This is to ensure that students are enrolled onto courses which suit their abilities – following assessment, there may be occasions when students are transferred to a relevant course at a higher or lower level in order to ensure they are enrolled on to the right course for them to achieve and progress.

English GCSE grade C (4) or Functional Skills in English level 2 equivalent plus Maths GCSE grade C (4) or Functional skills. We do recommend that you have the same qualification in a science as this can limit your choice of university place. No additional Level 2 qualifications are required but they would be beneficial.

Entry onto any course at EDC may have entry requirements in addition to exam results; this includes but is not limited to DBS checks, references, fitness to practice and at times physical requirements to be capable of achieving the practical elements of the course without assistance. Entry onto any course at East Durham College is subject to final approval from the Assistant Principal.

All assessments are assessed internally and include assignments, essays, reports, research projects and controlled assessments.
Further study
After successful completion of this course you may continue with further study at university in many degrees.

September 2025

Your course is structured over 36 weeks from September to June, divided into two semesters. Your course will run either over two evenings per week, or two daytimes per week. Six hours in total per week in class, with a minimum of six hours per week independent study.